Notice2026-04458
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
March 6, 2026
Issuing agencies
Energy DepartmentEnergy Information Administration
Abstract
EIA invites public comment on the proposed extension of the collection of information for the EIA-860S: State Level Generator Air Permit Inventory Report, as required under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The original collection was approved by the Office of Management and Budget on February 12, 2026, under the emergency approval provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 44 (Friday, March 6, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 44 (Friday, March 6, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11069-11070]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-04458]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Energy Information Administration
Agency Information Collection Proposed Extension
AGENCY: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), U.S. Department
of Energy (DOE).
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: EIA invites public comment on the proposed extension of the
collection of information for the EIA-860S: State Level Generator Air
Permit Inventory Report, as required under the Paperwork Reduction Act
of 1995. The original collection was approved by the Office of
Management and Budget on February 12, 2026, under the emergency
approval provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act.
DATES: EIA must receive all comments on this proposed information
collection no later than May 5, 2026. 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: You may submit comments, identified by OMB control number
1905-0215, by email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#aaefe3eb87ecf8e4c9c5c7c7cfc4ded9eacfc3cb84cdc5dc"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c2878b83ef84908ca1adafafa7acb6b182a7aba3eca5adb4">[email protected]</span></a>. Include the OMB control
number listed in the subject line of the message.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth Pick, Survey Methodologist, at
(202) 586-5562 by email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b1f4f8f09cf7e3ffd2dedcdcd4dfc5c2f1d4d8d09fd6dec7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6e2b272f43283c200d0103030b001a1d2e0b070f40090118">[email protected]</span></a>. The form and
instructions are available on EIA's website at <a href="http://www.eia.gov/survey/">www.eia.gov/survey/</a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This information collection request
contains:
(1) OMB No.: 1905-0215;
(2) Information Collection Request Title: EIA-860S: State Level
Generator Air Permit Inventory Report;
(3) Type of Request: Three-year extension without change;
(4) Purpose: The central mission of the U.S. Energy Information
Administration (EIA), as established by the Department of Energy (DOE)
Organization Act of 1977, is to collect, evaluate, assemble, analyze,
and disseminate energy data. Section 7135 specifies that, among other
characteristics, the data should be relevant to the adequacy of energy
resources to meet demand. The EIA-860, Annual Electric Power Industry
Report, is a critical tool for this mission, maintaining a census of
U.S. electricity generating units with a capacity of 1 megawatt or
greater, and informing DOE's emergency response activities, among other
purposes.
On February 12, 2026, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
granted emergency approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) for
EIA to immediately commence annual data collection on the EIA-860S. The
purpose of this urgent collection is to ensure the EIA-860 sampling
frame comprehensively covers the power generator population. This
emergency request is critically important for enhancing the
completeness and accuracy of the EIA-860 sampling frame, particularly
in relation to backup generators. While the EIA-860 typically includes
backup generators exceeding the 1 MW threshold, many are inconsistently
reported or omitted due to capacity limitations or intermittent
operation, resulting in significant data gaps. The absence of thorough
data on these generators creates a substantial void in our
understanding of the total U.S. grid capacity and overall resilience.
This deficiency could impede effective emergency response and
potentially lead to widespread power outages, economic disruptions, and
loss of life.
The reliable operation of the U.S. electrical grid is critically
dependent on detailed information regarding its components, including
backup generation facilities. EIA has observed unprecedented increases
in electricity demand, with forecasts indicating sustained growth in
2026 and 2027, marking the strongest four-year growth period since the
turn of the century. This escalating demand, coupled with existing
capacity challenges, places significant strain on the national electric
grid, posing risks to national and economic security.
These concerns are underscored by three Executive Orders issued by
President Donald J. Trump: Executive Order 14156, ``Declaring a
National Energy Emergency'' (January 20, 2025), which cites
``precariously inadequate and intermittent energy supply, and an
increasingly unreliable grid''; Executive Order 14262, ``Strengthening
the Reliability and Security of the United States Electric Grid''
(April 8, 2025), which highlights the strain on the grid from increased
demand and the risk of unreliability; and Executive Order 14365,
``Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence''
(December 11, 2025), which notes an ``unprecedented surge in
electricity demand driven by rapid technological advancements,
including the expansion of artificial intelligence data centers and
increase in domestic manufacturing.''
Further emphasizing the urgency are the 36 emergency orders issued
by DOE
[[Page 11070]]
under section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act (FPA) since January 2025,
a stark increase compared to one such order in each of 2023 and 2024.
These orders, affecting regions nationwide, inherently signify official
declarations of an ``emergency'' within the electric power system.
Due to the unanticipated nature of these circumstances and the
urgent need to improve the sampling frame of the EIA-860 survey, EIA
was unable to allow for the time periods normally required for
clearance under the PRA before collecting this information. The
approval granted by OMB is through August 31, 2026. This approval
allows EIA to conduct the EIA-860S 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: 56;
(6) Annual Estimated Number of Total Responses: 56;
(7) Annual Estimated Number of Burden Hours: 280;
(8) Annual Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Cost Burden: The
cost of the burden hours is estimated to be $26,583 (280 burden hours
times $94.94 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.
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 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.
Statutory Authority: 15 U.S.C. 772(b) and 42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.
Signed in Washington, DC, on March 3, 2026.
Debra Coaxum,
Assistant Administrator for Energy Statistics, U.S. Energy Information
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2026-04458 Filed 3-5-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
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