[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 154 (Thursday, August 9, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 47668]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-19567]



[[Page 47668]]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request; Underground Retorts

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Mine Safety 
and Health Administration (MSHA) sponsored information collection 
request (ICR) titled, ``Underground Retorts,'' to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for continued use 
in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3501 et seq.).

DATES: Submit comments on or before September 10, 2012.

ADDRESSES: A copy of this ICR with applicable supporting documentation; 
including a description of the likely respondents, proposed frequency 
of response, and estimated total burden may be obtained from the 
RegInfo.gov Web site, http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain, on the 
day following publication of this notice or by contacting Michel Smyth 
by telephone at 202-693-4129 (this is not a toll-free number) or 
sending an email to [email protected].
    Submit comments about this request to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for DOL-MSHA, Office of 
Management and Budget, Room 10235, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 
20503, Telephone: 202-395-6929/Fax: 202-395-6881 (these are not toll-
free numbers), email: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michel Smyth by telephone at 202-693-
4129 (this is not a toll-free number) or by email at [email protected].

    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 
section 103(h), 30 U.S.C. 813(h), authorizes the MSHA to collect 
information necessary to carry out Agency duties in protecting the 
safety and health of miners. Regulations 30 CFR 57.22401 sets forth the 
safety requirements for using a retort to extract oil from shale in 
underground metal and nonmetal I-A and I-B mines (those that operate in 
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). This presently applies only to 
underground oil shale mines. The standard requires that, prior to 
ignition of underground retorts, mine operators must submit a written 
ignition operation plan to the appropriate MSHA District Manager. The 
plan must contain site-specific safeguards and safety procedures for 
underground areas of the mine that are affected by the retorts.
    This information collection is subject to the PRA. A Federal agency 
generally cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and 
the public is generally not required to respond to an information 
collection, unless it is approved by the OMB under the PRA and displays 
a currently valid OMB Control Number. In addition, notwithstanding any 
other provisions of law, no person shall generally be subject to 
penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if the 
collection of information does not display a valid Control Number. See 
5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6. The DOL obtains OMB approval for this 
information collection under Control Number 1219-0096. The current 
approval is scheduled to expire on October 31, 2012. For additional 
information, see the related notice published in the Federal Register 
on April 27, 2012 (77 FR 25206).
    Interested parties are encouraged to send comments to the OMB, 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the address shown in 
the ADDRESSES section within 30 days of publication of this notice in 
the Federal Register. In order to help ensure appropriate 
consideration, comments should mention OMB Control Number 1219-0096. 
The OMB 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 submission of responses.
    Agency: DOL-MSHA.
    Title of Collection: Underground Retorts.
    OMB Control Number: 1219-0096.
    Affected Public: Private Sector--Businesses or other for-profits.
    Total Estimated Number of Respondents: 1.
    Total Estimated Number of Responses: 1.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 160.
    Total Estimated Annual Other Costs Burden: $0.

    Dated: August 6, 2012.
Michel Smyth,
Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-19567 Filed 8-8-12; 8:45 a.m.]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P