Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Quarterly Survey of Plant Capacity Utilization, 2582-2583 [2024-00619]

Download as PDF 2582 Notices Federal Register Vol. 89, No. 10 Tuesday, January 16, 2024 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section. Sunshine Act Meeting Notice United States Commission on Civil Rights. ACTION: Notice of Commission public business meeting. AGENCY: Friday, January 19, 2024, 10 a.m. EST. Meeting to take place virtually and is open to the public via livestream on the Commission’s YouTube page: https:// www.youtube.com/user/USCCR/videos. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Angelia Rorison: 202–376–8371; publicaffairs@usccr.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Government in Sunshine Act (5 U.S.C. 552b), the Commission on Civil Rights is holding a meeting to discuss the Commission’s business for the month. This business meeting is open to the public. Computer assisted real-time transcription (CART) will be provided. The web link to access CART (in English) on Friday, January 19, 2024, is https://www.streamtext.net/ player?event=USCCR. Please note that CART is text-only translation that occurs in real time during the meeting and is not an exact transcript. ADDRESSES: ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 Meeting Agenda I. Approval of Agenda II. Business Meeting A. Presentation by State Advisory Committee Chairs on Reports and related Memorandum B. Management and Operations • Staff Director’s Report III. Adjourn Meeting Dated: January 11, 2024. Angelia Rorison, USCCR Media and Communications Director. [FR Doc. 2024–00808 Filed 1–11–24; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 6335–01–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:57 Jan 12, 2024 Jkt 262001 Census Bureau Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Quarterly Survey of Plant Capacity Utilization U.S. Census Bureau, Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment. AGENCY: COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS DATES: DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public’s reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment on the proposed extension of the Quarterly Survey of Plant Capacity Utilization prior to the submission of the information collection request (ICR) to OMB for approval. DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed information collection must be received on or before March 18, 2024. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments by email to Thomas.J.Smith@census.gov. Please reference Quarterly Survey of Plant Capacity Utilization in the subject line of your comments. You may also submit comments, identified by Docket Number USBC–2023–0019, to the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. All comments received are part of the public record. No comments will be posted to https:// www.regulations.gov for public viewing until after the comment period has closed. Comments will generally be posted without change. All Personally Identifiable Information (for example, name and address) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or protected information. You may submit attachments to electronic comments in Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or specific questions related to collection activities should be directed to Mary Susan Bucci, Chief Special Reimbursable Surveys Branch, (301) 763–4639, and Mary.Susan.Bucci@ census.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract The Census Bureau plans to request an extension of the current OMB clearance for the Quarterly Survey of Plant Capacity Utilization (SPC). The SPC is conducted quarterly, collecting from manufacturing plants and publishers, the value of actual production, the value of production that could have been achieved if operating at ‘‘full production’’ levels, and the value of production that could have been achieved if operating at ‘‘national emergency’’ levels. The survey also collects data on work patterns by shift. These data include hours in operation, production workers, and plant hours worked. The primary sponsors of this collection and users of these data are the Federal Reserve Board (FRB) and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). The FRB uses these data in several ways. First, the capital workweek data is used as an indicator of capital use in the estimation of monthly output (industrial production). Second, the workweek data is used to improve the projections of labor productivity that are used to align industrial production (IP) with comprehensive benchmark information in the Manufacturing Sector of the Economic Census and the Annual Integrated Economic Survey. Third, the utilization rate data assists in the assessment of recent changes in IP, as most of the high-frequency movement in utilization rates reflect production changes rather than capacity changes. Fourth, the time series of utilization rate data for each industry, in combination with the FRB IP data, is used to estimate current and historical measures of capacity consistent with the FRB production measures. The DLA uses these data to assess readiness to meet demand for goods under selected national emergency scenarios. II. Method of Collection The Census Bureau mails letters to respondents instructing them how to E:\FR\FM\16JAN1.SGM 16JAN1 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 10 / Tuesday, January 16, 2024 / Notices report electronically, as well as sends an email announcing the opening of the survey. Companies are asked to respond within 20 days of the initial mailing. The due date will be imprinted at the top of the letter and in the email notification. A reminder email is sent a week before the due date to delinquent respondents. Letters encouraging participation are mailed to companies that have not responded by the designated due date. A final email is sent to delinquent respondents with information for reporting online. Lastly, we conduct a telephone follow-up. ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 III. Data OMB Control Number: 0607–0175. Form Number(s): MQ–C2. Type of Review: Regular submission, Request for an Extension, without Change, of a Currently Approved Collection. Affected Public: Manufacturing and publishing plants. Estimated Number of Respondents: 7,500 per quarter. Estimated Time per Response: 20 to 40 minutes, with an average of 30 minutes. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 15,000. Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0. (This is not the cost of respondents’ time, but the indirect costs respondents may incur for such things as purchases of specialized software or hardware needed to report, or expenditures for accounting or records maintenance services required specifically by the collection.) Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary. Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C. 8(b); 50 U.S.C. 98, et. seq; 12 U.S.C. 244. IV. Request for Comments We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. We will include, or summarize, each comment in our request to OMB to approve this ICR. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:57 Jan 12, 2024 Jkt 262001 Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personally identifiable information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personally identifiable information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your personally identifiable information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Sheleen Dumas, Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs, Commerce Department. [FR Doc. 2024–00619 Filed 1–12–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–07–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration [C–122–858] Certain Softwood Lumber From Canada: Preliminary Results of Changed Circumstances Review Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) preliminary determines that four producers/ exporters subject to the countervailing duty (CVD) order on certain softwood lumber from Canada, Interfor Corporation, EACOM Timber Corporation, Chaleur Forest Products Inc., and Chaleur Forest Products LP, are cross-owned entities. Interested parties are invited to comment on these preliminary results. DATES: Applicable January 16, 2024. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Samuel Brummitt, AD/CVD Operations, Office III, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482–7851. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: AGENCY: Background On January 3, 2018, Commerce published the CVD order on certain softwood lumber from Canada.1 On May 11, 2023, the petitioner 2 requested that 1 See Certain Softwood Lumber Products from Canada: Amended Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination and Countervailing Duty Order, 83 FR 347 (January 3, 2018) (Order). 2 The petitioner is the Committee Overseeing Action for Lumber International Trade Investigations or Negotiations, an ad hoc association whose members are: U.S. Lumber Coalition, Inc.; Collum’s Lumber Products, L.L.C.; PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 2583 Commerce initiate a changed circumstances review (CCR) of the Order, pursuant to section 751(b)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), 19 CFR 351.216, and 19 CFR 251.221(c)(3).3 Specifically, the petitioner requested that Commerce determine that Interfor Corporation, EACOM Timber Corporation, Chaleur Forest Products Inc., and Chaleur Forest Products LP are cross-owned entities.4 On July 27, 2023, Commerce initiated the requested CCR.5 Scope of the Order The merchandise covered by this Order is softwood lumber, siding, flooring, and certain other coniferous wood (softwood lumber products). For a complete description of the scope, see the Preliminary Decision Memorandum.6 Preliminary Results of Changed Circumstances Review Pursuant to section 751(b) of the Act, Commerce is conducting a CCR based on a request from an interested party 7 that shows changed circumstances sufficient to warrant a review of an order. In accordance with 19 CFR 351.221(b)(4) and (c)(3)(i), we preliminary find that the record contains information indicating that Interfor Corporation, EACOM Timber Corporation, Chaleur Forest Products Inc., and Chaleur Forest Products LP meet the definition of cross-ownership under 19 CFR 351.525(b)(6). For a complete discussion of the information that Interfor Corporation and the petitioner provided and the complete cross-ownership analysis, see the Preliminary Decision Memorandum. A list of topics discussed in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum is included as the appendix to this notice. The Preliminary Decision Memorandum Fox Lumber Sales, Inc.; Hankins, Inc.; Pleasant River Lumber Company; PotlatchDeltic; S.I. Storey Lumber Co., Inc.; Stimson Lumber Company; Swanson Group; Weyerhaeuser Company; Giustina Land and Timber Company; and Sullivan Forestry Consultants, Inc. 3 See Petitioner’s Letter, ‘‘Request for Changed Circumstances Review,’’ dated May 11, 2023. 4 Id. 5 See Certain Softwood Lumber from Canada: Notice of Initiation of Changed Circumstances Review, 88 FR 48440 (July 27, 2023) (Initiation Notice). 6 See Memorandum, ‘‘Decision Memorandum for the Preliminary Results of the Changed Circumstances Review of the Countervailing Duty Order on Softwood Lumber Products from Canada,’’ dated concurrently with, and hereby adopted by, this notice (Preliminary Decision Memorandum). 7 The petitioner is an ad hoc association and the majority the members of the association are composed of interested parties as described in section 771(9)(C), (D), and (E) of the Act, with respect to a domestic like product. E:\FR\FM\16JAN1.SGM 16JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 16, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2582-2583]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-00619]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment 
Request; Quarterly Survey of Plant Capacity Utilization

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.

