Notice of a Revision to a Currently Approved Information Collection, 64404-64405 [2024-17478]

Download as PDF 64404 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 152 / Wednesday, August 7, 2024 / Notices form of business as a viable option for enhancing the income of agricultural producers and other rural residents. RBCS’ direct role is providing knowledge to improve the effectiveness and performance of farmer cooperative businesses through technical assistance, research, information, and education. The Annual Survey of Farmer Cooperatives collects basic statistics on cooperative business volume, net income, members, financial status, employees, and other selected information to support RBCS’ objective and role. Cooperative statistics are published in an annual report and other formats for use by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperative management and members, educators and researchers, other Federal agencies, cooperative trade associations, general agribusiness, cooperative development practitioners, students, teachers, consultants, and many others. Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.78 hours per response. Respondents: Cooperatives. Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,035. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1. Estimated Number of Responses: 1,035. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 806 hours. Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Adyam Negasi, RD Innovation Center—Regulations Management Division, at 202–221–9298 or Adyam.negasi@usda.gov. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record. Kathryn E. Dirksen Londrigan, Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA Rural Development. [FR Doc. 2024–17405 Filed 8–6–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–XY–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES [Docket No.: RUS–24–ELECTRIC–0024] Notice of a Revision to a Currently Approved Information Collection Rural Utilities Service, USDA. Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: ACTION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Rural Utilities SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:07 Aug 06, 2024 Jkt 262001 Service’s (RUS or the Agency), an agency with the United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, intention to request a revision to a currently approved information collection package for the RUS Electric Loan Application and Related Reporting Burdens. The Agency invites comments on this information collection for which the Agency intends to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by October 7, 2024 to be assured of consideration. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pamela Bennett, Rural Development Innovation Center—Regulations Management Division, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 1522, South Building, Washington, DC 20250– 1522. Telephone: (202) 720–9639. Email pamela.bennett@usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 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 the Agency is submitting to OMB for revision. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) The accuracy of the Agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) Ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent by the Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https:// www.regulations.gov and, in the ‘‘Search’’ box, type in the Docket No. located at the beginning of this notice. A link to the Notice will appear. You may submit a comment here by selecting the ‘‘Comment’’ button or you can access the ‘‘Docket’’ tab, select the ‘‘Notice,’’ and go to the ‘‘Browse & Comment on Documents’’ Tab. Here you may view comments that have been submitted as well as submit a comment. PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 To submit a comment, select the ‘‘Comment’’ button, complete the required information, and select the ‘‘Submit Comment’’ button at the bottom. Information on using Regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after the close of the comment period, is available through the site’s ‘‘FAQ’’ link at the bottom. A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. Data furnished by the applicants will be used to determine eligibility for program benefits. Furnishing the data is voluntary; however, failure to provide data could result in program benefits being withheld or denied. Title: RUS Electric Loan Application and Related Reporting Burdens. OMB Control Number: 0572–0032. Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved information collection. Abstract: 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. E:\FR\FM\07AUN1.SGM 07AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 152 / Wednesday, August 7, 2024 / Notices 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. RUS uses an online application intake system called RDApply that allows applicants to create an online application for RUS loans and grants as well as upload attachments, sign 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 19.07 hours per response. Respondents: Non-profit organizations, business or other for profit. Estimated Number of Respondents: 608. Estimated Total Annual Responses: 1,967. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 3.24. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 37,514 Hours. Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Pamela Bennett, Rural Development Innovation Center— Regulations Management Division, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, South Building, Washington, DC 20250– 1522. Email: pamela.bennett@usda.gov. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record. Christopher A. McLean, Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service. [FR Doc. 2024–17478 Filed 8–6–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–15–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Office of the Secretary [Docket Number 240729–0207] RIN 0605–XZ001 Department of Commerce Open Government Plan Office of the Secretary, Department of Commerce. AGENCY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:07 Aug 06, 2024 Jkt 262001 Notice and request for comments (RFC). ACTION: The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Privacy and Open Government requests public comment on improvements for the presentation of the Department’s eighth Open Government Plan. We are committed to creating opportunities for meaningful civic engagement and public participation and welcome public input on how to improve upon the organization, scope, form, and format of the Department’s seventh Open Government Plan document, how to enhance readability and reach a broader audience, and how best to convey in the document how the Department’s eighth Open Government Plan incorporates themes from the fifth U.S. Open Government National Action Plan that was issued on December 28, 2022. DATES: Comments on this notice must be submitted on or before September 6, 2024. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov/. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. All public comments received are subject to the Freedom of Information Act and will be posted in their entirety at https:// www.regulations.gov/, including any personal and business confidential information provided. Do not include any information you would not like to be made publicly available. Instructions: Response to this RFC is voluntary. Responses should include the name of the person(s) or organization(s) filing the response. Responses containing references, studies, research, and other empirical data that are not widely published should include copies of or electronic links to the referenced materials. Please do not submit copyrighted material. Responses containing profanity, vulgarity, threats, or other inappropriate language or content will not be considered. Any information obtained from this RFC is intended to be used by the Government on a non-attribution basis. The Department of Commerce will not respond to individual submissions. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information should be directed to open@doc.gov with ‘‘Open Government Plan RFC’’ in the subject line, or by mail to Office of Privacy and Open Government, U.S. Department of Commerce, Attn: Jennifer Goode, Ph.D., Deputy Director for Open Government and Departmental Privacy Act Officer, 1401 Constitution Ave. NW, SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 64405 Mail Stop 61013, Washington, DC 20230, (202) 482–1190. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with OMB Memorandum M–09–12, President’s Memorandum on Transparency and Open Government— Interagency Collaboration, OMB Memorandum M–10–06, Open Government Directive, and OMB Memorandum M–16–16, 2016 Agency Open Government Plans, the Department continues to develop, publish, and update its Open Government Plan every two years. The Plan describes how the Department continuously strives to improve transparency and integrate public participation and collaboration into its activities. In September 2022, the Department published the seventh version of its Open Government Plan, building on the Department’s long history of innovative approaches to data dissemination and highlighting the adoption of new tools and technology to facilitate the principles of open government. Now, as the Department develops the eighth version of its Open Government Plan, we welcome public input on how to improve upon the approach we took for the presentation of the seventh version of the Open Government Plan, including how to improve the organization, scope, form and format of the plan; enhance readability; and reach a broader audience. We also welcome public input on how best to convey how the Department will incorporate the following themes from the fifth U.S. Open Government National Action Plan, issued on December 28, 2022: • improving access to government data, research, and information; • increasing civic space within which to engage with the public; • transforming government service delivery; • countering corruption and ensuring government integrity and accountability to the public; and • ensuring equal justice under the law. Please note: The focus of this request for information is the presentation of the Department’s Open Government Plan document. Comments or suggestions for improvements to the Department’s programs or activities in furtherance of open government will not be considered in connection with this request for information. To learn more about the Department’s commitment to open government and to access the seventh or previous versions of the Department’s Open Government Plan, visit www.commerce.gov/open. To learn more about the fifth U.S. Open E:\FR\FM\07AUN1.SGM 07AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 152 (Wednesday, August 7, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64404-64405]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-17478]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

