E6-1034. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

January 24, 2006.

The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments regarding (a) Whether the 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 burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (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 should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), [e-mail] or fax [phone] and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling [phone].

An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Rural Utilities Service

Title: 7 CFR Part 1724, Electric Engineering Architectural Services and Design Policies.

OMB Control Number: 0572-0118.

Summary of Collection: The Rural Electrification Act of 1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., authorization to Rural Utilities Service (RUS) make loans in several States and Territories of the United States for rural electrification and the furnishing and improving of electric energy to persons in rural areas. Title 7 CFR 1724 requires each borrower to select a qualified architect to perform certain architectural services and to use the designated form that provides for these services. The agency has developed standardized contractual forms used by borrowers to contract for services.

Need and Use of the Information: The information collected from the forms is on and as needed basis or when the individual borrower undertakes certain projects. The standardization of the forms by RUS has resulted in substantial savings to borrowers by reducing preparation of the documentation and the costly review by the government.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions.

Number of Respondents: 81.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 161.

Rural Utilities Service

Title: Advance of Loan Funds and Budgetary Control and Related Burdens.

OMB Control Number: 0572-0015.

Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is authorized by the Rural Electrification Act (RE Act) of 1936, as amended, “to make loans in several States and territories of the United States for rural electrification and for the purpose of furnishing and improving electric and telephone service in rural areas and to assist electric borrowers to implement demand side management, energy conservation programs, and on-grid and off-grid renewable energy systems.” Borrowers will provide the agency with information that supports the use of the funds as well as identify the type of projects for which they will use the funds.

Need and Use of the Information: RUS electric borrowers will submit RUS form 595 and 219. Form 595, Financial Requirement & Expenditure Statement, to request an advance of loan funds remaining for an existing approved loan and to report on the expenditure of previously advanced loan funds. Form 219, Inventory of Work Orders, serves as a connecting line and provides an audit trail that verifies the evidence supporting the propriety of expenditures for construction of retirement projects that supports the advance of funds. The information collected will ensure that loans funds are expended and advanced for RUS approved budget process and amounts. Failure to collect proper information could result in improper determinations of eligibility or improper use of funds.

Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 700.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 14,820.

Charlene Parker,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.