Notice2022-23699
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
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
November 1, 2022
Issuing agencies
Agriculture Department
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 210 (Tuesday, November 1, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 210 (Tuesday, November 1, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65732-65737]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-23699]
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Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 210 / Tuesday, November 1, 2022 /
Notices
[[Page 65732]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following
information collection requirement(s) to Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act
of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments are requested regarding: 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; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden
including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; ways to
enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be
collected; 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 regarding this information collection received by December
1, 2022 will be considered. Written comments and recommendations for
the proposed information collection should be submitted within 30 days
of the publication of this notice on the following website
<a href="http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain">www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain</a>. Find this particular information
collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--Open for
Public Comments'' or by using the search function.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays
a currently valid OMB control number.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: Request for Approval to Sell Capital Assets.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0020.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is a
credit agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). It makes
mortgage loans and loan guarantees to finance electric,
telecommunications, and water and waste facilities in rural areas. In
addition to providing loans and loan guarantees, one of RUS' main
objectives is to safeguard loan security until the loan is repaid.
Accordingly, RUS manages loan programs in accordance with the Rural
Electrification Act of 1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et.seq., as amended, (RE ACT)
and as prescribed by Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-
129, Policies for Federal Credit Programs and Non-Tax Receivables,
which states that agencies must, based on a review of a loan
application, determine that an applicant complies with statutory,
regulatory, and administrative eligibility requirements for loan
assistance.
Need and Use of the Information: RUS borrower will use form 369,
Request for Approval to Sell Capital Assets, to seek agency permission
to sell some of its assets. The form is used to collect detailed
information regarding the proposed sale of a portion of the borrowers
systems. RUS will collect information to determine whether or not the
agency should approve a sale and also to keep track of what property
exists to secure the loan. If the information in Form 369 is not
collected when capital assets are sold, the capital assets securing the
Government's loans could be liquidated and the Government's security
either eliminated entirely or diluted to an undesirable level.
Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; business
or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 33.
Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; reporting: On occasion;
quarterly.
Total Burden Hours: 165.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: 7 CFR 1744-C, Advance and Disbursement of Funds--
Telecommunications.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0023.
Summary of Collection: Section 201 of the Rural Electrification Act
(RE Act) of 1936 authorizes the Administrator of the Rural Utilities
Service (RUS) to make loans for the purpose of providing telephone
service to the widest practicable number of rural subscribers. Title
VI, Rural Broadband Access, of the RE Act authorizes RUS to provide
loans and loan guarantee to fund the cost of construction, improvement,
or acquisition facilities and equipment for the provision of broadband
service in eligible rural communities.
RUS Form 481, ``Financial Requirement Statement,'' must be
submitted by the borrower to request loan advances. A supplemental
sheet to Form 481 (a continuation sheet) may be used by borrowers
needing additional space. The Form 481 is used by RUS to record and
control transactions in the construction fund. Upon receipt of the Form
481 and its accompanying documents complying with provisions of 7 CFR
part 1744, subpart c, the Government, within a reasonable amount of
time, will make and advance to the borrower a sufficient amount for the
purposes specified in the statement of purposes. The borrower must
immediately deposit all advanced money into a Special Construction
account until disbursed.
Need and Use of the Information: The information collected is used
by RUS to record and control transactions and verify that the funds
advanced in the construction fund are related directly to loan
purposes. If the information were not collected, RUS would not have any
control over how loan funds are spent or a record of the balance to be
advanced.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; not-for-
profit institutions.
Number of Respondents: 38.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: annually.
Total Burden Hours: 616.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: 7 CFR 1730, Review Rating Summary.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0025.
Summary of Collection: USDA Rural Development administers rural
utilities programs through the Rural Utilities Service (RUS or Agency)
and manages loan programs in accordance with the Rural Electrification
Act (RE Act) of
[[Page 65733]]
1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended. One of the Agency's main
objectives is to safeguard loan security by seeing that Agency financed
facilities are being responsibly used, adequately operated, and
adequately maintained. Future needs must be anticipated to ensure that
facilities will continue to produce revenue and loans will be repaid as
required by the Agency mortgage or loan agreement. A periodic
operations and maintenance (O&M) review, using the RUS Form 300, Review
Rating Summary, in accordance with 7 CFR part 1730, Electric System
Operations and Maintenance, is an effective means for RUS to determine
whether the Borrowers' systems are being properly operated and
maintained, thereby protecting the loan collateral as prescribed by the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-129, Policies for
Federal Credit Programs and Non-Tax Receivables.
Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information using
form 300 Review Rate Summary to identity items that may be in need of
additional attention; to plan corrective actions when needed; to budget
funds and manpower for needed work; and to initiate ongoing programs as
necessary to avoid or minimize the need for ``catch-up'' programs.
Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; business
or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 151.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; annually.
Total Burden Hours: 604.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: Operating Reports for Telecommunications and Broadband
Borrowers.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0031.
Summary of Collection: Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency
delivering the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development
Utilities Programs, hereinafter referred to as RUS or the Agency, is a
credit agency of the USDA. It makes loans and loan guarantees to
finance electric, broadband, telecommunications, and water and waste
facilities in rural areas. In addition to providing loans and loan
guarantees, one of the main RUS objectives is to safeguard loan
security until the loan is repaid. Section 201 of the Rural
Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (RE Act) (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.)
authorizes that ``the Secretary is authorized and empowered to make
loans to persons now providing or who may hereafter provide telephone
service in rural areas . . . for the purposes of financing the
improvement, expansion, construction, acquisition, and operation of
telephone lines, facilities or systems to furnish and improve telephone
service in rural areas.'' Similarly, section 601(c)(1) states that
``the Secretary shall make or guarantee loans to eligible entities . .
. to provide funds for the construction, improvement, or acquisition of
facilities and equipment for the provision of broadband service in
eligible rural communities.''
Need and Use of the Information: Information from the Operating
Report for both telecommunication and broadband borrowers provides RUS
with vital financial information needed to ensure the maintenance of
the security for the Government's loans and service data which enables
RUS to ensure the provision of quality telecommunications and broadband
service as mandated by the RE Act of 1936. Form 674, ``Certificate of
Authority to Submit or Grant Access to Data'' will allow
telecommunication and broadband borrowers to file electronic Operating
Reports with the agency using the new USDA Data Collection System.
Accompanied by a Board Resolution, it will identify the name and USDA
e-Authentication ID for a certifier and security administrator that
will have access to the system for purposes of filing electronic
Operating Reports.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; not-for-
profit institutions.
Number of Respondents: 242.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 6,711.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: Request for Release of Lien and/or Approval of Sale.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0041.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is a
financing agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). RUS
makes mortgage loans and loan guarantees to finance electric,
telecommunications, and water and waste facilities in rural areas. RUS
manages loan programs in accordance with the Rural Electrification Act
of 1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended (RE Act). Section 201 of the
RE Act provides that loan shall not be made unless RUS finds and
certifies that the security for the loan is reasonably adequate and
that the loans will be repaid within the time agreed. In addition to
providing loans and loan guarantees, one of RUS's main objectives is to
safeguard loan security until the loan is repaid. This objective is in
accordance with OMB Circular No. A-129, ``Policies for Federal Credit
Programs and Non-Tax Receivables,'' which states that agencies must,
based on a review of a loan application, determine that an applicant
complies with statutory, regulatory, and administrative eligibility
requirements for loan assistance, and should follow sound financial
practices in the administration of credit programs and protect the
value of the government's assets.
Need and Use of the Information: A borrower's assets provide the
security for a government loan. The selling of assets reduces the
security and increases the risk of loss to the Government. A borrower
seeking permission to sell some of its assets uses RUS Form 793. The
form contains detailed information regarding the proposed sale. If the
information in Form 793 is not collected when capital assets are sold,
the capital assets securing the Government's loans could be liquidated
and the Government's security either eliminated entirely or diluted to
an undesirable level. This increases the risk of loss to the Government
in the case of a default.
Description of Respondents: Businesses or other for-profits: Not-
for-profit institutions.
