82 FR 48808 - Notice and Request for Comments
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
U.S. Energy Information Administration Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 202 (October 20, 2017)
U.S. Energy Information Administration
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 202 (October 20, 2017)
| Page Range | 48808-48809 | |
| FR Document | 2017-22798 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 202 (Friday, October 20, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 48808-48809] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-22798] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY U.S. Energy Information Administration Notice and Request for Comments AGENCY: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Department of Energy. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: EIA, pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, intends to extend with changes for three years with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Form EIA-63C Densified Biomass Fuel Report. Form EIA- 63C collects data on pellet fuel and other densified biomass fuel production, sales, and inventory levels from operators of U.S. pellet fuel manufacturing facilities. The data collected is used for the purpose of estimating densified biomass fuel consumption in the United States, as well as production, sales, and inventory at state, regional, and national levels. DATES: Comments regarding this proposed information collection must be received on or before December 19, 2017. If you anticipate difficulty in submitting comments within that period, contact the person listed in ADDRESSES as soon as possible. ADDRESSES: Written comments may be sent to Connor Murphy, U.S. Department of Energy, EI-23, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 2058, or by email at [email protected]. The draft form and instructions are available at https://www.eia.gov/survey/#eia-63c. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Connor Murphy at 202-287-5982, or by email at [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 shall 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 respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. This information collection request contains: (1) OMB No.: 1905-0209; (2) Information Collection Request Title: Densified Biomass Fuel Report; (3) Type of Request: Renewal, with Changes; (4) Purpose: Form EIA-63C Densified Biomass Fuel Report is part of EIA's comprehensive energy data program. The survey collects information on the manufacture, shipment, exports, energy characteristics, and sales of pellet fuels and other densified biomass fuel products data from facilities that manufacture densified biomass fuel products, primarily pellet fuels, for energy applications. The data collected is a primary source of information for the nation's growing production of biomass products for heating and electric power generation, for both domestic use and export markets. (4a) Proposed Changes to Information Collection: To reduce reporting burden, EIA proposes to eliminate the following seven questions: Part 2 Question 2.2 ``What is the operational month'' Part 2 Question 2.4 ``What is the total installed horsepower of the pellet extrusion machinery at this facility''; Part 2. Question 2.5 ``If the pellet extrusion machinery was not fully utilized during the month, choose the applicable explanation'' and all of explanation selection choices''; Part 2. Question 2.6 ``What is the planned maximum annual production capacity at this facility''; Part 2. Question 2.7 ``What is the planned total installed horsepower of the pellet extrusion machinery at this facility''; Part 3. Question 3.2 ``In the reporting period, did the mill utilize any portion of the above feedstock for uses other than transformation into densified biomass products, such as to operate the mill, produce electricity (combined heat and power) or other beneficial use of energy produced (such as heating/cooling)''; Part 4. Question 4.2, Delete the column for reporting ``Export Port.'' Respondents will continue to report on all other data elements in section 4.2. EIA is proposing to delete these data elements based on consultations with respondents during the collection cycle. The questions that EIA proposes to delete were questions that respondents stated were either confusing or difficult to answer, or are questions that EIA receives too few responses to allow publication because of the data confidentiality rules that EIA applies to the aggregate statistical estimates. EIA is also proposing to change the due date for annual respondents (small biomass fuel manufacturers having a capacity of [[Page 48809]] less than 10,000 tons per year or planned facilities) from February 1 to June 1 to coincide with the industry's off-season and ease their burden during their busiest time of the year. Respondents that need to file annually will only need to report limited data in Parts 1 and 2 of the form. (5) Annual Estimated Number of Respondents: 105; (6) Annual Estimated Number of Total Responses: 1095; (7) Annual Estimated Number of Burden Hours: 1,516; (8) Annual Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Cost Burden: The cost of the burden hours is estimated to be $111,699 (1,516 burden hours times $73.66 per hour). EIA estimates that there are no additional costs to respondents associated with the survey other than the costs associated with the burden hours. Statutory Authority: Section 13(b) of the Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974, Pub. L. 93-275, codified at 15 U.S.C. 772(b) and the DOE Organization Act of 1977, Pub. L. 95-91, codified at 42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq. Issued in Washington, DC, on October 11, 2017. Nanda Srinivasan, Director, Office of Survey Development and Statistical Integration, U.S. Energy Information Administration. [FR Doc. 2017-22798 Filed 10-19-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
![48808 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 202 / Friday, October 20, 2017 / Notices
collection of information on DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY or other forms of information
respondents, including through the use technology.
