U.S. Energy Information Administration; Proposed Agency Information Collection, 15092-15093 [2012-6154]
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 50 / Wednesday, March 14, 2012 / Notices
should the Board’s tasks require such
representation.
EMAB meets the criteria for, and is
subject to the Federal Advisory
Committee Act (FACA). Members are
selected in accordance with FACA
requirements and serve on an
uncompensated, volunteer basis.
Members, however, may be reimbursed
in accordance with the Federal Travel
Regulations for authorized per diem and
travel expenses incurred while
attending Board meetings.
The Department of Energy’s (DOE)
Office of Environmental Management is
accepting nominations through April
20, 2012, to fill vacancies on its
Environmental Management Advisory
Board (EMAB or Board). Applicants
with expertise in project management,
acquisition management, human capital
management, environmental
management and engineering, or other
related fields are preferred. This
expertise may be drawn from service in
the private sector, academia, research
institutions, professional organizations,
or local and state governments. The
Board requires a balanced membership
so that a diversity of perspectives is
represented on the issues that come
before it. This membership balance is
not static, however, and may change
depending on the work of the
committee.
Any interested person or organization
may nominate qualified individuals for
membership. Self-nominations are also
welcome. Nominations must include a
resume and short biography describing
the educational and professional
qualifications of the nominee and the
nominee’s current occupation, position,
address and daytime telephone number.
Nominations are open to all individuals
without regard to race, color, religion,
sex, national origin, age, mental or
physical handicap, marital status, or
sexual orientation. Please note,
however, that Federally-registered
lobbyists and individuals already
serving on another Federal advisory
committee are ineligible for nomination.
All nominees will be vetted before
selection.
Nominations can be sent by U.S. Mail
or electronically to Ms. Kristen Ellis,
Designated Federal Officer, at the
address above. For further information
on EMAB, please visit the Web site:
www.em.doe.gov/emab or contact Ms.
Ellis directly.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:29 Mar 13, 2012
Jkt 226001
Issued at Washington, DC, on March 7,
2012.
LaTanya R. Butler,
Acting Deputy Committee Management
Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012–6141 Filed 3–13–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
U.S. Energy Information
Administration; Proposed Agency
Information Collection
U.S. Energy Information
Administration (EIA), Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Agency Information Collection
Activities: Proposed Collection; Notice
and Request for Comments.
AGENCY:
The EIA invites public
comment on the proposed collection of
information, EIA–882T, ‘‘Generic
Clearance for Questionnaire Testing,
Evaluation, and Research’’ that EIA is
developing for submission to the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB)
pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995. 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 shall 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 respondents, including through the
use of automated collection techniques
or other forms of information
technology.
SUMMARY:
Comments regarding this
proposed information collection must
be received on or before May 14, 2012.
If you anticipate difficulty in submitting
comments within that period, contact
the person listed in ADDRESSES as soon
as possible.
ADDRESSES: Written comments may be
sent to Richard Reeves, Energy
Information Administration, 1000
Independence Ave. SW., Washington,
DC 20585 or by fax at 202–586–5271 or
by email at richard.reeves@eia.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection
instrument and instructions should be
directed to Richard Reeves, Energy
Information Administration, 1000
Independence Ave. SW., Washington
DATES:
PO 00000
Frm 00071
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
DC 20585, phone: 202–586–5856, email:
richard.reeves@eia.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
information collection request contains:
(1) OMB No.: New;
(2) Information Collection Request
Title: Generic Clearance for
Questionnaire Testing, Evaluation, and
Research;
(3) Type of Request: Proposed;
(4) Purpose: The U.S. Energy
Information Administration (EIA) is
planning to request a three-year
approval from the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) to utilize qualitative
and quantitative methodologies to
pretest questionnaires and validate the
quality of the data that is collected on
EIA forms. This authority would allow
EIA to conduct pretest surveys, pilot
surveys, respondent debriefings,
cognitive interviews, usability
interviews, and focus groups. Through
the use of these methodologies, EIA will
improve the quality of data being
collected, reduce or minimize
respondent burden, increase agency
efficiency, and improve responsiveness
to the public. This authority would also
allow EIA to improve data collection in
order to meet the needs of EIA’s
customers while also staying current in
the evolving nature of the energy
industries.
The specific methods proposed for the
coverage by this clearance are described
below. Also outlined is the legal
authority for these voluntary
information gathering activities.
