[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 213 (Friday, November 4, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-27409]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: November 4, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Form EIA-1605, Voluntary Reporting of Greenhouse Gases
AGENCY: Energy Information Administration.
ACTION: Notice of proposed new Form EIA-1605, ``Voluntary Reporting of
Greenhouse Gases,'' and its short version, Form EIA-1605EZ, ``Short
Form for Voluntary Reporting of Greenhouse Gases,'' and Solicitation of
Comments.
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SUMMARY: The Energy Information Administration (EIA), as part of its
continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden (required
by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980, Public Law No. 96-511, 44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), conducts a presurvey consultation program to
provide the general public and other Federal agencies with an
opportunity to comment on proposed reporting forms. This program helps
to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format,
reporting burden is minimized, reporting forms are clearly understood,
and the effect of collection requirements on respondents can be
properly assessed.
Currently, EIA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed Form
EIA-1605, ``Voluntary Reporting of Greenhouse Gases'' and its short
version Form EIA-1605EZ, ``Short Form for Voluntary Reporting of
Greenhouse Gases.''
DATES: Written comments should be received by December 5, 1994. EIA
will endeavor to consider any comments submitted after this deadline to
the extent possible prior to submission of the forms and instructions
to the Office of Management and Budget for clearance.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Mr. Arthur Rypinski, Greenhouse Gases
Voluntary Reporting Program, Office of Integrated Analysis and
Forecasting, Energy Information Administration, EI-81, U.S. Department
of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20585, or
via e-mail (internet) to infoghg@eia.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Copies of the draft form and
instructions have been sent to all those parties who commented on the
Department of Energy's DRAFT--Voluntary Reporting of Greenhouse Gases
under Section 1605(b) of the Energy Policy Act of 1992: General
Guidelines and Supporting Documents. In addition, copies will be
provided to the administrative heads of the ``Green'' programs
(voluntary emission reduction programs) sponsored by the Department of
Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. To determine if you
will be receiving a copy or to request a copy of the proposed form and
instructions, please call 1-800-308-1898. You may also send your
request via fax to 1-800-542-1956, or via internet to: infoghg@eia.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
II. Current Actions
III. Request for Comments
I. Background
In order to fulfill its responsibilities under the Federal Energy
Administration Act of 1974 (Public Law No. 93-275) and the Department
of Energy Organization Act (Public Law No. 95-91), EIA is obliged to
carry out a central, comprehensive, and unified energy data and
information program. As part of this program, EIA collects, evaluates,
assembles, analyzes, and disseminates data and information related to
energy.
Legislative authority
The legislative authority for this voluntary program is section
1605(b) of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (Public Law 92-486) which
states:
(b) VOLUNTARY REPORTING--
(1) ISSUANCE OF GUIDELINES. Not later than 18 months after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall, after opportunity
for public comment, issue guidelines for the voluntary collection and
reporting of information on sources of greenhouse gases. Such
guidelines shall establish procedures for the accurate voluntary
reporting of information on--
(A) greenhouse gas emissions--
(i) for the baseline period of 1987 through 1990; and
(ii) for subsequent calendar years on an annual basis;
(B) annual reductions of greenhouse gas emissions and carbon
fixation achieved through any measures, including fuel switching,
forest management practices, tree planting, use of renewable energy,
manufacture or use of vehicles with reduced greenhouse gas emissions,
appliance efficiency, methane recovery, cogeneration,
chlorofluorocarbon capture and replacement, and power plant heat rate
improvement;
(C) reductions in greenhouse gas emissions achieved as a result
of--
(i) voluntary reductions;
(ii) plant or facility closings; and
(iii) State or Federal requirements; and
(D) an aggregate calculation of greenhouse gas emissions by each
reporting entity.
Such guidelines shall also establish procedures for taking into
account the differential radiative activity and atmospheric lifetimes
of each greenhouse gas.
(2) REPORTING PROCEDURES. The Administrator of the Energy
Information Administration shall develop forms for voluntary reporting
under the guidelines established under paragraph (1), and shall make
such forms available to entities wishing to report such information.
Persons reporting under this subsection shall certify the accuracy of
the information reported.
(3) CONFIDENTIALITY. Trade secret and commercial or financial
information that is privileged or confidential shall be protected as
provided in section 552 (b)(4) of title 5, United States Code.
(4) ESTABLISHMENT OF DATABASE. Not later than 18 months after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary through the
Administrator of the Energy Information Administration shall establish
a database comprised of information voluntarily reported under this
subsection. Such information may be used by the reporting entity to
demonstrate achieved reductions of greenhouse gases.
II. Current Actions
Form EIA-1605 and its shorter version Form EIA-1605EZ are
consistent with the Guidelines established by the Secretary of Energy
under Section 1605(b), entitled Voluntary Reporting of Greenhouse Gases
under Section 1605(b) of the Energy Policy Act of 1992: General
Guidelines and Supporting Documents.
III. Request for Comments
Prospective reporters and other interested parties should comment
on the actions discussed in Items I and II above. The following general
questions are provided to assist in the preparation of responses.
As a potential respondent:
A. Are the instructions and definitions clear and sufficient? If
not, which instructions require clarification?
B. Can the data be submitted using the definitions included in the
instructions?
C. Assuming the typical long-form reporter files only domestic data
and uses Schedules I, III, IV and three sections of Schedule II, the
reporting burden for Form EIA-1605 is estimated to average 20 hours per
response. The estimate for the typical EZ reporter is 2 hours per
response. How much time, including time for reviewing instructions,
searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data
needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information, do
you estimate it will require you and/or the typical reporter described
above to complete and submit Form EIA-1605? Please answer this same
question for the typical reporter using Form EIA-1605EZ.
D. What is the estimated cost of completing this form, including
the direct and indirect costs associated with the data collection?
Direct costs should include all costs, such as administrative costs,
directly attributable to providing this information. Please provide
separate cost estimates for Form EIA-1605, ``Voluntary Reporting of
Greenhouse Gases,'' and Form EIA-1605EZ, ``Short Form for Voluntary
Reporting of Greenhouse Gases.''
E. How can the forms be improved?
F. Do you know of any other Federal, state, or local agency that
collects similar data? If you do, specify the agency, the data
element(s), and the means of collection.
As a potential user:
A. Can you use data at the levels of detail indicated on the
form(s)?
B. For what purpose would you use the data? Be specific.
C. How could the form(s) be improved to better meet your specific
needs?
D. Are there alternate sources of data and do you use them? What
are their deficiencies and/or strengths?
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget
approval of the form. Written comments received in response to this
notice will be available for public inspection in the Department of
Energy's Freedom of Information Office.
Statutory Authority: Section 2(a) of the Paperwork Reduction Act
of 1980 (Public Law No. 96-511), which amended Chapter 35 of Title
44 of the United States Code (See 44 U.S.C. 3506(a) and (c)(1)).
Issued in Washington, D.C., October 31, 1994.
Yvonne M. Bishop,
Director, Office of Statistical Standards, Energy Information
Administration.
[FR Doc. 94-27409; Filed 11-3-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
