[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 37 (Thursday, February 24, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-4183]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: February 24, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
 

Form EIA-871A (FS), ``Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption 
Survey, Building Questionnaire (Federal Supplement)''

AGENCY: Energy Information Administration, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of the Proposed Revision of the Form EIA-871A, 
``Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey, Building 
Questionnaire,'' and Solicitation of Comments.

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SUMMARY: The Energy Information Administration (EIA), as part of its 
continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden (required 
by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980, Pub. L. No. 96-511, 44 U.S.C. 
3501 et seq.), conducts a presurvey consultation program to provide the 
general public and other Federal agencies with an opportunity to 
comment on proposed and/or continuing reporting forms. This program 
helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired 
format, reporting burden is minimized, reporting forms are clearly 
understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents 
can be properly assessed. Currently, EIA is soliciting comments 
concerning the proposed revision of Form EIA-871A, ``Commercial 
Buildings Energy Consumption Survey, Building Questionnaire,'' to 
collect information on Federal government buildings using EIA-871A 
(FS), ``Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey, Building 
Questionnaire, (Federal Supplement).''

DATES: Written comments must be submitted by March 28, 1994. If you 
anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but find it difficult 
to do so within the period of time allowed by this notice, you should 
advise the contact listed below of your intention to do so as soon as 
possible.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Martha Johnson, Energy Information 
Administration, EI-631, Forrestal Building, U.S. Department of Energy, 
Washington, DC 20585. Telephone number: (202) 586-1135.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO OBTAIN COPIES OF THE PROPOSED FORM AND 
INSTRUCTIONS: Requests for additional information or copies of the form 
and instructions should be directed to Martha Johnson at the address 
listed above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background
II. Current Actions
III. Request for Comments

I. Background

    In order to fulfill its responsibilities under the Federal Energy 
Administration Act of 1974 (Pub. L. No. 93-275) and the Department of 
Energy Organization Act (Pub. L. No. 95-91), the Energy Information 
Administration is obliged to carry out a central, comprehensive, and 
unified energy data and information program. As part of this program, 
EIA collects, evaluates, assembles, analyzes, and disseminates data and 
information related to energy resource reserves, production, demand, 
and technology, and related economic and statistical information 
relevant to the adequacy of energy resources to meet demands in the 
near and longer term future for the Nation's economic and social needs.
    Form EI-871A, ``Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey, 
Buildings Questionnaire'' collects information about energy 
characteristics and related energy consumption and expenditures in 
commercial buildings. These data are used for energy modelling and 
forecasting. Specifically, the data to be obtained by the Form EIA-871A 
(FS) will assist in measuring the potential for energy savings in 
Federal buildings, pursuant to the requirements of Section 152 through 
167 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992. Form EIA-871A (FS) will collect 
data on Federally-owned buildings. Data will be collected on building 
size, principal building activity, physical characteristics of the 
building and energy-related equipment, energy sources used and related 
energy end uses. The data collected will be similar to that previously 
collected by EIA for commercial buildings using Form EIA-871A 
``Building Questionnaire''.

II. Current Actions

    This is a revision of an existing collection. Modifications to the 
existing Form EIA-871A ``Building Questionnaire'' include eliminating 
questions that are not related to Federal buildings or to EPACT 
requirements and adding several questions related to: water heating, 
energy audits conducted by the DOE Office of Federal Energy Management 
Programs, and energy consumption.

III. Request for Comments

    Prospective respondents and other interested parties should comment 
on the actions discussed in item II. The following general guidelines 
are provided to assist in the preparation of responses.
    As a potential respondent: A. Are the instructions and definitions 
clear and sufficient? If not, which instructions require clarification?
    B. Can the data be submitted using the definitions included in the 
instructions?
    C. Can data be submitted in accordance with the response time 
specified in the instructions?
    D. Public reporting burden for this collection is estimated to 
average 27 minutes per respondent. Given that this survey will be 
conducted by telephone, how much time do you estimate it will require 
you to review the advanced letter mailed to you, gather the necessary 
data needed (square footage of building, year constructed and annual 
energy consumption) and respond to the telephone interview which 
includes questions about the physical characteristics of the building 
and energy-related equipment.
    E. What is the estimated cost of completing this form, including 
the direct and indirect costs associated with the data collection? 
Direct costs should include all costs, such as administrative costs, 
directly attributable to providing this information.
    F. How can the form be improved?
    G. Do you know of any other Federal, State, or local agency that 
collects similar data? If you do, specify the agency, the data 
element(s), and the means of collection.
    As a potential user: A. Can you use data at the levels of detail 
indicated on the form?
    B. For what purpose would you use the data? Be specific.
    C. How could the form be improved to better meet your specific 
needs?
    D. Are there alternate sources of data and do you use them? What 
are their deficiencies and/or strengths?
    E. For the most part, information is published by EIA in U.S. 
customary units, e.g., cubic feet of natural gas, short tons of coal, 
and barrels of oil. Would you prefer to see EIA publish more 
information in metric units, e.g., cubic meters, metric tons, and 
kilograms? If yes, please specify what information (e.g., coal 
production, natural gas consumption, and crude oil imports), the metric 
unit(s) of measurement preferred, and in which EIA publication(s) you 
would like to see such information.
    EIA is also interested in receiving comments from persons regarding 
their views on the need for the information contained in the form EIA-
871A (FS), ``Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey, Building 
Questionnaire (Federal Supplement)''.
    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 Authorities: Section 2(a) of the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1980 (Pub. L. No. 96-511), which amended Chapter 35 of Title 
44 of the United States Code (See 44 U.S.C. 3506 (a) and (c)(1)).

    Issued in Washington, DC, February 18, 1994.
Yvonne M. Bishop,
Director, Statistical Standards, Energy Information Administration.
[FR Doc. 94-4183 Filed 2-23-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P