[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 148 (Wednesday, August 3, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44600-44601]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-15292]


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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.

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SUMMARY: The EIA is soliciting comments on the proposed three-year 
extension to the ``Recordkeeping Requirements of DOE's General 
Allocation and Price Rules,'' ERA-766R.

DATES: Comments must be filed by October 3, 2005. If you anticipate 
difficulty in submitting comments within that period, contact the 
person listed below as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Mr. John D. Bullington. To ensure receipt 
of the comments by the due date, submission by FAX (202-586-6191) or e-
mail ([email protected]) is recommended. The mailing address is 
Office of General Counsel, GC-90, Forrestal Building, U.S. Department 
of Energy, Washington, DC 20585. Alternatively, Mr. Bullington may be 
contacted by telephone at 202-586-7364.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of any forms and instructions should be directed to Mr. 
Bullington 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. No. 93-275, 
15 U.S.C. 761 et seq.) and the DOE Organization Act (Pub. L. No. 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.
    The recordkeeping requirements are authorized by section 203(a)(1) 
of the Economic Stabilization Act (ESA) of 1970, as amended (Pub. L. 
92-210, 85 Stat. 743) and by section 13(g) of the Federal Energy 
Administration Act (FEAA) of 1974, as amended (Pub.L. 93-275). DOE 
proposes to extend for three years the limited recordkeeping 
requirements presently contained in 10 CFR 210.1. The antecedent 
regulation was narrowed by amendment in January 1985. This limited 
extension is proposed as a protective measure to preserve records 
relating to the prior price and allocation regulations for an 
additional three years.

II. Current Actions

    This is an extension with no change of the existing requirements. 
The requirements are proposed to be extended for a period of three 
years, from February 28, 2006, to February 28, 2009.

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. EIA is interested in receiving comments from persons regarding 
whether the proposed recordkeeping requirements are necessary for the 
proper performance of the functions of the agency and does the 
information have practical utility? Practical utility is

[[Page 44601]]

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. Are the instructions regarding the recordkeeping requirements 
clear and sufficient? If not, which instructions require clarification?
    B. Can information be maintained as specified in the recordkeeping 
requirements?
    C. Public reporting burden for the recordkeeping requirements are 
estimated to average 4 hours per respondent. The estimated burden 
includes the total time, effort, or financial resources expended to 
generate, maintain, retain, disclose and provide information.
    D. The agency estimates respondents will incur no additional costs 
other than the hours required to maintain the records. What is the 
estimated: (1) Total dollar amount annualized for capital and start-up 
costs, and (2) recurring annual costs of operation and maintenance, and 
purchase of services associated with these recordkeeping requirements.
    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. No. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35).

    Issued in Washington, DC, July 26, 2005.
Jay H. Casselberry,
Agency Clearance Officer, Energy Information Administration.
[FR Doc. 05-15292 Filed 8-2-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P