[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 202 (Friday, October 20, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48808-48809]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-22798]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

U.S. Energy Information Administration


Notice and Request for Comments

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

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: EIA, pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, intends 
to extend with changes for three years with the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) Form EIA-63C Densified Biomass Fuel Report. Form EIA-
63C collects data on pellet fuel and other densified biomass fuel 
production, sales, and inventory levels from operators of U.S. pellet 
fuel manufacturing facilities. The data collected is used for the 
purpose of estimating densified biomass fuel consumption in the United 
States, as well as production, sales, and inventory at state, regional, 
and national levels.

DATES: Comments regarding this proposed information collection must be 
received on or before December 19, 2017. 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 Connor Murphy, U.S. 
Department of Energy, EI-23, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, 
DC 2058, or by email at [email protected]. The draft form 
and instructions are available at https://www.eia.gov/survey/#eia-63c.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Connor Murphy at 202-287-5982, or by email at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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.
    This information collection request contains:
    (1) OMB No.: 1905-0209;
    (2) Information Collection Request Title: Densified Biomass Fuel 
Report;
    (3) Type of Request: Renewal, with Changes;
    (4) Purpose: Form EIA-63C Densified Biomass Fuel Report is part of 
EIA's comprehensive energy data program. The survey collects 
information on the manufacture, shipment, exports, energy 
characteristics, and sales of pellet fuels and other densified biomass 
fuel products data from facilities that manufacture densified biomass 
fuel products, primarily pellet fuels, for energy applications. The 
data collected is a primary source of information for the nation's 
growing production of biomass products for heating and electric power 
generation, for both domestic use and export markets.
    (4a) Proposed Changes to Information Collection: To reduce 
reporting burden, EIA proposes to eliminate the following seven 
questions: Part 2 Question 2.2 ``What is the operational month'' Part 2 
Question 2.4 ``What is the total installed horsepower of the pellet 
extrusion machinery at this facility''; Part 2. Question 2.5 ``If the 
pellet extrusion machinery was not fully utilized during the month, 
choose the applicable explanation'' and all of explanation selection 
choices''; Part 2. Question 2.6 ``What is the planned maximum annual 
production capacity at this facility''; Part 2. Question 2.7 ``What is 
the planned total installed horsepower of the pellet extrusion 
machinery at this facility''; Part 3. Question 3.2 ``In the reporting 
period, did the mill utilize any portion of the above feedstock for 
uses other than transformation into densified biomass products, such as 
to operate the mill, produce electricity (combined heat and power) or 
other beneficial use of energy produced (such as heating/cooling)''; 
Part 4. Question 4.2, Delete the column for reporting ``Export Port.'' 
Respondents will continue to report on all other data elements in 
section 4.2. EIA is proposing to delete these data elements based on 
consultations with respondents during the collection cycle. The 
questions that EIA proposes to delete were questions that respondents 
stated were either confusing or difficult to answer, or are questions 
that EIA receives too few responses to allow publication because of the 
data confidentiality rules that EIA applies to the aggregate 
statistical estimates. EIA is also proposing to change the due date for 
annual respondents (small biomass fuel manufacturers having a capacity 
of

[[Page 48809]]

less than 10,000 tons per year or planned facilities) from February 1 
to June 1 to coincide with the industry's off-season and ease their 
burden during their busiest time of the year. Respondents that need to 
file annually will only need to report limited data in Parts 1 and 2 of 
the form.
    (5) Annual Estimated Number of Respondents: 105;
    (6) Annual Estimated Number of Total Responses: 1095;
    (7) Annual Estimated Number of Burden Hours: 1,516;
    (8) Annual Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Cost Burden: The 
cost of the burden hours is estimated to be $111,699 (1,516 burden 
hours times $73.66 per hour). EIA estimates that there are no 
additional costs to respondents associated with the survey other than 
the costs associated with the burden hours.

    Statutory Authority:  Section 13(b) of the Federal Energy 
Administration Act of 1974, Pub. L. 93-275, codified at 15 U.S.C. 
772(b) and the DOE Organization Act of 1977, Pub. L. 95-91, codified 
at 42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 11, 2017.
Nanda Srinivasan,
Director, Office of Survey Development and Statistical Integration, 
U.S. Energy Information Administration.
[FR Doc. 2017-22798 Filed 10-19-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6450-01-P