[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 82 (Thursday, April 30, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19986-19987]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-9945]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Underground Retorts

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden conducts a pre-clearance 
consultation program to provide the general public

[[Page 19987]]

and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or 
continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program 
helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired 
format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, 
collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of 
collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed.
    Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is 
soliciting comments concerning the extension of the information 
collection related to the 30 CFR Section 57.22401; Underground Retorts.

DATES: Submit comments on or before June 29, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to, Debbie Ferraro, Management Services 
Division, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2141, Arlington, VA 22209-3939. 
Commenters are encouraged to send their comments on computer disk, or 
via e-mail to [email protected]. Ms. Ferraro can be reached at 
(202) 693-9821 (voice), or (202) 693-9801 (facsimile). Because of 
potential delays in receipt and processing of mail, respondents are 
strongly encouraged to submit comments electronically to ensure timely 
receipt. We cannot guarantee that comments mailed will be received 
before the comment closing date.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact the employee listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this notice.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    This regulation pertains to the safety requirements to be followed 
by the mine operators in the use of underground retorts to extract oil 
from shale by heat or fire. Prior to ignition of retorts, the mine 
operator must submit a written plan indicating the acceptable levels of 
combustible gases and oxygen; specifications and location of off-gas 
monitoring procedures and equipment; procedures for ignition of retorts 
and details of area monitoring and alarm systems for hazardous gases 
and actions to be taken to assure safety of miners.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is particularly interested in comments that:
     Evaluate 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;
     Evaluate 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;
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     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, e.g., permitting 
electronic submissions of responses.
    A copy of the proposed information collection request can be 
obtained by contacting the employee listed in the ADDRESSES section of 
this notice, or viewed on the Internet by accessing the MSHA home page 
(http://www.msha.gov/) and selecting ``Rules & Regs'', and then 
selecting ``FedReg. Docs''. On the next screen, select ``Paperwork 
Reduction Act Supporting Statement'' to view documents supporting the 
Federal Register Notice.

III. Current Actions

    This request for information contains provisions whereby mine 
operators can maintain compliance with the regulations and assure the 
safety of miners where underground retorts are used.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Underground Retorts.
    OMB Number: 1219-0096.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Respondents: 1.
    Total Burden Hours: 160 hours.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $0.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of the information collection request; they will also become a 
matter of public record.

    Dated at Arlington, Virginia, this 24th day of April 2009.
John Rowlett,
Director of Management Services Division.
[FR Doc. E9-9945 Filed 4-29-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P