Department of Energy March 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On March 5, 2008, the Department of Energy (DOE) published a Notice of Intent in the Federal Register (73 FR 11895) to prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) to analyze the impacts of potential new locations for certain off site facilities associated with the proposed Strategic Petroleum Reserve expansion site at Richton, Mississippi. That Notice also announced that DOE will hold three meetings at which interested agencies, organizations, Native American tribes, and members of the public may submit comments or suggestions to assist in identifying alternatives, significant environmental issues, and the appropriate scope of the SEIS. DOE now announces that it will hold an additional public scoping meeting, in Perry County, Mississippi. New Public Scoping Meeting: A public scoping meeting will be held at New Augusta, Mississippi, on April 7, 2008, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Perry Central High School, 9899 Hwy. 98.

The Department of Energy (DOE), pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act (of 1995), intends to extend for three years, an information collection request with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The Department of Energy (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is a formula grant funding program. DOE has developed four forms designed to reduce the length of time to input information and provide a consistent format for all States to submit as part of their State Application and Plan process. This activity will benefit the program and States because all forms are in electronic format that will populate a database for program information. The program information captured will be used to provide the most current program information for the budget, congressional and public inquires of the program. 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.

The Department of Energy (DOE), pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, intends to extend for three years, an information collection package with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) concerning Collection of Human Resource information from major DOE contractors for contract management, administration, and cost control. 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.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) is amending its regulations to eliminate the collection of the FERC Form No. 423, Monthly Report of Cost and Quality of Fuels for Electric Plants. The Commission is eliminating collection of the FERC Form No. 423 following the December 2007 report, which was due February 15, 2008.

Pursuant to Section 14(a)(2)(A) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act and in accordance with Title 41 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 102-3.65, and following consultation with the other Federal agencies responsible for preparing Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) Synthesis and Assessment Products that are required to comply with Section 106 of the Global Change Research Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-606), notice is hereby given that the Climate Change Science Program Product Development Advisory Committee has been renewed for a two-year period. The Committee will draft a specific CCSP Synthesis and Assessment Product on climate modeling at the request of the Department of Energy in accordance with the Guidelines for producing the CCSP Synthesis and Assessment Products. The Committee will update the Department of Energy on the progress during the development of the product and will agree upon the contents of the product before advising the Department to adopt the language. The Committee will function solely as an advisory body. The Secretary of Energy has determined that renewal of the Climate Change Science Program Product Development Advisory Committee is essential to the conduct of the Department's business and in the public interest in connection with the performance of duties imposed by law upon the Department of Energy. The Committee will continue to operate in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463), the General Services Administration Final Rule on Federal Advisory Committee Management, and other directives and instructions issued in implementation of those acts.

The Department of Energy (DOE) has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance, a proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The proposed collection will measure perceptions of DOE and contractor employees regarding the Employee Concerns Program, as well as measure the effectiveness of the Employee Concerns Program as experienced by clients.