Information Collection Activity; Comment Request, 69366-69367 [2013-27702]

Download as PDF 69366 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 223 / Tuesday, November 19, 2013 / Notices meeting must be received by Greg Johnson, Designated Federal Official, USDA, NRCS, 1201 Lloyd Boulevard, Suite 1000, Portland Oregon 97232 no later than November 26, 2013. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at USDA Log Lodge, 302 Log Lodge Road, Beltsville, Maryland 20705. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions and comments should be directed to Dr. Greg Johnson, Designated Federal Official, USDA, NRCS, 1201 Lloyd Boulevard, Suite 1000, Portland, Oregon 97232; telephone: (503) 273– 2424; fax: (503) 273–2401; or email: greg.johnson@por.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice of this meeting is given under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2. Additional information concerning AAQTF, including any revised agendas for the December 4–5, 2013, meeting that occurs after this Federal Register Notice is published, may be found at: www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/ detail/national/air/taskforce. Draft Agenda Meeting of the AAQTF December 4–5, 2013 A. Welcome remarks and introductions B. Review of AAQTF history and purpose C. USDA Climate Change Program Office update D. Update on agricultural air quality regulatory issues at EPA E. AAQTF strategies and goals for 2013– 2015 F. AAQTF subcommittee formation and meetings G. Updates from USDA agencies (FS, NRCS, NIFA, and ARS) H. Selected agricultural air quality research presentations I. Public Input (time will be reserved, most likely on the second day, to receive public comments. Individual presentations will be limited to 5 minutes). The timing of events in the agenda is subject to change to accommodate changing schedules of expected speakers or extended discussions. TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Procedural This meeting is open to the public. At the discretion of the Chair, members of the public may provide oral presentations during the meeting. Those persons wishing to make oral presentations should notify Greg Johnson no later than November 22, 2013. Those wishing to distribute written materials at the meeting (in conjunction with spoken comments) must bring 35 copies of the materials VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:21 Nov 18, 2013 Jkt 232001 with them. Written materials for distribution to AAQTF members prior to the meeting must be received by Dr. Johnson no later than November 26, 2013. Information on Services for Individuals With Disabilities For information on facilities or services for individuals with disabilities or to request special assistance at the meeting, please contact Greg Johnson). USDA prohibits discrimination in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, or disability. Additionally, discrimination on the basis of political beliefs and marital or family status is also prohibited by statutes enforced by USDA. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternate means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audio tape, etc.) should contact the USDA’s Target Center at (202) 720–2000 (voice and TDD). Signed this 8th day of November 2013, in Washington, DC. Jason A. Weller, Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service. [FR Doc. 2013–27567 Filed 11–18–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–16–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service Information Collection Activity; Comment Request Rural Utilities Service, USDA. Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: ACTION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended), the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) invites comments on this information collection for which RUS intends to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by January 21, 2014. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michele L. Brooks, Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., STOP 1522, Room 5162-South Building, Washington, DC 20250–1522. Telephone: (202) 690–1078, FAX: (202) 720–8435 or email: michele.brooks@ wdc.usda.gov. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) regulation (5 CFR part 1320) implementing provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13) requires that interested members of the public and affected agencies have an opportunity to comment on information collection and recordkeeping activities (see 5 CFR 1320.8(d)). This notice identifies an information collection that RUS is submitting to OMB for extension. 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, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to: Michele L. Brooks, Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 1522, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250–1522. Telephone: (202) 690– 1078, FAX: (202) 720–8435 or email michele.brooks@wdc.usda.gov. Title: Assistance to High Energy Cost Rural Communities. OMB Control Number: 0572–0136. Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection. Abstract: The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (RE Act) (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.) was amended in November 2000 to create a new program to help rural communities with extremely high energy costs (Pub. L. 106–472). Under the new section 19 of the RE Act (7 U.S.C. 918a), the Secretary of Agriculture through RUS, is authorized to provide financial assistance through the following three funding streams: • High Energy Cost Grants and Loans. RUS may provide grants and loans for energy generation, transmission, and distribution facilities serving communities with average home energy costs in excess of 275 percent of the national average. Many of the communities are in rural Alaska, but there are other eligible areas nationwide. Eligible applicants include persons, State agencies (including Territories), entities organized under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\19NON1.SGM 19NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 223 / Tuesday, November 19, 2013 / Notices State law, and Indian Tribes. Only grant funds have been appropriated to date. • Denali Commission Grants and Loans. RUS may provide grants and loans to the Denali Commission, a Federal agency, for energy generation, transmission, and distribution facilities serving extremely high energy cost rural and remote communities in Alaska. Annual Denali grants are awarded and advanced as soon as funds are available to RUS. The Denali Grants are governed by a Memorandum of Understanding between the two agencies and by individual Grant Agreements. Only grant funds have been appropriated to date for the Denali Commission. • Bulk Fuel Revolving Fund Grants. RUS may provide grants to State entities in existence as of November 9, 2000, to support revolving loan funds to improve the efficiency of fuel purchases for communities where the fuel cannot be delivered by surface transportation. Only Alaska and a handful of other States are eligible. Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 3.18 hours per response. Respondents: Business or other forprofit, not-for-profit institutions, State, Local, or Tribal Government. Estimated Number of Respondents: 112. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.82. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,004. Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Rebecca Hunt, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, at (202) 205–3660, FAX: (202) 720–8435 or email: rebecca.hunt@ wdc.usda.gov. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record. Dated: November 8, 2013. John Charles Padalino, Administrator, Rural Utilities Service. [FR Doc. 2013–27702 Filed 11–18–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Rural Utilities Service Golden Valley Electric Association: Healy Power Plant Unit #2 Restart Rural Utilities Service, USDA. Notice of availability of a Record of Decision. AGENCY: ACTION: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) has issued a Record of Decision SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:21 Nov 18, 2013 Jkt 232001 (ROD) for the Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Statement (SFEIS) related to RUS’s consideration of potential agency actions that would facilitate a proposal from Golden Valley Electric Association, Inc. (GVEA) for the restart and commercial operation of Healy Unit #2, a power generation facility at the Healy Power Plant (Healy Plant) in Healy, Alaska. The SFEIS was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ’s) regulations implementing NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500–1508), and RUS’s Environmental Policies and Procedures (7 CFR part 1794). The SFEIS updated a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) prepared by the Department of Energy (DOE) in 1993. ADDRESSES: To obtain copies of the ROD or for further information, contact: Deirdre M. Remley, Environmental Protection Specialist, RUS, Water and Environmental Programs, Engineering and Environmental Staff, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Stop 1571, Washington, DC 20250–1571, Telephone: (202) 720–9640 or email: deirdre.remley@wdc.usda.gov. The ROD is also available at RUS’s Web site at https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/UWPHealyPowerPlan.html or you may contact Ms. Remley for a hard copy. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Healy Unit #2 is currently owned by the Alaska Industrial and Export Authority (AIDEA), but is located on GVEA land. Unit #2 was built to work in conjunction with Healy Unit #1, a generation unit that has been owned and operated by GVEA since 1967. Unit #2 is currently in warm layup and has not generated power since 2000. GVEA proposes to purchase Unit #2, prepare it for commercial production, and operate the unit for the remainder of its operational life. GVEA is seeking administrative actions and financing from RUS to facilitate the restart of Unit #2 and for improvements to the Healy Plant, which include installing additional emissions control to both Unit #1 and Unit #2. Unit #1 is a 25 MW coal-fired boiler and Unit #2 is a 50 MW coal-fired boiler that was constructed in the late 1990s with funding from DOE and AIDEA. The decision documented in RUS’s ROD is that RUS agrees to consider, subject to additional engineering and financial review, administrative actions and financing that would facilitate GVEA’s restart of Unit #2 at the Healy Power Plant. Details regarding RUS’ regulatory authority, rationale for the decision, and compliance with PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 69367 applicable regulations are included in the ROD. RUS published an NOI in the Federal Register on January 3, 2013, which described the Proposed Action (78 FR 285). RUS published a notice in the Federal Register on June 10, 2013 announcing the availability of the SFEIS and initiating the 30-day public comment period for the SFEIS (78 FR 34639). A copy of the SFEIS was sent to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for review and comment. Two comments were received on the SFEIS and they are addressed in the ROD. RUS has considered and concurred with GVEA’s purpose and need for the proposal to restart Unit #2, and RUS has evaluated the potential impacts of this proposal on the human environment and finds that the SFEIS is consistent with Federal regulations and meets the standard for an adequate