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12076 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 54 / Monday, March 23, 2009 / Rules and Regulations Metal halide lamp fixture means a light fixture for general lighting application designed to be operated with a metal halide lamp and a ballast for a metal halide lamp. Probe-start metal halide ballast means a ballast that starts a probe-start metal halide lamp that contains a third starting electrode (probe) in the arc tube, and does not generally contain an igniter but instead starts lamps with high ballast open circuit voltage. Pulse-start metal halide ballast means an electronic or electromagnetic ballast that starts a pulse-start metal halide lamp with high voltage pulses, where lamps shall be started by the ballast first providing a high voltage pulse for ionization of the gas to produce a glow discharge and then power to sustain the discharge through the glow-to-arc transition. Test Procedures dwashington3 on PROD1PC60 with RULES § 431.323 Materials incorporated by reference. (a) General. We incorporate by reference the following standards into Subpart S of Part 431. The material listed has been approved for incorporation by reference by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Any subsequent amendment to a standard by the standard-setting organization will not affect the DOE regulations unless and until amended by DOE. Material is incorporated as it exists on the date of the approval and a notice of any change in the material will be published in the Federal Register. All approved material is available for inspection at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202–741–6030 or go to http://www.archives.gov/ federal_register/ code_of_federal_regulations/ ibr_locations.html. Also, this material is available for inspection at U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies Program, 6th Floor, 950 L’Enfant Plaza, SW., Washington, DC 20024, 202–586–2945, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, or go to: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/ buildings/appliance_standards/. Standards can be obtained from the sources listed below. (b) ANSI. American National Standards Institute, 25 W. 43rd Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, 212– 642–4900, or go to http://www.ansi.org. (1) ANSI C78.43–2004, Revision and consolidation of ANSI C78.1372–1997, VerDate Nov<24>2008 15:22 Mar 20, 2009 Jkt 217001 .1374–1997, .1375–1997, .1376–1997, .1377–1997, .1378–1997, .1379–1997, .1382–1997, .1384–1997, and .1650– 2003 (‘‘ANSI C78.43’’), American National Standard for electric lamps: Single-Ended Metal Halide Lamps, approved May 5, 2004, IBR approved for § 431.322; (2) ANSI C82.6–2005, Proposed Revision of ANSI C82.6–1985 (‘‘ANSI C82.6’’), American National Standard for Lamp Ballasts—Ballasts for HighIntensity Discharge Lamps—Methods of Measurement, approved February 14, 2005, IBR approved for § 431.322; (c) NFPA. National Fire Protection Association, 11 Tracy Drive, Avon, MA 02322, 1–800–344–3555, or go to http:// www.nfpa.org; (1) NFPA 70–2002 (‘‘NFPA 70’’), National Electrical Code 2002 Edition, IBR approved for § 431.326; (2) [Reserved]. (e) UL. Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., COMM 2000, 1414 Brook Drive, Downers Grove, IL 60515, 1–888–853– 3503, or go to http://www.ul.com. (1) UL 1029 (ANSI/UL 1029–2007) (‘‘UL 1029’’), Standard for Safety HighIntensity-Discharge Lamp Ballasts, 5th edition, May 25, 1994, which consists of pages dated May 25, 1994, September 28, 1995, August 3, 1998, February 7, 2001 and December 11, 2007, IBR approved for § 431.326. (2) [Reserved]. § 431.324 Uniform test method for the measurement of energy efficiency of metal halide ballasts. (a) Scope. This section provides test procedures for measuring, pursuant to EPCA, the energy efficiency of metal halide ballasts. (b) Testing and Calculations. [Reserved] Energy Conservation Standards § 431.326 Energy conservation standards and their effective dates. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, each metal halide lamp fixture manufactured on or after January 1, 2009, and designed to be operated with lamps rated greater than or equal to 150 watts but less than or equal to 500 watts shall contain— (1) A pulse-start metal halide ballast with a minimum ballast efficiency of 88 percent; (2) A magnetic probe-start ballast with a minimum ballast efficiency of 94 percent; or (3) A nonpulse-start electronic ballast with either a minimum ballast efficiency of 92 percent for wattages greater than 250 watts; or a minimum ballast efficiency of 90 percent for wattages less than or equal to 250 watts. PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 (b) The standards described in paragraph (a) of this section do not apply to— (1) Metal halide lamp fixtures with regulated lag ballasts; (2) Metal halide lamp fixtures that use electronic ballasts that operate at 480 volts; or (3) Metal halide lamp fixtures that; (i) Are rated only for 150 watt lamps; (ii) Are rated for use in wet locations; as specified by the National Fire Protection Association in NFPA 70 (incorporated by reference; see § 431.323); and (iii) Contain a ballast that is rated to operate at ambient air temperatures above 50°C, as specified in UL 1029, (incorporated by reference; see § 431.323). [FR Doc. E9–5935 Filed 3–20–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM 12 CFR Part 225 [Regulation Y; Docket No. R–1193] Capital Adequacy Guidelines: Trust Preferred Securities and the Definition of Capital; Delay of Implementation Date AGENCY: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board). ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final rule delays the March 31, 2009, implementation date for certain amendments to the Board’s capital adequacy guidelines for bank holding companies on trust preferred securities and the definition of capital published by the Board in the Federal Register on March 10, 2005. Due to the continuing stressed conditions in the financial markets and in order to promote stability in the financial markets and the banking industry as a whole, the Board has decided to delay until March 31, 2011, the implementation date of new requirements that: limit the aggregate amount of cumulative perpetual preferred stock, trust preferred securities, and minority interests in the equity accounts of most consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, restricted core capital elements) included in the tier 1 capital of all bank holding companies; require bank holding companies to deduct goodwill, less any associated deferred tax liability, from the sum of core capital elements in calculating the amount of restricted core capital elements that may be included in tier 1 capital; and impose further limits on the E:\FR\FM\23MRR1.SGM 23MRR1 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 54 / Monday, March 23, 2009 / Rules and Regulations dwashington3 on PROD1PC60 with RULES amount of restricted core capital elements that internationally active bank holding companies may include in tier 1 capital. DATES: This amendment is effective March 23, 2009. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norah M. Barger, Deputy Director, (202) 452–2402, or John Connolly, Senior Project Manager, (202) 452–3621, Division of Banking Supervision and Regulation; or April C. Snyder, Counsel, (202) 452–3099, Benjamin W. McDonough, Senior Attorney, (202) 452–2036, or Kathleen M. O’Day, Deputy General Counsel, (202) 452– 3786, Legal Division; Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 20th Street and Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20551. For the hearing impaired only, Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD), (202) 263–4869. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background On March 10, 2005, the Board published in the Federal Register (70 FR 11827) a final rule (final rule) amending its risk-based capital standards for bank holding companies (BHCs) (1) to allow the continued inclusion of outstanding and prospective issuances of trust preferred securities in the tier 1 capital of BHCs, subject to stricter requirements,1 and (2) to revise the requirements generally applied to the aggregate amount of restricted core capital elements (including trust preferred securities) included in the tier 1 capital of BHCs.2 These new limits on trust preferred securities and other restricted core capital elements (new limits) were scheduled to become effective on March 31, 2009. As noted in the preamble to the final rule, the Board adopted the final rule to address supervisory concerns, competitive equity considerations, and changes in generally accepted accounting principles and to strengthen the definition of regulatory capital for BHCs.3 Under limits on restricted core capital elements that are currently in effect, a BHC generally may include in tier 1 capital cumulative perpetual preferred stock and trust preferred securities up to 25 percent of the sum of core capital elements (including cumulative perpetual preferred stock and trust preferred securities).4 The new limits 1 70 FR 11827 (March 10, 2005). 12 CFR part 225, Appendix A, sections II.A.1.b.i and II.A.2.d.iv. 3 70 FR 11827 (March 10, 2005). 4 In addition, on October 22, 2008, the Board issued an interim final rule that allows BHCs to 2 See VerDate Nov<24>2008 15:22 Mar 20, 2009 Jkt 217001 would limit restricted core capital elements includable in the tier 1 capital of a BHC to 25 percent of the sum of core capital elements (including restricted core capital elements), net of goodwill less any associated deferred tax liability. In addition, internationally active BHCs would be subject to a further limitation.5 In particular, the amount of restricted core capital elements (other than qualifying mandatory convertible preferred securities) that an internationally active BHC could include in tier 1 capital could not exceed 15 percent of the sum of core capital elements (including restricted core capital elements), net of goodwill less any associated deferred tax liability.6 II. Postponement of the Implementation Date On May 19, 2004, the Board issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (proposed rule) under which the new limits would have come into force on March 31, 2007.7 Several commenters to the proposed rule asked the Board to extend the transition period for compliance with the new limits.8 These commenters noted that an extended transition period would allow affected BHCs substantially more flexibility in managing their compliance with the new limits through a combination of redeeming outstanding