[Docket No.: RUS-24-ELECTRIC-0024]


Notice of a Revision to a Currently Approved Information 
Collection

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Rural Utilities Service's (RUS or the Agency), an 
agency with the United States Department of Agriculture, Rural 
Development, intention to request a revision to a currently approved 
information collection package for the RUS Electric Loan Application 
and Related Reporting Burdens. The Agency invites comments on this 
information collection for which the Agency intends to request approval 
from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by October 7, 2024 to 
be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pamela Bennett, Rural Development 
Innovation Center--Regulations Management Division, USDA, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, STOP 1522, South Building, Washington, DC 
20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 720-9639. Email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 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 the Agency is submitting to OMB for 
revision.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the Agency, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (b) The accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) Ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) Ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.
    Comments may be sent by the Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 
https://www.regulations.gov and, in the ``Search'' box, type in the 
Docket No. located at the beginning of this notice. A link to the 
Notice will appear. You may submit a comment here by selecting the 
``Comment'' button or you can access the ``Docket'' tab, select the 
``Notice,'' and go to the ``Browse & Comment on Documents'' Tab. Here 
you may view comments that have been submitted as well as submit a 
comment. To submit a comment, select the ``Comment'' button, complete 
the required information, and select the ``Submit Comment'' button at 
the bottom. Information on using Regulations.gov, including 
instructions for accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing 
the docket after the close of the comment period, is available through 
the site's ``FAQ'' link at the bottom.
    A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for 
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of 
information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. Data 
furnished by the applicants will be used to determine eligibility for 
program benefits. Furnishing the data is voluntary; however, failure to 
provide data could result in program benefits being withheld or denied.
    Title: RUS Electric Loan Application and Related Reporting Burdens.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0032.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: 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.

[[Page 64405]]

    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.
    RUS uses an online application intake system called RDApply that 
allows applicants to create an online application for RUS loans and 
grants as well as upload attachments, sign 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 19.07 hours per response.
    Respondents: Non-profit organizations, business or other for 
profit.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 608.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 1,967.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 3.24.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 37,514 Hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Pamela 
Bennett, Rural Development Innovation Center--Regulations Management 
Division, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, South Building, 
Washington, DC 20250-1522. Email: [email protected].
    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.

Christopher A. McLean,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-17478 Filed 8-6-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P
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