[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 14 (Monday, January 22, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2958-2959]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-01004]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

January 17, 2018.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments are requested regarding (1) 
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; (2) the accuracy of the 
agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and 
clarity of the information to be collected; (4) 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.
    Comments regarding this information collection received by February 
21, 2018 will be considered. Written comments should be addressed to: 
Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), New Executive Office 
Building, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20502. Commenters are 
encouraged to submit their comments to OMB via email to: 
[email protected] or fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental 
Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-
7602. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-
8958.
    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: RUS Electric Loan Application and Related Reporting Burdens.

[[Page 2959]]

    OMB Control Number: 0572-0032.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) was 
established in 1994 by the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department 
of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (Pub. L. 103-354, 108 stat. 
3178, 7 U.S.C. 6941 et seq.) as successor to the Rural Electrification 
Administration (REA) with respect to certain programs, including the 
electric loan and loan guarantee program authorized under the Rural 
Electrification Act (RE Act) of 1936. The RE Act authorizes and 
empowers the Administrator of RUS to make and guarantee loans to 
furnish and improve electric service in rural areas. These loans are 
amortized over a period of up to 35 years and secured by the borrower's 
electric assets and/or revenue. RUS will collect information including 
studies and reports to support borrower loan applications.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to 
determine the eligibility of applicants for loans and loan guarantees 
under the RE Act; monitor the compliance of borrowers with debt 
covenants and regulatory requirements in order to protect loan 
security; ensure that borrowers use loan funds for purposes consistent 
with the statutory goals of the RE Act; and obtain information on the 
progress of rural electrification and evaluate the success of RUS 
program activities. Without the information RUS would be unable to 
accomplish statutory goals.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business 
or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 625.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 52,130.

Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-01004 Filed 1-19-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P