[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 203 (Tuesday, October 21, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 54618]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-27841]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy


Agency Information Collection Activities; Reinstatement of 
Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY: Department of Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Agency information collection activities; reinstatement of 
collection; comment request.

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SUMMARY: DOE is soliciting comments concerning the reinstatement of 
OMB's approval to collect information for DOE's Qualified List of 
Energy Service Companies using a supplemental questionnaire to Standard 
Form 129.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted by December 22, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Tanya Sadler, Office of Federal Energy 
Management Programs, EE-92, Forrestal Building, U.S. Department of 
Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-
7755, e-mail: [email protected], and fax: (202) 586-3000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the form and instructions should be directed to Tanya Sadler 
at the address listed in the ADDRESSES section.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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

I. Background

    In accordance with the Energy Policy Act of 1992 and 10 CFR 436, 
the Department of Energy has established the DOE Qualified List of 
Energy Service Companies (ESCO), comprised of private industry firms 
that are eligible to perform work under energy savings performance 
contracts (ESPC) for Federal facilities. For placement on the list, 
firms are required to complete an application. The application includes 
a Standard Form 129, Solicitation Mailing List Application, and a 
supplemental questionnaire. The supplemental questionnaire asks for: 
corporate experience including two project descriptions which 
demonstrate experience in ESPC or the design and installation of energy 
conservation measures, technological capabilities, proposed staff, 
financial status, and the submission of two client questionnaires. The 
data collection is used to evaluate the firms based on criteria 
established by 10 CFR 436 to be placed on the list. DOE will later seek 
a reinstatement of the approval by the Office of Management and Budget 
for the collection under Section 3507(h) of the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995 (Pub. L. No. 104-13, Title 44, U.S.C. Chapter 35).

II. Current Actions

    This is a reinstatement, without change, of a previously approved 
collection for which approval has expired. The same information will be 
collected; however, the supplemental questionnaire will be reorganized 
and the instructions and questions will be clarified to elicit complete 
responses. OMB will be requested to approve the collection of 
information for another three years.

III. Request for Comments

    Prospective respondents and other interested parties should comment 
on the action discussed in item II. The following guidelines are 
provided to assist in the preparation of responses.

General Issues

    A. Is the proposed collection of information necessary for the 
proper performance of the functions of the agency? Does the information 
have practical utility? Practical utility is defined as the actual 
usefulness of information to or for an agency, taking into account its 
accuracy, adequacy, reliability, timeliness, and the agency's ability 
to process the information it collects.
    B. What enhancements can DOE make to the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected?

As a Potential Respondent

    A. Are the instructions and definitions clear and sufficient? If 
not, which instructions require clarification?
    B. Public reporting burden for this collection is estimated to 
average 2 hours per response. Burden includes the total time and effort 
expended to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide the 
information. Please comment on (1) the accuracy of our estimate and (2) 
how the agency could minimize the burden of the collection of 
information, including the use of information technology.
    C. DOE estimates that respondents will incur no additional costs 
for reporting other than the hours required to complete the collection. 
What is the estimated: (1) Total dollar amount annualized for capital 
and start-up costs, and (2) recurring annual costs of operation and 
maintenance, and purchase of services associated with the data 
collection?
    D. 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 methods 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. Are there alternative sources of data and do you use them? If 
so, what are their deficiencies and/or strengths?
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of the collection. 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, on October 15, 1997.
Joseph J. Romm,
Acting Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 97-27841 Filed 10-20-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P