Information Collection Activity; Comment Request, 44158-44159 [2017-20157]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Rural Utilities Service

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 182 (Thursday, September 21, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44158-44159]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-20157]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 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 November 20, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Dickson, Acting Director, 
Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, 
USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., STOP 1522, Room 5164-South 
Building, Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 690-4492. Fax: 
(202) 720-8435 or email Thomas.Dickson@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 
collection 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: Thomas Dickson, Acting Director, 
Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Stop 1522, 1400 Independence Avenue 
SW., Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 690-4493, Fax: (202) 
720-8435. Email: Thomas.Dickson@wdc.usda.gov.
    Title: RUS Electric Loan Application and Related Reporting.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0032.
    Type of Request: Extension of an existing information collection.
    Abstract: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) was established in 1994 
by the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 (Pub. L. 103-354, 108 Stat. 3178, 7 U.S.C. 
6941 et. seq.) as successor to the Rural Electrification Administration 
(REA) with respect to certain programs, including the electric loan and 
loan guarantee program authorized under the Rural Electrification Act 
of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended) (RE Act).
    The RE Act authorizes and empowers the Administrator of RUS to make 
and guarantee loans to furnish and improve electric service in rural 
areas. These loans are amortized over a period of up to 35 years and 
secured by the borrower's electric assets and/or revenue. In the 
interest of protecting loan security, monitoring compliance with debt 
covenants, and ensuring that RUS loan funds are used for purposes 
authorized by law, RUS requires that borrowers prepare and submit for 
RUS evaluation certain studies and reports. Some of these studies and 
reports are required only once for each loan application; others must 
be submitted periodically until the loan is completely repaid. These 
forms and documents serve as support for electric loan applications and 
summarizes the types and estimated costs of facilities and equipment 
for which RUS financing is being requested.
    The RE Act also authorizes and empowers the Administrator of RUS to 
make or cause to be made, studies, investigations, and reports 
concerning the condition and progress of the electrification of the 
several States and Territories; and to publish and disseminate 
information with respect thereto. Information supplied by borrowers 
forms the basis of many of these reports.
    In the past two years, RUS has implemented an application intake 
system called RDApply that allows applicants to create an online 
application for RUS loans and grants as well upload attachments, sign

[[Page 44159]]

certifications, and draw service areas, to name a few features. RDApply 
streamlines the application process, as well as provides identity 
security, reduces paper consumption and is expected to reduce the 
burden associated with this information collection package over time.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 16.10 hours per response.
    Respondents: Not for profit organizations, business or other for 
profit.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 625.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 5.19.
    Estimated Annual Responses: 3245.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 52,239 hours.
    Copies of this information collection, and related forms and 
instructions, can be obtained from MaryPat Daskal, Program Development 
and Regulatory Analysis, at (202) 720-7853. 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: September 13, 2017.
Christopher A. McLean,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-20157 Filed 9-20-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P