FEMA RELEASES INFORMATION ON FLOOD INSURANCE REFORM

FEMA RELEASES INFORMATION ON FLOOD INSURANCE REFORM

NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE  HOMEOWNER FLOOD INSURANCE AFFORDABILITY ACT AND THE BIGGERT-WATERS FLOOD INSURANCE REFORM ACT

October 1, 2014
Dear Intergovernmental Partners:
Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is providing information on additional steps underway to implement changes to the program as a result of the 2012 and 2014 flood insurance reform legislation.  The guidance on the changes being implemented will bring rates into compliance with the new laws beginning April 1, 2015.
The NFIP provides the opportunity for homeowners, renters, and business to purchase flood insurance for protection from flooding. FEMA also works with communities to update and develop flood maps to inform the community of their current flood risk. These actions allow community members to take important steps to prepare for flooding risk in their area.
On March 21, 2014, President Obama signed the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act (HFIAA) of 2014 into law. This law repeals and amends certain provisions of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (Biggert-Waters) and the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968.
The new law slows some flood insurance rate increases and offers relief to some policyholders who experienced steep flood insurance premium increases in 2013 and early 2014.
The NFIP is in the process of implementing congressionally mandated reforms with the Program’s private sector, Write Your Own insurance company partners. Specifically, the flood insurance rate structure and business practices are being further revised to implement certain provisions of the legislations. Changes taking place in April 2015 include: annual rate increases for policies to support the gradual move to full risk rates; an increase in the Reserve Fund Assessment; implementation of an annual surcharge on all new and renewed policies; an additional deductible option; a one year preferred policy for policyholders who took part in a new flood map or revision; and an increase in the Federal Policy Fee.
The attached Backgrounder provides detailed information on the program changes taking place in April 1, 2015. Additional information can be found in the latest Bulletins provided to the NFIP’s private sector Write Your Own insurance partners at www.NFIPiService.com.
If you have any questions, please contact FEMA’s Intergovernmental Affairs Division at (202) 646-3444 or at FEMA-IGA@fema.dhs.gov.
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. 

GUIDANCE FOR PREPARING NOISE SURVEYS FOR NATURAL GAS COMPRESSOR STATIONS

Guidance for Preparing Noise Surveys for Natural Gas Compressor Stations

9.2 Noise Quality

Identify any applicable state or local noise regulation.

9.2.1  Existing Noise Levels

Ensure that the plot plans (scale 1:3,600 or greater) as shown on Figure 1.1-4, submitted in response to Resource Report 1, show the sites of existing and proposed compressor units, station fencing, property lines, and any nearby NSAs. The plot plan should also identify the location of noise measurements and NSAs, NSAs (which include residences, schools, hospitals, churches, playgrounds, farms, and camping facilities) should be identified in Resource Report 1 and quantitatively described in this report. In this section, identify all NSAs near the proposed compressor unit building on 1:24,000/1:25,000 scale USGS topographic maps provided in Resource Report 1 or describe by distance and direction from the location of the proposed compressor modification or addition. Provide the existing Ldn for each NSA, and as appropriate, denote NSAs and noise measurement locations on the plot plans.

If the compressors are to be installed at a new site, calculate the existing Ldn from sound level measurements, or estimate using typical noise levels for a land use type, such as in the EPA publication Community Noise (EPA, 1971). If the compressor units are being added to an existing facility, conduct a noise survey of the site property line and nearby NSAs when the station is operating at full load. Provide the results of the noise survey of the existing compressor units as: Leq (day), Leq (night), and Ldn, where Leq is the steady sound with the same total (equivalent) energy as the time-varying sound averaged over a specified period. Ldn is calculated using the formula:

Describe conditions during the noise survey, including:

·         time of day;

·         duration of measurements;

·         weather conditions;

·         wind speed and direction;

·         engine load; and

·         other sources of noise present at each measurement location.

During any sound level measurement, try to avoid times when unusual or extraneous noise which is not typical of station operation, such as noise from pets, lawnmowers, air compressors used in spray painting, or nearby construction activity, is occurring. If the noise generated by the existing compressor station impacts any nearby residences with an Ldn greater than 55 dBA, indicate if an acoustical analysis of the existing units(s) at the compressor station would be performed to quantify the magnitude and frequency spectrum of principal noise sources associated with the operation of the existing unit(s). Specify possible mitigation measures, including specific noise control equipment, necessary to reduce the noise level(s) from the unit(s) to 55 dBA Ldn at the nearby NSAs. Specify which noise reduction measures would be implemented and the schedule for implementing the mitigation measures.

9.2.2  Noise Impacts

Describe noise impacts from construction activities, including drilling if storage wells are proposed to be constructed. Calculate the noise impact of the compressor unit additions or modifications on all nearby NSAs and summarize as shown in table 9.2-1. The noise impact from the compressor units should be based on far-field sound data provided by the manufacturer, or on sound level measurements of a similar unit in service elsewhere. If measured noise levels from a similar unit are used, that unit should be as similar to the proposed unit as possible, including engine/turbine model, silencing equipment, and compressor building attenuation capabilities. In addition, no extraneous noise should be occurring during the sound level measurements of the comparative unit. As part of the impact assessment, provide the far-field sound data on the compressor or the results of the sound level measurements of the comparative unit.

Include step-by-step supporting calculations or identify the computer program used to model the noise levels, the input and raw output data and all assumptions made when running the model, far-field sound level data for maximum facility operation, and the source of the data.

Include:

·         Sound pressure levels for unmuffled engine inlets and exhausts, engine casings, and cooling equipment;

·         Dynamic insertion loss for all mufflers;

·         Sound transmission loss for all compressor building components, including walls, roof, doors, windows and ventilation openings;

·         Sound attenuation from the station to nearby noise-sensitive areas;

·         The manufacturer’s name, the model number, the performance rating; and

·         A description of each noise source and noise control component to be employed at the proposed compressor station.

Identify all proposed noise control equipment (e.g., inlet and exhaust silencers, building insulation, etc.) and provide the noise absorption capabilities of this equipment. Provide the sources of this information. Also explain how the noise level (Ldn) attributable to the proposed compressor units was calculated, including barrier, distance, air  and other attenuation factors that were used, and include any model results or calculation spreadsheets or procedures.

For proposed compressors the initial filing must include at least the proposed horsepower, type of compression, and energy source for the compressor.

Far-field sound level data measured from similar units in service elsewhere, when available, may be substituted for manufacturer’s far-field sound level data.

If specific noise control equipment has not been chosen, include a schedule for submitting the data prior to certification.

9.2.3  Mitigation

The noise estimate must demonstrate that the project will comply with applicable noise regulations and show how the facility will meet the following requirements:

The noise attributable to any new compressor station, compression added to an existing station, or any modification, upgrade or update of an existing station, must not exceed a day-night sound level (Ldn) of 55 dBA at any pre- existing noise-sensitive area (such as schools, hospitals, or residences).

New compressor stations or modifications of existing stations shall not result in a perceptible increase in vibration at any noise-sensitive area.