Proposed Emergency Information Collection, 87354-87355 [2024-25416]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
87354
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 212 / Friday, November 1, 2024 / Notices
concerns and bearing on the proposed
action or its impacts. DOE’s review
focused on whether the views and
information identified that the Project
would affect the quality of the human
environment in a significant manner or
to a significant extent not already
considered in the Final DOE/EIS–0561
and related environmental review
processes. As discussed, the views and
information did not identify new
information that showed the Project
would affect the quality of the human
environment in a significant manner or
to a significant extent not already
encompassed by the analysis considered
in the Final DOE/EIS–0561 or in the
preparation of this Record of Decision.
DOE grouped the views and
information received into the following
10 categories: (1) NEPA process (DOE’s
Record of Decision); (2) DOE’s due
diligence process for the loan (financial
and technical viability of the project);
(3) socioeconomics (viability of lithium
batteries; lithium and sulfuric acid
pricing); (4) safety (radioactive
materials); (5) historic, cultural, and
Tribal resources (Section 106, historic
properties; Tribal input on federal
agency decision making); (6) Electricity
Use and GHG Emissions; (7) water
resources (mining and the water table;
impacts to springs, groundwater; data
assumptions and groundwater models);
(8) data gathering and monitoring
(private land access; monitoring and
work plans; work outside mine plan
boundary) (9) air emissions, (10)
chemical and waste management
(sulfuric acid; clay tailings). With the
exception of views and information on
DOE’s NEPA process, due diligence
process, and socioeconomics, the views
and information are addressed in the
Final DOE/EIS–0561, specifically in
appendix R (Comment Responses) and
in consultations for the project
(specifically, section 106).
The views and information received
on DOE’s NEPA process, DOE’s due
diligence process for the loan, and the
socioeconomics (viability of lithium
batteries; lithium and sulfuric acid
pricing) were not addressed in the Final
DOE/EIS–0561. DOE performs rigorous
due diligence related to all aspects of a
potential loan transaction under the
ATVM Program. The ATVM Program is
administered by the DOE LPO. LPO
originates, underwrites, and services
loans to eligible automotive
manufacturers and components
manufacturers. LPO has reviewed and
determined that LNC’s application is
eligible for a potential loan (10 CFR
611.100, 611.101, and 611.102). The
purpose and need for DOE’s proposed
action, the issuance of a Federal loan, is
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:47 Oct 31, 2024
Jkt 265001
to implement DOE’s authority under
section 136 of the Energy Independence
and Security Act of 2007, which is to
finance projects that reequip, expand, or
establish manufacturing facilities in the
United States to produce qualified
advanced technology vehicles or
qualifying components, and also for
engineering integration costs associated
with such projects. (42 U.S.C. 17013, as
amended). Before LPO issues the
Federal loan, the due diligence process
includes an analysis on technical,
financial, and environmental aspects of
the project to include completion of
DOE’s NEPA process (BLM EIS
adoption, consultations, and Record of
Decision), the financial and technical
viability of the project, and the
socioeconomics (viability of lithium
batteries; lithium and sulfuric acid
pricing) involved. The company must
satisfy certain technical, legal,
environmental, and financial conditions
before the Department funds the loan.
DOE thoroughly reviewed and
considered all the views and
information received during and after
the review period and has concluded
that none of the comments provide new
information or identify new
circumstances that warrant preparation
of a supplemental EIS. This conclusion
is based on the following: (1) the
majority of the views and information
were addressed in the Final DOE/EIS–
0561, specifically in Appendix R; (2) the
additional review conducted by BLM in
the June 25, 2024, approval letter for
minor modification to Phase 1 of the
Mine Plan; (3) review of required
permits, approvals, and works plans for
the project and any associated updates
to those permits, approvals, and work
plans; (4) the consultations,
determinations, and coordination
completed by DOE; and (5) the
additional analysis described above that
were considered in the preparation of
this ROD.
