81 FR 19234 - 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Energy and Performance Information Center (EPIC)

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 64 (April 4, 2016)

HUD is seeking approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the information collection described below. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, HUD is requesting comment from all interested parties on the proposed collection of information. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 64 (Monday, April 4, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19234-19235]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-07665]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-5916-N-05]


60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Energy and 
Performance Information Center (EPIC)

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian 
Housing, HUD.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: HUD is seeking approval from the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for the information collection described below. In 
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, HUD is requesting comment 
from all interested parties on the proposed collection of information. 
The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment.

[[Page 19235]]


DATES: Comments Due Date: June 3, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding 
this proposal. Comments should refer to the proposal by name and/or OMB 
Control Number and should be sent to: Colette Pollard, Reports 
Management Officer, QDAM, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 
451 7th Street SW., Room 4176, Washington, DC 20410-5000; telephone 
202-402-3400 (this is not a toll-free number) or email at 
[email protected] for a copy of the proposed forms or other 
available information. Persons with hearing or speech impairments may 
access this number through TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Relay 
Service at (800) 877-8339.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Arlette Mussington, Office of Policy, 
Programs and Legislative Initiatives, PIH, Department of Housing and 
Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW., (L'Enfant Plaza, Room 2206), 
Washington, DC 20410; telephone 202-402-4109, (this is not a toll-free 
number). Persons with hearing or speech impairments may access this 
number via TTY by calling the Federal Information Relay Service at 
(800) 877-8339. Copies of available documents submitted to OMB may be 
obtained from Ms. Mussington.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice informs the public that HUD is 
seeking approval from OMB for the information collection described in 
section A.

A. Overview of Information Collection

    Title of Information Collection: Energy and Performance Information 
Center (EPIC).
    OMB Approval Number: 2577-0274.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Form Numbers: N/A--all information collected electronically.
    Description of the need for the information and proposed use: The 
Department has recognized the need for improving energy efficiency in 
affordable housing and has prioritized this in Agency Priority Goal # 
4, Measure # 13. The energy efficiency data collected through EPIC 
gives the Department a more comprehensive dataset regarding energy 
efficiency. The EPIC data system will gradually automate the collection 
of the five year plan and annual statement forms from grantees. These 
are required forms presently collected in hard copy on Forms HUD 
50075.1 and HUD 50075.2 under collection OMB control number 2577-0226. 
These forms also collect data on the eventual, actual use of funds; 
this data will be gradually collected electronically through the EPIC 
data system as well. Electronic collection will enable the Department 
to aggregate information about the way grantees are using Federal 
funding. Additionally, PHA grantees will be able to submit Replacement 
Housing Factor fund plans, the mechanism by which PHAs are allowed to 
accumulate special funds received based on units removed from the 
inventory from year to year. This information is presently collected in 
hard copy at the field office level; the EPIC data system will automate 
and centralize this collection in order to streamline the process and 
improve transparency. Furthermore, the EPIC data system will be loaded 
with Physical Needs Assessment (``PNA'') data. This data being in the 
system coupled with the electronic planning process will streamline 
grantee planning. The EPIC data system will collect information about 
the Energy Performance Contract (``EPC'') process, including the energy 
efficiency improvements. As the Department moves to shrink its energy 
footprint in spite of rising energy costs, clear and comprehensive data 
on this process will be crucial to its success. Finally, the Department 
has prioritized in Agency Performance Goal # 2, Measure # 5 making 
housing more available for more families. In the light of the recent 
housing crisis, this goal has become simultaneously more challenging 
and more important. Tracking of the use of Federal funds paid through 
the Public Housing Capital Fund, the only Federal funding stream 
dedicated to the capital needs of the nation's last resort housing 
option, is crucial to understanding how the Department can properly and 
efficiently assist grantees in meeting this goal as well as assessing 
the Department's own progress. The EPIC data system will track 
development of public housing with Federal funds and through other 
means, including mixed-finance development.
    Respondents (i.e. affected public): Members of Affected Public: 
State, Local or Local Governments and Non-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,150.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 31,800 annual responses .
    Frequency of Response: 1.
    Average Hours per Response: 2.19 .
    Total Estimated Burdens: 69,645 hours.

B. Solicitation of Public Comment

    This notice is soliciting comments from members of the public and 
affected parties concerning the collection of information described in 
section A on the following:
    (1) 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;
    (2) The accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information;
    (3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
    (4) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond; including through the use of appropriate 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.
    HUD encourages interested parties to submit comment in response to 
these questions.

     Authority:  Section 3507 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35 as amended.

    Dated: March 26, 2016.
Merrie Nichols-Dixon,
Deputy Director, Office of Policy, Programs and Legislative 
Initiatives.
[FR Doc. 2016-07665 Filed 4-1-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4210-67-P