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Federal - Executive Branch

News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from the U.S. Executive Branch, covering all aspects of the Obama administration including cabinet departments, federal agencies, regulatory and independent agencies.

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USDA Designates Two Counties in New York as Primary Natural Disaster Areas

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency - Connecticut Field Office issued the following news release:

Agricultural producers in Columbia and Dutchess counties in New York, who suffered losses and damages due to excessive and strong winds, hail, lightning and a tornado, may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans. The loans are made available under the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue.

Producers in the contiguous counties of Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rensselaer and Ulster in New ... Show Full Article

That Stinks! 1 in 15 Americans Smell Odors That Aren't There

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' National Institutes of Health issued the following news release:

Imagine the foul smell of an ash tray or burning hair. Now imagine if these kinds of smells were present in your life, but without a source. A new study finds that 1 in 15 Americans (or 6.5 percent) over the age of 40 experiences phantom odors. The study, published in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaotolaryngology/fullarticle/10.1001/jamaoto.2018.1446), is the first in the U.S. to use nationally representative data ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' National Institutes of Health issued the following news release: Imagine the foul smell of an ash tray or burning hair. Now imagine if these kinds of smells were present in your life, but without a source. A new study finds that 1 in 15 Americans (or 6.5 percent) over the age of 40 experiences phantom odors. The study, published in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaotolaryngology/fullarticle/10.1001/jamaoto.2018.1446), is the first in the U.S. to use nationally representative datato examine the prevalence of and risk factors for phantom odor perception. The study could inform future research aiming to unlock the mysteries of phantom odors.

The study was led by Kathleen Bainbridge, Ph.D., of the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Program at the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), part of the National Institutes of Health. Bainbridge and her team used data from 7,417 participants over 40 years of age from the 2011-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (link is external). The NHANES data were collected by the National Center for Health Statistics, which is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; data collection was partly funded by the NIDCD.

<"Problems with the sense of smell are often overlooked, despite their importance. They can have a big impact on appetite, food preferences, and the ability to smell danger signals such as fire, gas leaks, and spoiled food," said Judith A. Cooper, Ph.D., acting director of the NIDCD.

Donald Leopold, M.D., one of the study's authors and clinical professor in the Department of Surgery at University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, adds that patients who perceive strong phantom odors often have a miserable quality of life, and sometimes cannot maintain a healthy weight.

Researchers used this NHANES survey question to determine whether participants had experienced phantom odor perception: "Do you sometimes smell an unpleasant, bad, or burning odor when nothing is there?" To explore the correlation between phantom odors and participant characteristics, the researchers looked at participants' age, sex, education level, race/ethnicity, socio-economic status, certain health habits, and general health status.

The ability to identify odors tends to decrease with age. Phantom odor perception, on the other hand, seems to improve with age. One previous study, using data from a community in Sweden, showed that 4.9 percent of people over the age of 60 experience phantom odors, with a higher prevalence in women than men. The present study found a similar prevalence in the over-60 age group, but in examining a broader age range, found an even higher prevalence in ages 40-60. The study also found that about twice as many women as men reported phantom odors, and that the female predominance was particularly striking for those under age 60.

Other risk factors for the onset of phantom odors include head injury, dry mouth, poor overall health, and low socio-economic status. Researchers hypothesized that people with lower socio-economic status may more commonly be exposed to environmental pollutants and toxins, or have health conditions that contribute to phantom odors, either directly or because of medications needed to treat their health conditions.

"The causes of phantom odor perception are not understood. The condition could be related to overactive odor sensing cells in the nasal cavity or perhaps a malfunction in the part of the brain that understands odor signals. A good first step in understanding any medical condition is a clear description of the phenomenon. From there, other researchers may form ideas about where to look further for possible causes and ultimately for ways to prevent or treat the condition," said Bainbridge.

About the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD): NIDCD supports and conducts research and research training on the normal and disordered processes of hearing, balance, taste, smell, voice, speech, and language and provides health information, based upon scientific discovery, to the public.

About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation's medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit http://www.nih.gov.

Soldier Killed During Korean War Accounted for (Spangenberg, G.)

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency issued the following news:

Army Pfc. George L. Spangenberg, killed during the Korean War, was accounted for on August 14.

In November 1950, Spangenberg was a member of Company E, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. He was reported missing in action on Nov. 2, 1950 following a battle in Unsan, North Korea, the days prior.

Spangengberg's name was never included on lists of American Soldiers being held as prisoners of war by the Korean People's Army (KPA) or the Chinese People's Volunteer Forces (CPVF,) ... Show Full Article

Former Virgin Islands Senator Convicted of Wire Fraud and Theft of Federal Program Funds

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- The U.S. Department of Justice's Criminal Division issued the following news release:

A former senator for the U.S. Virgin Islands has been convicted for wire fraud and theft of federal program funds for taking money ostensibly being used to fund a historical research project, announced Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department's Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Gretchen C. F. Shappert for the District of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Wayne A.G. James, 56, of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, was convicted of two counts of wire fraud and one ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- The U.S. Department of Justice's Criminal Division issued the following news release: A former senator for the U.S. Virgin Islands has been convicted for wire fraud and theft of federal program funds for taking money ostensibly being used to fund a historical research project, announced Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department's Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Gretchen C. F. Shappert for the District of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Wayne A.G. James, 56, of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, was convicted of two counts of wire fraud and onecount of theft of federal program funds. Sentencing has been set for Dec. 20.

