[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 13 (Wednesday, January 21, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2909-2910]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-1202]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Energy Information Administration


Policy Statement; Disclosure Limitation Policy for Statistical 
Information Based on Petroleum Supply Reporting System Survey Data

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

ACTION: Policy statement. Disclosure limitation policy for statistical 
information based on Petroleum Supply Reporting System survey data.

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SUMMARY: The EIA is announcing its disclosure limitation policy for 
statistical information based on Petroleum Supply Reporting System 
(PSRS) survey data. Beginning with survey data for January 2004, EIA 
extends its 1986 policy of not applying disclosure limitation methods 
to statistics based on PSRS survey data to all PSRS survey information 
collected under a pledge of confidentiality. EIA will continue to 
protect information collected under a pledge of confidentiality by not 
publicly releasing

[[Page 2910]]

respondent-level survey data directly linked to names or other 
identifiers. With the increasing number of different petroleum 
products, enlarged product detail breakdowns, and declines in the 
number of companies reporting on many of the PSRS surveys, this policy 
helps to ensure EIA's continuing ability to disseminate detailed 
petroleum supply information. This policy supports EIA's mandate for 
carrying out a central, comprehensive, and unified energy data and 
information program responsive to users' needs for credible, reliable, 
and timely energy information that will improve and broaden 
understanding of petroleum supply in the United States.

DATES: This policy becomes effective January 21, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Requests for additional information or questions about this 
policy should be directed to Stefanie Palumbo. Contact by FAX (202-586-
5846), e-mail ([email protected]), or telephone (202-586-
6866) is recommended to expedite receipt and response. The mailing 
address is Petroleum Division, EI-42, Forrestal Building, U.S. 
Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 
20585.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information 
should be directed to Ms. Palumbo at the address listed above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background
II. Discussion of Comments
III. Current Actions

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 provides the public and other Federal agencies with 
opportunities to comment on collections of energy information conducted 
by EIA. As appropriate, EIA also requests comments on important issues 
relevant to the dissemination of energy information. Comments received 
help the EIA when preparing information collections and information 
products necessary to support EIA's mission.
    On November 20, 2003, EIA issued a Federal Register notice (68 FR 
65452) requesting public comments on its disclosure limitation policy 
for statistical information based on Petroleum Supply Reporting System 
(PSRS) survey data. Beginning with survey data for January 2004, EIA 
proposed to extend its 1986 policy of not applying disclosure 
limitation methods to statistics based on PSRS survey data to all PSRS 
survey information collected under a pledge of confidentiality. When 
used, disclosure limitation methods are designed to minimize the 
possibility that individually-identifiable information reported by a 
survey respondent may be inferred from published statistics. The use of 
disclosure limitation methods would result in some petroleum supply 
statistics being suppressed from public dissemination and unavailable 
to public and private analysts. However, by not using disclosure 
limitation methods, a statistic based on PSRS data from fewer than 
three respondents or dominated by data from one or two large 
respondents may be used by a knowledgeable person to estimate the data 
reported by a specific respondent.
    In the November 20, 2003 notice, EIA discussed the proposed policy 
as well as EIA's reasons for proposing it. In addition to publishing 
the notice, EIA sent e-mail messages to PSRS survey respondents 
mentioning the notice and including information on accessing the notice 
through the Internet.
    The types of information collected in the PSRS surveys and the 
detailed level of statistical information disseminated by EIA follow a 
pattern first established by the Bureau of Mines in 1917. The PSRS 
surveys include weekly, monthly, and annual surveys designed to provide 
information on petroleum supply at various levels of detail given 
tradeoffs between timeliness and improved accuracy. For 2004, the PSRS 
surveys will include the following forms:

[sbull] EIA-800, Weekly Refinery and Fractionator Report,
[sbull] EIA-801, Weekly Bulk Terminal Report,
[sbull] EIA-802, Weekly Product Pipeline Report,
[sbull] EIA-803, Weekly Crude Oil Stocks Report,
[sbull] EIA-804, Weekly Imports Report,
[sbull] EIA-805, Weekly Terminal Blenders Report,
[sbull] EIA-810, Monthly Refinery Report,
[sbull] EIA-811, Monthly Bulk Terminal Report,
[sbull] EIA-812, Monthly Product Pipeline Report,
[sbull] EIA-813, Monthly Crude Oil Report,
[sbull] EIA-814, Monthly Imports Report,
[sbull] EIA-815, Monthly Terminal Blenders Report,
[sbull] EIA-816, Monthly Natural Gas Liquids Report,
[sbull] EIA-817, Monthly Tanker and Barge Movement Report,
[sbull] EIA-819, Monthly Oxygenate Report, and
[sbull] EIA-820, Annual Refinery Report.

    While the specific forms and data elements in the PSRS surveys are 
expected to change over time to reflect the industry, the disclosure 
limitation policy will apply to all PSRS survey information collected 
under a pledge of confidentiality beginning with survey data for 
January 2004. The overall purpose of the PSRS will continue to be 
providing credible, reliable, and timely information on the petroleum 
industry. Detailed information is integral to adequately understanding 
the U.S. petroleum supply situation.

II. Discussion of Comments

    EIA received one letter. However, the letter included no comments 
addressing the proposed disclosure limitation policy for statistical 
information based on PSRS survey data.

III. Current Actions

    EIA announces its policy that beginning with survey data for 
January 2004, EIA extends its 1986 policy of not applying disclosure 
limitation methods to statistics based on PSRS survey data to all PSRS 
survey information collected under a pledge of confidentiality. 
However, EIA will continue to protect information collected under a 
pledge of confidentiality by not publicly releasing respondent-level 
survey data directly linked to names or other identifiers. This policy 
will result in EIA providing comprehensive, detailed PSRS information 
to the public, and will facilitate public understanding of the 
petroleum industry. However, it also means that a knowledgeable person 
may be able to estimate the value of selected data items provided by 
specific respondents.

    Statutory Authority: Section 52 of the Federal Energy 
Administration Act (Pub. L. 93-275, 15 U.S.C. 790a).

    Issued in Washington, DC, January 12, 2004.
Guy F. Caruso,
Administrator, Energy Information Administration.
[FR Doc. 04-1202 Filed 1-20-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P