Number of Respondents: 30.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
Total Burden Hours: 231.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: Certification of Authority, RUS Form 675.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0074.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service manages loan
programs in accordance with the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as
amended (7 U.S.C. 901et seq.) (RE Act). A major factor in managing loan
programs is controlling the advance of funds, including assuring that
actual borrowers receive their funds. The OMB Circular A-123,
Management Accountability and Control, provides that information should
be maintained on a current basis and that funds should be protected
from unauthorized use. The use of RUS Form 675 allows effective control
against unauthorized release of funds by providing a list of authorized
borrower signatures against which signatures requesting funds are
compared. The Form 675 allows borrowers to keep RUS up to-date of
changes in signature authority and controls release of funds only to
authorized borrower representatives.
Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to
ensure that only authorized representatives of the borrower signs the
lending requisition form. Without the
[[Page 65734]]
information RUS would not know if the request for a loan advance was
legitimate or not and the potential for waste, loss, unauthorized use,
and misappropriation would be increased.
Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business
or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 176.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 18.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: Preloan Procedures and Requirements for Telecommunications
Program.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0079.
Summary of Collection: USDA, Rural Utilities Service (RUS) makes
mortgage loans and loan guarantees to finance telecommunications,
electric, and water and waste facilities in rural areas with a loan
portfolio that totals more than $58 billion. In addition to providing
loans and loan guarantees, one of the objectives of RUS is to safeguard
loan security until the loan is repaid. Accordingly, RUS manages loan
programs in accordance with the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, 7
U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended, (RE Act), and as prescribed by Office
of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-129, Policies for Federal
Credit Programs and Non-Tax Receivables, which states that based on a
review of a loan application, agencies must determine that an applicant
complies with statutory, regulatory, and administrative eligibility
requirements for loan assistance. Section 201 of the RE Act authorizes
the RUS Administrator to make loans to qualified telephone companies
for providing telephone service to the widest practicable number of
rural subscribers. The reporting burden covered by this collection of
information consists of forms, documents and written burden to support
a request for funding for a Telecommunications Infrastructure loan.
Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information using
several forms to determine an applicant's eligibility to borrow from
RUS under the terms of the RE Act. The information is also used to
determine that the Government's security for loans made by RUS are
reasonably adequate and that the loans will be repaid within the time
agreed. Without the information, RUS could not effectively monitor each
borrower's compliance with the loan terms and conditions to properly
ensure continued loan security.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; not-for-
profit institutions.
Number of Respondents: 43.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Once.
Total Burden Hours: 11,445.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: 7 CFR part 1786, Prepayment of RUS Guaranteed and Insured
Loans to Electric and Telephone Borrowers.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0088.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Electrification (RE) Act of 1936,
as amended, authorizes and empowers the Administrator of RUS to make
loans in the States and Territories of the United States for rural
electrification and furnishing and improving electric and telephone
service in rural areas and to assist electric borrowers to implement
demand side management, energy conservation programs, and on-grid and
off-grid renewable energy systems. 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 guaranteeing loans
made by the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation,
the Federal Financing Bank (FFB), and other lending agencies.
This information collection package contains the paperwork and
reporting burden for 7 CFR part 1786, subpart E, ``Discounted
Prepayments on RUS Notes in the Event of a Merger of Certain RUS
Electric Borrowers,'' subpart F, ``Discounted Prepayments on RUS
Electric Loans,'' and subpart G, ``Refinancing and Prepayment of RUS
Guaranteed FFB Loans Pursuant to Section 306(C) of the RE Act.'' 7 CFR
1786, subparts E and F are authorized by section 306(B) of the RE Act
of 1936, as amended, and subpart G is authorized by section 306(C) of
the RE Act of 1936, as amended.
The overall goal of subparts E and F is to allow Agency borrowers
to prepay their RUS loan and the overall goal of subpart G is to
refinance. Subpart E allows certain electric borrowers to prepay
outstanding RUS Notes at the Discounted Present Value of the RUS Notes
with private financing. Subpart F allows borrowers to prepay, with
private financing or internally generated funds, outstanding RUS Notes
evidencing electric loans at the Discounted Present Value of the RUS
Note. Subpart G allows the borrower of an electric or telephone loan
made by the FFB and guaranteed by RUS to prepay and refinance a loan or
an advance on the loan, or any portion of the loan or advance, after
meeting certain conditions using the procedures prescribed in the
borrower's note.
