[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 220 (Friday, November 14, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64587-64588]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-28460]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. chapter 35, as amended), the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) 
invites comments on this information collection for which RUS intends 
to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by January 13, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard C. Annan, Acting Director, 
Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, 
1400 Independence Ave., SW., Stop 1522, Room 5170 South Building, 
Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 720-0737. FAX: (202) 720-
4120.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) 
regulation (5 CFR 1320) implementing provisions of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13) requires that interested members 
of the public and affected agencies have an

[[Page 64588]]

opportunity to comment on information collection and recordkeeping 
activities (see 5 CFR 1320.8(d)). This notice identifies an information 
collection that RUS is submitting to OMB for extension.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the Agency, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to: Richard 
C. Annan, Acting Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, 
Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5170, 
STOP 1522, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-1522. FAX: 
(202) 720-4120.
    Title: Wholesale Contracts for the Purchase and Sale of Electric 
Power.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0089.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: Most RUS financed electric systems are cooperatives and 
are organized in a two-tiered structure. Retail customers are members 
of the distribution system that brings electricity to their homes and 
business. Distribution cooperatives, in turn, are members of power 
supply cooperatives, also known as generation and transmission 
cooperatives (G&T's) that generate or purchase power and transmit the 
power to the distribution systems.
    For a distribution system a lien on the borrower's assets generally 
represents adequate security. However, since most G&T revenues flow 
from its distribution members, RUS requires, as a condition of a loan 
or loan guarantee to a G&T that long-term requirements wholesale power 
contract to purchase their power from the G&T at rates that cover all 
the G&T's expenses, including debt service and margins.
    RUS Form 444 is the standard form of the wholesale power contract. 
Most borrowers adapt this form to meet their specific needs. The 
contract is prepared and executed by the G&T and each member and by 
RUS.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 6 hours per response.
    Respondents: Small business or other for-profit; not-for-profit 
organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 110.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 660 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from MaryPat 
Daskal, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, at (202) 720-7853; 
FAX: (202) 720-4120.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

    Dated: November 5, 2003.
Curtis M. Anderson,
Deputy Administrator as Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 03-28460 Filed 11-13-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P