[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 180 (Monday, September 17, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57080-57081]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-22833]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Energy Information Administration


Proposed Agency Information Collection

AGENCY: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), U.S. Department 
of Energy.

ACTION: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Notice and Request for Comments.

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SUMMARY: The EIA invites public comment on the comprehensive evaluation 
of an existing data collection, the Financial Reporting System, EIA-28, 
which EIA is developing for submission to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Comments 
are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper evaluation of this form, including whether the 
information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the 
agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information that will occur as a result of this evaluation, 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 respondents, including through the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

DATES: Comments regarding this proposed information collection must be 
received on or before November 16, 2012. If you anticipate difficulty 
in submitting comments within that period, contact the person listed in 
ADDRESSES as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be sent to Neal Davis, Energy 
Information Administration, 1000 Independence Ave, SW., Washington DC 
20585 or by fax at 202-586-4420 or by email at [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Neal Davis, Energy Information Administration, 1000 
Independence Ave. SW., Washington DC 20585, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This information collection request 
contains:
    (1) OMB No.1905-0149: Existing;
    (2) Information Collection Request Title: Evaluation of the 
Financial Reporting System, Form EIA-28;

[[Page 57081]]

    (3) Type of Request: Comprehensive Evaluation of an Existing Data 
Collection;
    (4) Purpose: The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) is 
planning to request a three year approval from the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of an existing 
data collection, the Financial Reporting System, EIA-28. This is not a 
request to collect data using the existing data collection. It is a 
request to collect data in order to evaluate an existing data 
collection. This includes investigating what data are being collected 
on the form, how these data are understood by respondents, and how 
useful the data being collected are to stakeholders. The goal of this 
evaluation is to collect enough data about the existing data collection 
to successfully inform the future redesign of the EIA-28. This 
authority would allow EIA to conduct field testing, pilot surveys, 
respondent debriefings, cognitive interviews, usability interviews, and 
focus groups in support of this evaluation. Through the use of these 
methods, EIA will improve the quality of data being collected, reduce 
or minimize respondent burden, increase agency efficiency, and improve 
responsiveness to the public. Note that the use of any or all of these 
methods is dependent upon the availability of resources and all methods 
are voluntary.
    The methods proposed for coverage by this evaluation are the 
following:
    Field Testing. Field testing surveys conducted under this 
evaluation will generally be methodological studies of 100 cases or 
less. A field test is used to clarify particular issues, rather than to 
replicate all components of a methodological design. Accordingly, field 
tests will not employ statistically representative samples.
    Pilot Surveys. Pilot surveys conducted under this evaluation will 
generally be methodological studies of 100 cases or less. The pilot 
surveys will replicate all components of the methodological design, 
sampling procedures (where possible) and questionnaires of the full 
scale survey. Accordingly, pilot tests will employ statistically 
representative samples.
    Respondent Debriefings. Respondent debriefings conducted under this 
evaluation will generally be methodological studies of 100 cases or 
less. Respondent debriefings are usually conducted post data collection 
and are used to determine potential issues with data quality and to 
determine a more accurate respondent burden measure. Respondent 
debriefings can employ either statistically or non-statistically 
representative samples. When employing statistically representative 
samples, respondent debriefings allow EIA to improve its understanding 
of variance for the items in the EIA-28.
    Cognitive Interviews. Cognitive interviews conducted under this 
evaluation will generally number 50 or less. Cognitive interviews are 
used to identify problems of ambiguity or misunderstanding, or other 
difficulties respondents have answering questions, and reduce 
measurement error in a survey. Cognitive interviews will not employ 
statistically representative samples
    Usability Interviews. Usability interviews conducted under this 
evaluation will generally number 50 or less. Usability interviews are 
used to make sure that electronic questionnaires, Web sites and other 
associated materials are user-friendly, allowing respondents to easily 
and intuitively navigate the electronic item and find the information 
that they seek. Usability interviews will not employ statistically 
representative samples.
    Focus Groups. Focus groups conducted under this evaluation will 
generally number 25 or less. Focus groups are used to identify and 
explore issues with populations of interest, e.g., from a specific 
group of stakeholders. Focus groups will not employ statistically 
representative samples.
    (5) Annual Estimated Number of Respondents: 300;
    (6) Annual Estimated Number of Total Responses: 300;
    (7) Annual Estimated Number of Burden Hours: 450;
    (8) Annual Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Cost Burden: 0. 
EIA estimates that there are no additional costs to respondents 
associated with the surveys other than the costs associated with the 
burden hours.

    Statutory Authority: Public Law 93-275 (Federal Energy 
Administration Act of 1974), 5(a), 5(b), and 13(a).

    Issued in Washington, DC on September 11, 2012.
Stephanie Brown,
Director, Office of Survey Development and Statistical Integration, 
Energy Information Administration.
[FR Doc. 2012-22833 Filed 9-14-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P