[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 169 (Thursday, August 30, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52676-52678]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-21375]


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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
 and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 169 / Thursday, August 30, 2012 / 
Notices  

[[Page 52676]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

August 24, 2012.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
regarding (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy 
of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (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 should be addressed to: Desk 
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), [email protected] or 
fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, 
Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these 
information collections are best assured of having their full effect if 
received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the 
submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-8681.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1730, Review Rating Summary.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0025.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) manages 
loan programs in accordance with the Rural Electrification Act (RE Act) 
of 1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended. An important part of 
safeguarding loan security is to see that RUS financed facilities are 
being responsible used, adequately operated, and adequately maintained. 
Future needs have to be anticipated to ensure that facilities will 
continue to produce revenue and loans will be repaid as required by the 
RUS mortgage. Regular periodic operations and maintenance (O&M) review 
can identify and correct inadequate O&M practices before they cause 
extensive harm to the system. Inadequate O&M practices can result in 
public safety hazards, increased power outages for consumers, added 
expense for emergency maintenance, and premature aging of the 
borrower's systems, which could increase the loan security risk to RUS.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information using 
form 300 Review Rate Summary to identity items that may be in need of 
additional attention; to plan corrective actions when needed; to budget 
funds and manpower for needed work; and to initiate ongoing programs as 
necessary to avoid or minimize the need for ``catch-up'' programs.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business 
or other for-profit .
    Number of Respondents: 217.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 868.
    Title: Operating Reports for Telecommunications and Broadband 
Borrowers.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0031.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service's (RUS) is a 
credit agency of the Department of Agriculture. The Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (RE Act) (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq) 
authorizes the Secretary to make mortgage loans and loan guarantees to 
finance electric, telecommunications, broadband, and water and waste 
facilities in rural areas. In addition to providing loans and loan 
guarantees, one of RUS' main objectives is to safeguard loan security 
until the loan is repaid. The RE Act also authorizes the Secretary to 
make studies, investigations, and reports concerning the progress of 
borrowers' furnishing of adequate telephone service and publish and 
disseminate this information.
    Need and Use of the Information: Information from the Operating 
Report for both telecommunication and broadband borrowers provides RUS 
with vital financial information needed to ensure the maintenance of 
the security for the Government's loans and service data which enables 
RUS to ensure the provision of quality telecommunications and broadband 
service as mandated by the RE Act of 1936. Form 674, ``Certificate of 
Authority to Submit or Grant Access to Data'' will allow 
telecommunication and broadband borrowers to file electronic Operating 
Reports with the agency using the new USDA Data Collection System. 
Accompanied by a Board Resolution, it will identify the name and USDA 
eAuthentication ID for a certifier and security administrator that will 
have access to the system for purposes of filing electronic Operating 
Reports.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 597.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Quarterly; 
Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 2,910.
    Title: 7 CFR Part 1786, Prepayment of RUS Guaranteed and Insured 
Loans to Electric and Telephone Borrowers.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0088.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Electrification (RE) Act of 1936, 
as amended, authorizes and empowers the Administrator of RUS to make 
loans in the States and Territories of the United States for rural 
electrification and for the purpose of furnishing and improving 
electric and telephone service in rural areas and to assist electric 
borrowers to implement demand side management, energy conservation 
programs, and on-grid and off-grid renewable energy systems. 7 CFR part 
1786, subparts E and F are authorized by this section.
    Need and Use of the Information: The information will be collected 
from

[[Page 52677]]

