Agency Information Collection Activities; Application Requirements for States and Tribes To Apply for Orphaned Well Site Plugging, Remediation, and Restoration Funding Consideration, and Ongoing State and Tribal Reporting Requirements for Funding Recipients, 35849-35855 [2024-09525]
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 86 / Thursday, May 2, 2024 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Office of the Secretary
[223D0102DM, DS6CS00000,
DLSN00000.000000. DX6CS25; OMB Control
Number 1093–0012]
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Application Requirements
for States and Tribes To Apply for
Orphaned Well Site Plugging,
Remediation, and Restoration Funding
Consideration, and Ongoing State and
Tribal Reporting Requirements for
Funding Recipients
Office of the Secretary of the
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of information collection;
request for comment.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(PRA), the Office of the Secretary of the
Interior (Interior), through her delegated
office, the Orphaned Wells Program
Office (OWPO), proposes to renew and
revise an OMB-approved information
collection, which is numbered OMB
Control Number 1093–0012.
DATES: Interested parties are invited to
submit comments on or before July 1,
2024.
SUMMARY:
Written comments and
recommendations for the proposed
information collection should be sent to
Jeffrey Parrillo, Departmental
Information Collection Clearance
Officer, U.S. Department of the Interior,
1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC
20240; or by email to DOI-PRA@
ios.doi.gov. Please reference OMB
Control Number ‘‘1093–0012 Orphaned
Well Program Office’’ in the subject line
of your comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To
request additional information about
this proposed information collection,
please contact Ron Lev, Management
and Program Analyst, OWPO, by email,
at orphanedwells@ios.doi.gov, or by
phone, at (771) 233–5722.
Individuals in the United States who
are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or
have a speech disability may dial 711
(TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access
telecommunications relay services.
Individuals outside of the United States
should use the relay services offered
within their country to make
international calls to the point-ofcontact in the United States.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In
accordance with the PRA and 5 CFR
1320.8, all information collections
require approval. Interior may not
conduct or sponsor, and a party is not
required to respond to, a collection of
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ADDRESSES:
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information unless the collection
displays a currently valid OMB control
number.
As part of its continuing effort to
reduce paperwork and respondent
burdens, Interior invites the public and
other Federal agencies to comment on
new, proposed, revised, and continuing
collections of information. This helps
Interior assess the impact of its
information collection requirements and
minimize the public’s reporting burden.
It also helps the public understand
Interior’s information collection
requirements and provide the requested
data in the desired format.
Interior is especially interested in
public comment concerning:
(1) Whether or not the collection of
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
agency, including whether or not the
information will have practical utility;
(2) The accuracy of the estimate of the
burden for this collection of
information, including the validity of
the methodology and assumptions used;
(3) Ways to enhance the quality,
utility, and clarity of the information to
be collected; and
(4) How might the agency 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, e.g., permitting
electronic submission of response.
Comments submitted in response to
this notice are a matter of public record.
Interior will include or summarize each
comment in its request to the OMB to
approve this information collection
request. Before commenters include
their respective addresses, phone
numbers, email addresses, or other
personal identifying information in their
comments, they should be aware that
entire comments—including any
personally identifying information—
may be made publicly available at any
time. While a commenter may request
that personal identifying information be
withheld from public review, Interior
cannot guarantee that it will be able to
do so.
Abstract: Infrastructure Investment
and Jobs Act (Pub. L. 117–58)
(November 15, 2021), section 40601,
‘‘Orphaned well site plugging,
remediation, and restoration,’’ which is
also known as the Bipartisan
Infrastructure Law (BIL), amends
section 349 of the Energy Policy Act of
2005 (42 U.S.C. 15907). Section 40601
designates Interior as the key agency
responsible for implementing grant and
other financial assistance programs for
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35849
applicable government entities to plug,
remediate, and reclaim orphaned wells
on lands covered by the BIL. The
associated investments will rebuild
America’s critical infrastructure, tackle
the climate crisis, advance
environmental justice, and drive the
creation of good-paying union jobs.
Interior will issue financial assistance
through grant awards to State and Tribal
governments under Assistance Listing
(CFDA) program 15.018 Energy
Community Revitalization Program
(ECRP). With respect to Tribal In Lieu
of Grant Assistance, OWPO will
coordinate with the Bureau of Indian
Affairs. The authority for the above
assistance is the Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act, Division D,
Title VI, Section 40601.
The types of assistance contained in
section 40601 are as follows:
1. Initial Grants to States
2. Formula Grants to States
3. Performance Grants to States, which
includes:
• Regulatory Improvement Grants to
States
• Matching Grants to States
4. Grants to Tribes and Tribal In Lieu of
Grant Assistance
The BIL requires Interior to collect
information necessary to ensure that
awarded grant and other assistance
funds authorized by this legislation are
used in accordance with the BIL,
Federal assistance requirements (i.e., 2
CFR part 200), and other applicable
Federal law and authorities. Interior
anticipates that most of the information
will be collected by the OWPO, which
has and will issue guidance concerning
the above assistance programs. Interior
seeks OMB approval of the proposed
information collection to manage and
monitor financial assistance
applications and awards to ensure that
States and Tribes comply with the BIL,
2 CFR part 200, and other applicable
Federal law and authorities.