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

SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, invites the general public and other 
Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information 
collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information 
collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The 
purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment on the 
proposed extension of the Quarterly Survey of Plant Capacity 
Utilization prior to the submission of the information collection 
request (ICR) to OMB for approval.

DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed 
information collection must be received on or before March 18, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments by 
email to [email protected]. Please reference Quarterly Survey 
of Plant Capacity Utilization in the subject line of your comments. You 
may also submit comments, identified by Docket Number USBC-2023-0019, 
to the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. All 
comments received are part of the public record. No comments will be 
posted to https://www.regulations.gov for public viewing until after the 
comment period has closed. Comments will generally be posted without 
change. All Personally Identifiable Information (for example, name and 
address) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly 
accessible. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or 
otherwise sensitive or protected information. You may submit 
attachments to electronic comments in Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe 
PDF file formats.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
specific questions related to collection activities should be directed 
to Mary Susan Bucci, Chief Special Reimbursable Surveys Branch, (301) 
763-4639, and [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau plans to request an extension of the current OMB 
clearance for the Quarterly Survey of Plant Capacity Utilization (SPC). 
The SPC is conducted quarterly, collecting from manufacturing plants 
and publishers, the value of actual production, the value of production 
that could have been achieved if operating at ``full production'' 
levels, and the value of production that could have been achieved if 
operating at ``national emergency'' levels. The survey also collects 
data on work patterns by shift. These data include hours in operation, 
production workers, and plant hours worked.
    The primary sponsors of this collection and users of these data are 
the Federal Reserve Board (FRB) and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). 
The FRB uses these data in several ways. First, the capital workweek 
data is used as an indicator of capital use in the estimation of 
monthly output (industrial production). Second, the workweek data is 
used to improve the projections of labor productivity that are used to 
align industrial production (IP) with comprehensive benchmark 
information in the Manufacturing Sector of the Economic Census and the 
Annual Integrated Economic Survey. Third, the utilization rate data 
assists in the assessment of recent changes in IP, as most of the high-
frequency movement in utilization rates reflect production changes 
rather than capacity changes. Fourth, the time series of utilization 
rate data for each industry, in combination with the FRB IP data, is 
used to estimate current and historical measures of capacity consistent 
with the FRB production measures. The DLA uses these data to assess 
readiness to meet demand for goods under selected national emergency 
scenarios.

II. Method of Collection

    The Census Bureau mails letters to respondents instructing them how 
to

[[Page 2583]]

report electronically, as well as sends an email announcing the opening 
of the survey. Companies are asked to respond within 20 days of the 
initial mailing. The due date will be imprinted at the top of the 
letter and in the email notification. A reminder email is sent a week 
before the due date to delinquent respondents. Letters encouraging 
participation are mailed to companies that have not responded by the 
designated due date. A final email is sent to delinquent respondents 
with information for reporting online. Lastly, we conduct a telephone 
follow-up.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-0175.
    Form Number(s): MQ-C2.
    Type of Review: Regular submission, Request for an Extension, 
without Change, of a Currently Approved Collection.
    Affected Public: Manufacturing and publishing plants.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 7,500 per quarter.
    Estimated Time per Response: 20 to 40 minutes, with an average of 
30 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 15,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0. (This is not the cost of 
respondents' time, but the indirect costs respondents may incur for 
such things as purchases of specialized software or hardware needed to 
report, or expenditures for accounting or records maintenance services 
required specifically by the collection.)
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C. 8(b); 50 U.S.C. 98, et. seq; 12 
U.S.C. 244.

IV. Request for Comments

    We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau 
to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether 
the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy 
of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed 
collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden 
on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. We will include, or summarize, each comment in our 
request to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, 
phone number, email address, or other personally identifiable 
information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire 
comment--including your personally identifiable information--may be 
made publicly available at any time. While you may ask us in your 
comment to withhold your personally identifiable information from 
public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for 
Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2024-00619 Filed 1-12-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P


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