[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 14, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13715-13716]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-6246]



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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Energy Information Administration


Forms CE-63A/B, ``Annual Solar Thermal Collector Manufacturers 
Survey'' and ``Annual Photovoltaic Module/Cell Manufacturers Survey''

AGENCY: Energy Information Administration, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of the proposed extension of the Forms CE-63A/B, 
``Annual Solar Thermal Collector Manufacturers Survey'' and ``Annual 
Photovoltaic Module/Cell Manufacturers 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), conducts a presurvey 
consultation program to provide the general public and other Federal 
agencies the opportunity to comment on continuing or proposed new data 
collection forms. This program helps to ensure that requested data can 
be provided in the desired format, reporting burden is minimized, data 
collection forms are clearly understood, and that the impact of 
collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. 
Currently, EIA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension 
of [[Page 13716]] the Forms CE-63A/B, ``Annual Solar Thermal Collector 
Manufacturers Survey'' and ``Annual Photovoltaic Module/Cell 
Manufacturers Survey.''

DATES: Written comments must be submitted by April 13, 1995. 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 person listed below of your intention to do so as 
soon as possible.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Peter Holihan, EI-522, Energy Information 
Administration, U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, D.C. 20585. 
Phone: (202) 254-5432.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the form and instructions should be directed to Peter Holihan 
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. 93-275) and the Department of 
Energy Organization Act (Pub. L. 95-91), the Energy Information 
Administration is obliged to carry out a comprehensive, and integrated 
energy data and information program for the collection, evaluation, 
assembly, analysis, and dissemination of data and information relating 
to energy resource reserves, production, demand, technology and 
relevant economic and statistical information relating 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 CE-63A collects data on solar thermal collector shipments, 
solar thermal systems, and solar-related manufacturing, marketing, and 
geographic information from companies in the United States that are 
engaged in manufacturing or importing solar thermal collectors. Solar 
thermal shipments are in terms of square feet.
    Form CE-63B collects data on photovoltaic cell and module 
shipments, photovoltaic systems, and photovoltaic-related manufacturing 
and marketing information from companies in the United States that are 
engaged in manufacturing or importing photovoltaic cells and modules. 
Photovoltaic cell and module shipments are in terms of electrical 
capacity expressed in peak kilowatts.

II. Current Actions

    At this time, the EIA is proposing a three-year extension of Forms 
CE-
63A/B. The EIA is planning to meet with solar industry companies and 
associations, DOE personnel, and other interested parties to discuss 
Forms CE-63A/B. If changes are made to Forms CE-63A and/or CE-63B as a 
result of this notice, the meeting, or other activities, the changes 
will be highlighted in the Federal Register notice announcing the 
submission of the forms to the Office of Management and Budget later 
this year.

III. Request for Comments

    Prospective respondents and other interested parties should comment 
on the proposed extension of the Forms CE-63A/B. The following general 
guidelines are provided to assist in the preparation of responses. When 
commenting, please indicate to which form 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 3 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?
    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?
    EIA is also interested in receiving comments from persons regarding 
their views on the need for the information contained in the ``Annual 
Solar Thermal Collector Manufacturers Survey'' and ``Annual 
Photovoltaic Module/Cell Manufacturers Survey.''
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of the forms; they also 
will become a matter of public record.

    Statutory Authority: Section 2(a) of the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1980, (Pub. L. 96-511), which amended Chapter 35 of Title 44 
United States Code (See 44 U.S.C. Sec. 3506(a) and (c)(1)).

    Issued in Washington, DC, March 7, 1995.
Yvonne M. Bishop,
Director, Statistical Standards, Energy Information Administration.
[FR Doc. 95-6246 Filed 3-13-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P