[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 51 (Thursday, March 14, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18592-18593]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-05429]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

    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 collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Comments regarding this information collection received by April 
15, 2024 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: Electric System Emergency Restoration Plan.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0140.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is 
uniquely coupled with the electric infrastructure of rural America and 
its electric borrowers serving rural America because a substantial 
portion of the electric infrastructure of the United States resides in, 
and is maintained by, rural America. To ensure that the electric 
infrastructure in rural America is adequately protected, RUS requires 
that all electric borrowers conduct a Vulnerability and Risk Assessment 
(VRA) of their respective systems and utilize the results of this 
assessment to enhance an existing\Emergency Restoration Plan (ERP) or 
create an ERP.
    The items covered in this information collection package are 
received from RUS electric program distribution, generation, and 
transmission borrowers, who are required by 7 CFR 1730.27 and 1730.28 
to identify critical assets and develop an Emergency Restoration Plan 
(ERP). The ERP details how borrowers will restore systems in the event 
of a system-wide outage resulting from a major natural or man-made 
disaster or other causes. The ERP also includes preventative measures 
for emergency recovery from physical and cyber-attacks to the 
borrower's electric systems and addresses Homeland Security concerns.
    Need and Use of the Information: Electric borrowers maintain an ERP 
as part of prudent utilities practices. These ERPs are essential to 
continuous operation of the electric systems. 7 CFR 1730.26(b) requires 
that each electric applicant develop an ERP that is approved and signed 
by the applicant's Manager or Chief Executive Officer and approved by 
the applicant's Board of Directors. Applicants for new RUS electric 
loans, loan guarantees, or grants must include the written 
certification of an ERP in the application package submitted to RUS. If 
the self-certification of an ERP is not received, approval of the loan, 
loan guarantees, or grants will not be considered until the 
certification is received by RUS.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 41.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 21.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: 7 CFR part 1752, Special Servicing of Telecommunication 
Programs Loans for Financially Distressed Borrowers.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0153.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS or the 
Agency) Telecommunications Program (Program) provides loan funding to 
build and expand broadband and telecommunications services into 
unserved and underserved rural communities, along with very limited 
funding to support the costs to acquire equipment to provide distance 
learning and telemedicine service. RUS published a Final rule codifying 
a new servicing regulation on February 25, 2020 in the Federal Register 
which outlines policies for servicing actions associated with 
distressed borrowers from the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan 
Program, Rural Broadband Program, Distance Learning and Telemedicine 
Program, Broadband Initiatives Program, and Rural e-Connectivity Pilot 
Program. The purpose of the regulation is to streamline servicing 
actions, improve the government's recovery on such loans, and improve 
customer service.
    Need and Use of the Information: The information collection 
addresses RD's expanded authority, with the codification of the 
rulemaking, to address servicing actions. RD considers it imperative to 
use the expanded authority for servicing actions associated with the 
RUS Telecommunications Programs in order to: (1) maximize risk 
management of loan portfolio; (2) reduce duplication of effort between 
Federal agencies, which may expedite servicing of distressed borrowers; 
(3) ensure efficient recovery of debt which may mitigate negative 
impact on program subsidy rates; and (4) simplify the servicing process 
for the Agency and therefore minimize the financial burden and costs on 
borrowers.
    The Agency provides forms and/or guidelines to assist in collection 
and submission of the information required to service loans. In some 
cases, use of Agency forms is optional and the borrower may submit the 
information

[[Page 18593]]

required on other forms. The forms or related items completed by the 
borrower are submitted to and evaluated by the Agency. Failure to 
collect proper information from borrowers could result in improper 
determinations of servicing assistance, hinder the government's 
recovery of such loans as well as encumber customer service.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not for-
profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 5.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 695.

Levi S. Harrell,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2024-05429 Filed 3-13-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P