[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 178 (Friday, September 17, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51860-51861]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-20104]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

[Docket No. RUS-21-SFH-0007]


Notice of Request for Revision of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection; Comments Requested

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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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 RUS intends to request approval from the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by November 16, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Arlette Mussington, Management 
Analyst, Rural Development Innovation Center--Regulations Management 
Division, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 4227, South Building, 
Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202)720-2825. 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 RUS 
is submitting to OMB for revision.
    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 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

[[Page 51861]]

techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Comments may be sent by the Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 
https://www.regulations.gov and, in the ``Search'' box, type in the 
Docket No. RUS-21-SFH-0007. A link to the Notice will appear. You may 
submit a comment here by selecting the ``Comment'' button or you can 
access the ``Docket'' tab, select the ``Notice,'' and go to the 
``Browse & Comment on Documents'' Tab. Here you may view comments that 
have been submitted as well as submit a comment. 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 ``FAQ'' link at the 
bottom. Comments on this information collection must be received by 
November 16, 2021.
    Title: Substantially Underserved Trust Areas.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0147.
    Expiration Date of Approval: February 28, 2022.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The RUS provides loan, loan guarantee, and grant programs 
for rural electric, water and waste, and telecommunications and 
broadband infrastructure. The SUTA initiative gives the Secretary of 
Agriculture certain discretionary authorities relating to financial 
assistance terms and conditions that can enhance the financing 
possibilities in areas that are underserved by certain RUS electric, 
water and waste, and telecommunications and broadband programs.
    The Water and Environmental Programs (WEP), division of RUS, 
provides low-income communities that face significant health risks, 
access to safe, reliable drinking water and waste disposal facilities 
services. Safe drinking water and sanitary waste disposal systems are 
vital not only to public health, but also to the economic vitality of 
rural America. Rural Development is a leader in helping rural America 
improve the quality of life and increase the economic opportunities for 
rural people. Under 7 CFR 1777, Section 306C, WEP provides funding for 
the construction of water and waste facilities in rural communities and 
is proud to be the only Federal program exclusively focused on rural 
water and waste infrastructure needs of rural communities with 
populations of 10,000 or less. WEP also provides funding to 
organizations that provide technical assistance and training to rural 
communities in relation to their water and waste activities, and is 
administered through National Office staff in Washington, DC, and a 
network of field staff in each State.
    The Electric Program makes insured loans and loan guarantees to 
nonprofit and cooperative associations, public bodies, and other 
utilities. Insured loans primarily finance the construction of electric 
distribution facilities in rural areas. The guaranteed loan program has 
been expanded and is now available to finance generation, transmission, 
and distribution facilities. The loans and loan guarantees finance the 
construction of electric distribution, transmission, and generation 
facilities, including system improvements and replacement required to 
furnish and improve electric service in rural areas, as well as demand 
side management, energy conservation programs, and on-grid and off-grid 
renewable energy systems. The loans and loan guarantees finance the 
construction of electric distribution, transmission, and generation 
facilities, including system improvements and replacement required to 
furnish and improve electric service in rural areas, as well as demand 
side management, energy efficiency and conservation programs, and on-
grid and off-grid renewable energy systems. Loans are made to 
cooperatives as well as to corporations, states, territories and 
subdivisions and agencies such as municipalities, people's utility 
districts, and nonprofit, limited-dividend, or mutual associations that 
provide retail electric service needs to rural areas or supply the 
power needs of distribution borrowers in rural areas.
    The Telecom Program provides funding for the deployment of rural 
telecommunications infrastructure. Funding includes loans and loan 
guarantees as well as grants to eligible for-profit and non-profit 
entities, tribes, municipalities, and cooperatives. Investments in 
tribal and economically, disadvantaged areas are typically encouraged. 
Funds are available through several different programs to help rural 
communities extend access where broadband service is least likely to be 
commercially available. Each program has different applicant and 
project eligibility requirements and program objectives. Once funds are 
awarded, Rural Development monitors the projects to make sure they are 
completed, meet all program requirements, and are making efficient use 
of federal resources. The Telecom Program maintains staff of General 
Field Representatives (GFRs) locally for any technically assistance 
will be required nationwide. GFRs are an integral part of our outreach 
delivery system. GFRs meet regularly with awardees at the awardee's 
locations. GFRs serve as the local information resources for the 
awardees and headquarters staff. They keep awardees current on issues 
that profoundly impact their business.
    The data covered by this collection of information are those 
materials necessary to allow the agency to determine applicant and 
community eligibility and an explanation and documentation of the high 
need for the benefits of the SUTA provisions. Program specific 
application materials, which funds are being applied for, are covered 
by the information collection package for the specific RUS program.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 30 hours per response.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 60.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Arlette 
Mussington, Innovation Center--Regulations Management Division, at 
(202) 720-2825. 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.

Christopher A. McLean,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-20104 Filed 9-16-21; 8:45 am]
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