Need and Use of the Information: The required documentation and
information will be collected from electric and telecommunications
program borrowers. The purpose of the information collected is to
provide borrowers an opportunity to request prepayment of their notes
and to determine that the borrower is qualified to prepay under the
authorizing statues. The overall goal of subparts E and F is to allow
RUS borrowers to prepay their RUS loan and the overall goal of subpart
G is to refinance.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; not-for-
profit institutions.
Number of Respondents: 38.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 76.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: RUS Form 444, ``Wholesale Power Contracts''.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0089.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (RE
Act) as amended (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.), authorizes the Administrator of
RUS to make and guarantee loans in the States and Territories of the
United States that will enable rural consumers to obtain electric
power. Section 4 of the RE Act (7 U.S.C. 904) authorizes the
Administrator to establish terms and conditions of loans to determine
that the security for the loan is reasonably adequate and that the loan
will be repaid within the time agreed.
In response to the RE Act, rural consumers formed non-profit
electric distribution cooperatives. Groups of these distribution
cooperatives then banded together to form generation and transmission
cooperatives (G&T's) that generate or purchase power and transmit the
power to the distribution systems. For a RUS loan to a distribution
system, a lien on the borrower's assets generally represents an
adequate means to protect the Federal Government's security interest.
However, since most G&T revenues flow from its distribution members,
RUS requires as a condition of a loan or loan guarantee to a G&T that
its distribution members enter into a long-term requirements wholesale
power contract to purchase power from the G&T at rates that cover all
the G&T's expenses, including debt service and margins.
Need and Use of the Information: To fulfill the purposes of the RE
Act RUS will collect information to improve the credit quality and
credit worthiness of loans and loan guarantees to G&T
[[Page 65735]]
borrowers. RUS works closely with lending institutions that provide
supplemental loan funds to borrowers. If the information were not
collected, RUS could not determine whether Federal security interest
would be adequately protected.
Description of Respondents: Not-for profit institutions.
Number of Respondents: 8.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Quarterly.
Total Burden Hours: 48.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: 7 CFR 1703, subparts D, E, F, and G, Distance Learning and
Telemedicine Loan and Grant Program.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0096.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency
of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is authorized by chapter
1 of subtitle D of title XXIII of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation,
and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 950aaa et seq.) to provide financial
assistance for the purpose of financing the construction of facilities
and systems to provide telemedicine services and distance learning
services in sparsely populated rural areas. Financial assistance
provided under the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Loan and
Grant Program consists of grants, cost of money loans, or both. The
purpose of the DLT Loan and Grant Program is to encourage and improve
telemedicine services and distance learning services in rural areas
through the use of telecommunications, computer networks, and related
advanced technologies by students, teachers, medical professionals, and
rural residents. Section 6102 of title VI of the Agriculture
Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-334) amended 7 U.S.C. 950aaa et
seq, by extending the term of the program to the year 2023. The Agency
administers the DLT Loan and Grant Program through 7 CFR1734, subparts
A, B, C, and D.
Need and Use of the Information: The various forms and narrative
statements required are collected from eligible applicants that are
public and private, for-profit and not-for-profit rural community
facilities, schools, libraries, hospitals, and medical facilities. The
purpose of this information is to determine such factors as:
eligibility of the applicant; the specific nature of the proposed
project; the purposes for which loan and grant funds will be used;
project financial and technical feasibility; and compliance with the
applicable laws and regulations.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; not-for-
profit institutions.
Number of Respondents: 300.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 17,814.
Rural Utility Service
Title: Seismic Safety of New Building Construction, 7 CFR 1792,
subpart C.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0099.
