Agency information collection activities: Proposed collection; comment request,

[Federal Register: August 20, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 161)]

[Notices]

[Page 43581]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr20au01-52]

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Energy Information Administration

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY: Energy Information Administration (EIA), Department of Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request.

SUMMARY: The EIA is soliciting comments on the proposed three-year extension to the Form FE-746R, ``Import and Export of Natural Gas.''

DATES: Comments must be filedon or before October 19, 2001. If you anticipate difficulty in submitting comments within that period, contact the person listed below as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Yvonne Caudillo, Office of Fossil Energy, FE-34, Forrestal Building, U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, DC 20585. Alternatively, Yvonne Caudillo may be contacted by telephone at (202) 586-4587, FAX at (202) 586-4062, or e-mail at yvonne.caudillo@hq.doe.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of any forms and instructions should be directed to Yvonne Caudillo at the address listed above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background II. Current Actions III. Request for Comments

1. Background

   The Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974 (Pub. L. No. 93-275, 15 U.S.C. 761 et seq.) and the DOE Organization Act (Pub. L. No. 95-91, 42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.) require the EIA to carry out a centralized, comprehensive, and unified energy information program. This program collects, evaluates, assembles, analyzes, and disseminates information on energy resource reserves, production, demand, technology, and related economic and statistical information. This information is used to assess the adequacy of energy resources to meet near and longer term domestic demand.

   The EIA, as part of its effort to comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), provides the general public and other Federal agencies with opportunities to comment on collections of energy information conducted by or in conjunction with the EIA. Any comments received help the EIA to prepare data requests that maximize the utility of the information collected, and to assess the impact of collection requirements on the public. Also, the EIA will later seek approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of the collections under section 3507(a) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

   The Office of Fossil Energy (FE) of the Department of Energy is delegated the authority to regulate natural gas imports and exports under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act of 1938, 15 U.S.C. 717b.

   In order to carry out its delegated responsibility, FE requires those persons seeking to import or export natural gas to file an application containing basic information about the scope and nature of the proposed import/export activity. FE collects, on a quarterly basis, certain information regarding import and export transactions. The information obtained quarterly from authorization holders is used to ensure compliance with any terms and conditions of authorization. In addition, the data are used to monitor North American natural gas trade, which in turn enables the Federal Government to perform market and regulatory analyses; improve the capability of industry and the Government to respond to any future energy-related supply problems; and keep the general public informed of international natural gas trade.

2. Current Actions

   FE is proposing a three-year extension, without change, of the currently approved Form FE-746R.

3. Request for Comments

   Prospective respondents and other interested parties should comment on the actions discussed in item II. The following guidelines are provided to assist in the preparation of comments.

   General Issues

   1. Is the proposed collection of information necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency and does the information have practical utility? Practical utility is defined as the actual usefulness of information to or for an agency, taking into account its accuracy, adequacy, reliability, timeliness, and the agency's ability to process the information it collects.

   2. What enhancements can be made to the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected?

      As a Potential Respondent to the Request for Information

   1. Are the instructions and definitions clear and sufficient? If not, which instructions need clarification?

   2. Can the information be submitted by the due date?

   3. Public reporting burden for this collection is estimated to average between 8 hours (for short-term authorizations of up to two years) to 24 hours for long-term authorizations (over 2 years). The public reporting burden for the quarterly reports after authorization is estimated to range from 0.25 of an hour to 8 hours per response, with an average burden of 2 hours. The estimated burden includes the total time necessary to provide the requested information. In your opinion, how accurate is this estimate?

   4. The agency estimates that the only cost to a respondent is for the time it will take to complete the collection. Will a respondent incur any start-up costs for reporting, or any recurring annual costs for operation, maintenance, and purchase of services associated with the information collection?

   5. What additional actions could be taken to minimize the burden of this collection of information? Such actions may involve the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

   6. Does any other Federal, State, or local agency collect similar information? If so, specify the agency, the data element(s), and the methods of collection.

      As a Potential User of the Information to be Collected

   1. Is the information useful at the levels of detail to be collected?

   2. For what purpose(s) would the information be used? Be specific.

   3. Are there alternate sources for the information and are they useful? If so, what are their weaknesses and/or strengths?

      Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of the form. They also will become a matter of public record.

      Statutory Authority: Section 3507(h)(1) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. No. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35).

      Issued in Washington, DC, August 13, 2001 . Jay H. Casselberry, Agency Clearance Officer, Statistics and Methods Group, Energy Information Administration.

      [FR Doc. 01-20902Filed8-17-01; 8:45 am]

      BILLING CODE 6450-01-P