trust preferred securities with expired no-call periods and generating capital internally through the retention of earnings.9 For these reasons, and consistent with comments received, in the final rule the Board established an implementation date for the new limits of March 31, 2009, to allow BHCs to transition to the new limits. In light of conditions in the capital markets, the Board has considered whether an additional extension of the implementation date of the new limits is appropriate. The economic conditions for the past 18 months, and currently, have created a situation in which include new senior perpetual preferred securities issued to the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury) under the capital purchase program announced by the Secretary of the Treasury on October 14, 2008, in tier 1 capital without limit. 73 FR 62851 (October 22, 2008). 5 An internationally active BHC is defined as a BHC that (1) as of its most recent year-end FR Y– 9C reports total consolidated assets equal to $250 billion or more or (2) on a consolidated basis, reports total on-balance-sheet foreign exposure of $10 billion or more on its filings of the most recent year-end FFIEC 009 Country Exposure Report. See 12 CFR part 225, appendix A, section II.A.1.b.i.(2) at n. 6. 6 See 70 FR 11830. 7 See 69 FR 28851 (May 19, 2004). 8 70 FR 11832. 9 Id. PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 12077 requiring adherence to the new limits by the March 31, 2009, implementation date creates a substantial burden for many BHCs in a way that was not anticipated when the final rule was adopted in 2005. In the prevailing market conditions, it is especially important for BHCs to expend efforts to increase their overall capital levels, although it is challenging to do so now through retention of earnings, the most typical means. Therefore, to promote stability in the financial markets and the banking industry as a whole, the Board has decided to further delay the implementation date of the new limits until March 31, 2011. The Board believes that this extended transition period would allow affected BHCs sufficient flexibility to satisfy the Board’s risk-based and leverage capital guidelines during the current stressed market conditions.10 The Board notes that the new limits apply only to regulatory capital calculations and do not affect the ability of restricted core capital instruments to absorb losses. However, as a general matter and in light of the Board’s continuing interest in assuring the appropriate regulatory capital treatment of trust preferred securities (and other restricted core capital elements), institutions that intend to issue new restricted core capital instruments should consult with appropriate Reserve Bank and Board staff prior to issuance. Administrative Procedure Act Pursuant to sections 553(b) and (d) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553(b) and (d)), the Board finds that there is good cause for delaying the implementation date of the final rule, and that it is impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking and provide an opportunity to comment before the implementation date. The Board has adopted the rule in light of, and to help address, the potential adverse effects of imposing new regulatory capital restrictions, the continuing stressed market conditions, and BHCs’ efforts to increase their overall capital levels. Because the implementation date of the final rule (March 31, 2009) is imminent, it is impracticable to seek further public comment before issuing this amendment to the final rule delaying the implementation date of the new limits. In addition, the delay will further the Board’s efforts, as well as the efforts of 10 With respect to the Board’s first quarter 2009 regulatory reports, the Board will provide supplemental instructions to BHCs on how to report overages in their restricted core capital elements. E:\FR\FM\23MRR1.SGM 23MRR1 12078 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 54 / Monday, March 23, 2009 / Rules and Regulations the other Federal banking agencies and Treasury, to respond to the current financial situation. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Regulatory Flexibility Act Authority and Issuance Under section 604 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 604), a final regulatory flexibility analysis is required only for notice-and-comment rulemakings conducted under section 553 of the APA. Since the Board finds that there is ‘‘good cause’’ under the APA for not proceeding with noticeand-comment rulemaking for this amendment to the implementation date for the final rule, the RFA does not require that a final regulatory flexibility analysis be provided for this amendment. The Board provided regulatory flexibility analysis in the preamble to the final rule published on March 10, 2005 (70 FR 11827–11838). In that regulatory flexibility analysis, the Board considered the likely impact of the final rule on small entities and determined that the final rule will not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities. ■ Paperwork Reduction Act In accordance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506), the Board has reviewed this rule to assess any information collections. There are no collections of information as defined by the Paperwork