[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 168 (Wednesday, August 31, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-21537]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: August 31, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Energy Information Administration

 

Form EIA-846A/C, ``Manufacturing Energy Consumption Survey''

AGENCY: Energy Information Administration, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of the proposed revision of forms EIA-846A/C, 
``Manufacturing Energy Consumption Survey,'' 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 to forms EIA-846A/C, ``Manufacturing 
Energy Consumption Survey.''

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before September 30, 
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 Mr. Robert K. Adler, Energy End Use 
Division, Energy Information Administration, EI-632, Forrestal 
Building, U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, D.C. 20585.
    Mr. Adler's telephone number is (202) 586-1134, FAX number (202) 
586-0018. His Internet address is [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO OBTAIN COPIES OF THE PROPOSED FORMS AND 
INSTRUCTIONS: Requests for additional information or copies of the 
forms and instructions should be directed to Robert K. Adler 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.
    The Manufacturing Energy Consumption Survey (MECS) has been 
conducted three times previously, covering the years 1985, 1988, and 
1991. The MECS has collected basic data on energy consumption, fuel-
switching, and in 1991, end-uses, energy management activities, and 
energy-saving technologies. The MECS forms the basis for major 
publications on energy consumption and energy intensity (e.g., 
Manufacturing Energy Consumption Survey: Consumption of Energy, 1988 
and Changes in Energy Intensity in the Manufacturing Sector, 1980-
1988.)
    The proposed 1994 MECS design utilizes experience gained from the 
administration and processing of the three previous surveys and 
consultations with respondents, trade association representatives, and 
data users. EIA conducted user needs assessment meetings with frequent 
customers of the MECS data both inside and outside the Department of 
Energy. When meetings were not feasible, outside customers especially 
were given a chance to present their requests through mail or phone 
conversation. This notice can serve as another chance for customers to 
express their manufacturing energy data needs.
    Additionally, a formal survey of 1991 MECS respondents about their 
experiences in completing that questionnaire was done during the 
conduct of the MECS to determine other enhancements and redesign 
directions for the 1994 survey.