Consolidated Workplan
Interior proposes to collect the
following from all State and Tribal grant
applicants, unless noted otherwise, as
part of each entity’s consolidated
workplan:
(a) An applicant’s process for
determining a well has been orphaned,
including what efforts will be made to
redeem financial assurances or
otherwise recoup remediation costs
from any responsible parties;
(b) A description of an applicant’s
plugging standards, including the
witnessing requirements (e.g.,
qualifications of witness,
documentation);
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(c) An applicant’s prioritization
process for evaluating and ranking
orphan wells and associated surface
reclamation, including criteria,
weighting, and how such prioritization
will address resource and financial risk,
public health and safety, potential
environmental harm (including methane
emissions where applicable), and other
land use priorities;
(d) If no prioritization process
currently exists, an applicant’s
description of its plans to develop and
implement a prioritization process;
(e) Details of how a State applicant
will identify and address any
disproportionate burden of adverse
human health or environmental effects
of orphaned wells on disadvantaged
communities, low-income communities,
and Tribal and indigenous
communities;
(f) How applicants will identify and
incorporate into their work plans health,
safety, habitat, and environmental
benefits of plugging, remediating, or
reclamation of orphaned wells
(Proposed revision);
(g) The methodology to be used by the
applicant to measure and track methane
and other gases associated with
orphaned wells, including how the
applicant will confirm the effectiveness
of plugging activities in reducing or
eliminating such emissions;
(h) The methodology to be used by the
applicant to measure and track
contamination of groundwater and
surface water associated with orphaned
wells, including how the applicant will
confirm the effectiveness of plugging
activities in reducing or eliminating
such contamination;
(i) The methodology to be used to
decommission or remove associated
pipelines, facilities, and infrastructure
and to remediate soil and restore habitat
that has been degraded due to the
presence of orphaned wells and
associated infrastructure;
(j) Methods the applicant will use to
solicit recommendations from local
officials and the public regarding the
prioritization of well plugging and site
remediation activities, and any other
processes the applicant will use to
solicit feedback on the program from
local officials and the public;
(k) Latitude/Longitude and all other
data elements and associated units of
measure as indicated in State and Tribal
data reporting templates. See the Data
Associated with Wells Plugged Using
Federal BIL Funds portion of this
proposed information collection;
(l) How the applicant will use funding
to locate currently undocumented
orphaned wells;
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(m) Plans the applicant has to engage
third parties in partnerships around
well plugging and site remediation, or
any existing similar partnerships the
applicant currently belongs to;
(n) Training programs, registered
apprenticeships, and local and
economic hire agreements for workers
the applicant intends to conduct or fund
in well plugging or site remediation;
(o) Plans the applicant has to support
opportunities for all workers, including
workers underrepresented in well
plugging or site remediation, to be
trained and placed in good-paying jobs
directly related to the project;
(p) For State applicants, plans the
State applicant has to incorporate equity
for underserved communities into their
planning, including supporting the
expansion of high-quality, good paying
jobs through workforce development
programs and incorporating workforce
strategy into project development;
(q) Procedures the applicant will use
to coordinate with Federal, State, or
Tribal agencies to determine whether
efficiencies may exist by combining
field survey, plugging, or surface
remediation work across lands covered
by the BIL;
(r) The applicant’s authorities to enter
private property, or an applicant’s
procedures to obtain landowner consent
to enter private property, in the event
that any wells to be plugged will be
accessed from privately owned surface;
(s) A work schedule covering the
period of performance for the grant;
(t) If applicable, a federally approved
Indirect Cost Rate Agreement or
statement regarding applicant’s
intention to negotiate or utilize the de
minimis rate;
(u) How an applicant will assist
Interior to ensure that activities funded
by the grant it applied for will comply
with relevant Federal law and
authorities, such as the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA),
and the National Historic Preservation
Act, as amended (NHPA) (Proposed
revision);
(v) For Performance Grants, how a
State applicant will place a higher
priority on the use of the Federal funds
to lower unemployment in the State,
including workforce development
activities related to orphaned well
plugging, remediation, and reclamation
(Proposed revision); and
(w) For Performance Grants, how a
State applicant will place a higher
priority on the use of the Federal funds
to improve economic conditions in
economically distressed areas of the
State, provided the use of the funds is
related to orphaned well plugging,
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remediation, and reclamation (Proposed
revision).
Regulatory Improvement Grants—State
Applicants Only
(Proposed Revision)
Under Section 40601(c)(5)(E)(i), a
Regulatory Improvement Grant (RIG)
may be awarded to an eligible State if
either: (1) ‘‘The State has strengthened
plugging standards and procedures
designed to ensure that wells located in
the State are plugged in an effective
manner that protects groundwater and
other natural resources, public health
and safety, and the environment’’
(Plugging Standards RIG); or (2) ‘‘The
State has made improvements to State
programs designed to reduce future
orphaned well burdens, such as
financial assurance reform, alternative
funding mechanisms for orphaned well
programs, and reforms to programs
relating to well transfer or temporary
abandonment’’ (Program Standards
RIG). In addition to a consolidated
workplan, and other information
required from RIG applicants that is
discussed in this proposed information
collection, Interior proposes to collect
the following from applicants.
Plugging Standards RIGs: Interior
proposes to collect from Plugging
Standards RIG applicants information
pertaining to their statutes, regulations,
policies, and procedures, which were
implemented during the 10-year period
specified in the BIL, that demonstrate
the ‘‘State has strengthened plugging
standards and procedures designed to
ensure that wells located in the State are
plugged in an effective manner that
protects groundwater and other natural
resources, public health and safety, and
the environment.’’ The list, (a) through
(j), below, are examples of information
Interior proposes to collect. In
determining whether a ‘‘State has
strengthened plugging standards and
procedures,’’ Interior may request
additional types of information.
(a) Drilling well construction, and the
resulting actual or anticipated positive
effects, or documentation, that
demonstrate the State’s intent to ensure
that wells located in the State are
plugged in an effective manner that
protects groundwater and other natural
resources, public health and safety, and
the environment.
(b) Allowable well control equipment
to manage actions of perforating,
cutting/pulling of casing, or retrieving
seal assemblies, and the resulting actual
or anticipated positive effects, or
documentation, that demonstrate the
State’s intent to ensure that wells
located in the State are plugged in an
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effective manner that protects
groundwater and other natural
resources, public health and safety, and
the environment.
(c) Allowable barrier types, and the
resulting actual or anticipated positive
effects, or documentation, that
demonstrate the State’s intent to ensure
that wells located in the State are
plugged in an effective manner that
protects groundwater and other natural
resources, public health and safety, and
the environment.
(d) Allowable barrier placement
locations, and the resulting actual or
anticipated positive effects, or
documentation, that demonstrate the
State’s intent to ensure that wells
located in the State are plugged in an
effective manner that protects
groundwater and other natural
resources, public health and safety, and
the environment.
(e) Allowable barrier placement
techniques, and the resulting actual or
anticipated positive effects, or
documentation, that demonstrate the
State’s intent to ensure that wells
located in the State are plugged in an
effective manner that protects
groundwater and other natural
resources, public health and safety, and
the environment.
(f) Wellbore integrity and barrier
verification, and the resulting actual or
anticipated positive effects, or
documentation, that demonstrate the
State’s intent to ensure that wells
located in the State are plugged in an
effective manner that protects
groundwater and other natural
resources, public health and safety, and
the environment.
(g) Spacer medium between well
barriers, and the resulting actual or
anticipated positive effects, or
documentation, that demonstrate the
State’s intent to ensure that wells
located in the State are plugged in an
effective manner that protects
groundwater and other natural
resources, public health and safety, and
the environment.
(h) Wellbore capping requirements,
and the resulting actual or anticipated
positive effects, or documentation, that
demonstrate the State’s intent to ensure
that wells located in the State are
plugged in an effective manner that
protects groundwater and other natural
resources, public health and safety, and
the environment.
(i) Plugging procedure approval
requirements, plugging procedure
changes, plugging operations
notification requirements, post-plugging
reporting requirements, alternative
materials or methods, and the resulting
actual or anticipated positive effects of
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these changes, or documentation, that
demonstrate the State’s intent to ensure
that wells located in the State are
plugged in an effective manner that
protects groundwater and other natural
resources, public health and safety, and
the environment.
