[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 76 (Thursday, April 19, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17424-17425]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-08234]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-7006-N-05]


60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Energy and 
Performance Information Center (EPIC)

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian 
Housing, HUD.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: HUD is seeking approval from the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for the information collection described below. In 
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, HUD is requesting comment 
from all interested parties on the proposed collection of information. 
The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment.

DATES: Comments Due Date: June 18, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding 
this proposal. Comments should refer to the proposal by name and/or OMB 
Control Number and should be sent to: Colette Pollard, Reports 
Management Officer, QDAM, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 
451 7th Street SW, Room 4176, Washington, DC 20410-5000; telephone 202-
402-3400 (this is not a toll-free number) or email at 
[email protected] for a copy of the proposed forms or other 
available information. Persons with hearing or speech impairments may 
access this number through TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Relay 
Service at (800) 877-8339.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Arlette Mussington, Office of Policy, 
Programs and Legislative Initiatives, PIH, Department of Housing and 
Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW, Room 3178, Washington, DC 20410; 
telephone 202-402-4109, (this is not a toll-free number). Persons with 
hearing or speech impairments may access this number via TTY by calling 
the Federal Information Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Copies of 
available documents submitted to OMB may be obtained from Ms. 
Mussington.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice informs the public that HUD is 
seeking approval from OMB for the information collection described in 
Section A.

A. Overview of Information Collection

    Title of Information Collection: Energy and Performance Information 
Center (EPIC).
    OMB Approval Number: 2577-0274.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Form Numbers: N/A--all information collected electronically.
    Description of the Need for the Information and Proposed Use: The 
EPIC data system automates the previous paper collection of the five-
year plan and annual statement forms from grantees. These are required 
forms were collected in hard copy on Forms HUD 50075.1 and HUD 50075.2 
under collection OMB control number 2577-0157. These forms also collect 
data on the eventual, actual use of funds; this data will be gradually 
collected electronically through the EPIC data system as well. 
Electronic collection will enable the Department to aggregate 
information about the way grantees are

[[Page 17425]]

using Federal funding. Additionally, PHA grantees will be able to 
submit Replacement Housing Factor fund plans, the mechanism by which 
PHAs are allowed to accumulate special funds received based on units 
removed from the inventory from year to year. This information is 
presently collected in hard copy at the field office level; the EPIC 
data system will automate and centralize this collection in order to 
streamline the process and improve transparency. Furthermore, the EPIC 
data system will be loaded with Physical Needs Assessment (``PNA'') 
data. This data being in the system coupled with the electronic 
planning process will streamline grantee planning. The EPIC data system 
will collect information about the Energy Performance Contract 
(``EPC'') process, including the energy efficiency improvements. As the 
Department moves to shrink its energy footprint in spite of rising 
energy costs, clear and comprehensive data on this process will be 
crucial to its success. Tracking of the use of Federal funds paid 
through the Public Housing Capital Fund, the only Federal funding 
stream dedicated to the capital needs of the nation's last resort 
housing option, is crucial to understanding how the Department can 
properly and efficiently assist grantees in meeting this goal as well 
as assessing the Department's own progress. The EPIC data system will 
track development of public housing with Federal funds and through 
other means, including mixed-finance development.
    Respondents (i.e. affected public): Members of Affected Public: 
State, Local or Local Governments and Non-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,950.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 22,150 annual responses.
    Frequency of Response: 1.
    Average Hours per Response: 1.84.
    Total Estimated Burdens: 40,695 hours.

B. Solicitation of Public Comment

    This notice is soliciting comments from members of the public and 
affected parties concerning the collection of information described in 
Section A on the following:
    (1) Whether the proposed 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 the burden of the 
proposed collection of information;
    (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 
those who are to respond; including through the use of appropriate 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.
    HUD encourages interested parties to submit comment in response to 
these questions.

     Authority:  Section 3507 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35 as amended.

    Dated: April 4, 2018.
Merrie Nichols-Dixon,
Director, Office of Policy, Programs and Legislative Initiatives.
[FR Doc. 2018-08234 Filed 4-18-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4210-67-P