2010-5419. Proposed Agency Information Collection

AGENCY:

U.S. Department of Energy.

ACTION:

Notice and request for OMB review and comment.

SUMMARY:

Pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Department of Energy (DOE) invites public comment on a proposed emergency collection of information that DOE is developing to collect data on the status of activities, project progress, jobs created and retained, spend rates and performance metrics under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 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.

DATES:

Comments regarding this collection must be received on or before March 26, 2010. If you anticipate difficulty in submitting comments within that period, contact the person listed in ADDRESSES as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments may be sent to: Kayleigh Axtell, Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Ave., SW., AR-1/955 L'Enfant Plaza, Washington, DC 20585.

Or by fax at 202-586-0734, or by e-mail at [e-mail] and DOE Desk Officer, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, New Executive Office Building, Room 10102, 725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Kayleigh Axtell at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This emergency information collection request contains: (1) OMB No: New; (2) Information Collection Request Title: Fossil Energy (FE); (3) Type of Review: Emergency; (4) Purpose: To collect data on the status of activities, project progress, jobs created and retained, spend rates and performance metrics under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This will ensure adequate information is available to support sound project management and to meet the transparency and accountability associated with the Recovery Act by requesting approval for monthly reporting. (5) Annual Estimated Number of Respondents: 23 until June and then approximately 6 (6) Annual Estimated Number of Total Responses: 128 (7) Annual Estimated Number of Burden Hours: Approximately 35-45 hours for each recipient and 8-16 hours for the federal project manager per project per month. (8) Annual Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Cost Burden: $60,000—$81,000 per project, per year for respondents. $75,000—$110,000 per project, per year for the Federal Government. (9) Type of Respondents: Recipients of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding.

An agency head or the Senior Official, or their designee, may request OMB to authorize emergency processing of submissions of collections of information.

(a) Any such request shall be accompanied by a written determination that:

(1) The collection of information:

(i) Is needed prior to the expiration of time periods established under this Part; and

(ii) Is essential to the mission of the agency; and

(2) The agency cannot reasonably comply with the normal clearance procedures under this Part because:

(i) Public harm is reasonably likely to result if normal clearance procedures are followed;

(ii) An unanticipated event has occurred; or

(iii) The use of normal clearance procedures is reasonably likely to prevent or disrupt the collection of information or is reasonably likely to cause a statutory or court ordered deadline to be missed.

(b) The agency shall state the time period within which OMB should approve or disapprove the collection of information.

Statutory Authority: Title IV, H.R. 1 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Issued in Washington, DC on March 9, 2010.

Robert Pafe,

Deputy Budget Director, Office of Budget and Financial Management, Office of Fossil Energy.