Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 179 (Thursday, September 16, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50269-50270]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-24186]


      
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Notices
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Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 179 / Thursday, September 16, 1999 / 
Notices

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

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 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended), the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) 
invites comments on the following information collections for which RUS 
intends to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by November 15, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: F. Lamont Heppe, Jr., Program 
Development & Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, USDA, 1400 
Independence Ave., SW., STOP 1522, Room 4034 South Building, 
Washington, D.C. 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 720-0736. FAX: (202) 720-
4120.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) regulation (5 CFR 1320) 
implementing provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 
104-13) require 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 
information collections that RUS plans to submit to OMB for 
reinstatement.
    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 burden including the validity of 
the methodology and assumption 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 on 
other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to F. 
Lamont Heppe, Jr., Director, Program Development and Regulatory 
Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 
Independence Ave., SW., Stop 1522, Room 4034 South Building, 
Washington, D.C. 20250-1522.
    •  Title: Prospective Large Power Service.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0001.
    Type of Request: Reinstatement without change of a previously 
approved information collection.
    Abstract: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) makes mortgage loans 
and loan guarantees to electric systems to provide and improve electric 
service in rural areas pursuant to the Rural Electrification Act of 
1936, as amended (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.) (RE Act). RUS electric 
borrowers often enter into special contracts with commercial and 
industrial consumers for the retail sale of electricity. These 
contracts typically require extensions to the borrower's electric 
system which may be financed with RUS loan funds, debt financing from 
another source, the borrower's own funds, sometimes called general 
funds, and/or funds provided by the consumer.
    RUS review of these contracts is intended to protect the interests 
of the government as a secured lender and to foster the purposes of the 
RE Act. RUS Form 170, Prospective Large Power Service, provides RUS 
with information needed for this review. RUS published a final rule 
December 29, 1995, at 60 FR 67395, that significantly reduces the 
number of retail contracts that require RUS approval.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 4 hours per response.
    Respondents: Small cooperatives or similar organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 5.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimate Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 5.
    •  Title: Lien Accommodations and Subordinations.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0100.
    Type of Request: Reinstatement without change of a previously 
approved information collection.
    Abstract: The Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (7 
U.S.C., et seq.,) (RE Act ) authorized and empowers the Administrator 
of the Rural Utilities Service to make loans in the several States and 
Territories of the United States for rural electrification and the 
furnishing of electric energy to persons in rural areas who are not 
receiving central station service. The RE Act also authorizes and 
empowers the Administrator of RUS to provide financial assistance to 
borrowers for purposes provided in the RE Act by accommodating or 
subordinating loans made by the National Rural Utilities Cooperative 
Finance Corporation, the Federal Financing Bank, and other lending 
agencies.
    Title 7 Part 1717, subparts R and S, sets forth policy and 
procedure to facilitate and support borrowers' efforts to obtain 
private sector financing of their capital needs, to allow borrowers 
greater flexibility in the management of their business affairs without 
compromising RUS loan security, and to reduce the cost to borrowers, in 
terms of time, expense and paperwork, of obtaining lien accommodations 
and subordinations.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 1.60 hours per response.
    Respondents: Small cooperatives or similar organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 20.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.90.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 93 hours.
    •  Title: Request for Approval to Sell Capital Assets.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0020.
    Type of Request: Reinstatement without change of a previously 
approved information collection.
    Abstract: A borrower's assets provide the security for a Government 
loan. The selling of assets reduces the security and increases the risk 
to the Government. RUS Form 369 allows the borrower to seek agency 
permission to sell some of its assets. The form collects detailed 
information regarding the proposed sale of a portion of the borrower's 
systems.

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RUS electric utility borrowers complete this form to request RUS 
approval in order to sell capital assets when the fair market value 
exceeds 10 percent of the borrower's net utility plant.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 3 hours per response.
    Respondents: Small cooperatives or similar organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 5.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimate Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 15.
    Copies of these information collections, and related forms and 
instructions, can be obtained from Bob Turner, Program Development and 
Regulatory Analysis, at (202) 720-0696.
    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.

    Dated: September 10, 1999.
Wally Beyer,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 99-24186 Filed 9-15-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P