[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 133 (Friday, July 10, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41531-41532]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-14883]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

[Docket No. RUS-20-ELECTRIC-0029]


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; comment requested.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Rural Utilities Service (RUS) invites comments on this information 
collection for which approval from the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) will be requested. The intention is to request an extension for a 
currently approved information collection in support of the RUS 
Electric Loan Application and Related Reporting Burdens.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by September 8, 2020 to 
be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robin M. Jones, Rural Development 
Innovation Center--Regulations Management Division, USDA, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Room 2445, South Building, Washington, DC 
20250. Telephone: (202) 772-1172. email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) 
regulation (5 CFR 1320) implementing provisions of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13) requires that interested members 
of the public and affected agencies have an opportunity to comment on 
information collection and recordkeeping activities (see 5 CFR 
1320.8(d)). This notice identifies an information collection that RHS 
is submitting to OMB for extension.
    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 will 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

[[Page 41532]]

collected; and (d) 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 may be sent by using the Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 
https://www.regulations.gov/ and, in the lower ``Search Regulations and 
Federal Actions'' box, select ``Rural Utilities Service'' from the 
agency drop-down menu, then click on ``Submit.'' In the Docket ID 
column, select RUS-20-ELECTRIC-0029 to submit or view public comments 
and to view supporting and related materials available electronically. 
Information on using Regulations.gov, including instructions for 
accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after 
the close of the comment period, is available through the site's ``User 
Tips'' link.
    Title: RUS Electric Loan Application and Related Reporting Burdens.
    OMB Number: 0572-0032.
    Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 2021.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: 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 
of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended) (RE Act).
    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. In the 
interest of protecting loan security, monitoring compliance with debt 
covenants, and ensuring that RUS loan funds are used for purposes 
authorized by law, RUS requires that borrowers prepare and submit for 
RUS evaluation certain studies and reports. Some of these studies and 
reports are required only once for each loan application; others must 
be submitted periodically until the loan is completely repaid. These 
forms and documents serve as support for electric loan applications and 
summarizes the types and estimated costs of facilities and equipment 
for which RUS financing is being requested.
    The RE Act also authorizes and empowers the Administrator of RUS to 
make or cause to be made, studies, investigations, and reports 
concerning the condition and progress of the electrification of the 
several States and Territories; and to publish and disseminate 
information with respect thereto. Information supplied by borrowers 
forms the basis of many of these reports.
    In the past two years, RUS has implemented an application intake 
system called RDApply that allows applicants to create an online 
application for RUS loans and grants as well as upload attachments, 
sign certifications, and draw service areas, to name a few features. 
RDApply streamlines the application process, as well as provides 
identity security, reduces paper consumption and is expected to reduce 
the burden associated with this information collection package over 
time.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 14.85 hours per response.
    Respondents: Not for profit organizations, business or other for 
profit.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 625.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 4.72.
    Estimated Annual Responses: 2,803.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 41,633 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Robin M. 
Jones, Innovation Center--Regulations Management Division, at (202) 
772-1172, email: [email protected].
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

Chad Rupe,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-14883 Filed 7-9-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P