Decision: DOE has decided to issue a
loan to LNC, for construction and startup of lithium processing to include a
sulfuric acid plant, lithium processing
facility, and supporting infrastructure
and facilities in Humboldt County,
Nevada. Approval of the loan for the
Thacker Pass Project responds to the
DOE purpose and need pursuant to
section 136 of the Energy Independence
and Security Act of 2007, which is to
finance projects that reequip, expand, or
establish manufacturing facilities in the
United States to produce qualified
advanced technology vehicles or
qualifying components, and also for
engineering integration costs associated
with such projects. (42 U.S.C. 17013, as
amended). DOE’s Proposed Action
PO 00000
Frm 00031
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
evaluated in this ROD supports the
Phase 1 activities at Thacker Pass
analyzed within the Final DOE/EIS–
0561.
Mitigation: All DOE loan agreements
require that the borrower comply with
all applicable environmental laws and
related requirements, as well as required
approvals and permits. To ensure that
the recipient complies with the
requirements of the loan agreement, the
Loan Programs Office proactively
monitors and administers all operative
loan transactions. The loan agreement
includes a condition requiring that LNC
must notify DOE if formal or informal
environmental notices, orders,
decisions, directives, or determinations
submitted by any Governmental
Authority or if there are any changes to
Required Approvals. These mitigation
measures are practicable means to avoid
or minimize environmental harm. A
recipient’s failure to comply with
applicable laws, authorizations, and
approvals may constitute a default,
upon which DOE would have the right
under the loan agreement to exercise
usual and customary remedies.
Signing Authority
This document of the Department of
Energy was signed on October 28, 2024,
by Jigar Shah, Director, Loan Programs
Office, pursuant to delegated authority
from the Secretary of Energy. That
document with the original signature
and date is maintained by DOE. For
administrative purposes only, and in
compliance with requirements of the
Office of the Federal Register, the
undersigned DOE Federal Register
Liaison Officer has been authorized to
sign and submit the document in
electronic format for publication, as an
official document of the Department of
Energy. This administrative process in
no way alters the legal effect of this
document upon publication in the
Federal Register.
Signed in Washington, DC, on October 29,
2024.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S.
Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2024–25481 Filed 10–31–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Proposed Emergency Information
Collection
Grid Deployment Office,
Department of Energy.
ACTION: Notice and request for
comments.
AGENCY:
E:\FR\FM\01NON1.SGM
01NON1
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 212 / Friday, November 1, 2024 / Notices
The Department of Energy
(DOE) Grid Deployment Office (GDO)
invites the public to comment on a
proposed emergency collection of
information that DOE is developing for
submission to the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) pursuant to the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
DATES: Comments regarding this
proposed information collection must
be received on or before December 2,
2024. If you anticipate that you will be
submitting comments but find it
difficult to do so within the period
allowed by this notice, please advise the
OMB Desk Officer of your intention to
make a submission as soon as possible.
The Desk Officer may be telephoned at
(202) 881–8585.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and
recommendations for the proposed
information collection should be sent
within 30 days of publication of this
notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/
PRAMain. Find this particular
information collection by selecting
‘‘Currently under 30-day Review—Open
for Public Comments’’ or by using the
search function.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Aisha Miranda Rivera, Department of
Energy, Grid Deployment Office, 1000
Independence Avenue SW, Suite 4H–
065, Washington, DC 20585; (240) 429–
5213; aisha.miranda-rivera@hq.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments
are invited on: (a) Whether the extended
collection of information is necessary
for the proper performance of the
functions of the agency, including
whether the information shall 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 respondents, including through the
use of automated collection techniques
or other forms of information
technology.
This information collection request
contains:
(1) OMB No.: 1910–5200;
(2) Information Collection Request
Title: Puerto Rico Energy Resilience
Fund (PR–ERF), Household Intake
Form;
(3) Type of Request: Emergency
Clearance;
(4) Purpose: The PR–ERF will support
the installation of rooftop solar and
storage solutions for vulnerable Puerto
Rican households. The purpose of this
Information Collection Request (ICR) is
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:47 Oct 31, 2024
Jkt 265001
to authorize the ‘PR–ERF Household
Intake Form’ as the means to collect
homeowner information necessary to
qualify households as eligible to
participate in the deployment phase of
the PR–ERF. Eligibility is limited to very
low-income single-family households 1
residing in Puerto Rico that (1) include
an individual with an energy-dependent
disability or (2) are located in a Last
Mile Community.2 On May 15, 2024,
OMB approved form 1910–5200. GDO is
seeking a revision of the current intake
form, specifically the sections related to
income eligibility and proof of an
individual with an energy dependent
disability. DOE has initiated
installations of solar PV and battery
storage systems to address the harm and
risk represented by the fragility of the
island’s power system. However, DOE
has received significant public input
from program awardees and potential
beneficiaries 3 to expand the types of
information that may be submitted to
verify eligibility under the program.