(j) Internal inspection and oversight,
and long-term monitoring of plugged
wells processes, and the resulting actual
or anticipated positive effects, or
documentation, that demonstrate the
State’s intent to ensure that wells
located in the State are plugged in an
effective manner that protects
groundwater and other natural
resources, public health and safety, and
the environment.
For Program Standards RIGs: Interior
proposes to collect from Program
Standards RIG applicants information
pertaining to their statutes, regulations,
policies, and procedures, which were
implemented during the 10-year period
specified in the BIL, that demonstrate
the ‘‘State has made improvements to
State programs designed to reduce
future orphaned well burdens, such as
financial assurance reform, alternative
funding mechanisms for orphaned well
programs, and reforms to programs
relating to well transfer or temporary
abandonment.’’ The list, (a) through (g),
below, are examples of information
Interior proposes to collect. In
determining whether a ‘‘State has made
improvements to State programs
designed to reduce future orphaned well
burdens,’’ Interior may request
additional types of information.
(a) Liable parties, scope of liability,
and state access (e.g., non-operator
liable parties, predecessor in interest
liability, and state targeting of liable
parties through increased or enhanced
enforcement), and the resulting actual or
anticipated positive effects, or
documentation, that demonstrate the
State’s intent to reduce future orphaned
well burdens.
(b) Transfers of interest (e.g., notice of
transfer to state from transferor and
transferee, state assessment of transferor
and/or transferee, and transferor
maintenance of assurance), and the
resulting actual or anticipated positive
effects, or documentation, that
demonstrate the State’s intent to reduce
future orphaned well burdens.
(c) Financial Assurance (e.g., bonding
adjusted for field, well, or operator
risks), and the resulting actual or
anticipated positive effects, or
documentation, that demonstrate the
State’s intent to reduce future orphaned
well burdens, including considerations
for idle, marginal, and producing wells.
(d) Non-assurance State financial
protections and plugging incentives
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(e.g., fees, taxes, penalties (including
increased or enhanced enforcement),
and incentives), and the resulting actual
or anticipated positive effects, or
documentation, that demonstrate the
State’s intent to reduce future orphaned
well burdens, including considerations
for idle, marginal, and producing wells.
(e) Reporting and public notice of
orphaned or potentially orphaned wells
(e.g., reporting mechanisms, for
responsible parties, online notice of
aggregate financial assurance, and
online notice of marginal, orphaned,
and all other wells by responsible
party), and the resulting actual or
anticipated positive effects, or
documentation, that demonstrate the
State’s intent to reduce future orphaned
well burdens, including considerations
for idle, marginal, and producing wells.
(f) Consideration for air, groundwater,
and other natural resources, as well as
public safety and environmental justice
(e.g., considerations for surface and
groundwater or soil, including
hazardous materials or other
contamination, special considerations
for oil and gas wells converted to water
wells, and considerations for public
safety and environmental justice), and
the resulting actual or anticipated
positive effects, or documentation, that
demonstrate the State’s intent to reduce
future orphaned well burdens,
including considerations for idle,
marginal, and producing wells.
(g) Orphaned-wells-related internal
and external workforce development
(e.g., State internal workforce
enhancements, State contracting
process, and oversight of State vendors,
including certificate programs), and the
resulting actual or anticipated positive
effects, or documentation, that
demonstrate the State’s intent to reduce
future orphaned well burdens.
For both Plugging Standards and
Program Standards Applications: For all
Plugging Standards and Program
Standards RIG applicants, Interior also
proposes to collect the following:
Scoring Template: A list of questions
related to the specific type of RIG they
are applying for in a scoring template
(e.g., ‘‘Yes’’ or ‘‘No’’). Applicants will
also need to provide support for the
scoring template that they submit.
Interior will use the requested
information to determine grant
eligibility, including eligible amount,
and to ensure that program objectives
are being met, evaluate the applicant’s
readiness to obligate grant funds, and
evaluate the applicant’s approach to
execute grant objectives and the grantfunded work that will be monitored by
Interior.
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Grant Applications
Interior proposes to collect the
following additional elements from
applicants:
• Standard forms (SF) from the SF–
424 Series: Applicants must submit the
following SF–424 series of forms:
Æ SF–424, Application for Federal
Assistance;
Æ SF–424A, Budget Information for
Non-Construction Programs or SF–424C
Budget Information for Construction
Program, or both;
Æ SF–424B, Assurances for NonConstruction Programs) or SF–424D
Assurances for Construction Programs);
Æ SF–428 Tangible Personal Property
Report; and
Æ SF–LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying
Activities, when applicable).
• Indirect Cost Statement: If
requesting reimbursement for indirect
costs, all applicants must include in
their application a statement regarding
how they anticipate charging indirect
costs.
• Budget Narrative and/or Template:
Applicants must provide a narrative
and/or template that describes and
justifies, with sufficient detail, the
requested budget items and costs, and
provides a description of how the
applicant determined its totals by cost
category in their application (Proposed
revision).
• Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate
Agreement (NICRA): When applicable, a
copy of the applicant’s current federalagency-approved Negotiated Indirect
Cost Rate Agreement is required.
• Single Audit Reporting Statement:
All U.S. governmental entities and nonprofit applicants must submit a
statement regarding their single audit
reporting status.
• Conflict of Interest Disclosures:
Applicants must notify the Interior in
writing of any actual or potential
conflicts of interest known at the time
of application or that may arise during
the life of this award, in the event the
Interior makes an award to the entity.
• Certification Statement: State
applicants for the Initial Grant part of
this program must provide a signed
State Certification statement consistent
with Section 40601(c)(3)(A)(ii)(III) or
40601(c)(3)(A)(i)(II) of the BIL. State and
Tribal Applicants may also be required
to submit other certifications for other
grant programs, consistent with
guidance issued by the OWPO.
Tribal In Lieu of Grant Assistance
Requests—Tribal Applicants Only
(Proposed Revision)
Tribes, in lieu of grant assistance, may
request that Interior administer and
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carry out plugging, remediation, and
reclamation activities related to eligible
orphaned wells on behalf of the Tribe.
Interior proposes to collect the
following information to evaluate and
administer such requests:
• A letter of request for assistance,
from the Tribe, bearing the signature of
the authorized representative of the
Tribe’s governing body;
• A description of activities (e.g.,
plugging and abandonment,
remediation, and/or reclamation) for
which the Tribe is requesting assistance;
• A brief description of the Tribe’s
territories, including the number and
locations of known orphan wells; and
• A summary of known supporting
data or information, including existing
inventories and assessments and
environmental compliance documents.
