[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 4, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 260-261]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-33685]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed collection; comments requested.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Rural Business-Cooperative Service's intention to 
request an extension for a currently approved information collection in 
support of the Feasibility Study program administered under the Rural 
Energy for America Program (REAP).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by March 5, 2012 to be 
assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Cavanaugh, Management and Program 
Analyst, Rural Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 3252, 
1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250-3201, Telephone (202) 
260-1506.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Feasibility Study Program.
    OMB Number: 0570-0061.
    Expiration Date of Approval: September 30, 2012.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Agency anticipates publishing a proposed rule for 
REAP in calendar year 2012. This proposed rule will include changes to 
the Feasibility Study program as well as combine all associated burden 
for REAP into one paperwork burden package. Since the current 
Feasibility Study paperwork burden package expires September 30, 2012, 
the period of time between expiration and the publication of a REAP 
final rule would have to allow for continued operation of the 
Feasibility Study program. Thus, approval for extension is needed.
    This grant program, authorized under the 2008 Farm Bill, makes 
grants to eligible entities to conduct feasibility studies for 
renewable energy systems that are eligible for financial assistance 
under the REAP. Entities eligible to receive grants under this program 
are agricultural producers and rural small

[[Page 261]]

businesses. Grant funds under this program may be used only to conduct 
feasibility studies for renewable energy systems that would qualify for 
funding under the REAP. Agricultural producers and rural small 
businesses would be required to pay at least 75 percent of the cost of 
the feasibility study.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 1.4 hours per response.
    Respondents: Agricultural producers and rural small businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 354.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 10.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 3,395.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 4,811.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Jeanne 
Jacobs, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, Support Services 
Division at (202) 692-0040.
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of USDA, including whether the information will have 
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of USDA'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 Jeanne 
Jacobs, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, Support Services 
Division, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, STOP 0742, 
1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250-0742. 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: December 22, 2011.
Chadwick O. Parker,
Acting Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-33685 Filed 1-3-12; 8:45 am]
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