[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 17 (Wednesday, January 27, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 4620]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-01645]


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

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Energy Information Administration


Agency Information Collection Extension

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

ACTION: Agency information collection activities: information 
collection extension with no changes; notice and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The EIA invites public comment on the proposed collection of 
information, EIA-882T, ``Generic Clearance for Questionnaire Testing, 
Evaluation, and Research'' that 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: (1) 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; (2) 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; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (4) 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 February 26, 2016. 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 Jacob Bournazian, Energy 
Information Administration, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington DC 
20585 or by fax at 202-586-0552 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 Jacob Bournazian, Energy Information Administration, 
1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington DC 20585, phone: 202-586-5562, 
email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    This information collection request contains:
    (1) OMB No.: 1905-0186;
    (2) Information Collection Request Title: Generic Clearance for 
Questionnaire Testing, Evaluation, and Research;
    (3) Type of Request: Renewal;
    (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 utilize qualitative and quantitative methodologies 
to pretest questionnaires and validate the quality of the data 
collected on EIA forms. This authority would allow EIA to conduct 
pretest surveys, pilot surveys, respondent debriefings, cognitive 
interviews, usability interviews, and focus groups. Through the use of 
these methodologies, EIA will improve the quality of data being 
collected for measuring market activity and assessing supply conditions 
in energy markets, reduce or minimize respondent burden, increase 
agency efficiency, and improve responsiveness to the public. This 
authority also improves EIA's ability to collect relevant and timely 
information that meets the data needs of EIA's customers.
    (5) Annual Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,000;
    (6) Annual Estimated Number of Total Responses: 2,000;
    (7) Annual Estimated Number of Burden Hours: 2,000;
    (8) Annual Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Cost Burden: There 
are no additional costs associated with these survey methods other than 
the burden hours. The information is maintained in the normal course of 
business. The cost of burden hours to the respondents is estimated to 
be $144,040 (2,000 burden hours times $72.02 per hour), which 
represents a reduction of 1,006 burden hours from the prior renewal of 
this collection. Therefore, other than the cost of burden hours, EIA 
estimates that there are no additional costs for generating, 
maintaining and providing the information.

    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).

    Issued in Washington, DC, on January 21, 2016.
Nanda Srinivasan,
Director, Office of Survey Development and Statistical Integration, U. 
S. Energy Information Administration.
[FR Doc. 2016-01645 Filed 1-26-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6450-01-P