Amendments
For many budget and program plan
revisions, 2 CFR part 200 requires
recipients submit revision requests to
the Federal awarding agency in writing
for prior approval. Interior reviews such
requests received to determine the
eligibility and allowability of new or
revised activities and costs and
approves certain items of cost.
Reporting/Recordkeeping Requirements
To ensure that activities funded by
Section 40601 are consistent with the
BIL, 2 CFR part 200, and other Federal
law and authorities, Interior proposes to
collect the following information from
all grant and other funding recipients:
• Financial Reports: Recipients are
required to submit all financial reports
on the Standard Form 425, Federal
Financial Report. Recipients must
submit financial reports in accordance
with 2 CFR part 200. The frequency of
submission may vary but will typically
be annually or semi-annually. Interior,
however, may require submission of
financial reports more frequently in
certain circumstances, such as where
more frequent reporting is necessary for
the effective monitoring of the Federal
award or could significantly affect
program outcomes (Frequency is
proposed revision).
• Performance Reports: Recipients
must submit performance reports in
accordance with 2 CFR part 200. This
information is necessary for Interior to
track accomplishments and
performance-related data. Interior uses
these reports to ensure that the recipient
is accomplishing its work on schedule,
and to identify any problems that the
recipient may be experiencing in
accomplishing the work. While the
frequency of performance reporting may
vary, recipients typically will be
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required to submit their performance
reports annually or semi-annually.
Interior, however, may require the
submission of these reports more
frequently in certain circumstance, such
as where more frequent reporting is
necessary for the effective monitoring of
the Federal award or could significantly
affect program outcomes (Frequency is
proposed revision).
Performance reports must include:
Æ A comparison of actual
accomplishments to the goals and
objectives established for the reporting
period, the results/findings, or both;
Æ If the goals and objectives were not
met, the reasons why, including
analysis and explanation of cost
overruns or high unit costs compared to
the benefit received to reach an
objective;
Æ Performance trend data and
analysis to be used by the awarding
program to monitor and assess recipient
and Federal awarding program
performance;
Æ Consolidated long-term work plan
and accomplishments updates, when
award is part of a large scale or longterm effort funded under multiple
awards over time; and
Æ Other information that Interior
requires to track State and Tribal
accomplishments, collect performancerelated data, identify and risks and
failure to achieve certain milestones,
and is otherwise necessary to ensure
that the State’s or Tribe’s actions
comply with the relevant guidance
issued by the OWPO (Proposed
revision).
• Final 15-month Report for State
Initial Grants: As required in the BIL,
State recipients under the Initial Grants
part of the program must submit a report
no later than 15 months after the date
on which the State receives the funds,
describing the means by which the State
used the funds in accordance with its
application and certification, and
including the reporting parameters
described in this guidance.
• Recordkeeping Requirements:
Recipients must retain financial records,
supporting documents, statistical
records, and all other records pertinent
to a Federal award, per 2 CFR part 200
requirements.
• Data Associated with Wells Plugged
Using Federal BIL Funds: Recipients
must periodically provide data, which
upon Interior’s request, may include
pictures, video, or other media, for any
well plugged with BIL funds. This may
include data associated with
reclamation or restoration of land or
infrastructure associated with a well
(Proposed revision).
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Upon request, but no more frequently
than annually, recipients must submit
requested information related to
aggregate orphaned-well data (e.g., the
total number of documented orphaned
wells located in a State, and the
rationale for why the orphaned well
inventory has increased or decreased
during a certain time period). Interior
will use this information to evaluate the
effectiveness of the programs funded by
the BIL.
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• Information Concerning State or
Tribal Unmet Needs: When requested,
States and Tribes must submit requested
information related to unmet needs for
orphaned well plugging, the
decommission or removal of the
associated infrastructure, and the
restoration and reclamation of the lands,
surface water, ground water, or other
natural resources that are impacted or
potentially impacted. States or Tribes
may also be required to provide
information regarding employment and
economically distressed areas, or
environmental justice (Proposed
revision).
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• Compliance with Environmental
and Other Statutes: Recipients must
submit information to Interior to allow
Interior to ensure that Federal BIL funds
are utilized in a manner that is
consistent applicable Federal law, such
as the ESA and NHPA, and other
authorities and policy (Proposed
revision).
• Change in RIG Eligibility (Scoring
Template): During the ten-year period
that begins on the date of receipt of the
grant funds, each RIG recipient must
periodically (e.g., annually) submit an
updated Scoring Template. This
submission will allow Interior to ensure
that the State recipient is not required
to reimburse Interior for all or a portion
of its RIG for ‘‘failure to maintain
protections,’’ under Section
40601(c)(5)(E)(iii). Recipients will also
be required to submit documentation
that supports any changes between the
submitted Scoring Template and the one
that was previously submitted
(Proposed revision).
• Interior also proposes to rename the
information collection from Application
Requirement for States to Apply for
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Orphaned Well Site Plugging,
Remediation, and Restoration Grant
Consideration to Application
Requirements for States and Tribes to
Apply for Orphaned Well Site Plugging,
Remediation, and Restoration Funding
Consideration, and Ongoing State and
Tribal Reporting Requirements for
Funding Recipients (Proposed revision).
Title of Collection: Application
Requirements for States and Tribes to
Apply for Orphaned Well Site Plugging,
Remediation, and Restoration Funding
Consideration, and Ongoing State and
Tribal Reporting Requirements for
Funding Recipients.
OMB Control Number: 1093–0012.
Form Number: None.
Type of Review: Revision and
extension of a currently approved
collection.
Respondents/Affected Public: Up to
92 (27 State and 65 Tribal governments).
Respondent’s Obligation: Required to
obtain or retain a benefit.
Frequency of Collection: On occasion
Total Estimated Annual Non-hour
Burden Cost: None.
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Each
Average
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Annual
Responses
Average
Completion
Time per
Response
Estimated
Annual
Burden
Hours
92
4
368
4
1,472
State and Tribal
Government
Totals:
Additional burden estimates for this
revision request (see three tables below)
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
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Average
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Number of one- Number of
Responses
time
Each
Respondents
27
Totals:
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35855
Annual Burden Estimates
Requirement
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Number of
Annual
Respondent
s
Average
Number of
Responses
Each
Average
Number of
Annual
Responses
27
2
54
54
27
54
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3
3
3
State Government
Totals:
Average
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n Time per
Response,
Hours
Estimated
Annual
Burden
Hours
Non-Grant Related Burden Estimates
Requirement
Totals:
An agency may not conduct or
sponsor and a person is not required to
respond to a collection of information
unless it displays a currently valid OMB
control number.
The authority for this action is the
Paperwork Reduction Act and 5 CFR
1320.8(d)(1).