II. Current Actions

    EIA proposes to make the changes described below to the 1991 MECS 
survey forms for use in 1994. These changes are being made to better 
serve the needs of data users, streamline the administration and 
processing of the survey, and reduce respondent burden where possible. 
The frequency of the MECS is also changing. In accordance with Section 
171 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT), the MECS, beginning in 
1994, will be conducted biennially.
    The sample size for the 1994 MECS has been increased to
     Permit more extensive coverage of industries consuming 
wood and biomass (approximately 5 additional four-digit Standard 
Industrial Classification codes)
     Better serve the National Energy Modeling System (NEMS) by 
providing inputs at a finer geographic level (Census Division) for two-
digit and selected four-digit Standard Industrial Classification codes
     Enable the MECS to publish reliable population counts of 
manufacturing characteristics collected on the MECS forms
     Improve the reliability of estimates.
    As in previous versions, the 1994 MECS will contain five sections: 
Section I, Non-Combustible Energy Sources; Section II, Combustible 
Energy Sources; Section III, Fuel Switching Capability; Section IV, 
Estimated Percent Consumption by End Use; and Section V, Establishment 
Checklist. In addition, the 1994 MECS will collect minimal information 
to determine the operational status of the manufacturing establishment 
for purposes of statistical sampling.
    As in the 1991 survey, separate forms will be used to meet the 
special needs of three major groups of manufacturers. EIA-846A will be 
sent to the majority of the manufacturing establishments; EIA-846B will 
be sent to establishments in SIC 2911 (Petroleum Refining); and EIA-
846C will be sent to all other establishments in SIC 29 (Petroleum 
Refining and Related Industries), as well as establishments in SIC 24 
(Lumber and Wood Products), SIC 26 (Paper and Allied Products), SIC 28 
(Chemicals and Allied Products), and SIC 3312 (Blast Furnaces and Steel 
Mills). EIA-846A is the most general form and collects the basic 
consumption and fuel-switching data. EIA-846B minimizes burden for the 
refining industry by taking advantage of data already collected by 
other EIA surveys. Finally, EIA-846C is very similar to EIA-846A except 
that it collects additional information on energy source shipments.
    Specific changes in data items from the 1991 MECS are discussed 
section by section below.
    Section I (Noncombustible Energy Sources): This section will not 
differ among the three forms. The noncombustible energy sources 
(electricity, steam, and industrial hot water) will remain as the 
column headings with desired quantities forming the rows of the table. 
One question, a checkbox for the source of renewable electricity 
generation, will be added for 1994.
    Proposed to be dropped from the 1994 MECS Section I is the 
requirement that establishments that received transfers of 
noncombustible energy sources from outside establishments indicate the 
name, address and telephone number of the supplier. This will result in 
the removal from the MECS of Form EIA-846D, a questionnaire that was 
sent in 1988 and 1991 to company-owned electric generating plants 
serving manufacturers. The institution and further development of Form 
EIA-867, ``Annual Nonutility Power Producer Report'' made the EIA-846D 
redundant.
    Section II (Combustible Energy Sources): In 1994, the MECS will 
contain revised wood- and biomass-related energy source categories to 
agree with respondent and data-user understanding of these energy 
sources. Specifically,
     The category ``Roundwood'' will be expanded to explicitly 
include any wood product (roundwood, wood chips, and bark) generated 
from harvested trees.
     Wood Waste will be termed Wood Residue and it will include 
byproducts from mill processing (bark, slabs, sawdust, shavings).
     ``Waste Materials'' will be more specifically defined as 
wood/paper related refuse.
    Natural gas is another energy source that will be modified in 1994 
to reflect the deregulation of the natural gas industry and emerging 
purchasing patterns of manufacturers. The MECS will collect natural gas 
purchases and cost data within the major categories:
     Local Distribution Company/Utilities (LDC)
     Other Sources (Pipelines, Brokers, and Other).
    For LDC purchases of natural gas, the 1994 MECS will collect 
purchases and expenditures for three natural gas service rates: Firm, 
Interruptible, or Other. For other sources, the quantity of purchases 
will be collected but not subdivided. However, costs will be collected 
for three components of the Other Sources purchases total: cost of 
supplies, cost of transportation, and unspecified costs.
    Section III (Fuel Switching): Previously, fuel switching data were 
restricted to fuel switching capability, rather than actual fuel 
switching experiences. This section will continue to collect 
information on the capabilities of a manufacturing establishment, 
however, it will be enhanced with questions pertaining to actual fuel 
substitution. These questions for each fuel are:
     Number of times substitutions occurred
     Primary reason(s) for substitution, such as: supply 
shortage or curtailment of this fuel, down-time caused by maintenance, 
less expensive substitute, environmental restriction on emissions or 
waste
     If ``less expensive substitute'' was chosen as a primary 
reason, the respondent is asked to supply a range that contains the 
difference between the alternative fuel price and the current fuel 
price as percentage of the current price.
    Section IV (Estimated Percent Consumption by End Use): No 
substantial changes from the 1991 version are anticipated. Definitions 
and instructions will be enhanced to clarify possible ambiguities among 
the categories.
    Section V (Establishment Checklist): There are three subsections in 
Section V: Part A. Estimated Square Footage of Buildings, Part B. 
Energy Management Activities, Part C. General Technologies, and other 
parts concerning specific technologies relevant only to selected 
industries.
    EIA and the Bureau of the Census jointly conducted a survey of MECS 
respondents for the purpose of evaluating the effectiveness and 
comprehensibility of certain aspects of the 1991 MECS questionnaire. 
The results of the survey relating to Part A indicate that most 
respondents could provide an estimate of the enclosed square-footage 
without major difficulty. Accordingly, the 1994 MECS questionnaire will 
ask for those estimates. Those respondents who would still prefer to 
give an estimate within a broad category will be given that option.
    The list for Part B will be expanded to include participation in 
certain Federal government programs, such as the Environmental 
Protection Agency's ``Green Lights'' and DOE's ``Motor Challenge.'' 
Third party sponsorship will be separated from Self-only participation 
as a column-header.
    Part C, the checklist for energy-saving technologies, will be 
expanded to include specific cogeneration technologies.

III. Request for Comments

    Prospective respondents and other interested parties should comment 
on the proposed revisions. The following general guidelines are 
provided to assist in the preparation of responses. Please indicate to 
which form(s) your comments apply.
    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 eight hours per response. How much time, including time for 
reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
collection of information, do you estimate it will require you to 
complete and submit the required form(s)?
    F. What is the estimated cost of completing these forms, 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.
    G. How can the form(s) be improved?
    H. 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(s)?
    B. For what purpose would you use the data? Be specific.
    C. How could the form(s) 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 
Manufacturing Energy Consumption Survey.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of the form(s). 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. Sec. 3506(a) and 
(c)(1)].

    Issued in Washington, D.C., August 24, 1994.
Yvonne M. Bishop,
Director, Office of Statistical Standards, Energy Information 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 94-21537 Filed 8-30-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P