Many awardees and potential
beneficiaries of this program have
requested DOE expand the definition
‘‘very low-income single-family
household’’ to consider additional
income qualifying programs, such as
Plan de Salud Vital and USDA Sections
502 and 504 Programs and allow
potential beneficiaries to submit this
information as verification of eligibility
to the program. Also, awardees
expressed age verification as an
appropriate modality for verifying
energy-dependent disability status and
including temperature control devices
as eligible medical equipment for
energy-dependent critical load
purposes. As a result, it is necessary for
DOE to modify the program information
collection practices in response to this
public feedback.
(5) Annual Estimated Number of
Respondents: 40,140;
(6) Annual Estimated Number of
Total Responses: 80,000;
(7) Annual Estimated Number of
Burden Hours: 56,800;
(8) Annual Estimated Reporting and
Recordkeeping Cost Burden: $845,520.
Statutory Authority: The Consolidated
Appropriations Act of 2023, Public Law
117–328, directs the Department of
1 A census block that (a) has a high percent of
very low-income households, and (b) experiences
frequent and prolonged power outages. Solar
Ambassador organizations will perform outreach
activities in Last Mile Communities to identify
qualifying households.
2 https://clausa.app.carto.com/map/f63080c519c9-47c6-8ac8-74d96358e9ed.
3 This includes responses to a Request for
Information on the program design issues February
21, 2023 as well through negotiations with program
awardees.
PO 00000
Frm 00032
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
87355
Energy to improve the resilience of the
Puerto Rican electric grid, including
grants for low-and-moderate-income
households and households that include
individuals with disabilities for the
purchase and installation of renewable
energy, energy storage, and other grid
technologies.
Signing Authority
This document of the Department of
Energy was signed on October 28, 2024,
by Maria D. Robinson, Director, Grid
Deployment Office, pursuant to
delegated authority from the Secretary
of Energy. That document with the
original signature and date is
maintained by DOE. For administrative
purposes only, and in compliance with
requirements of the Office of the Federal
Register, the undersigned DOE Federal
Register Liaison Officer has been
authorized to sign and submit the
document in electronic format for
publication, as an official document of
the Department of Energy. This
administrative process in no way alters
the legal effect of this document upon
publication in the Federal Register.
Signed in Washington, DC, on October 28,
2024.
Jennifer Hartzell,
Alternate Federal Register Liaison Officer,
U.S. Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2024–25416 Filed 10–31–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
National Nuclear Security
Administration
Advisory Committee for Nuclear
Security
Office of Defense Programs,
National Nuclear Security
Administration, Department of Energy.
ACTION: Notice of closed meeting.
AGENCY:
This notice announces a
closed meeting of the Advisory
Committee for Nuclear Security (ACNS).
The Federal Advisory Committee Act
requires that public notice of meetings
be announced in the Federal Register.
Due to national security considerations,
the meeting will be closed to the public
and matters to be discussed are exempt
from public disclosure under the
Executive order, ‘‘Classified National
Security Information,’’ and the Atomic
Energy Act of 1954.
DATES: December 3, 2024; 8:30 a.m. to
5 p.m.
ADDRESSES: In-person meeting.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Watti Hill, Office of Policy for Strategic
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\01NON1.SGM
01NON1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 212 (Friday, November 1, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 87354-87355]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-25416]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Proposed Emergency Information Collection
AGENCY: Grid Deployment Office, Department of Energy.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 87355]]
SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE) Grid Deployment Office (GDO)
invites the public to comment on a proposed emergency collection of
information that DOE is developing for submission to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995.
