[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 134 (Thursday, July 14, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42140-42141]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-15037]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

[Docket No. RUS-22-ELECTRIC-0033]


60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Seismic Safety 
of New Building Construction; OMB Control No.: 0572-0099

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service (RUS), USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended), the United States Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announces its' 
intention to request an extension of a currently approved information 
collection and invites comments on this information collection.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by September 12, 2022 
to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by the Federal eRulemaking Portal: 
Go to http://www.regulations.gov and, in the ``Search Field'' box, 
labeled ``Search for Rules, Proposed Rules, Notices, or Supporting 
Documents,'' enter the following docket number: (RUS-22-ELECTRIC-0033). 
To submit or view public comments, click the ``Search'' button, select 
the ``Documents'' tab, then select the following document title: 
(Seismic Safety of New Building Construction) from the ``Search 
Results,'' and select the ``Comment'' button. Before inputting your 
comments, you may also review the ``Commenter's Checklist'' (optional). 
Insert your comments under the ``Comment'' title, click ``Browse'' to 
attach files (if available). Input your email address and select 
``Submit 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: MaryPat Daskal, Chief, Branch 1, Rural 
Development Innovation Center--Regulations Management Division, United 
States Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, South 
Building, Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 720-7853. Email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) 
regulation (5 CFR part 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 the following information collection 
that RUS is submitting to OMB as extension to an existing collection 
with Agency adjustment.
    Title: 7 CFR part 1792, subpart C--Seismic Safety of New Building 
Construction.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0099.
    Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 2022.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.75 hours per response.
    Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions and other businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 10.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses: 10.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 8.
    Abstract: The Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 was enacted 
to reduce risks to life and property through the National Earthquake 
Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP). The Federal Emergency Management 
Agency (FEMA) is designated as the agency with the primary 
responsibility to plan and coordinate the NEHRP. This program includes 
the development and implementation of feasible design and construction 
methods to make structures earthquake resistant. Executive Order 12699 
of January 5, 1990, Seismic Safety of Federal and Federally Assisted or 
Regulated New Building Construction, requires that measures to assure 
seismic safety be imposed on federally assisted new building 
construction.
    Title 7 part 1792, subpart C, Seismic Safety of Federally assisted 
New Building Construction, identifies acceptable seismic standards 
which must be employed in new building construction funded by loans, 
grants, or guarantees made by RUS or the Rural Telephone Bank (RTB) or 
through lien accommodations or subordinations approved by RUS or RTB. 
This subpart implements and explains the provisions of the loan 
contract utilized by the RUS for both electric and telecommunications 
borrowers and by the RTB for its telecommunications borrowers requiring 
construction certifications affirming compliance with the standards.
    Comments are invited on:
    (a) 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;
    (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
collection

[[Page 42141]]

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 
respondents, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology. All responses to this notice 
will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All 
comments will become a matter of public record.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Arlette 
Mussington, Rural Development 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,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-15037 Filed 7-13-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P