[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 152 (Wednesday, August 7, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64404-64405]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-17478]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

[Docket No.: RUS-24-ELECTRIC-0024]


Notice of a Revision to a Currently Approved Information 
Collection

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, this 
notice announces the Rural Utilities Service's (RUS or the Agency), an 
agency with the United States Department of Agriculture, Rural 
Development, intention to request a revision to a currently approved 
information collection package for the RUS Electric Loan Application 
and Related Reporting Burdens. The Agency invites comments on this 
information collection for which the Agency intends to request approval 
from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by October 7, 2024 to 
be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pamela Bennett, Rural Development 
Innovation Center--Regulations Management Division, USDA, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, STOP 1522, South Building, Washington, DC 
20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 720-9639. Email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 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 
an information collection that the Agency 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 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. located at the beginning of this notice. 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.
    A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for 
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of 
information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. Data 
furnished by the applicants will be used to determine eligibility for 
program benefits. Furnishing the data is voluntary; however, failure to 
provide data could result in program benefits being withheld or denied.
    Title: RUS Electric Loan Application and Related Reporting Burdens.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0032.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: RUS was established in 1994 by the Federal Crop Insurance 
Reform and Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (Pub. 
L. 103-354, 108 Stat. 3178, 7 U.S.C. 6941 et seq.) as successor to the 
Rural Electrification Administration (REA) with respect to certain 
programs, including the electric loan and loan guarantee program 
authorized under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 901 et 
seq., as amended) (RE Act). The RE Act authorizes and empowers the 
Administrator of RUS to make and guarantee loans to furnish and improve 
electric service in rural areas. These loans are amortized over a 
period of up to 35 years and secured by the borrower's electric assets 
and/or revenue. In the interest of protecting loan security, monitoring 
compliance with debt covenants, and ensuring that RUS loan funds are 
used for purposes authorized by law, RUS requires that borrowers 
prepare and submit for RUS evaluation certain studies and reports. Some 
of these studies and reports are required only once for each loan 
application; others must be submitted periodically until the loan is 
completely repaid. These forms and documents serve as support for 
electric loan applications and summarizes the types and estimated costs 
of facilities and equipment for which RUS financing is being requested.

[[Page 64405]]

    The RE Act also authorizes and empowers the Administrator of RUS to 
make or cause to be made, studies, investigations, and reports 
concerning the condition and progress of the electrification of the 
several States and Territories; and to publish and disseminate 
information with respect thereto. Information supplied by borrowers 
forms the basis of many of these reports.
    RUS uses an online application intake system called RDApply that 
allows applicants to create an online application for RUS loans and 
grants as well as upload attachments, sign certifications, and draw 
service areas, to name a few features. RDApply streamlines the 
application process, as well as provides identity security, reduces 
paper consumption and is expected to reduce the burden associated with 
this information collection package over time.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 19.07 hours per response.
    Respondents: Non-profit organizations, business or other for 
profit.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 608.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 1,967.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 3.24.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 37,514 Hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Pamela 
Bennett, Rural Development Innovation Center--Regulations Management 
Division, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, South Building, 
Washington, DC 20250-1522. 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. 2024-17478 Filed 8-6-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P