Reduction Act in this rule. Solicitation of Comments on Use of Plain Language Section 722 of the Gramm-LeachBliley Act, Public Law 106–102, requires the Federal banking agencies to use plain language in all proposed and final rules published after January 1, 2000. The Board invited comment on how to make the final rule easier to understand.11 No commenter indicated that the proposed rule should be revised to make it easier to understand. In the preamble to the final rule the Board indicated that it believes the final rule is written plainly and clearly.12 dwashington3 on PROD1PC60 with RULES List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 225 Administrative Practice and Procedure, Banks, Banking, Federal Reserve System, Holding companies, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Securities. 11 69 12 70 FR 28856 (May 19, 2004). FR 11834 (March 10, 2005). VerDate Nov<24>2008 15:22 Mar 20, 2009 Jkt 217001 12 CFR Chapter II For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System amends part 225 of chapter II of title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations as follows: PART 225—BANK HOLDING COMPANIES AND CHANGE IN BANK CONTROL (REGULATION Y) 1. The authority citation for part 225 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1817(j)(13), 1818, 1828(o), 1831i, 1831p–1, 1843(c)(8), 1844(b), 1972(1), 3106, 3108, 3310, 3331–3351, 3907, and 3909; 15 U.S.C. 6801 and 6805. Appendix A to Part 225 [Amended] 2. In Appendix A to part 225, paragraphs II.A.1.b.ii. and II.A.2.d.iv. are amended by removing ‘‘2009’’ and adding ‘‘2011’’ in its place wherever it appears. ■ By order of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, March 16, 2009. Jennifer J. Johnson, Secretary of the Board. [FR Doc. E9–6096 Filed 3–20–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6210–02–P FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION 12 CFR Part 370 RIN 3064–AD37 Amendment of the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program To Extend the Debt Guarantee Program and To Impose Surcharges on Assessments for Certain Debt Issued on or After April 1, 2009 AGENCY: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). ACTION: Interim Rule with request for comments. SUMMARY: The FDIC is issuing this Interim Rule to amend the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program (TLGP) by providing a limited extension of the Debt Guarantee Program (DGP) for insured depository institutions (IDIs) participating in the DGP. The extended DGP also would apply to other participating entities; however, other participating entities that have not issued FDIC-guaranteed debt before April 1, 2009 are required to submit an application to and obtain approval from the FDIC to participate in the extended PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 DGP. The Interim Rule imposes surcharges on certain debt issued on or after April 1, 2009. Any surcharge collected will be deposited into the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF or Fund). The Interim Rule also establishes an application process whereby entities participating in the extended DGP may apply to issue non-FDIC-guaranteed debt during the extension period. DATES: The Interim Rule becomes effective on March 23, 2009. Comments on the Interim Rule must be received by April 7, 2009. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the Interim Rule by any of the following methods: • Agency Web Site: http:// www.FDIC.gov/regulations/laws/ federal/notices.html. Follow instructions for submitting comments on the Agency Web Site. • E-mail: Comments@FDIC.gov. Include RIN # 3064–AD37 on the subject line of the message. • Mail: Robert E. Feldman, Executive Secretary, Attention: Comments, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, 550 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20429. • Hand Delivery: Comments may be hand delivered to the guard station at the rear of the 550 17th Street Building (located on F Street) on business days between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Instructions: All comments received will be posted generally without change to http://www.fdic.gov/regulations/laws/ federal/propose.html, including any personal information provided. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark L. Handzlik, Senior Attorney, Legal Division, (202) 898–3990 or mhandzlik@fdic.gov; Robert C. Fick, Counsel, Legal Division, (202) 898–8962 or rfick@fdic.gov; A. Ann Johnson, Counsel, Legal Division, (202) 898–3573 or aajohnson@fdic.gov; (for questions or comments related to applications) Lisa D Arquette, Associate Director, Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection, (202) 898–8633 or larquette@fdic.gov; Serena L. Owens, Associate Director, Supervision and Applications Branch, Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection, (202) 898–8996 or sowens@fdic.gov; Gail Patelunas, Deputy Director, Division of Resolutions and Receiverships, (202) 898–6779 or gpatelunas@fdic.gov; Donna Saulnier, Manager, Assessment Policy Section, Division of Finance, (703) 562–6167 or dsaulnier@fdic.gov; or Munsell St. Clair, Chief, Bank and Regulatory Policy Section, Division of Insurance and Research, (202) 898–8967 or mstclair@fdic.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\23MRR1.SGM 23MRR1