[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 202 (Tuesday, October 20, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56010-56011]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-28032]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Energy Information Administration
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Three-Year
Extension of a Currently Approved Collection; Comment Request
AGENCY: Energy Information Administration, DOE
ACTION: Agency information collection activities: Proposed three-year
extension of a currently approved collection; comment request
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SUMMARY: The Energy Information Administration (EIA) is soliciting
comments on the proposed extension of Form FE-746R, ``Import and Export
of Natural Gas.''
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before December 21,
1998. Persons anticipating difficulty submitting comments within the 60
days, should contact the person identified below as soon as possible.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Yvonne Caudillo, FE-34, Rm. 3E-042, U.S.
Department of Energy, Office of Fossil Energy, 1000 Independence Ave.,
S.W., Washington, DC 20585. Alternatively, Yvonne Caudillo may be
reached at [email protected]. [Internet e-mail], or (202) 586-
6050 [FAX].
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
copies of the reporting requirements should be directed to Ms. Caudillo
at the address listed above, or phone (202) 586-4587.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
II. Current Actions
III. Request for Comments
I. Background
The Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7101, et
seq.), requires the Energy Information Administration (EIA) to carry
out a central, comprehensive, and unified energy data and information
program. This program involves the collection, evaluation, assembly,
analysis, and dissemination of data and information related to energy
resource reserves, production, demand, technology, and related economic
and other statistical data, or information which is relevant to the
adequacy of energy resources to meet demand in the near and longer
term.
The EIA, as part of its effort to comply with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), provides the general
public and other Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on
collections of information. Any comments received during this process
helps the EIA to prepare data requests that maximize the utility of
information collected, and to assess the impact of collection
activities conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government on the
public. The Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
reviews and must approve (before the agency conducts) agency
collections of information.
The Office of Fossil Energy (FE) of the Department of Energy is
delegated the authority to regulate natural gas imports and exports
under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act of 1938, 15 U.S.C. 717b.
In order to carry out its delegated responsibility, FE requires
those persons seeking to import or export natural gas to file an
application containing basic information about the scope and nature of
the proposed import/export activity. FE collects, on a quarterly basis,
certain information regarding import and export
[[Page 56011]]
transactions. The information obtained quarterly from authorization
holders is used to ensure compliance with any terms and conditions of
authorization. In addition, the data are used to monitor the North
American natural gas trade, which in turn enables the Federal
Government to: perform market and regulatory analyses; improve the
capability of industry and the Government to respond to any future
energy-related supply problems; and keep the general public informed of
international natural gas trade.
II. Current Actions
FE is proposing a three-year extension, without change, of the
currently-approved Form FE-746R.
III. Request for Comments
Prospective respondents and other interested persons are invited to
comment on the proposed extension. The following guidelines are
provided to assist in the preparation of comments.
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. Could the Agency enhance 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 or elaboration?
B. Can data be submitted by the due date?
C. Public reporting burden for preparing applications to be
submitted to FE is estimated to range between 8 hours (for short-term
authorizations of up to two years) to 24 hours for long-term
authorizations (over 2 years). The public reporting burden for the
quarterly reports after authorization is estimated to range from 0.25
of an hour to 8 hours per response, with an average burden of 2 hours.
The estimated burden includes the total time, effort, or financial
resources expended to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or
provide the information.
Please comment on (1) the accuracy of the agency's estimate and (2)
how the agency could minimize the burden of collecting information,
including the use of information technology.
D. The EIA 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
this data collection?
E. Does any other Federal, State, or local agency collect similar
data? If so, specify the agency, the data element(s), and the methods
of collection.
As a Potential User
A. Is the data useful at the levels of detail indicated on the
form?
B. For what purpose(s) would the data be used? Be specific.
C. Are there alternate sources of data and are they used? 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 form. They also
will become a matter of public record.
Statutory Authority: Section 3506 (c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35).
Issued in Washington, DC., October 15, 1998.
Jay H. Casselberry,
Agency Clearance Officer, Statistics and Methods Group, Energy
Information Administration.
[FR Doc. 98-28032 Filed 10-19-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P