borrowers requesting to prepay their notes and to determine that the 
borrower is qualified to prepay under the authorizing statues. The 
overall goal of Subparts E and F is to allow RUS borrowers to prepay 
their RUS loan and the overall goal of Subpart G is to refinance.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 5.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 16.
    Title: 7 CFR 1773, Policy on Audits of RUS Borrowers.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0095.
    Summary of Collection: Under the authority of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 (ACT), as amended 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., the 
Administrator is authorized and empowered to make loans under certain 
specified circumstances for the purpose of furnishing and improving 
telephone service in rural areas. RUS, in representing the Federal 
Government as Mortgagee, relies on the information provided by the 
borrowers in their financial statements to make lending decisions as to 
borrowers' credit worthiness and to assure that loan funds are 
approved, advanced and disbursed for proper Act purposes. Borrowers are 
required to furnish a full and complete report of their financial 
condition, operations and cash flows, in form and substance 
satisfactory to RUS.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to 
evaluate borrowers' financial performance, determine whether current 
loans are at financial risk, and determine the credit worthiness of 
future losses. If information is not collected, it would delay RUS' 
analysis of the borrowers' financial strength, thereby adversely 
impacting current lending decisions.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business 
or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 1,250.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 13,927.
    Title: 7 CFR 1744-E, Borrower Investments--Telecommunications Loan 
Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0098.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Economic Development Act of 1990, 
Title XXIII of the Farm Bill, Public Law 101-624, authorized qualified 
Rural Utilities Service (RUS) borrowers to make investments in rural 
development projects without the prior approval of the RUS 
Administrator, provided, however that such investments do not cause the 
borrower to exceed its allowable qualified investment level as 
determined in accordance with the procedures set forth in 7 CFR part 
1744, subpart E. RUS requests that the borrower submit (1) A 
description of the rural development project and type of investment; 
(2) a reasonable estimate of the amount the borrower is committed to 
provide to the project including future expenditures; and (3) a pro 
forma balance sheet and cash flow statement for the period covering the 
borrower's future commitments to determine that the ``excess'' or 
proposed ``excess'' investments will not impair the borrower's ability 
to repay the loan or cause financial hardship.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to 
consider whether or not to approve a borrower's request to make an 
investment in a rural development project when such an investment would 
cause the borrower to exceed its allowable investment level. If this 
information was not collected, RUS could not thoroughly assess the 
economic impact of such an investment.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 2.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 1.
    Title: 7 CFR 1751 Subpart B/State Telecommunications Modernization 
Plan.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0104.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Electrification Loan Restructuring 
Act (RELRA, Pub. L. 103-129), November 1, 1993, amended the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq. (the RE Act). RELRA 
required that a State Telecommunications Modernization Plan 
(Modernization Plan or Plan), meet all the statutory requirements of 
RELRA (Part 1751, Subpart B). The plan at a minimum must provide for: 
(1) The elimination of party line service; (2) the availability of 
telecommunications services for improved business, educational, and 
medical services; (3) must encourage computer networks and information 
highways for subscribers in rural areas; (4) must provide for 
subscribers in rural areas to be able to receive through telephone 
lines: (a) conference calling; (b) video images; and (c) data at a rate 
of 1 million bits of information per second; and, the proper routing of 
information to subscribers.
    Need and Use of the Information: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) 
telecommunications program staff will review the Modernization Plan and 
approve the plans, if it complies with the requirements of the 
regulation. If the proposed Modernization Plan is approved, RUS will 
notify the developer of the approval. If not, RUS will make specific 
written comments and suggestions for modifying the proposed 
Modernization Plan so that it will comply with the requirements of the 
regulation. If the information is not collected, RUS' authority to make 
loans under the Rural Electrification Act will be restricted.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 1.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 350.
    Title: 7 CFR 1717 Subpart D, Mergers and Consolidations of Electric 
Borrowers.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0114.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is a 
credit agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It makes mortgage 
loans and loan guarantees to finance electric, telecommunications, 
water and waste and water facilities in rural areas. Loan programs are 
managed in accordance with the Rural Electrification Act (RE Act) of 
1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended and as prescribed by the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-129, Policies for Federal 
Credit Programs and Non-tax Receivable, states that agencies must base 
on a review of a loan application determine that an applicant complies 
with statutory, regulatory, and administrative eligibility requirements 
for loan assistance.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to 
streamline procedures and allow borrowers the flexibility to meet new 
business challenges and opportunities. The information is necessary for 
RUS to conduct business with successor entity while protecting the 
security of Government loans and avoiding defaults and to grant merger 
approval when required.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 12.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 170.
    Title: Use of Consultants Funded by Borrowers, 7 CFR 1789.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0115.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is a 
credit agency of the Department of Agriculture that makes mortgage 
loans and loan guarantees to finance electric, telecommunications, and 
water and waste facilities in rural areas. The loan

[[Page 52678]]

programs are managed in accordance with the Rural Electrification Act 
(RE Act) of 1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended, and as prescribed 
by Office of Management and Budget Circular A-129, Policies for Federal 
Credit Programs and Non-Tax Receivable, which states that agencies 
must, based on a review of a loan application, determine that an 
applicant complies with statutory, regulatory, and administrative 
eligibility requirements for loan assistance. RUS has the authority to 
use consultants voluntarily funded by borrowers for financial, legal, 
engineering, and other technical services. However, all RUS borrowers 
are eligible to fund consultant services but are not required to fund 
consultants.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to 
determine whether it is appropriate to use a consultant voluntarily 
funded by the borrower to expedite a particular borrower application. 
If the information were not submitted, RUS would be unable to determine 
if using a consultant would accelerate the specific application 
process.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business 
or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 1.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 2.
    Title: 7 CFR 1717 Subpart Y, Settlement of Debt Owed by Electric 
Borrowers.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0116.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) makes 
mortgage loans and loan guarantees to electric systems to provide and 
improve electric service in rural areas pursuant to the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.)(RE Act). 
Only those electric borrowers that are unable to fully repay their 
debts to the government and who apply to RUS for relief will be 
affected by this collection of information. The information collected 
will be similar to that which any prudent lender would need to 
determine whether debt settlement is required and the amount of relief 
that is needed.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to 
determine the need for debt settlement; the amount of debt the borrower 
can repay; the future scheduling of debt repayment; and, the range of 
opportunities for enhancing the amount of debt that can be recovered.
    Description of Respondents: Non-for-profit institutions; Business 
or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 1.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 2,000.

Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-21375 Filed 8-29-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P