of automated collection techniques or U.S. Energy Information This information collection request
other forms of information technology; Administration contains:
and (e) estimates of capital or start-up (1) OMB No.: 1905–0209;
Notice and Request for Comments (2) Information Collection Request
costs and costs of operation,
Title: Densified Biomass Fuel Report;
maintenance, and purchase of services AGENCY: U.S. Energy Information (3) Type of Request: Renewal, with
to provide information. Burden means Administration (EIA), Department of Changes;
the total time, effort, or financial Energy. (4) Purpose: Form EIA–63C Densified
resources expended by persons to ACTION: Notice and request for Biomass Fuel Report is part of EIA’s
generate, maintain, retain, disclose or comments. comprehensive energy data program.
provide information to or for a Federal The survey collects information on the
agency. This includes the time needed SUMMARY: EIA, pursuant to the manufacture, shipment, exports, energy
to review instructions; to develop, Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, characteristics, and sales of pellet fuels
acquire, install and utilize technology intends to extend with changes for three and other densified biomass fuel
and systems for the purpose of years with the Office of Management products data from facilities that
collecting, validating and verifying and Budget (OMB) Form EIA–63C manufacture densified biomass fuel
Densified Biomass Fuel Report. Form products, primarily pellet fuels, for
information, processing and
EIA–63C collects data on pellet fuel and energy applications. The data collected
maintaining information, and disclosing
other densified biomass fuel production, is a primary source of information for
and providing information; to train sales, and inventory levels from
personnel and to be able to respond to the nation’s growing production of
operators of U.S. pellet fuel biomass products for heating and
a collection of information, to search manufacturing facilities. The data electric power generation, for both
data sources, to complete and review collected is used for the purpose of domestic use and export markets.
the collection of information; and to estimating densified biomass fuel (4a) Proposed Changes to Information
transmit or otherwise disclose the consumption in the United States, as Collection: To reduce reporting burden,
information. All written comments will well as production, sales, and inventory EIA proposes to eliminate the following
be available for public inspection at at state, regional, and national levels. seven questions: Part 2 Question 2.2
www.Regulations.gov. Comments DATES: Comments regarding this ‘‘What is the operational month’’ Part 2
submitted in response to this notice may proposed information collection must Question 2.4 ‘‘What is the total installed
be made available to the public through be received on or before December 19, horsepower of the pellet extrusion
relevant Web sites. For this reason, 2017. If you anticipate difficulty in machinery at this facility’’; Part 2.
please do not include in your comments submitting comments within that Question 2.5 ‘‘If the pellet extrusion
information of a confidential nature, period, contact the person listed in machinery was not fully utilized during
such as sensitive personal information ADDRESSES as soon as possible. the month, choose the applicable
or proprietary information. If you send ADDRESSES: Written comments may be
explanation’’ and all of explanation
an email comment; your email address sent to Connor Murphy, U.S. selection choices’’; Part 2. Question 2.6
will be automatically captured and Department of Energy, EI–23, 1000 ‘‘What is the planned maximum annual
included as part of the comment that is Independence Avenue SW., production capacity at this facility’’;
placed in the public docket and made Washington, DC 2058, or by email at Part 2. Question 2.7 ‘‘What is the
available on the Internet. Please note DensifiedBiomass2018@eia.gov. The planned total installed horsepower of
that responses to this public comment draft form and instructions are available the pellet extrusion machinery at this
at https://www.eia.gov/survey/#eia-63c. facility’’; Part 3. Question 3.2 ‘‘In the
request containing any routine notice
reporting period, did the mill utilize any
about the confidentiality of the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
portion of the above feedstock for uses
communication will be treated as public Requests for additional information or other than transformation into densified
comments that may be made available to copies of the information collection biomass products, such as to operate the
the public notwithstanding the instrument and instructions should be mill, produce electricity (combined heat
inclusion of the routine notice. An directed to Connor Murphy at 202–287– and power) or other beneficial use of
agency may not conduct or sponsor, and 5982, or by email at Connor.Murphy@ energy produced (such as heating/
a person is not required to respond to, eia.gov. cooling)’’; Part 4. Question 4.2, Delete
a collection of information unless it SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments the column for reporting ‘‘Export Port.’’
