2014-04181. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

February 20, 2014.

The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to Office of Management and Budget (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, New Executive Office Building, 725—17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20502. Commenters are encouraged to submit their comments to OMB via email to: [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 Utility Service

Title: High Energy Cost Grants and State Bulk Fuel Revolving Grant Programs.

OMB Control Number: 0572-0136.

Summary of Collection: The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (RE Act) (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.) was amended in November 2000 to create new grant and loan authority to assist rural communities with extremely high energy costs (Pub. L. 106-472). This amendment gives authorization to Rural Utilities Service (RUS) to provide competitive grants for energy generation, transmission, or distribution facilities serving communities in which the national average is at least 275% for residential expenditure for home energy. All applicants are required to submit a project proposal containing the elements in the prescribed format.

Need and Use of the Information: USDA will collect information from applicants to confirm that the eligibility requirements and the proposals are consistent with the purposes set forth in the statute. Various forms and progress reports are used to monitor compliance with grant agreements, track expenditures of Federal funds and measure the success of the program. Without collecting the listed information, USDA will not be assured that the projects and communities served meet the statutory requirements for eligibility or that the proposed projects will deliver the intended benefits.

Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business or other for-profit; and State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 100.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping: Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 1,052.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.