Notice2025-01286
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
January 21, 2025
Issuing agencies
Agriculture Department
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 12 (Tuesday, January 21, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 12 (Tuesday, January 21, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7071-7073]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-01286]
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Notices
Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 12 / Tuesday, January 21, 2025 /
Notices
[[Page 7071]]
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 February
20, 2025 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: RUS Electric Loan Application and Related Reporting Burdens.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0032.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (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 (RE Act) of 1936. 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. RUS will collect information including
studies and reports to support borrower loan applications.
Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to
determine the eligibility of applicants for loans and loan guarantees
under the RE Act; monitor the compliance of borrowers with debt
covenants and regulatory requirements in order to protect loan
security; ensure that borrowers use loan funds for purposes consistent
with the statutory goals of the RE Act; and obtain information on the
progress of rural electrification and evaluate the success of RUS
program activities. Without the information RUS would be unable to
accomplish statutory goals.
Description of Respondents: Private Sector; Not-for-profit
institutions.
Number of Respondents: 608.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Annually.
Total Burden Hours: 37,515.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: Telecommunications System Construction Policies and
Procedures.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0059.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (RE
Act), 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., was amended in 2002 by title IV, Rural
Broadband Access, by Farm Security and rural Investment Act, which
authorizes Rural Utilities Service (RUS) to provide loans and loan
guarantees to fund the cost of construction, improvement, or
acquisition for facilities and equipment for the provision of broadband
service in eligible rural communities in the States and territories of
the United States. Title VI of the RE Act requires that loans are
granted only to borrowers who demonstrated that they will be able to
repay in full within the time agreed. RUS has established certain
standards and specification for materials, equipment and construction
to assure that standards are maintained; loans are not adversely
affected, and loans are used for intended purposes.
Need and Use of the Information: RUS has developed specific forms
for borrowers to use when entering into contracts for goods or
services. The information collected is used to implement certain
provisions of loan documents about the borrower's purchase of materials
and equipment and the construction of its broadband system and is
provided on an as needed basis or when the individual borrower
undertakes certain projects. The standardization of the forms has
resulted in substantial savings to borrowers by reducing preparation of
the documentation and the costly review by the Government.
Description of Respondents: Private Sector; Business or other for-
profit; Not-for-profit institutions.
Number of Respondents: 1,434.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 7,703.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: 7 CFR 1726, Electric System Construction Policies and
Procedures--Electric.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0107.
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 Administrator of the Rural Utilities
Service (RUS) to make loans in the several States and Territories of
the United States for rural electrification and the furnishing and
improving of electric energy to persons in rural areas. These loans are
for a term of up to 35 years and are secured by a first mortgage on the
borrower's electric system. In the interest of protecting loan security
and accomplishing the statutory objective of a sound program of rural
electrification, Section 4 of the RE Act further requires
[[Page 7072]]
that RUS make or guarantee a loan only if there is reasonable assurance
that the loan, together with all outstanding loans and obligations of
the borrower, will be repaid in full within the time agreed. RUS will
collect information using various RUS forms.
Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to
implement certain provisions of the RUS standard form of loan documents
regarding the borrower's purchase of materials and equipment and the
construction of its electric system by contract or force account. The
use of standard forms and procurement procedures helps assure RUS that
appropriate standards and specifications are maintained; agency loan
security is not adversely affected; and loan and loan guarantee funds
are used effectively and for the intended purposes. The information
will be used by RUS electric borrowers, their contractors and by RUS.
If standard forms were not used, borrowers would need to prepare their
own documents at a significant expense; and each document submitted by
a borrower would require extensive and costly review by both RUS and
the Office of the General Counsel.
Description of Respondents: Private Sector; Not-for-profit
institutions; Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 477.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 82.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: Technical Assistance Program, 7 CFR part 1775.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0112.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service is authorized by
section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7
U.S.C. 1926) to make loans to public agencies, American Indian Tribes,
and nonprofit corporations to fund the development of drinking water,
wastewater, and solid waste disposal facilities in rural areas with
populations of up to 10,000 residents. Under the CONACT, 7 U.S.C.
1925(a), as amended, section 306(a) (14) (A) authorizes Technical
Assistance and Training grants, and 7 U.S.C. 1932(b), section 310B
authorizes Solid Waste Management grants. Grants are made for 100
percent of the cost of assistance. The Technical Assistance and
Training Grants and Solid Waste Management Grants programs are
administered through 7 CFR part 1775.