The methods proposed are the
following:
Field Testing. Field testing surveys
conducted under this clearance will
generally be methodological studies of
500 cases or less. The samples may not
be statistically representative because it
will be designed to clarify particular
issues rather than to be representative of
the universe. Collection may be on the
basis of convenience, e.g., limited to
specific geographic locations, but the
selection of sample cases will not be
completely arbitrary in any instance.
The sample designs will be determined
at the time of development and will
vary based on the content of the
information collection or survey being
tested.
Pilot Surveys. Pilot surveys conducted
under this clearance will generally be
methodological studies of 500 cases or
less, but will always employ statistically
representative samples. The pilot
surveys will replicate all components of
the methodological design, sampling
procedures (where possible) and
questionnaires of the full scale survey.
Pilots will normally be utilized when
E:\FR\FM\14MRN1.SGM
14MRN1
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 50 / Wednesday, March 14, 2012 / Notices
EIA undertakes a complete redesign of
a particular data collection methodology
or when EIA undertakes data collection
in new areas, such as greenhouse gases
or alternative fueled motor vehicle
transportation system studies.
Respondent Debriefings. Respondent
debriefings conducted under this
clearance will generally be
methodological studies of 500 cases or
less, involving either purposive or
statistically representative samples. The
debriefing form is administered after a
respondent completes a questionnaire
either in paper form, electronically, or
through in-person interviews. The
debriefings contain questions that probe
to determine how respondents interpret
the questions and whether they have
problems in completing the survey/
questionnaire. Respondent debriefings
also are useful in determining potential
issues with data quality and in
determining a more accurate respondent
burden measure. This structured
approach to debriefing enables both
quantitative and qualitative analyses of
data when administered to a statistically
representative sample and allows EIA to
improve its understanding of variance
for the items in the questionnaire.
Cognitive Interviews. Cognitive
interviews are typically one-on-one
interviews in which the respondent is
usually asked to ‘‘think aloud’’ or is
asked ‘‘retrospective questions’’ as he or
she answers survey questions, reads
survey materials, or completes other
activities as part of a survey process. A
number of different techniques may be
involved, including asking respondents
to paraphrase questions, asking
respondents probing questions to
determine how they come up with their
answers, and so on. The objective is to
identify problems of ambiguity or
misunderstanding, or other difficulties
respondents have answering questions,
and reduce measurement error in a
survey.
Usability Interviews. Usability
interviews are similar to cognitive
interviews in which a respondent is
typically asked to ‘‘think aloud’’ or
asked ‘‘retrospective questions’’ as he or
she reviews an electronic questionnaire,
Web site and/or associated materials.
The object of a usability interview is to
make sure that electronic
questionnaires, Web sites and other
associated materials are user-friendly,
allowing respondents to easily and
intuitively navigate the electronic item
and find the information that they seek.
Focus Groups. Focus groups involve
group sessions guided by a moderator
who follows a topic guide containing
questions or topics focused on a
particular issue, rather than adhering to
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:29 Mar 13, 2012
Jkt 226001
a standardized questionnaire. Focus
groups are useful for identifying and
exploring issues with populations of
interest, e.g., from a specific group of
stakeholders.
(5) Annual Estimated Number of
Respondents: 1,000;
(6) Annual Estimated Number of
Total Responses: 1,000;
(7) Annual Estimated Number of
Burden Hours: 1,000;
(8) Annual Estimated Reporting and
Recordkeeping Cost Burden: There are
no costs associated with these survey
methods other than the burden hours.
Statutory Authority: Section 13(b) of the
Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974,
Pub. L. 93–275, codified at 15 U.S.C. 772(b).
Issued in Washington, DC, on March 6,
2012.
Stephanie Brown,
Director, Office of Survey Development and
Statistical Integration, U. S. Energy
Information Administration.
