[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 22, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8681-8682]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-4099]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census

[Docket Number 000209033-0036-00]
RIN Number 0607-XX56


Pollution Abatement Costs and Expenditures Survey

AGENCY: Bureau of the Census, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of determination.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Bureau of the Census (U.S. 
Census Bureau) will conduct the Pollution Abatement Costs and 
Expenditures survey for the year 1999. The U.S. 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 U.S. Census Bureau, with support 
from the Environmental Protection Agency, is reinstating the Pollution 
Abatement Costs and Expenditures survey.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. 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,

[[Page 8682]]

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 also will be used for monitoring economic 
impact and promoting growth of environmental programs.
    The U.S. Census Bureau 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 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 U.S. Census Bureau, the 
Environmental Protection Agency, and the Bureau of Economic Analysis. 
Other users include business firms, academics, trade associations, and 
research and consulting organizations. These 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 United States 
Code, Chapter 35, we have submitted the survey to OMB. 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.
    Based upon the foregoing, I have directed that an annual survey be 
conducted for the purpose of collecting these data.

    Dated: February 11, 2000.
Kenneth Prewitt,
Director, Bureau of the Census.
[FR Doc. 00-4099 Filed 2-18-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P