[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 4, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 261-262]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-33687]


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

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.

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

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 Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance 
(EA/REDA) 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: Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance 
Program.
    OMB Number: 0570-0059.
    Expiration Date of Approval: July 31, 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 EA/REDA program as well as combine all associated burden for REAP 
into one paperwork burden package. Since the current EA/REDA paperwork 
burden package expires July 31, 2012, the period of time between 
expiration and the publication of a REAP final rule would have to allow 
for continued operation of the program. Thus, approval for extension is 
needed.
    This grant program, authorized under the 2008 Farm Bill, makes 
grants to eligible entities to provide energy audits and renewable 
energy development assistance to enable agricultural producers and 
rural small businesses to become more energy efficient and to use 
renewable energy technologies and resources. Entities eligible to 
receive grants under this program are State, tribal and local 
governments; land-grant colleges and universities or other institutions 
of higher learning; rural electric cooperatives; public power entities 
and instrumentalities of a State, tribal, or local government. Grant 
funds under this program may be used to conduct and promote energy 
audits; provide recommendations and information on how to improve the 
energy efficiency of the operations of the agricultural producers and 
rural small businesses; and provide recommendations and information on 
how to use renewable energy technologies and resources in the 
operations. No more than five percent of the grant can be used for 
administrative purposes. Agricultural producers and rural small 
businesses for which a grantee is conducting an energy audit must pay 
at least 25 percent of the cost of the energy audit.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 1.3 hours per response.
    Respondents: State, tribal and local governments; land-grant 
colleges and universities or other institutions of higher learning; 
rural electric cooperatives; public power entities; and 
instrumentalities of a State, tribal, or local government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 53.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 16.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 865.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,161.
    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

[[Page 262]]

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 21, 2011.
Judith A. Canales,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-33687 Filed 1-3-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P