Need and Use of the Information: Nonprofit organizations applying
for TAT and SWM grants must submit a pre-application, which includes an
application form, narrative proposal, various other forms,
certifications and supplemental information. RUS will collect
information to determine applicant's eligibility, project feasibility,
and the applicant's ability to meet the grant and regulatory
requirements. RUS will review the information, evaluate it, and, if the
applicant and project are eligible for further competition, invite the
applicant to submit a formal application. Failure to collect proper
information could result in improper determinations of eligibility,
improper use of funds, or hindrances in making grants authorized by the
TAT and SWM program.
Description of Respondents: Private Sector; Not-for-profit
institutions.
Number of Respondents: 66.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually; On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 5,558.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: 7 CFR part 1724 and Part 1738 Electric Engineering,
Architectural Services and Design Policies and Procedures; and Rural
Broadband Access Loans and Loan Guarantees.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0118.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Electrification Act of 1936, 7
U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended, authorizes Rural Utilities Service
(RUS) to make loans in several States and Territories of the United
States for broadband access and rural electrification and the
furnishing and improving of electric energy to persons in rural areas.
Title 7 CFR 1724 requires each borrower to select a qualified architect
to perform certain architectural services and to use the designated
form that provides for these services. The agency has developed
standardized contractual forms used by borrowers to contract for
services.
Need and Use of the Information: The information collected
stipulates the parties to the agreement, contain certain information
relating to the approved loan or loan guarantee, and provide detailed
contractual obligations and services to be provided and performed
relating to construction, project design, construction management,
compensation, and related information. The contractual forms provide
standardized contract agreements between the electric or broadband
borrower and the engineering or architectural firm providing services
to the borrower. This has resulted in substantial savings to borrowers
by reducing preparation of the documentation and the costly review by
the Government.
Description of Respondents: Private Sector; Business or other for-
profit.
Number of Respondents: 4.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 8.
Rural Utility Service
Title: 7 CFR 1780, Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0121.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (``RUS''), an
agency of the Rural Development (``RD''), United States Department of
Agriculture, is requesting OMB clearance of the reporting requirements
relating to 7 CFR part 1780, the regulation utilized to administer the
Water and Waste Loans and Grants program. In addition, RUS is seeking
clearance for applicants applying under 7 CFR part 1777, section 306C
Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grant,'' and 7 CFR part 1778,
``Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants'', which follow 7 CFR
part 1780 for application requirements.
Section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act
(``CONACT''), 7 U.S.C. 1926, authorizes RUS to make loans and grants to
public entities, federally-recognized American Indian Tribes, and not-
for-profit corporations. The loans and grants fund the development of
drinking water, wastewater, solid waste disposal, and storm wastewater
disposal facilities in rural areas with populations of up to 10,000
residents. A rural area is defined in the CONACT as any city, town, or
unincorporated area consisting of no more than 10,000 residents. In
addition to the development costs, 7 CFR 1780.9, Eligible loan and
grant purposes, defines the associated costs that are eligible for
reimbursement, such as reasonable engineering and legal expenses. The
agency uses information submitted by applicant entities to determine
eligibility and evaluate project feasibility.
Need and Use of the Information: RD state and field offices collect
the information from applicants, borrowers, and consultants. They use
the information to determine applicant eligibility and project
feasibility. They also use the information to ensure that borrowers
operate on a sound basis and use the loan and grant funds for
authorized purposes as defined in statute and regulation.
Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government; Not-
for-profit institutions.
Number of Respondents: 656.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 109,200.
[[Page 7073]]
Rural Utility Service
Title: Servicing of Water Programs Loans and Grants.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0137.
Summary of Collection: This information collection package covers
the Servicing of Water Programs Loans and Grants regulation, 7 CFR part
1782. The regulation outlines the Rural Utilities Service's (RUS), an
agency delivering the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA)
Rural Development Utilities Programs, hereinafter referred to as Rural
Development (RD) and/or Agency, policies and procedures for servicing
direct and insured Water and Waste Disposal loans and grants (WWLG);
Watershed loans and advances (Watershed); Resource Conservation and
Development loans (RCDL); Technical Assistance and Training grants
(TAT); Emergency Community Water Assistance grants (ECWAG); Solid Waste
Management grants (SWMG); and section 306C Water and Waste Facility
loans and grants (Colonias/Tribal).
