[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 39 (Wednesday, February 27, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13333-13334]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-04546]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

U.S. Energy Information Administration


Agency Information Collection Extension

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

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

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The EIA, pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 
intends to extend for three years with the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB), Form FE-746R, ``Natural Gas Imports and Exports.'' 
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 of the 
proposed collection of information, 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 April 29, 2013. If you anticipate difficulty in 
submitting comments within that period, contact the person listed in 
ADDRESSES as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Lisa Tracy. To ensure receipt of the 
comments by the due date, submission by email ([email protected]) 
is recommended. The mailing address is U.S. Department of Energy (FE-
34), Office of Natural Gas Regulatory Activities, Office of Fossil 
Energy, P.O. Box 44375, Washington, DC 20026-4375, Attn: Lisa Tracy. 
Alternatively, Ms. Tracy may be contacted by telephone at (202) 586-
4523 or by fax at (202) 586-6050.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Lisa Tracy at the contact information given above. Forms 
and instructions are also available on the Internet at: http://www.fe.doe.gov/programs/gasregulation/report_guidelines.html.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This information collection request 
contains:
    (1) OMB No.: 1901-0294;
    (2) Information Collection Request Title: Natural Gas Imports and 
Exports;
    (3) Type of Request: Three-year extension;
    (4) Purpose: The Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974 (15 
U.S.C. 761 et seq.) and the DOE Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7101 et 
seq.) require the EIA to carry out a centralized, comprehensive, and 
unified energy information program. This program collects, evaluates, 
assembles, analyzes, and disseminates information on energy resource 
reserves, production, demand, technology, and related economic and 
statistical information. This information is used to assess the 
adequacy of energy resources to meet near and longer term domestic 
demands.
    The EIA, as part of its effort to comply with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), provides the general 
public and other Federal agencies with opportunities to comment on 
collections of energy information conducted by or in conjunction with 
the EIA. Also, the EIA will later seek approval by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) under Section 3507(a) of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995.
    DOE's Office of Fossil Energy (FE) is delegated the authority to 
regulate natural gas imports and exports under section 3 of the Natural 
Gas Act of 1938, 15 U.S.C. 717b. In order to carry out its delegated 
responsibility, FE requires those persons seeking to import or export 
natural gas to file an application providing basic information on the

[[Page 13334]]

scope and nature of the proposed import/export activity. Once an 
importer or exporter receives authorization from FE, they are required 
to submit monthly reports of all import and export transactions. Form 
FE-746R collects critical information on U.S. natural gas trade 
including: name of importer/exporter; country of origin/destination; 
international point of entry/exit; name of supplier; volume; price; 
transporters; U.S. geographic market(s) served; and duration of supply 
contract on a monthly basis. The data, published in Natural Gas Imports 
and Exports, are used to ensure compliance with the terms and 
conditions of the authorizations. In addition, the data are used to 
monitor North American gas trade, which, in turn, enables the Federal 
government to perform market and regulatory analyses; improve the 
capability of industry and the government to respond to any future 
energy-related supply problems; and keep the general public informed of 
international natural gas trade;
    (4a) Proposed Changes to Information Collection:
    FE proposes to include two additional reporting sections for the 
collection and identification of new types of natural gas transactions 
related to:
    (a) Exports of compressed natural gas by truck; and
    (b) Exports of liquefied natural gas by vessel in ISO containers;
    (5) Annual Estimated Number of Respondents: 326;
    (6) Annual Estimated Number of Total Responses: 4,099;
    (7) Annual Estimated Number of Burden Hours: 12,978; and
    (8) Annual Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Cost Burden: $0; 
FE estimates that there are no additional costs to respondents 
associated with the surveys other than the costs associated with the 
burden hours.

    Statutory Authority: Section 13(b) of the Federal Energy 
Administration Act of 1974, Public Law 93-275, codified at 15 U.S.C. 
772(b) and Section 3 of the Natural Gas Act of 1938, codified at 15 
U.S.C. 717b.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on February 21, 2013.
Stephanie Brown,
Director, Office of Survey Development and Statistical Integration, 
U.S. Energy Information Administration.
[FR Doc. 2013-04546 Filed 2-26-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P