[FR Doc. 2012–6154 Filed 3–13–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Project No. 2351–017]
Public Service Company of Colorado;
Notice of Application Tendered for
Filing With the Commission and
Establishing Procedural Schedule for
Licensing and Deadline for Submission
of Final Amendments
Take notice that the following
hydroelectric application has been filed
with the Commission and is available
for public inspection.
a. Type of Application: New Major
License.
b. Project No.: 2351–017.
c. Date Filed: February 27, 2012.
d. Applicant: Excel Energy Services,
Inc. on behalf of Public Service
Company of Colorado.
e. Name of Project: Cabin Creek
Pumped Storage Project.
f. Location: The existing project is
located on the South Clear Creek and its
tributary Cabin Creek in Clear Creek
County, Colorado. The project, as
currently licensed, is located on 267
acres of U.S. Forest Service lands within
the Arapahoe National Forest.
g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power
Act, 16 USC 791 (a)-825(r).
h. Applicant Contact: Christine E.
Johnston, Xcel Energy, 4653 Table
Mountain Drive, Golden, CO 80403;
(720) 497–2156.
i. FERC Contact: David Turner, (202)
502–6091.
PO 00000
Frm 00072
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
15093
j. This application is not ready for
environmental analysis at this time.
k. The Project Description: The
existing project includes the following
facilities: (1) A 210-foot-high, 1,458foot-long concrete-faced rockfill Upper
Dam across Cabin Creek; (2) a 25.4 acre
upper reservoir with 1,087 acre-feet of
usable storage between the maximum
operating elevation of 11,196 feet mean
sea level (msl) and the minimum
operating elevation of 11,140 feet msl;
(3) a 95-foot-high, 1,195-foot-long
earthfill and rockfill Lower Dam across
South Clear Creek; (4) a 44.8-acre lower
reservoir with 1,221 acre-feet of usable
storage between the maximum operating
elevation of 10,002 feet msl and 9,975
feet msl; (5) a 145-foot-long auxiliary
spillway constructed in the
embankment of the lower reservoir with
a crest elevation of 10,013 feet; (6) an
intake structure located near the bottom
of the upper reservoir; (7) a 12 to 15foot-diameter, 4,143-foot-long power
tunnel; (8) two 75-foot-long, 8.5-footdiameter penstocks directing flow from
the power tunnel to the powerhouse
turbines; (9) a powerhouse installed at
the lower reservoir containing two
reversible turbine-generator units rated
at 150 megawatts (nameplate capacity)
each; (10) a switchyard located next to
the powerhouse; (11) three miles of
gravel access roads; and (12)
appurtenant facilities.
Cabin Creek is a pumped storage
project. The normal daily operation
cycle involves pumping water from the
lower reservoir to the upper reservoir
during off-peak periods of energy
demand and generating electricity with
water released from the upper reservoir
during the high energy demand part of
the day. Under the current license, the
applicant is required to provide a
continuous release from the lower
reservoir of three cubic feet per second
or inflow, whichever is less, to South
Clear Creek.
The applicant proposes the following
changes to the project: (1) Upgrade the
pump-generation equipment; (2) raise
the usable storage capacity of the upper
reservoir 75 acre-feet by raising the
height of the dam 4.5 feet; and (3)
increase the project boundary by 59
acres.
l. Locations of the Application: A
copy of the application is available for
review at the Commission in the Public
Reference Room or may be viewed on
the Commission’s Web site at https://
www.ferc.gov using the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link.
Enter the docket number excluding the
last three digits in the docket number
field to access the document. For
assistance, contact FERC Online
Support at
E:\FR\FM\14MRN1.SGM
14MRN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 14, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15092-15093]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-6154]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
U.S. Energy Information Administration; Proposed Agency
Information Collection
AGENCY: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;
Notice and Request for Comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The EIA invites public comment on the proposed collection of
information, EIA-882T, ``Generic Clearance for Questionnaire Testing,
Evaluation, and Research'' that EIA is developing for submission to the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) pursuant to the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995. 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 shall 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 respondents, including through the use of
automated collection techniques or other forms of information
technology.
DATES: Comments regarding this proposed information collection must be
received on or before May 14, 2012. If you anticipate difficulty in
submitting comments within that period, contact the person listed in
ADDRESSES as soon as possible.