statement. The Proposed Action to facilitate the restart of Unit #2 of the Healy Plant is RUS’s selected alternative. Dated: November 11, 2013. John Charles Padalino, Administrator, USDA, Rural Utilities Service. [FR Doc. 2013–27655 Filed 11–18–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Membership of the Departmental Performance Review Board Department of Commerce. Notice of Membership on the Departmental Performance Review Board. AGENCY: ACTION: In accordance with 5 U.S.C., 4314(c)(4), Department of Commerce (DOC) announces the appointment of persons to serve as members of the Departmental Performance Review Board (DPRB). The DPRB provides an objective peer review of the initial performance ratings, performance-based pay adjustments and bonus recommendations, higher-level review requests and other performance-related actions submitted by appointing authorities for Senior Executive Service (SES) members whom they directly supervise, and makes recommendations based upon its review. The term of the new members of the DPRB will expire December 31, 2015. DATES: Effective Date: The effective date of service of appointees to the Departmental Performance Review Board is based upon publication of this notice. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Denise A. Yaag, Director, Office of SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\19NON1.SGM 19NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 223 (Tuesday, November 19, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69366-69367]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-27702]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended), the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) 
invites comments on this information collection for which RUS intends 
to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by January 21, 2014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michele L. Brooks, Director, Program 
Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, 1400 
Independence Ave. SW., STOP 1522, Room 5162-South Building, Washington, 
DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 690-1078, FAX: (202) 720-8435 or email: 
michele.brooks@wdc.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) 
regulation (5 CFR part 1320) implementing provisions of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13) requires that interested members 
of the public and affected agencies have an opportunity to comment on 
information collection and recordkeeping activities (see 5 CFR 
1320.8(d)). This notice identifies an information collection that RUS 
is submitting to OMB for extension.
    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, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to:
    Michele L. Brooks, Director, Program Development and Regulatory 
Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 
1522, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: 
(202) 690-1078, FAX: (202) 720-8435 or email 
michele.brooks@wdc.usda.gov.
    Title: Assistance to High Energy Cost Rural Communities.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0136.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (RE Act) (7 U.S.C. 
901 et seq.) was amended in November 2000 to create a new program to 
help rural communities with extremely high energy costs (Pub. L. 106-
472). Under the new section 19 of the RE Act (7 U.S.C. 918a), the 
Secretary of Agriculture through RUS, is authorized to provide 
financial assistance through the following three funding streams:
     High Energy Cost Grants and Loans. RUS may provide grants 
and loans for energy generation, transmission, and distribution 
facilities serving communities with average home energy costs in excess 
of 275 percent of the national average. Many of the communities are in 
rural Alaska, but there are other eligible areas nationwide. Eligible 
applicants include persons, State agencies (including Territories), 
entities organized under

[[Page 69367]]

State law, and Indian Tribes. Only grant funds have been appropriated 
to date.
     Denali Commission Grants and Loans. RUS may provide grants 
and loans to the Denali Commission, a Federal agency, for energy 
generation, transmission, and distribution facilities serving extremely 
high energy cost rural and remote communities in Alaska. Annual Denali 
grants are awarded and advanced as soon as funds are available to RUS. 
The Denali Grants are governed by a Memorandum of Understanding between 
the two agencies and by individual Grant Agreements. Only grant funds 
have been appropriated to date for the Denali Commission.
     Bulk Fuel Revolving Fund Grants. RUS may provide grants to 
State entities in existence as of November 9, 2000, to support 
revolving loan funds to improve the efficiency of fuel purchases for 
communities where the fuel cannot be delivered by surface 
transportation. Only Alaska and a handful of other States are eligible.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 3.18 hours per response.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit, not-for-profit 
institutions, State, Local, or Tribal Government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 112.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.82.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,004.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Rebecca 
Hunt, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, at (202) 205-3660, 
FAX: (202) 720-8435 or email: rebecca.hunt@wdc.usda.gov.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

    Dated: November 8, 2013.
John Charles Padalino,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-27702 Filed 11-18-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
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