[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 139 (Monday, July 21, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43101-43103]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-18444]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Energy Information Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Energy Information Administration (EIA), Department of Energy 
(DOE).

ACTION: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The EIA is soliciting comments on a proposal to request

[[Page 43102]]

monthly reporting of natural gas import and export information. This 
reporting would be in addition to the existing information collection 
requirements for Form FE-746R, ``Import and Export of Natural Gas.''

DATES: Comments must be filed by September 19, 2003. If you anticipate 
difficulty in submitting comments within that period, contact the 
person listed below as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Yvonne Caudillo. To ensure receipt of the 
comments by the due date, submission by FAX (202-586-4062) or e-mail 
([email protected]) is recommended. Ms. Caudillo's mailing 
address is Office of Fossil Energy, FE-34, Forrestal Building, U.S. 
Department of Energy, Washington, DC 20585. Ms. Caudillo may be 
contacted by telephone at (202) 586-4587.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of any forms and instructions should be directed to Ms. Caudillo 
at the address listed above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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

I. Background

    The Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974 (Pub. L. 93-275, 15 
U.S.C. 761 et seq.) and the DOE Organization Act (Pub. L. 95-91, 42 
U.S.C. 7101 et seq.) require the EIA to carry out a centralized, 
comprehensive, and unified energy information program. This program 
collects, evaluates, assembles, analyzes, and disseminates information 
on energy resource reserves, production, demand, technology, and 
related economic and statistical information. This information is used 
to assess the adequacy of energy resources to meet near and longer term 
domestic demands.
    The EIA, as part of its effort to comply with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), provides 
the general public and other Federal agencies with opportunities to 
comment on collections of energy information conducted by or in 
conjunction with the EIA. Any comments received help the EIA to prepare 
data requests that maximize the utility of the information collected, 
and to assess the impact of collection requirements on the public. 
Also, the EIA will later seek approval by the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) under section 3507(a) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995.
    DOE's Office of Fossil Energy (FE) 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. 
Historically FE has collected information on a quarterly basis 
regarding import and export transactions. That information has been 
used to ensure compliance with any terms and conditions of 
authorization. In addition, the data are used to monitor 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

    DOE will be requesting a revision of its existing information 
reporting requirements for imports and exports of natural gas (Form FE-
746R). The Department of Energy (DOE) is undertaking an ambitious 
Natural Gas Data Collection Initiative to improve the way the DOE 
gathers and disseminates information about the use and origin of 
natural gas supplies in the U.S. Under this Initiative, DOE plans to 
collect critical natural gas information (i.e., country of origin, 
international point of entry/exit, and volume imported/exported) 
monthly, instead of waiting until the end of each quarter to collect 
any import/export information. To facilitate timely reporting DOE will 
establish an Internet-based reporting option for the monthly reporting. 
Also, DOE will treat all monthly information as confidential.
    Over the last decade, demand for natural gas increased 
significantly and demand is projected to continue increasing. With 
these increases, there is the possibility of periodic price spikes and 
market dislocations. In a tight and volatile natural gas market, 
consumers and producers must have the best information possible 
regarding the availability of supply and the forces that drive prices 
in order to make informed decisions about their consumption and 
production activities.

III. Request for Comments

    Prospective respondents and other interested parties should comment 
on the actions discussed in item II. 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 and 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 be made to the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected?

As a Potential Respondent to the Request for Information

    A. What actions could be taken to help ensure and maximize the 
quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of the information to be 
collected?
    B. Are the instructions and definitions clear and sufficient? If 
not, which instructions need clarification?
    C. Can the information be submitted by the due date?
    D. Public reporting burden for the monthly reporting of natural gas 
imports/exports is estimated to average three hours per response. The 
estimated burden includes the total time necessary to provide the 
requested information. In your opinion, how accurate is this estimate?
    E. The agency estimates that the only cost to a respondent is for 
the time it will take to complete the collection. Will a respondent 
incur any start-up costs for reporting, or any recurring annual costs 
for operation, maintenance, and purchase of services associated with 
the information collection?
    F. What additional actions could be taken to minimize the burden of 
this collection of information? Such actions may involve the use of 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.
    G. Does any other Federal, State, or local agency collect similar 
information? If so, specify the agency, the data element(s), and the 
methods of collection.

As a Potential User of the Information To Be Collected

    A. What actions could be taken to help ensure and maximize the 
quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of the information 
disseminated?
    B. Is the information useful at the levels of detail to be 
collected?
    C. For what purpose(s) would the information be used? Be specific.
    D. Are there alternate sources for the information and are they 
useful? If so,

[[Page 43103]]

what are their weaknesses 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 3507(h)(1) of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35).

    Issued in Washington, DC, July 14, 2003.
Jay H. Casselberry,
Agency Clearance Officer, Statistics and Methods Group, Energy 
Information Administration.
[FR Doc. 03-18444 Filed 7-18-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P