Need and Use of the Information: The Rural Utilities Service will
collect information using various forms. The Agency provides forms and/
or guidelines to assist in collection and submission of the information
required to service loans and grants. In some cases, use of Agency
forms is optional and the borrower may submit the information required
on other forms. The Agency utilizes existing Rural Development forms to
the greatest extent possible to continue to meet the needs of the
program. The forms or related items completed by the borrower are
submitted to and evaluated by the Agency servicing office. The
information, mostly financial in nature, is required to determine if
borrowers, based on their individual situations, qualify for the
various servicing authorities.
Description of Respondents: State, Local, and Tribal Governments.
Number Of Respondents: 4,438.
Frequency Of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 28,140.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: 7 CFR 1776, Household Water Well System Grant Program.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0139.
Summary of Collection: This program was formerly the Household
Water Well System Grant Program, but its name was changed by the
Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018. This regulation is used to
administer grants made to private non-profit organizations under the
DWS program. The Agency is authorized to make the grants under Section
306E of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (CONACT) 7
U.S.C. 1926e.
Need and Use of the Information: The grant applicants will provide
information to be collected as part of the application and grant
process through certain documentation, certifications, and completed
forms. Grant applicants must show that the project will provide
technical and financial assistance to eligible individuals to remedy
household well problems. The grant recipients will establish a
revolving loan fund lending program to provide water well loans to
individuals who own or will own private wells in rural areas. The
individual loan recipients may use the funds to construct, refurbish,
and service their household well systems for an existing home.
Description of Respondents: Private Sector; Not-for-profit
institutions.
Number of Respondents: 7.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 652.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: Special Authority to Enable Funding of Broadband and Smart
Utility Facilities Across Select Rural Development Programs.
OMB Control Number: 0572-0156.
Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service, Rural Business-
Cooperative Service, and Rural Housing Service, agencies that comprise
the Rural Development Mission Area within the United States Department
of Agriculture, are issuing this final rule to establish the authority
authorized by Section 6210 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.
This rule describes the procedures by which these agencies will
consider projects eligible for special broadband authority and Smart
Utility facilities.
On December 20, 2018, Congress passed The Agricultural Improvement
Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) (Pub. L. 115-334). In addition to sweeping
changes in broadband program authorities, Congress provided for special
use of funding from other RD programs for broadband deployment in
Section 6210, ``Smart Utility Authority for Broadband.'' The provision
granted the Secretary of Agriculture the discretion to allow recipients
of grants, loans, or loan guarantees under RD programs to use not more
than 10 percent of such funding to finance broadband infrastructure in
areas not served by the minimum acceptable level of broadband service,
as defined in this Part, and which will not result in competitive harm
to a current RD loan, grant, or loan guarantee. While section 6210 only
imposes the competitive harm restriction with respect to RUS loan,
grant, and loan guarantee recipients, RD has determined to apply the
restriction RD-wide, consistent with the statutory guidance on
conflicts and duplications of awards provided in 7 U.S.C. 2204b(d)(2).
Rural community leaders, businesses and utilities must consider
broadband availability and uses as they plan for, and implement, new
and improved facilities and services to support community and economic
development. While integration of communications technology into a
planned investment can be used for internal purposes, it can also serve
as a catalyst to rural broadband deployment efforts. For example,
investment in health care, public safety and businesses can be enhanced
or leveraged to expand the availability and utilization of advanced
broadband in rural areas. Smart highways can facilitate vehicle to
infrastructure communications to enhance driver safety; smart water
systems can remotely detect contaminants before they pose a health
risk; smart pipelines can report leaks and structural weaknesses before
they become dangerous; and smart grid systems deliver enhanced security
and energy efficiency, as well as speed recovery after an electric
outage. Through this regulation, RD enables limited integration of
broadband deployment with other rural investments funded through its
broad suite of programs. It does so without adding the burden of
seeking funding through separate program areas.
Need and Use of the Information: The collection of information is
necessary for RD to determine an applicant's ability to borrow under
the terms of the 2018 Farm Bill and included programs and that the
applicant complies with statutory, regulatory, and administrative
eligibility requirements for loan assistance. As part of that
submission, applicants are required to provide a service area map,
where applicable, of their entire service territory.
Description of Respondents: Private Sector; Businesses or other
for-profits.
Number of Respondents: 53.
Frequency of Responses: Annually.
Total Burden Hours: 239.
Levi S. Harrell,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2025-01286 Filed 1-17-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on January 21, 2025.
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.