[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 248 (Tuesday, December 28, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72641-72642]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-33602]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census
[Docket Number 991215341-9341-01]
RIN Number 0607-XX50


Survey of Pollution Abatement Costs and Expenditures

AGENCY: Bureau of the Census, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of Consideration.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Bureau of the Census (Census 
Bureau) is considering a proposal to conduct the Pollution Abatement 
Costs and Expenditures survey for the year 1999. The Census Bureau, 
prior to 1995, conducted the Pollution Abatement Costs and Expenditures 
Survey, MA-200. Due to budget limitations, the survey was suspended. In 
response to the need for this data to assess the cost of environmental 
regulations on private business, the Census Bureau, with support from 
the Environmental Protection Agency, plans to reinstate the Survey of 
Pollution Abatement Costs and Expenditures.

DATE: Written comments must be submitted on or before January 27, 2000.

ADDRESS: Direct all written comments to the Director, U.S. Census 
Bureau, Room 2049, Federal Building 3, Washington, DC 20233-0101.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron Taylor, Manufacturing and 
Construction Division, Bureau of the Census, Room 2135, Federal 
Building 4, Washington, DC 20233, on (301) 457-4683.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Census Bureau is authorized to conduct 
surveys necessary to furnish current data on subjects covered by the 
major censuses authorized by Title 13, United States Code, Sections 
182, 224, and 225. The Pollution Abatement Costs and Expenditures 
survey will provide continuing and timely national statistical data for 
the period between the economic censuses. The next Economic Census will 
occur in the year 2002. Data collected in this survey will be within 
the general scope, type, and character of those inquiries covered in 
the Economic Census.
    The survey form will collect--from plants that produce goods or 
provide services classified in manufacturing, mining, and electric 
utility industries--data on the operating costs of pollution prevention 
and treatment, including hazardous pollutants, payments to government 
agencies for pollution removal, and new capital expenditures for 
pollution prevention and treatment (such as for air pollution control, 
water pollution control and solid waste). These data are similar to the 
data collected on the previously mentioned MA-200. The survey results 
will be used to track costs of regulatory programs and rules. Results 
will also be used for monitoring economic impact and promoting growth 
of environmental programs.
    The Bureau of the Census will use mail-out/mail-back survey forms 
to collect the data. Companies will be asked to respond to the survey 
within 60 days of the initial mailing. Letters encouraging 
participation will be mailed to companies that have not

[[Page 72642]]

responded by the designated time. Resulting statistics will be 
published in the Current Industrial Reports series.
    The primary users of these data will be federal, state, and local 
government agencies, including the Bureau of the Census, the 
Environmental Protection Agency, and the Bureau of Economic Analysis. 
Other users include business firms, academics, trade associations, and 
research and consulting organizations. The data are not publicly 
available from nongovernmental or other governmental sources on a 
timely and continuing basis.
    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required 
to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure 
to comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements 
of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) unless that collection of 
information displays a current valid Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) control number. In accordance with the PRA, 44 U.S.C., Chapter 
35, we will submit the survey to OMB for approval. We will furnish 
report forms to organizations included in the survey, and additional 
copies are available on written request to the Director, U.S. Census 
Bureau, Washington, DC 20233-0101.

    Dated: December 21, 1999.
Kenneth Prewitt,
Director, Bureau of the Census.
[FR Doc. 99-33602 Filed 12-27-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P