[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 75 (Tuesday, April 19, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 23164]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-08277]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

[Docket No. RUS-22-ELECTRIC-0016]


Notice of Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, Department of Agriculture (USDA).

ACTION: Notice and request for comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency of the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development mission area, invites comments on 
this information collection for which approval from the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) will be requested.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by June 21, 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pamela Bennett, Regulations Management 
Division, Innovation Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture. Email: 
[email protected]. Telephone: (202) 720-9639.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget's 
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 approval. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether 
the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper 
performance of the functions of the RUS, including whether the 
information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the RUS's 
estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information 
including 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 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-22-ELECTRIC-0016. 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. To submit a comment, 
select the ``Comment'' button, complete the required information, and 
select the ``Submit Comment'' button at the bottom. 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.
    Title: Mergers and Consolidations of Electric Borrowers, 7 CFR 
1717, subpart D.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0114.
    Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 2022.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 901 et 
seq.), as amended (RE Act), authorizes and empowers the administrator 
of RUS to make and guarantee loans to furnish and improve electric 
service in rural areas. Due to deregulation and restructuring 
activities in the electric industry, RUS borrowers may find it 
advantageous to merge or consolidate to meet the challenges of industry 
change. This information collection addresses the requirements of RUS 
policies and procedures for mergers and consolidations of electric 
program borrowers.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 1.32 hours per response.
    Respondents: Not for profit institutions; business or other for-
profit entities.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 10.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 10.6.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 140 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Pamela 
Bennett, Rural Development Innovation Center, Regulations Management 
Division, at (202) 720-9639. 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. 2022-08277 Filed 4-18-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P