[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 42 (Thursday, March 3, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12163-12164]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-04470]


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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 May 2, 2022. 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: 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.
    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 
adding a few questions to the Energy Management section of Form EIA-846 
requesting information on an establishment's average processing 
temperatures and the range of these temperatures across different 
processes within the establishment. The purpose of these questions is 
to assist in the measurement of energy efficiency and better understand 
its relation to the use of process heat across manufacturing 
industries, consistent with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law 
(Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act).
    In addition, EIA proposes adding a few follow up questions to the 
Electricity: Generated Onsite section of Form EIA-846. The electricity 
generated onsite questions on Form EIA-846 request information about 
renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and geothermal, used to 
generate electricity onsite. The follow up questions EIA

[[Page 12164]]

proposes to Form EIA-846 would request information about the use of 
electricity generated from renewable energy sources that may be shared 
across more than one establishment. The purpose of these questions is 
to better understanding the technology, equipment, and infrastructure 
that may be shared among manufacturing establishments. This change is 
consistent with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Infrastructure 
Investment and Jobs Act).
    EIA proposes adding these questions to the Form EIA-846; however 
cognitive testing on the questions will need to be conducted and 
question language may need to be adjusted for clarity.
    (5) Annual Estimated Number of Respondents: 15,000;
    (6) Annual Estimated Number of Total Responses: 3,750;
    (7) Annual Estimated Number of Burden Hours: 34,565;
    (8) Annual Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Cost Burden: 
$2,882,030 (34,565 annual burden hours multiplied by $83.38 per burden 
hour). EIA estimates that respondents will have no additional costs 
associated with the surveys other than burden hours;
    Statutory Authority: 15 U.S.C. 772(b) and 42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.

    Signed in Washington, DC, on February 24, 2022.
Samson A. Adeshiyan,
Director, Office of Statistical Methods and Research, U. S. Energy 
Information Administration.
[FR Doc. 2022-04470 Filed 3-2-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P