Notice2024-05471
Notice of an Extension to a Currently Approved Information Collection
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
March 15, 2024
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentRural Utilities Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Rural Utilities Service's (RUS or Agency), an agency within the United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, intention to request an extension to a currently approved information collection package for the High Energy Costs Grants Rural Communities Program (HECG). In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Agency invites comments on this information collection for which it intends to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 52 (Friday, March 15, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 52 (Friday, March 15, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18891-18892]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-05471]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
[Docket No. RUS-24-ELECTRIC-0005]
Notice of an Extension to a Currently Approved Information
Collection
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, this
notice announces the Rural Utilities Service's (RUS or Agency), an
agency within the United States Department of Agriculture, Rural
Development, intention to request an extension to a currently approved
information collection package for the High Energy Costs Grants Rural
Communities Program (HECG). In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995, the Agency invites comments on this information collection
for which it intends to request approval from the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB).
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by May 14, 2024 to be
assured of consideration.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pamela Bennett, Rural Development
Innovation Center--Regulations Management Division, USDA, 1400
Independence Avenue SW, STOP 1522, South Building, Washington, DC
20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 720-9639. Email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3141505c545d501f53545f5f54454571444255501f565e47"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b1c1d0dcd4ddd09fd3d4dfdfd4c5c5f1c4c2d5d09fd6dec7">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The OMB regulation (5 CFR part 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 extension
of an existing collection.
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 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-24-ELECTRIC-0005. 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. To submit a comment,
select the ``Comment'' button, complete the required information, and
select the ``Submit Comment'' button at the bottom. 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.
A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of
information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. Data
furnished by the applicants will be used to determine eligibility for
program benefits. Furnishing the data is voluntary; however, failure to
provide data could result in program benefits being withheld or denied.
Title: High Energy Costs Grants Rural Communities.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0136.
Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information
collection.
Abstract: The HECG Program is authorized under section 19 of the
Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (the RE Act) (7 U.S.C.
918a), and implemented by 7 CFR part 1709. The Agency, through the HECG
program, provides grant funds to qualified types of applicants to
acquire, construct, extend, upgrade, or otherwise improve energy
generation, transmission, or
[[Page 18892]]
distribution facilities serving communities in which the average
residential expenditure for home energy is at least 275 percent of the
national average. Grants may also be used for programs that install on-
grid and off-grid renewable energy systems and energy efficiency
improvements in eligible communities.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 3.41 hours per response.
Respondents: For profit and non-profit entities, State and local
governments, Indian Tribes, other Tribal entities, Alaskan Native
Corporations and Individuals. See 7 CFR 1709.106.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 60.
Estimated Total Annual Responses: 344.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 5.73.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,172 hours.
Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Pamela
Bennett, Rural Development Innovation Center--Regulations Management
Division, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, South Building,
Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 720-9639. Email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#542435393138357a36313a3a31202014212730357a333b22"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ee9e8f838b828fc08c8b80808b9a9aae9b9d8a8fc0898198">[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.
Andrew Berke,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-05471 Filed 3-14-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P
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