Summary of Collection: Seismic hazards present a serious threat to
people and their surroundings. These hazards exist in most of the
United States, not just on the West Coast. Unlike hurricanes, times and
location of earthquakes cannot be predicted; most earthquakes strike
without warning and, if of substantial strength, strike with great
destructive forces. To reduce risks to life and property from
earthquakes, Congress enacted the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of
1977 (Pub. L. 95-124, 42 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.), and directed the
establishment and maintenance of an effective earthquake reduction
program. As a result, the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program
(NEHRP) was established. The objectives of the NEHRP include the
development of technologically and economically feasible design and
construction methods to make both new and existing structures
earthquake resistant, and the development and promotion of model
building codes. 7 CFR part 1792, subpart C, identifies acceptable
seismic standards which must be employed in new building construction
funded by loans, grants, or guarantees made by the Rural Utility
Service (RUS) or the Rural Telephone Bank (RTB) or through lien
accommodations or subordinations approved by RUS or RTB.
Need And Use Of The Information: Borrowers and grant recipients
must provide to RUS a written acknowledgment from a registered
architect or engineer responsible for the designs of each applicable
building stating that the seismic provisions to 7 CFR part 1792,
subpart C will be used in the design of the building. RUS will use this
information to: (1) clarify and inform the applicable borrowers and
grant recipients about seismic safety requirements; (2) improve the
effectiveness of all RUS programs; and (3) reduce the risk to life and
property through the use of approved building codes aimed at providing
seismic safety.
Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; business
or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 10.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 8.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: Lien Accommodations and Subordinations 7 CFR part 1717,
subparts R and S.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0100.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (The
RE Act), as amended (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.), authorizes and empowers the
Administrator of RUS to make loans in the several United 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 CFR part 1717, subparts R & S sets forth policy and
procedures 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, expenses and paperwork, of obtaining lien accommodations
and subordinations. The information required to be submitted is limited
to necessary information that would allow the Agency to make a
determination on the borrower's request to subordinate and accommodate
their lien with other lenders.
Need and Use of the Information: RUS will use the information to
determine an applicant's eligibility for a lien accommodation or lien
subordination under the RE Act; facilitates an applicant's solicitation
and acquisition of non-RUS loans as to converse available Government
funds; monitor the compliance of borrowers with debt covenants and
regulatory requirements in order to protect loan security; and
subsequently to granting the lien accommodation or lien subordination,
administer each so as to minimize its cost to the Government. If the
information were not collected, RUS would not be able to accomplish its
statutory goals.
Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; business
or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 1.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 19.
[[Page 65736]]
Rural Utilities Service
Title: 7 CFR 1778, Emergency and Imminent Community Water
Assistance Grants.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0110.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is
requesting OMB clearance of the reporting requirements for 7 CFR part
1778, Emergency and Imminent Community Water Assistance Grants (ECWAG).
The legislative authority for this program is under section 306A of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)), as
amended. RUS is authorized to make grants under section 306A of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (Act)(7 U.S.C. 1926(a)).
Administered by the RUS National Office and Rural Development (RD)
State Offices, the ECWAG regulation is used to administer grants made
to rural communities of 10,000 or less that are experiencing a
significant decline in quantity or quality of water or are expecting
such a decline to be imminent. The grants assist the communities in
obtaining or maintaining adequate quantities of water, thereby, meeting
the standards of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), (42 U.S.C. 300f,
et seq.).
Under the ECWAG program, there are two statutory levels of grant
limitations--$1,000,000 and $150,000. Grants not to exceed upper
threshold may be awarded for projects alleviating significant declines
in potable water quantity or quality. The funds can be used for
construction of new wells, reservoirs, treatment plants, and other
sources of water. Grants awards up to $150,000 may be made for projects
that will remedy acute shortages or significant declines in quality or
quantity of potable water in an existing system. The funds can be used
for distribution waterline extensions, repairs or partial replacement
on distribution waterlines, and operation and maintenance items on a
distribution system. Grants awarded under the ECWAG program may be made
for up to 100 percent of eligible project costs. At least 50 percent of
grant funds are targeted to rural areas with populations not exceeding
3,000. Additionally, at least 70 percent of funds are to be used for
projects addressing declines in the quantity or quality of water. The
rural area's median household income must not exceed 100 percent of a
State's non-metropolitan median household income.
Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect the information
from applicants applying for grants under 7 CFR 1778. The information
is unique to each borrower and emergency situation. Applicants must
demonstrate that there is an imminent emergency or that a decline
occurred within 2 years of the date the application was filed with
Rural Development.
Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents: 409.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 3,173.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: 7 CFR 1717 subpart D, Mergers and Consolidations of Electric
Borrowers.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0114.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is a
credit agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It makes mortgage
loans and loan guarantees to finance electric, telecommunications,
water and waste and water facilities in rural areas. Loan programs are
managed in accordance with the Rural Electrification Act (RE Act) of
1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended and as prescribed by the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-129, Policies for Federal
Credit Programs and Non-tax Receivable, states that agencies must base
on a review of a loan application determine that an applicant complies
with statutory, regulatory, and administrative eligibility requirements
for loan assistance.
Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to
streamline procedures and allow borrowers the flexibility to meet new
business challenges and opportunities. The information is necessary for
RUS to conduct business with successor entity while protecting the
security of Government loans and avoiding defaults and to grant merger
approval when required.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 10.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 140.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: 7 CFR part 1721, Extensions of Payments of Principal and
Interest.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0123.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) electric
program provides loans and loan guarantees to borrowers at interest
rates and on terms that are more favorable than those generally
available from the private sector. Procedures and conditions which
borrowers may request extensions of the payment of principal and
interest are authorized, as amended, in section 12 of the Rural
Electrification Act of 1936, and section 236 of the ``Disaster Relief
Act of 1970 (Pub. L. 91-606), as amended by the Department of
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (Pub. L. 103-354). As a result
of obtaining federal financing, RUS borrowers receive economic benefits
that exceed any direct economic costs associated with complying with
(RUS) regulations and requirements.
Need and Use of the Information: The collection of information
occurs only when the borrower requests an extension of principal and
interest. Eligible purposes include financial hardship, energy resource
conservation loans, renewable energy project, and contributions-in-aid
of construction. These procedures are codified at 7 CFR part 1721,
subpart B. The collections are made to provide needed benefits to
borrowers while also maintaining the integrity of RUS loans and their
repayment of taxpayer's monies.
Description of Respondents: Businesses or other for-profits; Not
for-profit institutions.
Number of Respondents: 8.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 61.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: Broadband Grant Program.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0127.
Summary of Collection: Congress has recognized the need to
facilitate the deployment of broadband service to un-served rural
areas. The provision to broadband transmission service is vital to the
economic development, education, health, and safety of rural Americans.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004 (title III, Pub. L. 108-
199, Stat.3), 7 CFR 1739 subpart A, as amended, authorizes the Rural
Development, Rural Utilities Service (RUS) to administer the Community
Connect Grant Program for the provision of broadband transmission
service in rural America. Grant authority is utilized to deploy
broadband infrastructure to extremely rural, lower income communities
on a ``community-oriented connectivity'' basis.
Need and Use of the Information: RUS gives priority to rural areas
that it believes have the greatest need for broadband transmission
services. This broadband access is intended to promote economic
development and provide enhanced educational and health care
opportunities. RUS will provide financial assistance to eligible
entities that are proposing to deploy
[[Page 65737]]
broadband transmission service in rural communities where such service
does not currently exist and who will connect the critical community
facilities including the local schools, libraries, hospitals, police,
fire and rescue services and who will operate a community center that
provides free and open access to residents.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 73.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting; On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 12,286.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: 7 CFR 1728, Electric Standards and Specifications for
Materials and Construction.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0131.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Electrification Act of 1936, 7
U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended, (RE Act) in Sec. 4 (7 U.S.C. 904)
authorizes and empowers the USDA Rural Development, Rural Utilities
Service (RUS or the Agency) Administrator to direct and coordinate the
program to provide loans and loan guarantees to furnish electrification
and improve electric energy service to persons in rural areas of the
United States and Territories of the United States. The loan term may
be up to 35 years and loans are secured by a first mortgage on the
borrower's electric system. To assure loans made or guaranteed by RUS
are adequately secured, used effectively, and for the intended
purposes, the Agency has established standards and specifications for
materials, equipment and the construction of electric systems.
