[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 213 (Tuesday, November 3, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 69609]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-24374]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Energy Information Administration


Agency Information Collection Extension With Changes

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

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: EIA invites public comment on the proposed three year 
extension, with changes, to Form EIA-846 Manufacturing Energy 
Consumption Survey Report as required under the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995. The report is part of EIA's comprehensive energy data program. 
Form EIA-846 Manufacturing Energy Consumption Survey Report 
(Quadrennial) collects information on energy consumption, expenditures, 
and building characteristics from establishments in the manufacturing 
sector.

DATES: EIA must receive all comments on this proposed information 
collection no later than January 4, 2021. If you anticipate any 
difficulties in submitting your comments by the deadline, contact the 
person listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice as soon as 
possible.

ADDRESSES: Mail comments to Tom Lorenz, U.S Energy Information 
Administration, EI-22, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 
20585. Submit comments electronically to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Lorenz by phone at (202) 586-3442, 
or by email at [email protected]. The forms and instructions of 
EIA-846 Manufacturing Energy Consumption Survey are available on EIA's 
website at www.eia.gov/survey/.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This information collection request 
contains:
    (1) OMB No.: 1905-0169.
    (2) Information Collection Request Title: Manufacturing Energy 
Consumption Survey (MECS).
    (3) Type of Request: Extension with changes.
    (4) Purpose: Form EIA-846, is a self-administered sample survey 
that collects energy consumption and expenditures data from 
establishments in the manufacturing sector; i.e., North American 
Industry Classification System (NAICS) sector codes 31-33. The 
information from this survey is used to publish aggregate statistics on 
the energy consumption of the manufacturing sector including energy 
used for fuel and nonfuel purposes. The survey also gathers information 
on energy-related issues such as energy prices, on-site electricity 
generation, purchases of electricity from utilities and non-utilities, 
and fuel switching capabilities. MECS is also used to benchmark EIA's 
industry forecasting model and update changes in the energy intensity 
and greenhouse gases data series.
    (4a) Proposed Changes to Information Collection: EIA proposes 
making a change to the survey collection cycle of Form EIA-846. EIA 
proposes to change the frequency of data collection for the MECS from a 
quadrennial collection cycle to a triennial collection cycle. The 
change in frequency is in response to the public and other users need 
for more timely EIA energy consumption data. Additionally, changing to 
a triennial collection cycle maximizes the efficiency of EIA's resource 
allocation.
    (5) Annual Estimated Number of Respondents: 15,000.
    (6) Annual Estimated Number of Total Responses: 5,000.
    (7) Annual Estimated Number of Burden Hours: 46,082.
    (8) Annual Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Cost Burden: EIA 
estimates that respondents will have no additional costs associated 
with the surveys other than burden hours.
    Comments are invited whether or not: (a) The proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of agency 
functions, including whether the information will have a practical 
utility; (b) EIA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used, is accurate; (c) EIA can improve the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information it will collect; and (d) EIA can minimize 
the burden of the collection of information on respondents, such as 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.

    Statutory Authority: 15 U.S.C. 772(b) and 42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.

    Signed in Washington, DC, on October 29, 2020.
Samson A. Adeshiyan,
Director, Office of Statistical Methods and Research, U.S. Energy 
Information Administration.
[FR Doc. 2020-24374 Filed 11-2-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P