Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request, 28354-28355 [05-9787]

Download as PDF 28354 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 94 / Tuesday, May 17, 2005 / Notices begun its own independent study of this matter to assist in understanding the position of each of the states. Benefit-Cost Study In 2002, OPS tasked the Volpe Center to update a previous benefit-cost study for the mandatory installation of EFVs in new and renewed residential gas service lines. In December 2002, Volpe completed a draft benefit-cost analysis. PHMSA/OPS then published the study in the Federal Register to obtain public comments on the analysis and the underlying data and assumptions. Thirty-nine comments were received from the gas pipeline industry, one state, the fire prevention community, and the public. Many of these comments addressed data errors. In September 2003, Volpe published a final benefit-cost study that corrected errors in the calculations, including an assumed EFV activation rate that was overstated by a factor of 10. The final estimated benefit-cost ratio for mandatory installation of EFVs remained low, between 0.29 and 0.88, depending on assumptions. This means that implementation of the NTSB recommendation for residential gas service lines would expensive relative to the expected benefits. Distribution Integrity Management At present, PHMSA/OPS is considering whether requirements should be imposed to help better assure the integrity of gas distribution pipeline systems and, if so, how those requirements should be structured. PHMSA/OPS is working with a work/ study group consisting of representatives of state pipeline safety regulators, the gas distribution industry, the Gas Pipeline Technology Committee, the Fire Marshal’s Association, and the public. Members of this group are expected to meet periodically, throughout 2005, to evaluate various topics about the decision regarding the need for and nature of potential distribution integrity management requirements. This work/ study group is considering the use of EFVs, in the context of an overall integrity management program, as one of a range of actions that could help to mitigate the consequences of distribution pipeline system incidents. The work/study group notes that there is limited data available on actual experience with EFVs either regarding whether they have been effective in mitigating accidents, or whether they have experienced high rates of spurious actuation that interrupts gas flow to customers. The group is conducting surveys and reviewing available data to VerDate jul<14>2003 15:22 May 16, 2005 Jkt 205001 try to better understand the issues related to potential EF requirements. Current Actions PHMSA/OPS also is conducting evaluations of EFV use. The following actions have been completed or are currently underway. (1) PHMSA/OPS completed a study of five years of incident data and concluded that at most, 100 of 634 reportable incidents met criteria for activation of an EFV. This study will be discussed during the public meeting. (2) PHMSA/OPS commissioned a new study with Oak Ridge National Laboratory to validate EFV performance since the 1998 rulemaking. This study team of research and academic professionals will review measurable data that PHMSA/OPS will collect from individual operators on the operational history of EFVs. PHMSA/OPS has not collected this type of information since the performance standards were set by the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM). (3) PHMSA/OPS is commissioning further statistical analysis to evaluate operational success rate, false positives, trigger rate, and reduction in damages. (4) PHMSA/OPS collected additional data from state pipeline regulators on EFV installations and activations, including incidents that didn’t reach the reporting threshold. This data revealed that a larger than expected number of operators are voluntarily installing EFVs. (5) PHMSA/OPS is cooperating with NARUC on its study of the use of EFVs. (6) PHMSA/OPS is working with NASFM to review incident data collected by the fire service and to discuss opportunities to enhance overall distribution pipeline safety, including the use of the EFVs. (7) PHMSA/OPS established a State/ Federal Distribution Integrity Management work group to consider development of EFV requirements as a mitigation measure under a Distribution Integrity Management Program. Need for Public Input As described above, much work is ongoing and stakeholders have taken various positions regarding the need to require use of EFVs. The benefit-cost analysis does not appear to support a requirement mandating installation of EFVs. This meeting will update the public on the continuing EFV activities and provide interested stakeholders an opportunity to present their positions for and against a requirement to use EFVs. Therefore, PHMSA/OPS encourages interested members of the PO 00000 Frm 00086 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 public to attend the meeting and to share their views on EFVs. These views will be considered in making decisions regarding the mandatory use of EFVs. Issued in Washington, DC, on May 12, 2005. Florence L. Hamn, Director, Office of Regulations, Office of Pipeline Safety. [FR Doc. 05–9914 Filed 5–16–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–60–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request Surface Transportation Board, Transportation. ACTION: 60-day notice and request for comments. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Surface Transportation Board (Board), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. (PRA), gives notice that the Board proposes to request reinstatement without change of a previously approved information collection that has expired. Comments are requested concerning (1) Whether the particular collection of information described below is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Board, including whether the collection has practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the Board’s burden estimates; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology, when appropriate. Submitted comments will be summarized and included in the Board’s request for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval. In this notice the Board is requesting comments on the following information collection: Title: Application to Open an Account for Billing Purposes. OMB Control Number: 2104–0006. Form Number: STB Form 1032. Number of Respondents: 20. Affected Public: Mail carriers, shippers, and others doing business before the agency. Estimated Time Per Response: Less than .08 hours. This estimate is based on actual past survey information. E:\FR\FM\17MYN1.SGM 17MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 94 / Tuesday, May 17, 2005 / Notices Frequency of Response: The form will only have to be completed once by each account holder. Total Annual Burden Hours: Less than 1.6 hours. Total Annual ‘‘Non-Hour Burden’’ Cost: No ‘‘non-hour cost’’ burdens associated with this collection have been identified. Needs and Uses: The Board is, by statute, responsible for the economic regulation of surface transportation carriers operating in interstate commerce. This form is for use by applicants who wish to open an account with the Board to charge fees for records search, review, copying, certification of records, filing fees, and related services rendered. The account holder would be billed on a monthly basis for payment of accumulated fees. Data provided will also be used for debt collection activities. The form requests information as required by OMB and U.S. Department of Treasury regulations for the collection of fees. This information is not duplicated by any other agency. In accordance with the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. 