Electric Overhead Distribution Lines; Specifications and Drawings for 24.9/14.4 kV Line Construction

In 1998 the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) updated and revised its bulletin of specifications and drawings for 24.9/14.4kV overhead distribution line construction. The bulletin, formerly named Bulletin 50-5, was renamed ``RUS Bulletin 1728F-803; Specifications and Drawings for 24.9/14.4 kV Line Construction.'' This bulletin is incorporated by reference (IBR) in 7 CFR part 1728. As published in the Federal Register on December 31, 1998, at 63 FR 72102, this bulletin was approved for IBR by the Director of the Federal Register and was effective February 1, 1999. To allow borrowers to conduct an orderly transition from the old Bulletin 50-5 to the new construction assemblies and assembly numbers of the new Bulletin 1728F-803, RUS allowed compliance to either bulletin through December 31, 1999, in a compliance notice published in the Federal Register on March 29, 1999, at 64 FR 14813. To prevent additional errors which may result from the year 2000 compliance transitions, RUS has extended the compliance date for borrowers to utilize construction drawings in either Bulletin 50-5 or the new Bulletin 1728F-803 until July 1, 2001. After July 1, 2001, only Bulletin 1728F-803 standard drawings shall be used. It is anticipated that this action will also allow borrowers sufficient time to make necessary changes in engineering and accounting procedures and associated computer software.