Notice2024-17478
Notice of a Revision 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
August 7, 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 the Agency), an agency with the United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, intention to request a revision to a currently approved information collection package for the RUS Electric Loan Application and Related Reporting Burdens. The Agency invites comments on this information collection for which the Agency intends to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 152 (Wednesday, August 7, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 152 (Wednesday, August 7, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64404-64405]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-17478]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
[Docket No.: RUS-24-ELECTRIC-0024]
Notice of a Revision 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 the Agency), an
agency with the United States Department of Agriculture, Rural
Development, intention to request a revision to a currently approved
information collection package for the RUS Electric Loan Application
and Related Reporting Burdens. The Agency invites comments on this
information collection for which the Agency intends to request approval
from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by October 7, 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#2f5f4e424a434e014d4a41414a5b5b6f5a5c4b4e01484059"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="057564686069642b67606b6b60717145707661642b626a73">[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 the Agency 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 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. located at the beginning of this notice. 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: RUS Electric Loan Application and Related Reporting Burdens.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0032.
Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved information
collection.
Abstract: RUS was established in 1994 by the Federal Crop Insurance
Reform and Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (Pub.
L. 103-354, 108 Stat. 3178, 7 U.S.C. 6941 et seq.) as successor to the
Rural Electrification Administration (REA) with respect to certain
programs, including the electric loan and loan guarantee program
authorized under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 901 et
seq., as amended) (RE Act). The RE Act authorizes and empowers the
Administrator of RUS to make and guarantee loans to furnish and improve
electric service in rural areas. These loans are amortized over a
period of up to 35 years and secured by the borrower's electric assets
and/or revenue. In the interest of protecting loan security, monitoring
compliance with debt covenants, and ensuring that RUS loan funds are
used for purposes authorized by law, RUS requires that borrowers
prepare and submit for RUS evaluation certain studies and reports. Some
of these studies and reports are required only once for each loan
application; others must be submitted periodically until the loan is
completely repaid. These forms and documents serve as support for
electric loan applications and summarizes the types and estimated costs
of facilities and equipment for which RUS financing is being requested.
[[Page 64405]]
The RE Act also authorizes and empowers the Administrator of RUS to
make or cause to be made, studies, investigations, and reports
concerning the condition and progress of the electrification of the
several States and Territories; and to publish and disseminate
information with respect thereto. Information supplied by borrowers
forms the basis of many of these reports.
RUS uses an online application intake system called RDApply that
allows applicants to create an online application for RUS loans and
grants as well as upload attachments, sign certifications, and draw
service areas, to name a few features. RDApply streamlines the
application process, as well as provides identity security, reduces
paper consumption and is expected to reduce the burden associated with
this information collection package over time.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 19.07 hours per response.
Respondents: Non-profit organizations, business or other for
profit.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 608.
Estimated Total Annual Responses: 1,967.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 3.24.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 37,514 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. Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6111000c040d004f03040f0f04151521141205004f060e17"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3747565a525b561955525959524343774244535619505841">[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. 2024-17478 Filed 8-6-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P
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