[Federal Register: February 2, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 23)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 8747-8748]
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
10 CFR Part 1044
[Docket No. SO-RM-00-3164]
RIN 1992-AA26
Office of Security and Emergency Operations; Security
Requirements for Protected Disclosures Under Section 3164 of the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000
AGENCY: Department of Energy (DOE).
ACTION: Final rule; delay of effective date.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the memorandum of January 20, 2001, from
the Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff, entitled
``Regulatory Review Plan,'' published in the Federal Register on
January 24, 2001 (66 FR 7702), this action temporarily delays for 60
days the effective date of the rule entitled ``Office of Security and
Emergency Operations; Security Requirements for Protected Disclosures
Under Section 3164 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2000'' published in the Federal Register on January 18, 2001 (66
FR 4639).
DATES: The effective date of the rule adding 10 CFR part 1044 published
in the Federal Register at 66 FR 4639 on January 18, 2001 is delayed
for 60 days, from February 20, 2001, until April 23, 2001.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael D. Whatley, (202) 586-3410,
michael.whatley@hq.doe.gov; or Cathy Tullis, (301) 903-4805,
cathy.tullis@hq.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: To the extent that 5 U.S.C. section 553
applies to this action, it is exempt from notice and comment because it
constitutes a rule of procedure under 5 U.S.C. section 553(b)(A).
Alternatively, DOE's implementation of this action without opportunity
for public comment, effective immediately upon publication today in the
Federal Register, is based on the good cause exceptions in 5 U.S.C.
section 553(b)(B) and 553(d)(3). Seeking public comment is
impracticable, unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. The
temporary 60-day delay in
[[Page 8748]]
effective date is necessary to give DOE officials the opportunity for
further review and consideration of new regulations, consistent with
the Assistant to the President's memorandum of January 20, 2001. Given
the imminence of the effective date, seeking prior public comment on
this temporary delay would have been impractical, as well as contrary
to the public interest in the orderly promulgation and implementation
of regulations. The imminence of the effective date is also good cause
for making this action effective immediately upon publication.
Issued in Washington, D.C. on January 29, 2001.
Spencer Abraham,
Secretary of Energy.
[FR Doc. 01-2892 Filed 2-1-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P