[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 68 (Friday, April 10, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16358-16359]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-8182]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

U.S. Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Survey of Plant 
Capacity Utilization

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on 
or before June 9, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Julius Smith Jr., U.S. Census Bureau, 
Manufacturing and Construction Division, Room 7K145, Washington, DC 
20233, (301) 763-4683 (or via the Internet at 
[email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau plans to continue the current OMB clearance for 
the Survey of Plant Capacity Utilization (SPC). The SPC is conducted 
quarterly, collecting from manufacturing plants and publishers, the 
value of actual production and the value of production that could have 
been achieved if operating at ``full production'' levels. The survey 
also collects data on work patterns by shift. These data include hours 
in operation, production workers, and plant hours worked.
    The primary user of these data will be the Federal Reserve Board 
(FRB) and

[[Page 16359]]

will use the data in several ways. First, the capital workweek data 
will be used as an indicator of capital use in the estimation of 
monthly output (industrial production). Second, the workweek data will 
also be used to improve the projections of labor productivity that are 
used to align industrial production (IP) with comprehensive benchmark 
information in the Economic Census, Manufacturing and Annual Survey of 
Manufactures. Third, the utilization rate data will assist in the 
assessment of recent changes in IP, as most of the high-frequency 
movement in utilization rates reflect production changes rather than 
capacity changes.

II. Method of Collection

    The Census Bureau will use the mail out/mail back survey forms to 
collect the data. An electronic version of the form for reporting via 
the Internet will also be offered. Companies will be asked to respond 
within 20 days of the initial mailing. This due date will be imprinted 
at the top of the form. Letters encouraging participation will be 
mailed to companies that have not responded by the designated time. 
Subsequent to the letter, a telephone follow-up will be conducted.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-0175.
    Form Number: MQ-C2.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 7,500.
    Estimated Time per Response: 1.75 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 52,500.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $1,594,425.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 United States Code, Section 182.

IV. Request for Comments

    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 has practical utility; 
(b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden (including 
hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (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 respondents, including the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: April 7, 2009.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
 [FR Doc. E9-8182 Filed 4-9-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P