Jeffrey Parrillo,
Departmental Information Collection
Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2024–09525 Filed 5–1–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4334–63–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
[BLM_WY_FRN_
MO4500169700.WYW106272479, WYW–
165445]
Notice of Intent To Amend the Worland
Resource Management Plan and
Prepare an Associated Environmental
Assessment; Notice of Realty Action:
Proposed Non-Competitive Direct Sale
of 1.0 Acre of Public Lands in
Washakie County, Wyoming
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent; notice of realty
action.
AGENCY:
In compliance with the
National Environmental Policy Act of
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:14 May 01, 2024
Jkt 262001
1969, as amended (NEPA), and the
Federal Land Policy and Management
Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Wyoming State Director intends to
prepare a Resource Management Plan
(RMP) amendment with an associated
Environmental Assessment (EA) for the
non-competitive direct sale of public
lands in Washakie County, Wyoming,
and by this notice is announcing the
beginning of the scoping period to
solicit public comments and identify
issues; providing the planning criteria
for public review; and announcing a
comment period on the proposed realty
action offering a one-acre parcel of
public lands by direct sale to TAG
Western Properties, LLC for not less
than the fair market value of $1,020.00.
DATES: The BLM requests that the public
submit comments concerning the scope
of the analysis, potential alternatives,
identification of relevant information
and studies, classification of the land for
disposal, and the proposed direct sale
by June 17, 2024. To afford the BLM the
opportunity to consider issues raised by
commenters in the Draft RMP/EA,
please ensure your comments are
received prior to the close of the 45-day
scoping period or 15 days after the last
public meeting, whichever is later.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
on issues and planning criteria related
to the proposed RMP amendment and
non-competitive direct sale of public
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24
land in the Washakie County, Wyoming,
by any of the following methods:
• Website: https://eplanning.blm.gov/
eplanning-ui/project/2023383/510
• Email: BLM_WY_Worland_
WYMail@blm.gov
• Mail: Field Manager, BLM, Worland
Field Office, 101 South 23rd Street,
Worland, WY 82401
Documents pertinent to this proposal
may be examined online at the website
above and at the Worland Field Office.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Connie Craft, Realty Specialist,
telephone (307) 347–5233; address
Worland Field Office, 101 South 23rd
Street, Worland, WY 82401; email
c75craft@blm.gov. Contact Ms. Craft to
have your name added to our mailing
list. Individuals in the United States
who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing,
or have a speech disability may dial 711
(TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access
telecommunications relay services.
Individuals outside the United States
should use the relay services offered
within their country to make
international calls to the point-ofcontact in the United States.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
document provides notice that the BLM
Wyoming State Director intends to
prepare an RMP amendment with an
associated EA for the non-competitive
direct sale of public land in Washakie
County, Wyoming; announces the
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Tribal
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 86 (Thursday, May 2, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35849-35855]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-09525]
[[Page 35849]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Office of the Secretary
[223D0102DM, DS6CS00000, DLSN00000.000000. DX6CS25; OMB Control Number
1093-0012]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Application
Requirements for States and Tribes To Apply for Orphaned Well Site
Plugging, Remediation, and Restoration Funding Consideration, and
Ongoing State and Tribal Reporting Requirements for Funding Recipients
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary of the Interior.
ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA),
the Office of the Secretary of the Interior (Interior), through her
delegated office, the Orphaned Wells Program Office (OWPO), proposes to
renew and revise an OMB-approved information collection, which is
numbered OMB Control Number 1093-0012.
DATES: Interested parties are invited to submit comments on or before
July 1, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed
information collection should be sent to Jeffrey Parrillo, Departmental
Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of the
Interior, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240; or by email to [email protected]. Please reference OMB Control Number ``1093-0012
Orphaned Well Program Office'' in the subject line of your comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information
about this proposed information collection, please contact Ron Lev,
Management and Program Analyst, OWPO, by email, at
[email protected], or by phone, at (771) 233-5722.
Individuals in the United States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of
hearing, or have a speech disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or
TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay services. Individuals
outside of the United States should use the relay services offered
within their country to make international calls to the point-of-
contact in the United States.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the PRA and 5 CFR 1320.8,
all information collections require approval. Interior may not conduct
or sponsor, and a party is not required to respond to, a collection of
information unless the collection displays a currently valid OMB
control number.
As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent
burdens, Interior invites the public and other Federal agencies to
comment on new, proposed, revised, and continuing collections of
information. This helps Interior assess the impact of its information
collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. It
also helps the public understand Interior's information collection
requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format.
Interior is especially interested in public comment concerning:
(1) Whether or not the collection of information is necessary for
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including
whether or not the information will have practical utility;
(2) The accuracy of the estimate of the burden for this collection
of information, including the validity of the methodology and
assumptions used;
(3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and
(4) How might the agency 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, e.g.,
permitting electronic submission of response.
Comments submitted in response to this notice are a matter of
public record. Interior will include or summarize each comment in its
request to the OMB to approve this information collection request.
Before commenters include their respective addresses, phone numbers,
email addresses, or other personal identifying information in their
comments, they should be aware that entire comments--including any
personally identifying information--may be made publicly available at
any time. While a commenter may request that personal identifying
information be withheld from public review, Interior cannot guarantee
that it will be able to do so.
Abstract: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Pub. L. 117-58)
(November 15, 2021), section 40601, ``Orphaned well site plugging,
remediation, and restoration,'' which is also known as the Bipartisan
Infrastructure Law (BIL), amends section 349 of the Energy Policy Act
of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15907). Section 40601 designates Interior as the key
agency responsible for implementing grant and other financial
assistance programs for applicable government entities to plug,
remediate, and reclaim orphaned wells on lands covered by the BIL. The
associated investments will rebuild America's critical infrastructure,
tackle the climate crisis, advance environmental justice, and drive the
creation of good-paying union jobs.
Interior will issue financial assistance through grant awards to
State and Tribal governments under Assistance Listing (CFDA) program
15.018 Energy Community Revitalization Program (ECRP). With respect to
Tribal In Lieu of Grant Assistance, OWPO will coordinate with the
Bureau of Indian Affairs. The authority for the above assistance is the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Division D, Title VI, Section
40601.
The types of assistance contained in section 40601 are as follows:
1. Initial Grants to States
2. Formula Grants to States
3. Performance Grants to States, which includes:
Regulatory Improvement Grants to States
Matching Grants to States
4. Grants to Tribes and Tribal In Lieu of Grant Assistance
The BIL requires Interior to collect information necessary to
ensure that awarded grant and other assistance funds authorized by this
legislation are used in accordance with the BIL, Federal assistance
requirements (i.e., 2 CFR part 200), and other applicable Federal law
and authorities. Interior anticipates that most of the information will
be collected by the OWPO, which has and will issue guidance concerning
the above assistance programs. Interior seeks OMB approval of the
proposed information collection to manage and monitor financial
assistance applications and awards to ensure that States and Tribes
comply with the BIL, 2 CFR part 200, and other applicable Federal law
and authorities.