Utilization of standards and specifications for materials, equipment,
and construction helps assure appropriate standards and specifications
are maintained, loan security is not adversely affected, and loan and
loan guarantee funds are used effectively for intended purposes.
RUS policy is established by 7 CFR part 1728 which provides that
materials and equipment purchased by RUS electric borrowers or accepted
as contractor-furnished material must conform to Agency standards and
specifications where they have been established and, if included in
Agency IP 202-1, ``List of Materials Acceptable for Use on Systems of
Rural Development Electrification Borrowers'' (List of Materials), must
be selected from that list or must have received technical acceptance
from Rural Development.
Need and Use of the Information: Manufacturers submit certified
data demonstrating product compliance with RUS specifications, usually
in the form of laboratory test results, catalog pages, or drawings. RUS
will evaluate the data to determine that the quality of the products
are acceptable and that their use will not jeopardize loan security.
The information is closely reviewed to be certain that test data;
product dimensions and product material compositions fully comply with
RUS technical standards and specifications that have been established
for the particular product. Without this information, RUS has no means
of determining the acceptability of products for use in the rural
environment.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 38.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: on occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 2,000.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and
Households Program (SEARCH).
OMB Control Number: 0572-0146.
Summary of Collection: The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of
2008, Public Law 110-246 (Farm Bill) amended section 306(a)(2) of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (CONACT) (7 U.S.C. 1926
(a)(2)). The amendment created a grant program to make Special
Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (SEARCH)
Program grants. Under the SEARCH program, the Secretary may make
predevelopment and planning grants to public or quasi-public agencies,
organizations operated on a not-for-profit basis or Indian tribes on
Federal and State reservations and other federally recognized Indian
tribes. The grant recipients shall use the grant funds for feasibility
studies, design assistance, and development of an application for
financial assistance to financially distressed communities in rural
areas with populations of 2,500 or fewer inhabitants for water and
waste disposal projects as authorized in sections 306(a)(1), 306(a)(2)
and 306(a)(24) of the CONACT.
Need and Use of the Information: Applicants applying for SEARCH
grants must submit an application which includes an application form,
various other forms, certifications, and supplemental information.
Rural Utility Service will use the information collected from
applicants, borrowers, and consultants to determine applicant
eligibility, project feasibility, and the applicant's ability to meet
the grant and regulatory requirements.
Failure to collect proper information could result in improper
determinations of eligibility, improper use of funds, or hindrances in
making grants authorized by the SEARCH program.
Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions.
Number of Respondents: 88.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 5,985.
Rural Utility Service
Title: New Equipment Contract (Form 395) for Telecommunications and
Broadband Borrowers.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0149.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Utility Service (RUS) manages the
Telecommunications loan program and the Rural Broadband program, to
provide loans and loan guarantees to fund the cost of construction,
improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment for the
provision of broadband service in eligible rural communities. RUS has
established the use of certain standardized forms for materials,
equipment, and construction of electric and telecommunications systems.
The use of standard forms, construction contracts, and procurement
procedures help to assure that appropriate standards and specifications
are maintained by the borrower in order to not adversely affect RUS's
loan security and ensure that loan and loan guarantee funds are
effectively used for the intended purpose(s).
Need and Use of the Information: This information is used to
implement provisions of the Agency standard form of loan documents
regarding the Awardee's purchase of materials and equipment and the
construction of its telecommunications or broadband system by contract.
This collection of information will be used by Agency Awardees and
their contractors. In the Telecommunications industry, when a
cooperative or company enters into contracts for services, some type of
contract form is used. The Agency has developed the specific forms
cleared with this package to be used by its Awardees when entering into
contracts for goods or services.
Description of Respondents: Businesses or other for-profits.
Number of Respondents: 28.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 114.
Levi S. Harrell,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2022-23699 Filed 10-31-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on November 1, 2022.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.