[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 144 (Thursday, July 26, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35469-35470]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-15985]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Agency Information Collection Extension

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. 
Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE), pursuant to the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995, intends to extend for three years, an 
information collection request with the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB). Comments are invited on: Whether the extended collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; 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; ways to enhance the quality, utility, 
and clarity of the information to be collected; and 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 September 24, 2018. If you anticipate difficulty 
in submitting comments within that period, contact the person listed 
below as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be sent Andre de Fontaine, EE-5A/
Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585, 
by fax at (202) 586-8177, or by email at [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or

[[Page 35470]]

copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Andre de Fontaine, EE-5A/Forrestal Building, 1000 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585, by fax at (202) 586-8177, 
or by email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This information collection request 
contains:
    (1) OMB No. 1910-5141;
    (2) Information Collection Request Title: Department of Energy 
Better Buildings Challenge, Better Buildings Alliance, and the Better 
Buildings, Better Plants Voluntary Pledge Program;
    (3) Type of Review: Extension with Revision of a Currently Approved 
Collection
    (4) Purpose: This Information Collection Request applies to three 
Department of Energy (DOE) voluntary leadership initiatives that fall 
under DOE's Better Buildings Initiative: (1) The Better Buildings 
Challenge; (2) the Better Buildings, Better Plants Program (Better 
Plants); and (3) the Better Buildings Alliance. Two new information 
collection instruments are proposed in order to streamline the 
application process for a manufacturing leadership awards program under 
Better Plants. Other pre-existing collection forms are being amended 
for clarity and to reduce burden on respondents. Also, the total number 
of respondents and response time for individual program areas is being 
adjusted to align with practical experience and to account for the 
program's growth over time. For example, due to improved data quality 
controls and greater experience observing partners, the hours per 
response has been increased for the Better Buildings, Better Plants 
Challenge Annual Reporting Form. The total number of hours associated 
with the Annual Better Plants Program Pledge Form was decreased to 
account for the establishment of more efficient internal collection 
processes as partners gain experience in the program. The number of 
hours per response for both the Better Buildings, Better Plants Web 
Profile Development and Water Data Collection forms, respectively, were 
changed to reflect actual partner response time based on practical 
experience.
    The leadership initiatives in the Better Buildings Initiative 
covered under this Information Collection Request are intended to drive 
greater energy and water efficiency in the commercial, public, 
residential, data center, and industrial marketplace to reduce 
pollution, cut costs, and create jobs. This is accomplished by 
highlighting the ways participants overcome market barriers to greater 
efficiency with replicable solutions. The program showcases real 
solutions and partners with industry leaders to better understand 
policy and technical opportunities. There are three types of 
information to be collected from primary participants, also referred to 
as ``Partners'': (1) Background data, including contact information, a 
partnership agreement form, logo(s), information needed to support 
public announcements, updates on participants' showcase projects, and 
an energy savings goal; (2) Portfolio-wide energy performance 
information; and (3) Information on market innovations participants are 
including in their energy efficiency processes. Background data is 
primarily used to develop website content that is publically available. 
Portfolio-wide facility-level energy performance information is used by 
DOE to measure the participants' progress in meeting the goals of the 
program, as well as to aggregate the change in energy performance and 
related metrics for the entire program. Information on market 
innovation is used to highlight successful strategies participants use 
to overcome challenges, and is made publicly available. Additional 
background information is being collected from ``Allies'', financial 
and utility organizations that make a public commitment to support the 
energy efficiency marketplace. Background information including name, 
dollars committed to the market, and a company logo is also used to 
develop publically available website content. Responses to the DOE's 
Information Collection Request are voluntary.
    (5) Annual Estimated Number of Respondents: 752, a slight increase 
over the current ICR's 740, which reflects modest growth in 
participation across the programs.
    (6) Annual Estimated Number of Total Responses: 897, a slight 
decrease from the current ICR's 933, which is driven by a change in 
frequency of reporting from biannual to annual for one information 
collection form.
    (7) Annual Estimated Number of Burden Hours: 2,232.25, a decrease 
from the current ICR's 2,709.25, which reflects improved data 
collection and reporting processes put in place by partners, especially 
those that have been participating in the programs for multiple years.
    (8) Annual Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Cost Burden: 
$90,475, a reduction from the current ICR's $106,934.
    Statutory Authority: Section 421 of the Energy Independence and 
Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17081); Section 911 of the Energy 
Policy Act of 2005, as amended (42 U.S.C. 16191).

    Issued in Washington, DC, on July 17, 2018.
Maria Vargas,
Director Better Buildings Challenge, Office of Energy Efficiency & 
Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 2018-15985 Filed 7-25-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P