DATES: Comments regarding this proposed information collection must be
received on or before December 2, 2024. If you anticipate that you will
be submitting comments but find it difficult to do so within the period
allowed by this notice, please advise the OMB Desk Officer of your
intention to make a submission as soon as possible. The Desk Officer
may be telephoned at (202) 881-8585.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of
this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular
information collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--
Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Aisha Miranda Rivera, Department of
Energy, Grid Deployment Office, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Suite 4H-
065, Washington, DC 20585; (240) 429-5213; [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the
extended collection of information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the
information shall 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 respondents, including through the use of
automated collection techniques or other forms of information
technology.
This information collection request contains:
(1) OMB No.: 1910-5200;
(2) Information Collection Request Title: Puerto Rico Energy
Resilience Fund (PR-ERF), Household Intake Form;
(3) Type of Request: Emergency Clearance;
(4) Purpose: The PR-ERF will support the installation of rooftop
solar and storage solutions for vulnerable Puerto Rican households. The
purpose of this Information Collection Request (ICR) is to authorize
the `PR-ERF Household Intake Form' as the means to collect homeowner
information necessary to qualify households as eligible to participate
in the deployment phase of the PR-ERF. Eligibility is limited to very
low-income single-family households \1\ residing in Puerto Rico that
(1) include an individual with an energy-dependent disability or (2)
are located in a Last Mile Community.\2\ On May 15, 2024, OMB approved
form 1910-5200. GDO is seeking a revision of the current intake form,
specifically the sections related to income eligibility and proof of an
individual with an energy dependent disability. DOE has initiated
installations of solar PV and battery storage systems to address the
harm and risk represented by the fragility of the island's power
system. However, DOE has received significant public input from program
awardees and potential beneficiaries \3\ to expand the types of
information that may be submitted to verify eligibility under the
program. Many awardees and potential beneficiaries of this program have
requested DOE expand the definition ``very low-income single-family
household'' to consider additional income qualifying programs, such as
Plan de Salud Vital and USDA Sections 502 and 504 Programs and allow
potential beneficiaries to submit this information as verification of
eligibility to the program. Also, awardees expressed age verification
as an appropriate modality for verifying energy-dependent disability
status and including temperature control devices as eligible medical
equipment for energy-dependent critical load purposes. As a result, it
is necessary for DOE to modify the program information collection
practices in response to this public feedback.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ A census block that (a) has a high percent of very low-
income households, and (b) experiences frequent and prolonged power
outages. Solar Ambassador organizations will perform outreach
activities in Last Mile Communities to identify qualifying
households.
\2\ https://clausa.app.carto.com/map/f63080c5-19c9-47c6-8ac8-74d96358e9ed.
\3\ This includes responses to a Request for Information on the
program design issues February 21, 2023 as well through negotiations
with program awardees.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Annual Estimated Number of Respondents: 40,140;
(6) Annual Estimated Number of Total Responses: 80,000;
(7) Annual Estimated Number of Burden Hours: 56,800;
(8) Annual Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Cost Burden:
$845,520.
Statutory Authority: The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023,
Public Law 117-328, directs the Department of Energy to improve the
resilience of the Puerto Rican electric grid, including grants for low-
and-moderate-income households and households that include individuals
with disabilities for the purchase and installation of renewable
energy, energy storage, and other grid technologies.
Signing Authority
This document of the Department of Energy was signed on October 28,
2024, by Maria D. Robinson, Director, Grid Deployment Office, pursuant
to delegated authority from the Secretary of Energy. That document with
the original signature and date is maintained by DOE. For
administrative purposes only, and in compliance with requirements of
the Office of the Federal Register, the undersigned DOE Federal
Register Liaison Officer has been authorized to sign and submit the
document in electronic format for publication, as an official document
of the Department of Energy. This administrative process in no way
alters the legal effect of this document upon publication in the
Federal Register.
Signed in Washington, DC, on October 28, 2024.
Jennifer Hartzell,
Alternate Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2024-25416 Filed 10-31-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