"Wayne James abused his trusted position as a senator for the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands by stealing tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars to pay his own campaign and personal expenses," said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. "Public corruption undermines confidence in our government institutions and the rule of law. Wayne James's conviction is a testament to the commitment of the Criminal Division and our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who breach the public's trust for their personal gain."

James was indicted in October 2015. From January 2009 through January 2011, James served as a senator for the U.S. Virgin Islands. According to the evidence admitted at trial, in or about April 2009, James began submitting requests to the Legislature of the U.S. Virgin Islands for funds, ostensibly to pay for research, copying, and translation of historical documents housed at the Danish National Archives related to the Fireburn, a revolt against slave labor that took place in the Virgin Islands in the 1800s. Though James initially did use some of the requested funds to pay for the research project, he soon began to take money for himself. By 2010, James fabricated entire invoices and simply stole the money. James caused the Legislature of the Virgin Islands to pay him over $90,000, approximately $70,000 of which he took for himself. James used the misappropriated government funds to pay his re-election campaign expenses and other personal expenses after his legislative salary was garnished from a tax levy of more than $197,000.

"The U.S. Attorney's Office for the U.S. Virgin Islands is committed to rooting out fraud and corruption in our government," said U.S. Attorney Shappert. "The defendant's betrayal of the people and his elected office is intolerable and we will continue to pursue such abuses of the public trust. Here, the defendant exploited a precious piece of Virgin Islands history for his own purposes. And a Virgin Islands jury held him accountable. "

The FBI and the Office of the Virgin Islands Inspector General investigated this case. Trial Attorneys Amanda R.Vaughn and Luke Cass of the Criminal Division's Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Delia Smith prosecuted the case.

FERC Issues Letter Involving PacifiCorp

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- The U.S. Department of Energy's Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued the following letter (Docket No. ER18-1331-000):

To: Matthew McVee, Chief Regulatory Counsel, PacifiCorp, 825 N.E. Multnomah, Suite 2000, Portland, OR 97232

Reference: Order No. 842 Compliance Filing

Dear Mr. McVee:

On April 10, 2018, PacifiCorp submitted revisions to the Generator Interconnection Procedures and Agreements under its Open Access Transmission Tariff, in compliance with Order No. 842. The revisions are in satisfactory compliance with the directives of Order No. 842, and are accepted ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- The U.S. Department of Energy's Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued the following letter (Docket No. ER18-1331-000): To: Matthew McVee, Chief Regulatory Counsel, PacifiCorp, 825 N.E. Multnomah, Suite 2000, Portland, OR 97232 Reference: Order No. 842 Compliance Filing Dear Mr. McVee: On April 10, 2018, PacifiCorp submitted revisions to the Generator Interconnection Procedures and Agreements under its Open Access Transmission Tariff, in compliance with Order No. 842. The revisions are in satisfactory compliance with the directives of Order No. 842, and are acceptedfor filing, effective May 15, 2018.

The filing was noticed on April 10, 2018, with comments, protests, or interventions due on or before May 1, 2018. No protests or adverse comments were filed. Notices of intervention and unopposed timely filed motions to intervene are granted pursuant to the operation of Rule 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 C.F.R. Section 385.214). Any opposed or untimely filed motion to intervene is governed by the provisions of Rule 214.

This action does not constitute approval of any service, rate, charge, classification, or any rule, regulation, contract, or practice affecting such rate or service provided for in the filed documents; nor shall such acceptance be deemed as recognition of any claimed contractual right or obligation associated therewith; and such acceptance is without prejudice to any findings or orders which have been or any which may hereafter be made by the Commission in any proceeding now pending or hereafter instituted by or against PacifiCorp.

This action is taken pursuant to the authority delegated to the Director, Division of Electric Power Regulation - West under 18 C.F.R. Section 375.307. This order constitutes final agency action. Requests for rehearing by the Commission may be filed within 30 days of the date of issuance of this order, pursuant to 18 C.F.R. Section 385.713.

Sincerely,

Steve P. Rodgers, Director, Division of Electric Power Regulation West

Footnotes:

PacifiCorp, FERC FPA Electric Tariff, Transmission OATT and Service Agmts, Attachment N, Appendices to Large Generator Interconnection Procedures, 7.0.0, Attachment O, Attachments to Small Generator Interconnection Procedures, 4.0.0.

Essential Reliability Services and the Evolving Bulk-Power System--Primary Frequency Response, Order No. 842, 83 Fed. Reg. 9,636 (Mar. 6, 2018), 162 61,128 (2018).