displays a currently valid Office of are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed Respondents will continue to report on
Management and Budget control collection of information is necessary all other data elements in section 4.2.
number. for the proper performance of the EIA is proposing to delete these data
Statutory Authority: Executive Order functions of the agency, including elements based on consultations with
(E.O.) 13571, Streamlining Service Delivery whether the information shall have respondents during the collection cycle.
and Improving Customer Service. practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the The questions that EIA proposes to
agency’s estimate of the burden of the delete were questions that respondents
Issued in Washington, DC, on August 24, proposed collection of information, stated were either confusing or difficult
2017.
including the validity of the to answer, or are questions that EIA
srobinson on DSKBC5CHB2PROD with NOTICES
Nanda Srinivasan, methodology and assumptions used; (c) receives too few responses to allow
Director, Office of Survey Development and ways to enhance the quality, utility, and publication because of the data
Statistical Integration, U.S. Energy clarity of the information to be confidentiality rules that EIA applies to
Information Administration. collected; and (d) ways to minimize the the aggregate statistical estimates. EIA is
[FR Doc. 2017–22802 Filed 10–19–17; 8:45 am] burden of the collection of information also proposing to change the due date
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P on respondents, including through the for annual respondents (small biomass
use of automated collection techniques fuel manufacturers having a capacity of
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 202 / Friday, October 20, 2017 / Notices 48809
less than 10,000 tons per year or period, contact the person listed in (6) Annual Estimated Number of
planned facilities) from February 1 to ADDRESSES as soon as possible. Total Responses: 704;
June 1 to coincide with the industry’s ADDRESSES: Written comments may be (7) Annual Estimated Number of
off-season and ease their burden during sent to Tosha Beckford, U.S. Energy Burden Hours: 1056;
their busiest time of the year. Information Administration, EI–23, (8) Annual Estimated Reporting and
Respondents that need to file annually 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Recordkeeping Cost Burden: The cost of
will only need to report limited data in Washington, DC 20585 or by email to the burden hours is estimated to be
Parts 1 and 2 of the form. Electricity2018@eia.gov. $77,785 (1,056 burden hours times
(5) Annual Estimated Number of $73.66 per hour). EIA estimates that
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: there are no additional costs to
Respondents: 105;
(6) Annual Estimated Number of Requests for additional information or respondents associated with the survey
Total Responses: 1095; copies of the information collection other than the costs associated with the
(7) Annual Estimated Number of instrument and instructions should be burden hours.
Burden Hours: 1,516; directed to Tosha Beckford at 202–287–
Statutory Authority: Section 13(b) of the
(8) Annual Estimated Reporting and 6597 or by email at Tosha.Beckford@
Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974,
Recordkeeping Cost Burden: The cost of eia.gov. The draft form and instructions Pub. L. 93–275, codified as 15 U.S. C. 772(b)
the burden hours is estimated to be are available at https://www.eia.gov/ and the DOE Organization Act of 1977, P.L.
$111,699 (1,516 burden hours times survey/#eia-111. 95–91, codified at 42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.
$73.66 per hour). EIA estimates that SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments Issued in Washington, DC, on August 28,
there are no additional costs to are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 2017.
respondents associated with the survey collection of information is necessary Nanda Srinivasan,
other than the costs associated with the for the proper performance of the Director, Office of Survey Development and
burden hours. functions of the agency, including Statistical Integration, U. S. Energy
Statutory Authority: Section 13(b) of the whether the information shall have Information Administration.
Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974, practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the [FR Doc. 2017–22801 Filed 10–19–17; 8:45 am]
Pub. L. 93–275, codified at 15 U.S.C. 772(b) agency’s estimate of the burden of the BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
and the DOE Organization Act of 1977, Pub. proposed collection of information,
L. 95–91, codified at 42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq. including the validity of the
Issued in Washington, DC, on October 11, methodology and assumptions used; (c) DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
2017. ways to enhance the quality, utility, and
Nanda Srinivasan, clarity of the information to be Federal Energy Regulatory
collected; and (d) ways to minimize the Commission
Director, Office of Survey Development and
Statistical Integration, U.S. Energy burden of the collection of information
on respondents, including through the Combined Notice of Filings
Information Administration.
[FR Doc. 2017–22798 Filed 10–19–17; 8:45 am] use of automated collection techniques Take notice that the Commission has
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
or other forms of information received the following Natural Gas
technology. Pipeline Rate and Refund Report filings:
This information collection request
contains: Filings Instituting Proceedings
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
(1) OMB No.: 1905–0208; Docket Numbers: RP18–28–000.
Energy Information Administration (2) Information Collection Request Applicants: Northwest Pipeline LLC.
Title: Quarterly Electricity Imports and Description: § 4(d) Rate Filing:
Agency Information Collection Exports Report; Entitlement and OFO Filing to be
Activities; Extension effective 11/10/2017.
(3) Type of Request: Renewal;
Filed Date: 10/11/17.
AGENCY: U.S. Energy Information (4) Purpose: Form EIA–111 collects Accession Number: 20171011–5112.
Administration (EIA), Department of U.S. electricity import and export data. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 10/23/17.
Energy. The data are used to generate accurate Docket Numbers: RP18–29–000.
ACTION: Agency Information Collection estimates of the flow of electricity into Applicants: Transcontinental Gas
Activities: Information Collection and out of the United States. The import Pipe Line Company.
Extension; notice and request for and export data are reported by U.S. Description: Compliance filing 2017
comments. purchasers, sellers, and transmitters of Penalty Revenue Sharing Report.
wholesale electricity, including persons Filed Date: 10/12/17.
SUMMARY: EIA, pursuant to the authorized to export electric power from Accession Number: 20171012–5077.
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the United States to foreign countries, Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 10/24/17.
intends to extend without changes for persons authorized by Presidential The filings are accessible in the
three years with the Office of Permit to construct, operate, maintain, Commission’s eLibrary system by
Management and Budget (OMB) Form or connect electric power transmission clicking on the links or querying the
EIA–111, Quarterly Electricity Imports lines that cross the U.S. international docket number.
and Exports Report. Form EIA–111 border, and U.S. Balancing Authorities Any person desiring to intervene or
collects U.S. electricity import and that are interconnected with foreign protest in any of the above proceedings
export data for the purpose of measuring Balancing Authorities. Such entities must file in accordance with Rules 211
srobinson on DSKBC5CHB2PROD with NOTICES
the flow of electricity into and out of the report monthly flows of electricity and 214 of the Commission’s
United States from Canada and Mexico. received or delivered across the border, Regulations (18 CFR 385.211 and
DATES: Comments regarding this the cost associated with the 385.214) on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern
proposed information collection must transactions, and actual and time on the specified comment date.
be received on or before December 19, implemented interchange. Protests may be considered, but
2017. If you anticipate difficulty in (5) Annual Estimated Number of intervention is necessary to become a
submitting comments within that Respondents: 176; party to the proceeding.
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Document Created: 2017-10-20 00:06:00
Document Modified: 2017-10-20 00:06:00
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice and request for comments. | |
| Dates | Comments regarding this proposed information collection must be received on or before December 19, 2017. If you anticipate difficulty in submitting comments within that period, contact the person listed in | |
| Contact | Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Connor Murphy at 202-287-5982, or by email at [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 48808 |
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