Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Conduct an Information Collection, 48051 [E9-22593]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• National Agricultural Statistics Service

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 181 (Monday, September 21, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 48051]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-22593]


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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 181 / Monday, September 21, 2009 / 
Notices

[[Page 48051]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Conduct an Information 
Collection

AGENCY: National Agricultural Statistics 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 intention of the National Agricultural Statistics 
Service (NASS) to seek approval to conduct a new information 
collection, the 2009 On-Farm Renewable Energy Production Survey.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by November 20, 2009 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number 0535--
NEW, 2009 On-Farm Renewable Energy Production Survey by any of the 
following methods:
     E-mail: ombofficer@nass.usda.gov. Include docket number 
and title above in the subject line of the message.
     Fax: (202) 720-6396
     Mail: Mail any paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions to: 
David Hancock, NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Room 5336A, Mail Stop 2024, South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, 
SW., Washington, DC 20250-2024.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Hand deliver to: David Hancock, 
NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336, 
South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-
2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph T. Reilly, Associate 
Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, (202) 720-4333.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: 2009 On-Farm Renewable Energy 
Production Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 0535--NEW.
    Type of Request: Intent to Seek Approval to Conduct a new 
Information Collection as mandated by the Food, Conservation, and 
Energy Act of 2008.
    Abstract: The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) of 
the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will request 
approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the 2009 
On-Farm Renewable Energy Production Survey to be conducted as a follow-
on survey from the 2007 Census of Agriculture and is authorized by the 
Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Title IX--Energy).
    The 2009 On-Farm Renewable Energy Production Survey will use as a 
sampling universe every respondent on the 2007 Census of Agriculture 
who reported energy generation on the farm using wind or solar 
technology, methane digester, etc. This energy survey will provide a 
comprehensive inventory of farm generated energy practices with 
detailed data relating to category or type of energy produced (wind, 
solar, and manure/methane digester), how much energy was generated, if 
any energy was sold onto a power grid, and the average payment received 
per kilowatt hour or total amount of utility savings from reduced 
demand. Data collection will be in the second half of 2010 for the 
reference period of 2009, with a final report published in Feb. of 
2011. Data will be published at both the U.S. and State level where 
possible.
    The primary objectives of the National Agricultural Statistics 
Service are to prepare and issue State and national estimates of crop 
production, livestock production, economic statistics, and 
environmental statistics related to agriculture and to conduct the 
Census of Agriculture and its follow-on surveys. This request is in 
response to a mandate from the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 
2008.
    Authority: These data will be collected under the authority of 7 
U.S.C. 2204(a). Individually identifiable data collected under this 
authority are governed by Section 1770 of the Food Security Act of 1985 
as amended, 7 U.S.C. 2276, which requires USDA to afford strict 
confidentiality to non-aggregated data provided by respondents. This 
Notice is submitted in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (Pub. L. 104-13) and Office of Management and Budget regulations 
at 5 CFR part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995). NASS also complies 
with OMB Implementation Guidance, ``Implementation Guidance for Title V 
of the E-Government Act, Confidential Information Protection and 
Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002 (CIPSEA),'' Federal Register, Vol. 
72, No. 115, June 15, 2007, p. 33376.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 20 minutes per completed response.
    Respondents: Farmers, ranchers, and farm managers self identified 
as producers of energy, through the 2007 Census of Agriculture.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 16,500.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 5,500 hours.
    Copies of this information collection and related instructions can 
be obtained without charge from the NASS OMB Clearance Officer, at 
(202) 720-2248.
    Comments: 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, through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, technological or other forms of information 
technology collection methods.
    All responses to this notice will become a matter of public record 
and be summarized in the request for OMB approval.

    Signed at Washington, DC, September 14, 2009.
Joseph T. Reilly,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. E9-22593 Filed 9-18-09; 8:45 am]
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