552a, all taxpayer identification and social security numbers will be secured and used only for credit management and debt collection activities. DATES: Written comments are due on July 18, 2005. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be identified as ‘‘Paperwork Reduction Act Comments, Application to Open an Account for Billing Purposes, OMB Number 2140–0006’’ and be directed to: Surface Transportation Board, 1925 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20423– 0001. Comments may also be filed on the Board’s Web site at https:// www.stb.dot.gov by clicking on EFILING, and then ‘‘Other Submissions.’’ FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information regarding the information collection, or for copies of the information collection form, contact Anthony Jacobik, Jr., (202) 565–1713. [Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) for the hearing impaired: (800) 877–8339.] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA, a Federal agency conducting or sponsoring a collection of information must display a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. Collection of information is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c) and includes agency requirements that persons submit reports, keep records, or provide information to the agency, third parties, or the public. Under section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, Federal agencies are required to provide a 60- VerDate jul<14>2003 15:22 May 16, 2005 Jkt 205001 day notice and comment period through publication in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, before submitting the collection to OMB for approval. Dated: May 11, 2005. Vernon A. Williams, Secretary. [FR Doc. 05–9787 Filed 5–16–05; 8:45 am] 28355 Docket No. 34696, must be filed with the Surface Transportation Board, 1925 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20423– 0001. In addition, a copy of each pleading must be served on Robert T. Opal, General Commerce Counsel, 1400 Douglas Street, STOP 1580, Omaha, NE 68179. Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at ‘‘https:// www.stb.dot.gov.’’ Surface Transportation Board Decided: May 9, 2005. By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of Proceedings. Vernon A. Williams, Secretary. [FR Doc. 05–9682 Filed 5–16–05; 8:45 am] [STB Finance Docket No. 34696] BILLING CODE 4915–01–P Union Pacific Railroad Company— Temporary Trackage Rights Exemption—BNSF Railway Company DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION BILLING CODE 4915–01–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION BNSF Railway Company (BNSF), pursuant to a written trackage rights agreement entered into between BNSF and Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP), has agreed to grant temporary overhead trackage rights to UP over BNSF’s line of railroad between BNSF milepost 141.7, near Rockview, MO, and BNSF milepost 479.4, near Hulbert, AR (via Marion, AR), a distance of approximately 158.4 miles.1 The transaction was scheduled to be consummated on May 8, 2005, and the temporary trackage rights will expire on or about July 23, 2005. The purpose of the temporary trackage rights is to facilitate maintenance work on UP lines. As a condition to this exemption, any employees affected by the acquisition of the temporary trackage rights will be protected by the conditions imposed in Norfolk and Western Ry. Co.—Trackage Rights—BN, 354 I.C.C. 605 (1978), as modified in Mendocino Coast Ry., Inc.— Lease and Operate, 360 I.C.C. 653 (1980), and any employee affected by the discontinuance of those trackage rights will be protected by the conditions set out in Oregon Short Line R. Co.—Abandonment—Goshen, 360 I.C.C. 91 (1979). This notice is filed under 49 CFR 1180.2(d)(8). If it contains false or misleading information, the exemption is void ab initio. Petitions to revoke the exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502(d) may be filed at any time. The filing of a petition to revoke will not automatically stay the transaction. An original and 10 copies of all pleadings, referring to STB Finance 1 The trackage rights involve BNSF segments with non-contiguous mileposts. Therefore, total mileage does not correspond to the milepost designations of the endpoints. PO 00000 Frm 00087 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Surface Transportation Board [STB Finance Docket No. 34697] Union Pacific Railroad Company— Temporary Trackage Rights Exemption—BNSF Railway Company BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) has agreed to grant temporary overhead trackage rights to the Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP) over BNSF’s rail line between BNSF milepost 2.1, near St. Louis, MO (Grand Ave.), and BNSF milepost 34.1, near Pacific, MO, a distance of approximately 32.0 miles. The transaction was scheduled to be consummated on May 8, 2005, and the temporary trackage rights will expire on or about July 14, 2005. The purpose of the temporary trackage rights is to facilitate maintenance work on UP lines. As a condition to this exemption, any employee affected by the acquisition of the temporary trackage rights will be protected by the conditions imposed in Norfolk and Western Ry. Co.—Trackage Rights—BN, 354 I.C.C. 605 (1978), as modified in Mendocino Coast Ry., Inc.— Lease and Operate, 360 I.C.C. 653 (1980), and any employee affected by the discontinuance of those trackage rights will be protected by the conditions set out in Oregon Short Line R. Co.—Abandonment—Goshen, 360 I.C.C. 91 (1979). This notice is filed under 49 CFR 1180.2(d)(8). If it contains false or misleading information, the exemption is void ab initio. Petitions to revoke the exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502(d) may be filed at any time. The filing of a petition to revoke will not automatically stay the transaction. An original and 10 copies of all pleadings, referring to STB Finance Docket No. 34697, must be filed with E:\FR\FM\17MYN1.SGM 17MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 94 (Tuesday, May 17, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28354-28355]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-9787]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board


Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment 
Request

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board, Transportation.

ACTION: 60-day notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Surface Transportation Board (Board), as part of its 
continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. (PRA), gives 
notice that the Board proposes to request reinstatement without change 
of a previously approved information collection that has expired. 
Comments are requested concerning (1) Whether the particular collection 
of information described below is necessary for the proper performance 
of the functions of the Board, including whether the collection has 
practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the Board's burden estimates; 
(3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on the respondents, including the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology, when appropriate. Submitted comments will be summarized and 
included in the Board's request for Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) approval. In this notice the Board is requesting comments on the 
following information collection:
    Title: Application to Open an Account for Billing Purposes.
    OMB Control Number: 2104-0006.
    Form Number: STB Form 1032.
    Number of Respondents: 20.
    Affected Public: Mail carriers, shippers, and others doing business 
before the agency.
    Estimated Time Per Response: Less than .08 hours. This estimate is 
based on actual past survey information.

[[Page 28355]]

    Frequency of Response: The form will only have to be completed once 
by each account holder.
    Total Annual Burden Hours: Less than 1.6 hours.
    Total Annual ``Non-Hour Burden'' Cost: No ``non-hour cost'' burdens 
associated with this collection have been identified.
    Needs and Uses: The Board is, by statute, responsible for the 
economic regulation of surface transportation carriers operating in 
interstate commerce. This form is for use by applicants who wish to 
open an account with the Board to charge fees for records search, 
review, copying, certification of records, filing fees, and related 
services rendered. The account holder would be billed on a monthly 
basis for payment of accumulated fees. Data provided will also be used 
for debt collection activities. The form requests information as 
required by OMB and U.S. Department of Treasury regulations for the 
collection of fees. This information is not duplicated by any other 
agency. In accordance with the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. 552a, all taxpayer 
identification and social security numbers will be secured and used 
only for credit management and debt collection activities.

DATES: Written comments are due on July 18, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be identified as ``Paperwork 
Reduction Act Comments, Application to Open an Account for Billing 
Purposes, OMB Number 2140-0006'' and be directed to: Surface 
Transportation Board, 1925 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20423-0001. 
Comments may also be filed on the Board's Web site at https://
www.stb.dot.gov by clicking on E-FILING, and then ``Other 
Submissions.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information regarding the 
information collection, or for copies of the information collection 
form, contact Anthony Jacobik, Jr., (202) 565-1713. [Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) for the hearing impaired: (800) 877-
8339.]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA, a Federal agency conducting 
or sponsoring a collection of information must display a currently 
valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. Collection 
of information is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c) and 
includes agency requirements that persons submit reports, keep records, 
or provide information to the agency, third parties, or the public. 
Under section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, Federal agencies are required 
to provide a 60-day notice and comment period through publication in 
the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of 
information, including each proposed extension of an existing 
collection of information, before submitting the collection to OMB for 
approval.

    Dated: May 11, 2005.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 05-9787 Filed 5-16-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P

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