Consolidated Workplan
Interior proposes to collect the following from all State and
Tribal grant applicants, unless noted otherwise, as part of each
entity's consolidated workplan:
(a) An applicant's process for determining a well has been
orphaned, including what efforts will be made to redeem financial
assurances or otherwise recoup remediation costs from any responsible
parties;
(b) A description of an applicant's plugging standards, including
the witnessing requirements (e.g., qualifications of witness,
documentation);
[[Page 35850]]
(c) An applicant's prioritization process for evaluating and
ranking orphan wells and associated surface reclamation, including
criteria, weighting, and how such prioritization will address resource
and financial risk, public health and safety, potential environmental
harm (including methane emissions where applicable), and other land use
priorities;
(d) If no prioritization process currently exists, an applicant's
description of its plans to develop and implement a prioritization
process;
(e) Details of how a State applicant will identify and address any
disproportionate burden of adverse human health or environmental
effects of orphaned wells on disadvantaged communities, low-income
communities, and Tribal and indigenous communities;
(f) How applicants will identify and incorporate into their work
plans health, safety, habitat, and environmental benefits of plugging,
remediating, or reclamation of orphaned wells (Proposed revision);
(g) The methodology to be used by the applicant to measure and
track methane and other gases associated with orphaned wells, including
how the applicant will confirm the effectiveness of plugging activities
in reducing or eliminating such emissions;
(h) The methodology to be used by the applicant to measure and
track contamination of groundwater and surface water associated with
orphaned wells, including how the applicant will confirm the
effectiveness of plugging activities in reducing or eliminating such
contamination;
(i) The methodology to be used to decommission or remove associated
pipelines, facilities, and infrastructure and to remediate soil and
restore habitat that has been degraded due to the presence of orphaned
wells and associated infrastructure;
(j) Methods the applicant will use to solicit recommendations from
local officials and the public regarding the prioritization of well
plugging and site remediation activities, and any other processes the
applicant will use to solicit feedback on the program from local
officials and the public;
(k) Latitude/Longitude and all other data elements and associated
units of measure as indicated in State and Tribal data reporting
templates. See the Data Associated with Wells Plugged Using Federal BIL
Funds portion of this proposed information collection;
(l) How the applicant will use funding to locate currently
undocumented orphaned wells;
(m) Plans the applicant has to engage third parties in partnerships
around well plugging and site remediation, or any existing similar
partnerships the applicant currently belongs to;
(n) Training programs, registered apprenticeships, and local and
economic hire agreements for workers the applicant intends to conduct
or fund in well plugging or site remediation;
(o) Plans the applicant has to support opportunities for all
workers, including workers underrepresented in well plugging or site
remediation, to be trained and placed in good-paying jobs directly
related to the project;
(p) For State applicants, plans the State applicant has to
incorporate equity for underserved communities into their planning,
including supporting the expansion of high-quality, good paying jobs
through workforce development programs and incorporating workforce
strategy into project development;
(q) Procedures the applicant will use to coordinate with Federal,
State, or Tribal agencies to determine whether efficiencies may exist
by combining field survey, plugging, or surface remediation work across
lands covered by the BIL;
(r) The applicant's authorities to enter private property, or an
applicant's procedures to obtain landowner consent to enter private
property, in the event that any wells to be plugged will be accessed
from privately owned surface;
(s) A work schedule covering the period of performance for the
grant;
(t) If applicable, a federally approved Indirect Cost Rate
Agreement or statement regarding applicant's intention to negotiate or
utilize the de minimis rate;
(u) How an applicant will assist Interior to ensure that activities
funded by the grant it applied for will comply with relevant Federal
law and authorities, such as the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (ESA), and the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended
(NHPA) (Proposed revision);
(v) For Performance Grants, how a State applicant will place a
higher priority on the use of the Federal funds to lower unemployment
in the State, including workforce development activities related to
orphaned well plugging, remediation, and reclamation (Proposed
revision); and
(w) For Performance Grants, how a State applicant will place a
higher priority on the use of the Federal funds to improve economic
conditions in economically distressed areas of the State, provided the
use of the funds is related to orphaned well plugging, remediation, and
reclamation (Proposed revision).
Regulatory Improvement Grants--State Applicants Only
(Proposed Revision)
Under Section 40601(c)(5)(E)(i), a Regulatory Improvement Grant
(RIG) may be awarded to an eligible State if either: (1) ``The State
has strengthened plugging standards and procedures designed to ensure
that wells located in the State are plugged in an effective manner that
protects groundwater and other natural resources, public health and
safety, and the environment'' (Plugging Standards RIG); or (2) ``The
State has made improvements to State programs designed to reduce future
orphaned well burdens, such as financial assurance reform, alternative
funding mechanisms for orphaned well programs, and reforms to programs
relating to well transfer or temporary abandonment'' (Program Standards
RIG). In addition to a consolidated workplan, and other information
required from RIG applicants that is discussed in this proposed
information collection, Interior proposes to collect the following from
applicants.
Plugging Standards RIGs: Interior proposes to collect from Plugging
Standards RIG applicants information pertaining to their statutes,
regulations, policies, and procedures, which were implemented during
the 10-year period specified in the BIL, that demonstrate the ``State
has strengthened plugging standards and procedures designed to ensure
that wells located in the State are plugged in an effective manner that
protects groundwater and other natural resources, public health and
safety, and the environment.'' The list, (a) through (j), below, are
examples of information Interior proposes to collect. In determining
whether a ``State has strengthened plugging standards and procedures,''
Interior may request additional types of information.
(a) Drilling well construction, and the resulting actual or
anticipated positive effects, or documentation, that demonstrate the
State's intent to ensure that wells located in the State are plugged in
an effective manner that protects groundwater and other natural
resources, public health and safety, and the environment.
(b) Allowable well control equipment to manage actions of
perforating, cutting/pulling of casing, or retrieving seal assemblies,
and the resulting actual or anticipated positive effects, or
documentation, that demonstrate the State's intent to ensure that wells
located in the State are plugged in an
[[Page 35851]]
effective manner that protects groundwater and other natural resources,
public health and safety, and the environment.
(c) Allowable barrier types, and the resulting actual or
anticipated positive effects, or documentation, that demonstrate the
State's intent to ensure that wells located in the State are plugged in
an effective manner that protects groundwater and other natural
resources, public health and safety, and the environment.
(d) Allowable barrier placement locations, and the resulting actual
or anticipated positive effects, or documentation, that demonstrate the
State's intent to ensure that wells located in the State are plugged in
an effective manner that protects groundwater and other natural
resources, public health and safety, and the environment.
