Notice2021-20104
Notice of Request for Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection; Comments Requested
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 17, 2021
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentRural Utilities Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) invites comments on this information collection for which RUS intends to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 178 (Friday, September 17, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 178 (Friday, September 17, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51860-51861]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-20104]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
[Docket No. RUS-21-SFH-0007]
Notice of Request for Revision of a Currently Approved
Information Collection; Comments Requested
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, the
Rural Utilities Service (RUS) invites comments on this information
collection 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 16, 2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Arlette Mussington, Management
Analyst, Rural Development Innovation Center--Regulations Management
Division, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 4227, South Building,
Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202)720-2825. Email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e687948a83929283c88b9395958f8881928988a693958287c8818990"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="96f7e4faf3e2e2f3b8fbe3e5e5fff8f1e2f9f8d6e3e5f2f7b8f1f9e0">[email protected]</span></a>.
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) 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 RUS
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
[[Page 51861]]
techniques or other forms of information technology.
Comments may be sent by the Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and, in the ``Search'' box, type in the
Docket No. RUS-21-SFH-0007. 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. Information on using
<a href="http://Regulations.gov">Regulations.gov</a>, 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. Comments on this information collection must be received by
November 16, 2021.
Title: Substantially Underserved Trust Areas.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0147.
Expiration Date of Approval: February 28, 2022.
Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved information
collection.
Abstract: The RUS provides loan, loan guarantee, and grant programs
for rural electric, water and waste, and telecommunications and
broadband infrastructure. The SUTA initiative gives the Secretary of
Agriculture certain discretionary authorities relating to financial
assistance terms and conditions that can enhance the financing
possibilities in areas that are underserved by certain RUS electric,
water and waste, and telecommunications and broadband programs.
The Water and Environmental Programs (WEP), division of RUS,
provides low-income communities that face significant health risks,
access to safe, reliable drinking water and waste disposal facilities
services. Safe drinking water and sanitary waste disposal systems are
vital not only to public health, but also to the economic vitality of
rural America. Rural Development is a leader in helping rural America
improve the quality of life and increase the economic opportunities for
rural people. Under 7 CFR 1777, Section 306C, WEP provides funding for
the construction of water and waste facilities in rural communities and
is proud to be the only Federal program exclusively focused on rural
water and waste infrastructure needs of rural communities with
populations of 10,000 or less. WEP also provides funding to
organizations that provide technical assistance and training to rural
communities in relation to their water and waste activities, and is
administered through National Office staff in Washington, DC, and a
network of field staff in each State.
The Electric Program makes insured loans and loan guarantees to
nonprofit and cooperative associations, public bodies, and other
utilities. Insured loans primarily finance the construction of electric
distribution facilities in rural areas. The guaranteed loan program has
been expanded and is now available to finance generation, transmission,
and distribution facilities. The loans and loan guarantees finance the
construction of electric distribution, transmission, and generation
facilities, including system improvements and replacement required to
furnish and improve electric service in rural areas, as well as demand
side management, energy conservation programs, and on-grid and off-grid
renewable energy systems. The loans and loan guarantees finance the
construction of electric distribution, transmission, and generation
facilities, including system improvements and replacement required to
furnish and improve electric service in rural areas, as well as demand
side management, energy efficiency and conservation programs, and on-
grid and off-grid renewable energy systems. Loans are made to
cooperatives as well as to corporations, states, territories and
subdivisions and agencies such as municipalities, people's utility
districts, and nonprofit, limited-dividend, or mutual associations that
provide retail electric service needs to rural areas or supply the
power needs of distribution borrowers in rural areas.
The Telecom Program provides funding for the deployment of rural
telecommunications infrastructure. Funding includes loans and loan
guarantees as well as grants to eligible for-profit and non-profit
entities, tribes, municipalities, and cooperatives. Investments in
tribal and economically, disadvantaged areas are typically encouraged.
Funds are available through several different programs to help rural
communities extend access where broadband service is least likely to be
commercially available. Each program has different applicant and
project eligibility requirements and program objectives. Once funds are
awarded, Rural Development monitors the projects to make sure they are
completed, meet all program requirements, and are making efficient use
of federal resources. The Telecom Program maintains staff of General
Field Representatives (GFRs) locally for any technically assistance
will be required nationwide. GFRs are an integral part of our outreach
delivery system. GFRs meet regularly with awardees at the awardee's
locations. GFRs serve as the local information resources for the
awardees and headquarters staff. They keep awardees current on issues
that profoundly impact their business.
The data covered by this collection of information are those
materials necessary to allow the agency to determine applicant and
community eligibility and an explanation and documentation of the high
need for the benefits of the SUTA provisions. Program specific
application materials, which funds are being applied for, are covered
by the information collection package for the specific RUS program.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 30 hours per response.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 2.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 60.
Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Arlette
Mussington, Innovation Center--Regulations Management Division, at
(202) 720-2825. Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#19786b757c6d6d7c37746c6a6a70777e6d7677596c6a7d78377e766f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9dfceff1f8e9e9f8b3f0e8eeeef4f3fae9f2f3dde8eef9fcb3faf2eb">[email protected]</span></a>.
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. 2021-20104 Filed 9-16-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
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