[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 121 (Friday, June 21, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31929-31930]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-15871]



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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Energy Information Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection

AGENCY: Energy Information Administration, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Agency information collection activities: Proposed collection; 
comment request.

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SUMMARY: The Energy Information Administration (EIA) is soliciting 
comments concerning the proposed extension to the ``Recordkeeping 
Requirements of DOE's General Allocation and Price Rules,'' ERA-766R.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted by August 20, 1996. 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.

ADDRESS: Send comments to Dan Bullington, General Counsel, GC-90, U.S. 
Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 
20585-0103. Telephone (202) 586-7364, FAX (202) 586-0422.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Requests for additional information should be 
directed to Dan Bullington 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 Energy Information Administration, as part of its continuing 
effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden (required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13)), conducts a presurvey 
consultation program to provide the general public and other Federal 
agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing 
requirements. 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 or 
recordkeeping requirements on respondents can be properly assessed.
    The recordkeeping requirements are authorized by section 203(a)(1) 
of the Economic Stabilization Act (ESA) of 1970, as amended (Pub. L. 
92-210, 85 State. 743) and by section 13(g) of the Federal Energy 
Administration Act (FEAA) of 1974, as amended (Pub. L. 93-275).
    The Economic Regulatory Administration (ERA) proposes to extend for 
three years the limited recordkeeping requirements presently contained 
in 10 CFR 210.1. The antecedent regulation was narrowed by amendment in 
January 1985.
    The record retention requirements of 10 CFR 210.1 do not mandate 
the creation or retention of any new records. Instead, they require 
firms to preserve only historical records relating to

[[Page 31930]]

compliance with the petroleum regulations.
    The proposed extension of 10 CFR 210.1 will enable the ERA to 
continue its efforts to complete the enforcement program with respect 
to prior petroleum price and allocation regulations.

II. Current Actions

    This is an extension with no change of the existing requirements. 
The requirements are proposed to be extended for a period of three 
years, from October 31, 1996 to October 31, 1999.

III. 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 responses.

General Issues

    EIA is interested in receiving comments from persons regarding 
whether the proposed recordkeeping requirements are necessary for the 
proper performance of the functions of the agency.

As a Potential Respondent

    A. Are the instructions regarding the recordkeeping requirements 
clear and sufficient? If not, which instructions require clarification?
    B. Can data be maintained as specified in the recordkeeping 
requirements?
    C. Public reporting burden for the recordkeeping requirements are 
estimated to average 4 hours per respondent. Burden includes the total 
time, effort, or financial resources expended to generate, maintain, 
retain, or disclose or provide the information including: (1) Reviewing 
instructions; (2) developing, acquiring, installing, and utilizing 
technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, 
verifying, processing, maintaining, disclosing and providing 
information; (3) adjusting the existing ways to comply with any 
previously applicable instructions and requirements; (4) training 
personnel; (5) searching data sources; (6) completing and reviewing the 
information; and (7) transmitting, or otherwise disclosing the 
information.
    Please comment on (1) the accuracy of our estimate and (2) how the 
agency could minimize the burden of this requirement, including through 
the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology.
    D. What are the estimated (1) total dollar amount annualized for 
capital and start-up costs, and (2) recurring annual dollar amount of 
operation and maintenance and purchase of services costs associated 
with this requirement? The estimates should take into account the costs 
associated with generating, maintaining, and disclosing or providing 
the information.
    Estimates should not include purchases of equipment or services 
made as part of customary and usual business practices, or the cost of 
any burden hours. EIA estimates that there are no additional costs 
other than those that the respondent incurs in keeping the information 
for its own uses.
    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 3506  (c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. No. 104-13).

    Issued in Washington, DC., June 13, 1996.
Yvonne M. Bishop,
Director, Office of Statistical Standards, Energy Information 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 96-15871 Filed 6-20-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P