[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 82 (Friday, April 27, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25206-25207]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-10135]


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 DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Extension of Existing Information Collection; 
Underground Retorts

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Request for public comments.

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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 and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and continuing collections 
of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. 
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 is 
soliciting comments concerning the extension of the information 
collection for 30 CFR 57.22401(b). The Office of Management and Budget 
last approved this information collection request on October 13, 2009.

DATES: All comments must be postmarked or received by midnight Eastern 
Time on June 26, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Comments concerning the information collection requirements 
of this notice must be clearly identified with ``OMB 1219-0096'' and 
sent to both the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Mine Safety 
and Health Administration (MSHA). Comments to MSHA may be sent by any 
of the methods listed below.
     Federal E-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
     Facsimile: 202-693-9441, include ``OMB 1219-0096'' in the 
subject line of the message.
     Regular Mail or Hand Delivery: MSHA, Office of Standards, 
Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, 
Arlington, VA 22209-3939. For hand delivery, sign in at the 
receptionist's desk on the 21st floor.
    Comments to OMB may be sent by mail addressed to the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 
New Executive Office Building, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 
20503, Attn: Desk Officer for MSHA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Moxness, Chief, Economic Analysis 
Division, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, at 
[email protected] (email); 202-693-9440 (voice); or 202-693-9441 
(facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Section 103(h) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 
(Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. 813, authorizes MSHA to collect information 
necessary to carry out its duty in protecting the safety and health of 
miners. Title 30 CFR 57.22401 sets forth the safety requirements for 
using a retort in underground metal and nonmetal I-A and I-B mines 
(those that operate within a combustible ore and either liberate 
methane or have the potential to liberate methane based on the history 
of the mine or the geological area in which the mine is located). At 
present, this applies only to underground oil shale mines. The standard 
requires that prior to ignition of underground retort; mine operators 
must submit a written ignition and operation plan to the appropriate 
MSHA District Manager which contains site-specific safeguards and 
safety procedures for the underground areas of the mine which are 
affected by the retorts.
    This information collection addresses the recordkeeping associated 
with: 30 CFR 57.22401(b) Underground Retorts (I-A and I-B mines).

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of 
the information collection related to underground retorts in Metal and 
Nonmetal I-A and I-B mines. MSHA is particularly interested in comments 
that:
     Evaluate whether the collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information has practical utility;
     Evaluate the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the 
burden of the

[[Page 25207]]

collection of information, including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions used;
     Suggest methods to enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected; and
     Address 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) to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond.
    The public may examine publicly available documents, including the 
public comment version of the supporting statement, at MSHA, Office of 
Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 
2350, Arlington, VA 22209-3939. OMB clearance requests are available on 
MSHA's Web site at http://www.msha.gov under ``Rules & Regs'' on the 
right side of the screen by selecting Information Collections Requests, 
Paperwork Reduction Act Supporting Statements. The document will be 
available on MSHA's Web site for 60 days after the publication date of 
this notice. Comments submitted in writing or in electronic form will 
be made available for public inspection. Because comments will not be 
edited to remove any identifying or contact information, MSHA cautions 
the commenter against including any information in the submission that 
should not be publicly disclosed. Questions about the information 
collection requirements may be directed to the person listed in the FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice.

III. Current Actions

    The 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. MSHA has updated 
the data in respect to the number of respondents and responses, as well 
as the total burden hours and burden costs supporting this information 
collection extension request.

Summary

    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Underground Retorts.
    OMB Number: 1219-0096.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR 57.22401.
    Total Number of Respondents: 1.
    Frequency: Infrequent.
    Total Number of Responses: 1.
    Total Burden Hours: 160 hours.
    Total Annual Cost Burden: $ 0.0.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and 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.

    Authority:  44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A).

    Dated: April 23, 2012.
George F. Triebsch,
Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-10135 Filed 4-26-12; 8:45 am]
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