Notice2024-02727
Agency Information Collection Proposed Extension
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
February 9, 2024
Issuing agencies
Energy DepartmentEnergy Information Administration
Abstract
EIA invites public comment on the proposed extension of the collection of information for the Cryptocurrency Mining Facilities Survey, as required under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The original collection was approved by the Office of Management and Budget on January 26, 2024, under the emergency approval provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 28 (Friday, February 9, 2024)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 28 (Friday, February 9, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9140-9141]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-02727]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Energy Information Administration
Agency Information Collection Proposed Extension
AGENCY: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Department of
Energy (DOE).
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: EIA invites public comment on the proposed extension of the
collection of information for the Cryptocurrency Mining Facilities
Survey, as required under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The
original collection was approved by the Office of Management and Budget
on January 26, 2024, under the emergency approval provisions of the
Paperwork Reduction Act.
DATES: EIA must receive all comments on this proposed information
collection no later than April 9, 2024. If you anticipate any
difficulties in submitting your comments by the deadline, contact the
person listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice as soon as
possible.
ADDRESSES: Written comments may be sent to Glenn McGrath by email at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#95d2f9f0fbfbbbd8f6d2e7f4e1fdd5f0fcf4bbf2fae3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d097bcb5bebefe9db397a2b1a4b890b5b9b1feb7bfa6">[email protected]</span></a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Glenn McGrath, EI-23, U.S. Energy
Information Administration, telephone 1-202-586-4325, email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e8af848d8686c6a58baf9a899c80a88d8189c68f879e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="63240f060d0d4d2e00241102170b23060a024d040c15">[email protected]</span></a>. The form and instructions are available at
<a href="http://www.eia.gov/survey/#eia-862">www.eia.gov/survey/#eia-862</a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments are invited on whether or not: (a)
The proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper
performance of agency functions, including whether the information will
have a practical utility; (b) EIA's estimate of the burden of the
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used, is accurate; (c) EIA can improve the
[[Page 9141]]
quality, utility, and clarity of the information it will collect; and
(d) EIA can minimize the burden of the collection of information on
respondents, such as automated collection techniques or other forms of
information technology.
This information collection request contains:
(1) OMB No.: 1905-0213;
(2) Information Collection Request Title: Cryptocurrency Mining
Facilities Survey;
(3) Type of Request: Three-year extension without change;
(4) Purpose: The mining of cryptocurrency is an energy-intensive
activity that requires substantial amounts of electricity. Several
cryptocurrencies, most notably Bitcoin, use a proof of work approach
that requires cryptocurrency miners to validate blocks of transactions
by solving complex cryptographic puzzles that require significant
computational power. Commercial mining facilities typically operate
thousands of computers that work to add blocks of virtual currency
transactions to a distributed ledger called a blockchain. The
computational equipment must be cooled, which further increases the
associated electricity consumption. Given its high rate of consumption,
companies, organizations and government agencies engaged in the
electricity business require detailed information about how much
electrical energy is being consumed by cryptocurrency miners and where
it is occurring. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) has
engaged in a rigorous evaluation of U.S. cryptocurrency mining activity
using publicly available information. EIA estimates cryptocurrency
mining activity demands as much as 2.3% of U.S. electricity
consumption. Furthermore, there is evidence that this electricity
consumption is growing rapidly. The combined effects of increased
cryptocurrency mining and stressed electricity systems create
heightened uncertainty in electric power markets, which could
contribute to public harm during an unexpected event.
On January 26, 2024, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
granted approval under the emergency approval provisions of the
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) for EIA to immediately begin collecting
monthly information that will inform the public on the impact of recent
increases in U.S. commercial cryptocurrency mining activity on both the
supply and demand side of the electric power system. The Cryptocurrency
Mining Facilities Survey, Form EIA-862, uses facility-level reporting
to provide a baseline snapshot of the cryptocurrency mining companies
in the sample and their energy use, quantify the rate of change in
cryptocurrency mining activity among the companies and their
facilities, identify electricity sources supplying U.S. cryptocurrency
mining activity, and identify regions in the U.S. with concentrated
cryptocurrency mining activity.
Due to the need to begin collecting this information right away,
EIA was unable to allow for the time periods normally required for
clearance under the PRA. The approval granted by OMB is through July
31, 2024. This approval allows EIA to conduct the Cryptocurrency Mining
Facilities Survey for up to 6 months. EIA now seeks to extend clearance
for the survey for an additional three years.
(5) Annual Estimated Number of Respondents: 82;
(6) Annual Estimated Number of Total Responses: 984;
(7) Annual Estimated Number of Burden Hours: 492;
(8) Annual Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Cost Burden: The
cost of the burden hours is estimated to be $42,981 (492 burden hours
times $87.36 per hour). EIA estimates that respondents will have no
additional costs associated with the surveys other than the burden
hours and maintenance of the information as part of the normal course
of business.
Statutory Authority: 15 U.S. C. 772(b) and 42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.
Signed in Washington, DC, on February 5, 2024.
Samson A. Adeshiyan,
Director, Office of Statistical Methods and Research, U. S. Energy
Information Administration.
[FR Doc. 2024-02727 Filed 2-8-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on February 9, 2024.
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.