ADDRESSES: Written comments may be sent to Richard Reeves, Energy
Information Administration, 1000 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC
20585 or by fax at 202-586-5271 or by email at richard.reeves@eia.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should
be directed to Richard Reeves, Energy Information Administration, 1000
Independence Ave. SW., Washington DC 20585, phone: 202-586-5856, email:
richard.reeves@eia.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This information collection request
contains:
(1) OMB No.: New;
(2) Information Collection Request Title: Generic Clearance for
Questionnaire Testing, Evaluation, and Research;
(3) Type of Request: Proposed;
(4) Purpose: The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) is
planning to request a three-year approval from the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) to utilize qualitative and quantitative methodologies
to pretest questionnaires and validate the quality of the data that is
collected on EIA forms. This authority would allow EIA to conduct
pretest surveys, pilot surveys, respondent debriefings, cognitive
interviews, usability interviews, and focus groups. Through the use of
these methodologies, EIA will improve the quality of data being
collected, reduce or minimize respondent burden, increase agency
efficiency, and improve responsiveness to the public. This authority
would also allow EIA to improve data collection in order to meet the
needs of EIA's customers while also staying current in the evolving
nature of the energy industries.
The specific methods proposed for the coverage by this clearance
are described below. Also outlined is the legal authority for these
voluntary information gathering activities.
The methods proposed are the following:
Field Testing. Field testing surveys conducted under this clearance
will generally be methodological studies of 500 cases or less. The
samples may not be statistically representative because it will be
designed to clarify particular issues rather than to be representative
of the universe. Collection may be on the basis of convenience, e.g.,
limited to specific geographic locations, but the selection of sample
cases will not be completely arbitrary in any instance. The sample
designs will be determined at the time of development and will vary
based on the content of the information collection or survey being
tested.
Pilot Surveys. Pilot surveys conducted under this clearance will
generally be methodological studies of 500 cases or less, but will
always employ statistically representative samples. The pilot surveys
will replicate all components of the methodological design, sampling
procedures (where possible) and questionnaires of the full scale
survey. Pilots will normally be utilized when
[[Page 15093]]
EIA undertakes a complete redesign of a particular data collection
methodology or when EIA undertakes data collection in new areas, such
as greenhouse gases or alternative fueled motor vehicle transportation
system studies.
Respondent Debriefings. Respondent debriefings conducted under this
clearance will generally be methodological studies of 500 cases or
less, involving either purposive or statistically representative
samples. The debriefing form is administered after a respondent
completes a questionnaire either in paper form, electronically, or
through in-person interviews. The debriefings contain questions that
probe to determine how respondents interpret the questions and whether
they have problems in completing the survey/questionnaire. Respondent
debriefings also are useful in determining potential issues with data
quality and in determining a more accurate respondent burden measure.
This structured approach to debriefing enables both quantitative and
qualitative analyses of data when administered to a statistically
representative sample and allows EIA to improve its understanding of
variance for the items in the questionnaire.
Cognitive Interviews. Cognitive interviews are typically one-on-one
interviews in which the respondent is usually asked to ``think aloud''
or is asked ``retrospective questions'' as he or she answers survey
questions, reads survey materials, or completes other activities as
part of a survey process. A number of different techniques may be
involved, including asking respondents to paraphrase questions, asking
respondents probing questions to determine how they come up with their
answers, and so on. The objective is to identify problems of ambiguity
or misunderstanding, or other difficulties respondents have answering
questions, and reduce measurement error in a survey.
Usability Interviews. Usability interviews are similar to cognitive
interviews in which a respondent is typically asked to ``think aloud''
or asked ``retrospective questions'' as he or she reviews an electronic
questionnaire, Web site and/or associated materials. The object of a
usability interview is to make sure that electronic questionnaires, Web
sites and other associated materials are user-friendly, allowing
respondents to easily and intuitively navigate the electronic item and
find the information that they seek.
Focus Groups. Focus groups involve group sessions guided by a
moderator who follows a topic guide containing questions or topics
focused on a particular issue, rather than adhering to a standardized
questionnaire. Focus groups are useful for identifying and exploring
issues with populations of interest, e.g., from a specific group of
stakeholders.
(5) Annual Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,000;
(6) Annual Estimated Number of Total Responses: 1,000;
(7) Annual Estimated Number of Burden Hours: 1,000;
(8) Annual Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Cost Burden: There
are no costs associated with these survey methods other than the burden
hours.
Statutory Authority: Section 13(b) of the Federal Energy
Administration Act of 1974, Pub. L. 93-275, codified at 15 U.S.C.
772(b).
Issued in Washington, DC, on March 6, 2012.
Stephanie Brown,
Director, Office of Survey Development and Statistical Integration, U.
S. Energy Information Administration.
[FR Doc. 2012-6154 Filed 3-13-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