(e) Allowable barrier placement techniques, and the resulting
actual or anticipated positive effects, or documentation, that
demonstrate the State's intent to ensure that wells located in the
State are plugged in an effective manner that protects groundwater and
other natural resources, public health and safety, and the environment.
(f) Wellbore integrity and barrier verification, and the resulting
actual or anticipated positive effects, or documentation, that
demonstrate the State's intent to ensure that wells located in the
State are plugged in an effective manner that protects groundwater and
other natural resources, public health and safety, and the environment.
(g) Spacer medium between well barriers, and the resulting actual
or anticipated positive effects, or documentation, that demonstrate the
State's intent to ensure that wells located in the State are plugged in
an effective manner that protects groundwater and other natural
resources, public health and safety, and the environment.
(h) Wellbore capping requirements, and the resulting actual or
anticipated positive effects, or documentation, that demonstrate the
State's intent to ensure that wells located in the State are plugged in
an effective manner that protects groundwater and other natural
resources, public health and safety, and the environment.
(i) Plugging procedure approval requirements, plugging procedure
changes, plugging operations notification requirements, post-plugging
reporting requirements, alternative materials or methods, and the
resulting actual or anticipated positive effects of these changes, or
documentation, that demonstrate the State's intent to ensure that wells
located in the State are plugged in an effective manner that protects
groundwater and other natural resources, public health and safety, and
the environment.
(j) Internal inspection and oversight, and long-term monitoring of
plugged wells processes, and the resulting actual or anticipated
positive effects, or documentation, that demonstrate the State's intent
to ensure that wells located in the State are plugged in an effective
manner that protects groundwater and other natural resources, public
health and safety, and the environment.
For Program Standards RIGs: Interior proposes to collect from
Program Standards RIG applicants information pertaining to their
statutes, regulations, policies, and procedures, which were implemented
during the 10-year period specified in the BIL, that demonstrate the
``State has made improvements to State programs designed to reduce
future orphaned well burdens, such as financial assurance reform,
alternative funding mechanisms for orphaned well programs, and reforms
to programs relating to well transfer or temporary abandonment.'' The
list, (a) through (g), below, are examples of information Interior
proposes to collect. In determining whether a ``State has made
improvements to State programs designed to reduce future orphaned well
burdens,'' Interior may request additional types of information.
(a) Liable parties, scope of liability, and state access (e.g.,
non-operator liable parties, predecessor in interest liability, and
state targeting of liable parties through increased or enhanced
enforcement), and the resulting actual or anticipated positive effects,
or documentation, that demonstrate the State's intent to reduce future
orphaned well burdens.
(b) Transfers of interest (e.g., notice of transfer to state from
transferor and transferee, state assessment of transferor and/or
transferee, and transferor maintenance of assurance), and the resulting
actual or anticipated positive effects, or documentation, that
demonstrate the State's intent to reduce future orphaned well burdens.
(c) Financial Assurance (e.g., bonding adjusted for field, well, or
operator risks), and the resulting actual or anticipated positive
effects, or documentation, that demonstrate the State's intent to
reduce future orphaned well burdens, including considerations for idle,
marginal, and producing wells.
(d) Non-assurance State financial protections and plugging
incentives (e.g., fees, taxes, penalties (including increased or
enhanced enforcement), and incentives), and the resulting actual or
anticipated positive effects, or documentation, that demonstrate the
State's intent to reduce future orphaned well burdens, including
considerations for idle, marginal, and producing wells.
(e) Reporting and public notice of orphaned or potentially orphaned
wells (e.g., reporting mechanisms, for responsible parties, online
notice of aggregate financial assurance, and online notice of marginal,
orphaned, and all other wells by responsible party), and the resulting
actual or anticipated positive effects, or documentation, that
demonstrate the State's intent to reduce future orphaned well burdens,
including considerations for idle, marginal, and producing wells.
(f) Consideration for air, groundwater, and other natural
resources, as well as public safety and environmental justice (e.g.,
considerations for surface and groundwater or soil, including hazardous
materials or other contamination, special considerations for oil and
gas wells converted to water wells, and considerations for public
safety and environmental justice), and the resulting actual or
anticipated positive effects, or documentation, that demonstrate the
State's intent to reduce future orphaned well burdens, including
considerations for idle, marginal, and producing wells.
(g) Orphaned-wells-related internal and external workforce
development (e.g., State internal workforce enhancements, State
contracting process, and oversight of State vendors, including
certificate programs), and the resulting actual or anticipated positive
effects, or documentation, that demonstrate the State's intent to
reduce future orphaned well burdens.
For both Plugging Standards and Program Standards Applications: For
all Plugging Standards and Program Standards RIG applicants, Interior
also proposes to collect the following:
Scoring Template: A list of questions related to the specific type
of RIG they are applying for in a scoring template (e.g., ``Yes'' or
``No''). Applicants will also need to provide support for the scoring
template that they submit.
Interior will use the requested information to determine grant
eligibility, including eligible amount, and to ensure that program
objectives are being met, evaluate the applicant's readiness to
obligate grant funds, and evaluate the applicant's approach to execute
grant objectives and the grant-funded work that will be monitored by
Interior.
[[Page 35852]]
Grant Applications
Interior proposes to collect the following additional elements from
applicants:
Standard forms (SF) from the SF-424 Series: Applicants
must submit the following SF-424 series of forms:
[cir] SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance;
[cir] SF-424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs or
SF-424C Budget Information for Construction Program, or both;
[cir] SF-424B, Assurances for Non-Construction Programs) or SF-424D
Assurances for Construction Programs);
[cir] SF-428 Tangible Personal Property Report; and
[cir] SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, when applicable).
Indirect Cost Statement: If requesting reimbursement for
indirect costs, all applicants must include in their application a
statement regarding how they anticipate charging indirect costs.
Budget Narrative and/or Template: Applicants must provide
a narrative and/or template that describes and justifies, with
sufficient detail, the requested budget items and costs, and provides a
description of how the applicant determined its totals by cost category
in their application (Proposed revision).
Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA): When
applicable, a copy of the applicant's current federal-agency-approved
Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement is required.
Single Audit Reporting Statement: All U.S. governmental
entities and non-profit applicants must submit a statement regarding
their single audit reporting status.
Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Applicants must notify
the Interior in writing of any actual or potential conflicts of
interest known at the time of application or that may arise during the
life of this award, in the event the Interior makes an award to the
entity.
Certification Statement: State applicants for the Initial
Grant part of this program must provide a signed State Certification
statement consistent with Section 40601(c)(3)(A)(ii)(III) or
40601(c)(3)(A)(i)(II) of the BIL. State and Tribal Applicants may also
be required to submit other certifications for other grant programs,
consistent with guidance issued by the OWPO.
