[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 247 (Monday, December 23, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67592-67593]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-32482]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket Number 96-120; Notice 1]


Proposed Collection; Comment Request for 49 CFR 537

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 
Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Request for public comment on proposed collections of 
information.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Transportation, as part of its continuing 
effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general 
public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment 
on proposed and/or continuing information, as required by the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 United States Code 
(U.S.C.) 3506 (c)(2)(A)). Currently, NHTSA is soliciting comments 
concerning 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 537--Automotive Fuel 
Economy Reports.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 21, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments must refer to the docket and notice number cited at 
the beginning of this notice and be submitted to Docket Section, Room 
5109, NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street, Southwest, Washington, D.C. 20590. 
Please identify the proposed collection of information for which a 
comment is provided, by referencing its OMB Clearance Number. It is 
requested, but not required, that one original plus two copies of the 
comments be provided. The Docket Section is open on weekdays from 9:30 
a.m. to 4 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Complete copies of each request for 
collection of information may be obtained at no charge from Mr. Edward 
Kosek, NHTSA Information Collection Clearance Officer, NHTSA, 400 
Seventh Street, Southwest, Room 6123, Washington, D.C. 20590. Mr. 
Kosek's telephone number is (202) 366-2590. Please identify the 
relevant collection of information by referring to its OMB Clearance 
Number.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: 49 CFR 537--Automotive Fuel Economy Reports.
    OMB Number: 2127-0019.
    Form Number: This collection of information uses no standard form.
    Abstract: Part 537 requires that automobile manufacturers submit 
semi-annual reports to NHTSA regarding their efforts to improve fuel 
economy.
    Type of Review: Reinstatement of a previously approved collection.
    Affect Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 18.
    Requested Expiration Date: Three years from approval date.
    Summary of the Collection of Information: NHTSA ensures that 
automobile manufacturers comply with 49 CFR Part 537--Automotive Fuel 
Economy Reports. Part 537 requires that automobile manufacturers submit 
reports to NHTSA regarding their efforts to improve automotive fuel 
economy.
    Section 32907 of Chapter 329 of Title 49 of the United States Code 
requires each automobile manufacturer (other than those low volume 
manufacturers which were granted an alternative fuel economy standard 
under section 32902 (d)) to submit semi-annual reports to the agency 
relating to that manufacturers' efforts to comply with average fuel 
economy standards. One report is due during the 30-day period preceding 
the beginning of each model year (the ``pre-model year report'') and 
the other is due during the 30-day period beginning on the 180th day of 
the model year (the ``mid-model year report'').
    Section 32907 (a)(1) of Chapter 329 provides that each report must 
contain a statement as to whether the manufacturer will comply with 
average fuel economy standards for that year, a plan describing the 
steps the manufacturer took or will take to comply with the standards, 
and any other information the agency may require. Whenever a 
manufacturer determines that a plan it has submitted in one of its 
reports is no longer adequate to assure compliance, it must submit a 
revised plan.

Description of the Need for the Information and Proposed Use of the 
Information

    This information assists NHTSA in evaluating automobile 
manufacturers' plans for complying with average fuel economy standards 
and in preparing an annual review of the average fuel economy 
standards. The information is collected by NHTSA by having the 
automobile manufacturers mail their semi-annual automotive fuel economy 
reports and/or submit a copy on computer diskette to the agency. The 
required information is used for four basic purposes. These purposes 
are: (a) to give NHTSA advance indication if any manufacturer will fail 
to comply with the applicable average fuel economy standards; (b) to 
give NHTSA necessary information to prepare its annual fuel economy 
report to Congress, as required by 49 U.S.C. 32916; (c) to assist NHTSA 
in responding to general

[[Page 67593]]

information requests concerning automotive fuel economy, which are 
routinely received from Congress, other parts of the Executive branch, 
and the public; and (d) to provide NHTSA with detailed and accurate 
technical and economic information used to evaluate possible future 
average fuel economy standards which may be established by NHTSA.

Request for Comments

    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will 
become a matter of public record. Comments are invited on:
    (i) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility;
    (ii) The burden of the proposed collection of information, 
including the methodology and assumptions used;
    (iii) How to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected;
    (iv) How to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic 
submission of responses;
    (v) Estimates of annual hours required to prepare and submit these 
reports to NHTSA; and
    (vi) Estimates of capital or start-up costs and costs of operation, 
maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information to NHTSA.

    Issued on: December 3, 1996.
Noble Bowie,
Acting Director, Office of Planning and Consumer Programs, Safety 
Performance Standards.
[FR Doc. 96-32482 Filed 12-20-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P