[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 13, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19211-19212]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-07500]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

April 7, 2021.
    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: 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; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden 
including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; ways to 
enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be 
collected; 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

[[Page 19212]]

collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

DATES: Comments regarding this information collection received by May 
13, 2021 will be considered. Written comments and recommendations for 
the proposed information collection should be submitted within 30 days 
of the publication of this notice on the following website 
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information 
collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--Open for 
Public Comments'' or by using the search function.
    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.
    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: 41,634.

    Title: 7 CFR part 1724 and Part 1738 Electric Engineering, 
Architectural Services and Design Policies and Procedures; and Rural 
Broadband Access Loans and Loan Guarantees.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0118.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Electrification Act of 1936, 7 
U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended, authorizes Rural Utilities Service 
(RUS) to make loans in several States and Territories of the United 
States for broadband access and rural electrification and the 
furnishing and improving of electric energy to persons in rural areas. 
Title 7 CFR 1724 requires each borrower to select a qualified architect 
to perform certain architectural services and to use the designated 
form that provides for these services. The agency has developed 
standardized contractual forms used by borrowers to contract for 
services.
    Need and Use of the Information: The information collected 
stipulates the parties to the agreement, contain certain information 
relating to the approved loan or loan guarantee, and provide detailed 
contractual obligations and services to be provided and performed 
relating to construction, project design, construction management, 
compensation, and related information. The contractual forms provide 
standardized contract agreements between the electric or broadband 
borrower and the engineering or architectural firm providing services 
to the borrower. This has resulted in substantial savings to borrowers 
by reducing preparation of the documentation and the costly review by 
the government.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 4.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 8.

Levi S. Harrell,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2021-07500 Filed 4-12-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P