FERC Issues Letter Involving Enterprise TE Products Pipeline

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- The U.S. Department of Energy's Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued the following notice (Docket No. OR18-34-000):

NOTICE OF PETITION FOR DECLARATORY ORDER

Take notice that on August 13, 2018, pursuant to Rule 207(a)(2) of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (Commission) Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR 385.207(a)(2) (2017), Enterprise TE Products Pipeline Company LLC (Petitioner), filed a petition for a declaratory order seeking approval of general rate structure, terms of service, and prorationing methodology for an incremental expansion project, ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- The U.S. Department of Energy's Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued the following notice (Docket No. OR18-34-000): NOTICE OF PETITION FOR DECLARATORY ORDER Take notice that on August 13, 2018, pursuant to Rule 207(a)(2) of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (Commission) Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR 385.207(a)(2) (2017), Enterprise TE Products Pipeline Company LLC (Petitioner), filed a petition for a declaratory order seeking approval of general rate structure, terms of service, and prorationing methodology for an incremental expansion project,between an existing origin point at a tank farm and terminal facility near Indianapolis, and a currently idled destination point at a third party tank farm and terminal facility in Griffith, Indiana, all as more fully explained in the petition.

Any person desiring to intervene or to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214). Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. Such notices, motions, or protests must be filed on or before the comment date. Anyone filing a motion to intervene or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Petitioner.

The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the "eFiling" link at http://www.ferc.gov. Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 5 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20426

This filing is accessible on-line at http://www.ferc.gov, using the "eLibrary" link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an "eSubscription" link on the web site that enables subscribers to receive email notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please email FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, or call (866) 208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502-8659.

Comment Date: 5:00 pm Eastern time on September13, 2018.

Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary.

Blood Test May Identify Gestational Diabetes Risk in First Trimester, NIH Analysis Suggests

ROCKVILLE, Maryland, Aug. 16 -- The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child's Health and Human Development issued the following news release:

A blood test conducted as early as the 10th week of pregnancy may help identify women at risk for gestational diabetes, a pregnancy-related condition that poses potentially serious health risks for mothers and infants, according to researchers at the National Institutes of Health and other institutions. The study appears in Scientific Reports.

Gestational diabetes occurs only in pregnancy and results when the level of blood sugar, or glucose, ... Show Full Article ROCKVILLE, Maryland, Aug. 16 -- The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child's Health and Human Development issued the following news release: A blood test conducted as early as the 10th week of pregnancy may help identify women at risk for gestational diabetes, a pregnancy-related condition that poses potentially serious health risks for mothers and infants, according to researchers at the National Institutes of Health and other institutions. The study appears in Scientific Reports. Gestational diabetes occurs only in pregnancy and results when the level of blood sugar, or glucose,rises too high. Gestational diabetes increases the mother's chances for high blood pressure disorders of pregnancy and the need for cesarean delivery, and the risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes later in life. For infants, gestational diabetes increases the risk for large birth size. Unless they have a known risk factor, such as obesity, women typically are screened for gestational diabetes between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy.

In the current study, researchers evaluated whether the HbA1c test (also called the A1C test), commonly used to diagnose type 2 diabetes, could identify signs of gestational diabetes in the first trimester of pregnancy. The test approximates the average blood glucose levels over the previous 2 or 3 months, based on the amount of glucose that has accumulated on the surface of red blood cells. According to the authors, comparatively few studies have examined whether the HbA1c test could help identify the risk for gestational diabetes, and these studies have been limited to women already at high risk for the condition. The test is not currently recommended to diagnose gestational diabetes at any point in pregnancy.

The researchers analyzed records from the NICHD Fetal Growth Study, a large observational study that recruited more than 2,000 low-risk pregnant women from 12 U.S. clinical sites between 2009 and 2013. The researchers compared HbA1c test results from 107 women who later developed gestational diabetes to test results from 214 women who did not develop the condition. Most of the women had tests at four intervals during pregnancy: early (weeks 8-13), middle (weeks 16-22 and 24-29) and late (weeks 34-37).

Women who went on to develop gestational diabetes had higher HbA1c levels (an average of 5.3 percent), compared to those without gestational diabetes (an average HbA1c level of 5.1 percent). Each .1 percent increase in HbA1c above 5.1 percent in early pregnancy was associated with a 22-percent higher risk for gestational diabetes.

In middle pregnancy, HbA1c levels declined for both groups. However, HbA1c levels increased in the final third of pregnancy, which is consistent with the decrease in sensitivity to insulin that often occurs during this time period.

"Our results suggest that the HbA1C test potentially could help identify women at risk for gestational diabetes early in pregnancy, when lifestyle changes may be more effective in reducing their risk," said the study's senior author, Cuilin Zhang, Ph.D., of the Epidemiology Branch at NIH's Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

Exercise and a healthy diet may lower blood glucose levels during pregnancy. If these measures are not successful, physicians may prescribe insulin to bring blood glucose under control.

The authors noted that further studies are needed to confirm whether measuring HbA1c levels in early pregnancy could determine a woman's later risk for gestational diabetes. Similarly, research is needed to determine whether lowering HbA1c with lifestyle changes, either in early pregnancy or before pregnancy, could reduce the risk for the condition.

Reference

Hinkle SN, et al. HbA1c measured in the first trimester of pregnancy and the association with gestational diabetes Scientific Reports, 2018.

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