Tribal In Lieu of Grant Assistance Requests--Tribal Applicants Only
(Proposed Revision)
Tribes, in lieu of grant assistance, may request that Interior
administer and carry out plugging, remediation, and reclamation
activities related to eligible orphaned wells on behalf of the Tribe.
Interior proposes to collect the following information to evaluate and
administer such requests:
A letter of request for assistance, from the Tribe,
bearing the signature of the authorized representative of the Tribe's
governing body;
A description of activities (e.g., plugging and
abandonment, remediation, and/or reclamation) for which the Tribe is
requesting assistance;
A brief description of the Tribe's territories, including
the number and locations of known orphan wells; and
A summary of known supporting data or information,
including existing inventories and assessments and environmental
compliance documents.
Amendments
For many budget and program plan revisions, 2 CFR part 200 requires
recipients submit revision requests to the Federal awarding agency in
writing for prior approval. Interior reviews such requests received to
determine the eligibility and allowability of new or revised activities
and costs and approves certain items of cost.
Reporting/Recordkeeping Requirements
To ensure that activities funded by Section 40601 are consistent
with the BIL, 2 CFR part 200, and other Federal law and authorities,
Interior proposes to collect the following information from all grant
and other funding recipients:
Financial Reports: Recipients are required to submit all
financial reports on the Standard Form 425, Federal Financial Report.
Recipients must submit financial reports in accordance with 2 CFR part
200. The frequency of submission may vary but will typically be
annually or semi-annually. Interior, however, may require submission of
financial reports more frequently in certain circumstances, such as
where more frequent reporting is necessary for the effective monitoring
of the Federal award or could significantly affect program outcomes
(Frequency is proposed revision).
Performance Reports: Recipients must submit performance
reports in accordance with 2 CFR part 200. This information is
necessary for Interior to track accomplishments and performance-related
data. Interior uses these reports to ensure that the recipient is
accomplishing its work on schedule, and to identify any problems that
the recipient may be experiencing in accomplishing the work. While the
frequency of performance reporting may vary, recipients typically will
be required to submit their performance reports annually or semi-
annually. Interior, however, may require the submission of these
reports more frequently in certain circumstance, such as where more
frequent reporting is necessary for the effective monitoring of the
Federal award or could significantly affect program outcomes (Frequency
is proposed revision).
Performance reports must include:
[cir] A comparison of actual accomplishments to the goals and
objectives established for the reporting period, the results/findings,
or both;
[cir] If the goals and objectives were not met, the reasons why,
including analysis and explanation of cost overruns or high unit costs
compared to the benefit received to reach an objective;
[cir] Performance trend data and analysis to be used by the
awarding program to monitor and assess recipient and Federal awarding
program performance;
[cir] Consolidated long-term work plan and accomplishments updates,
when award is part of a large scale or long-term effort funded under
multiple awards over time; and
[cir] Other information that Interior requires to track State and
Tribal accomplishments, collect performance-related data, identify and
risks and failure to achieve certain milestones, and is otherwise
necessary to ensure that the State's or Tribe's actions comply with the
relevant guidance issued by the OWPO (Proposed revision).
Final 15-month Report for State Initial Grants: As
required in the BIL, State recipients under the Initial Grants part of
the program must submit a report no later than 15 months after the date
on which the State receives the funds, describing the means by which
the State used the funds in accordance with its application and
certification, and including the reporting parameters described in this
guidance.
Recordkeeping Requirements: Recipients must retain
financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all
other records pertinent to a Federal award, per 2 CFR part 200
requirements.
Data Associated with Wells Plugged Using Federal BIL
Funds: Recipients must periodically provide data, which upon Interior's
request, may include pictures, video, or other media, for any well
plugged with BIL funds. This may include data associated with
reclamation or restoration of land or infrastructure associated with a
well (Proposed revision).
[[Page 35853]]
Upon request, but no more frequently than annually, recipients must
submit requested information related to aggregate orphaned-well data
(e.g., the total number of documented orphaned wells located in a
State, and the rationale for why the orphaned well inventory has
increased or decreased during a certain time period). Interior will use
this information to evaluate the effectiveness of the programs funded
by the BIL.
Information Concerning State or Tribal Unmet Needs: When
requested, States and Tribes must submit requested information related
to unmet needs for orphaned well plugging, the decommission or removal
of the associated infrastructure, and the restoration and reclamation
of the lands, surface water, ground water, or other natural resources
that are impacted or potentially impacted. States or Tribes may also be
required to provide information regarding employment and economically
distressed areas, or environmental justice (Proposed revision).
Compliance with Environmental and Other Statutes:
Recipients must submit information to Interior to allow Interior to
ensure that Federal BIL funds are utilized in a manner that is
consistent applicable Federal law, such as the ESA and NHPA, and other
authorities and policy (Proposed revision).
Change in RIG Eligibility (Scoring Template): During the
ten-year period that begins on the date of receipt of the grant funds,
each RIG recipient must periodically (e.g., annually) submit an updated
Scoring Template. This submission will allow Interior to ensure that
the State recipient is not required to reimburse Interior for all or a
portion of its RIG for ``failure to maintain protections,'' under
Section 40601(c)(5)(E)(iii). Recipients will also be required to submit
documentation that supports any changes between the submitted Scoring
Template and the one that was previously submitted (Proposed revision).
Interior also proposes to rename the information
collection from Application Requirement for States to Apply for
Orphaned Well Site Plugging, Remediation, and Restoration Grant
Consideration to Application Requirements for States and Tribes to
Apply for Orphaned Well Site Plugging, Remediation, and Restoration
Funding Consideration, and Ongoing State and Tribal Reporting
Requirements for Funding Recipients (Proposed revision).
Title of Collection: Application Requirements for States and Tribes
to Apply for Orphaned Well Site Plugging, Remediation, and Restoration
Funding Consideration, and Ongoing State and Tribal Reporting
Requirements for Funding Recipients.
OMB Control Number: 1093-0012.
Form Number: None.
Type of Review: Revision and extension of a currently approved
collection.
Respondents/Affected Public: Up to 92 (27 State and 65 Tribal
governments).
Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain a benefit.
Frequency of Collection: On occasion
Total Estimated Annual Non-hour Burden Cost: None.
[[Page 35854]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN02MY24.357
Additional burden estimates for this revision request (see three
tables below)
One-Time Burden Estimates
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN02MY24.358
[[Page 35855]]
Annual Burden Estimates
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN02MY24.359
Non-Grant Related Burden Estimates
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN02MY24.360
An agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required
to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a
currently valid OMB control number.
The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act and 5
CFR 1320.8(d)(1).
Jeffrey Parrillo,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2024-09525 Filed 5-1-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4334-63-P
