2024-05471. Notice of an Extension to a Currently Approved Information Collection

AGENCY:

Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Rural Utilities Service's (RUS or Agency), an agency within the United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, intention to request an extension to a currently approved information collection package for the High Energy Costs Grants Rural Communities Program (HECG). In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Agency invites comments on this information collection for which it intends to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

DATES:

Comments on this notice must be received by May 14, 2024 to be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Pamela Bennett, Rural Development Innovation Center—Regulations Management Division, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 1522, South Building, Washington, DC 20250–1522. Telephone: [phone]. Email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The OMB regulation (5 CFR part 1320) implementing provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13) requires that interested members of the public and affected agencies have an opportunity to comment on information collection and recordkeeping activities (see 5 CFR 1320.8(d)). This notice identifies an information collection that RUS is submitting to OMB for extension of an existing collection.

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 will 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 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.

Comments may be sent by the Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and, in the “Search” box, type in the Docket No. RUS–24–ELECTRIC–0005. A link to the Notice will appear. You may submit a comment here by selecting the “Comment” button or you can access the “Docket” tab, select the “Notice,” and go to the “Browse & Comment on Documents” Tab. Here you may view comments that have been submitted as well as submit a comment. To submit a comment, select the “Comment” button, complete the required information, and select the “Submit Comment” button at the bottom. Information on using Regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after the close of the comment period, is available through the site's “FAQ” link at the bottom.

A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. Data furnished by the applicants will be used to determine eligibility for program benefits. Furnishing the data is voluntary; however, failure to provide data could result in program benefits being withheld or denied.

Title: High Energy Costs Grants Rural Communities.

OMB Control Number: 0572–0136.

Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information collection.

Abstract: The HECG Program is authorized under section 19 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (the RE Act) (7 U.S.C. 918a), and implemented by 7 CFR part 1709. The Agency, through the HECG program, provides grant funds to qualified types of applicants to acquire, construct, extend, upgrade, or otherwise improve energy generation, transmission, or distribution facilities serving communities in which the average residential expenditure for home energy is at least 275 percent of the national average. Grants may also be used for programs that install on-grid and off-grid renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements in eligible communities.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 3.41 hours per response.

Respondents: For profit and non-profit entities, State and local governments, Indian Tribes, other Tribal entities, Alaskan Native Corporations and Individuals. See 7 CFR 1709.106.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 60.

Estimated Total Annual Responses: 344.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 5.73.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,172 hours.

Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Pamela Bennett, Rural Development Innovation Center—Regulations Management Division, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, South Building, Washington, DC 20250–1522. Telephone: [phone]. Email: [e-mail].

All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record.

Andrew Berke,

Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.