[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