[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 65 (Wednesday, April 4, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20354-20355]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-8048]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

U.S. Census Bureau


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

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau, Commerce.

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 4, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 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 Mary C. Potter, U.S. Census Bureau, Manufacturing 
and Construction Division, Room 7K157, Washington, DC 20233, (301) 763-
4207 (or via the Internet at [email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 20355]]

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau plans to continue the current OMB clearance for 
the Quarterly Survey of Plant Capacity Utilization (QPC). The QPC is 
conducted quarterly, collecting from manufacturing plants and 
publishers, the value of actual production, the value of production 
that could have been achieved if operating at ``full production'' 
levels, and the value of production that could have been achieved if 
operating at ``national emergency'' 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 users of these data will be the Federal Reserve Board 
(FRB) and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). The FRB will use these 
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 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. The DLA will use these data to assess readiness to meet demand 
for goods under selected national emergency scenarios.

II. Method of Collection

    The Census Bureau will use the mail out/mail back survey forms to 
collect the data. We also offer an electronic version of the form for 
reporting via the Internet. 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, we will conduct a telephone follow-up.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-0175.
    Form Number: MQ-C2.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Manufacturing and publishing plants.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 7,500 per quarter.
    Estimated Time per Response: 2.00 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 60,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $1,989,000.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S. Code, Sections 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 shall have 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 through 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: March 30, 2012.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-8048 Filed 4-3-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P