2013-14950. Information Collection Activities: Report of Fuel Cost, Consumption, and Surcharge Revenue

AGENCY:

Surface Transportation Board.

ACTION:

60-day notice of request for comments and approval.

SUMMARY:

As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3519 (PRA), the Surface Transportation Board (STB or Board) gives notice of its intent to seek from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) an extension of approval for the collection of the Report of Fuel Cost, Consumption, and Surcharge Revenue.

Comments are requested concerning: (1) The accuracy of the Board's burden estimates; (2) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; (3) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology when appropriate; and (4) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Board, including whether the collection has practical utility. Submitted comments will be summarized and included in the Board's request for OMB approval.

Description of Collection

Title: Report of Fuel Cost, Consumption, and Surcharge Revenue.

OMB Control Number: 2140-0014.

STB Form Number: None.

Type of Review: Extension without change.

Respondents: Class I railroads (railroads with operating revenues exceeding $250 million in 1991 dollars).

Number of Respondents: 7.

Estimated Time per Response: 1 hour.

Frequency: Quarterly.

Total Burden Hours (annually including all respondents): 84 hours.

Total “Non-hour Burden” Cost: None identified.

Needs and Uses: Under 49 U.S.C. 10702, the Surface Transportation Board has the authority to address the reasonableness of a rail carrier's practices. This information collection permits the Board to monitor the current fuel surcharge practices of the Class I carriers. Failure to collect this information would impede the Board's ability to fulfill its responsibilities under 49 U.S.C. 10702. The Board has authority to collect information about rail costs and revenues under 49 U.S.C. 11144 and 11145.

Retention Period: Information in this report is maintained on the Board's Web site for a minimum of one year and is otherwise maintained by the Board for a minimum of two years.

DATES:

Comments on this information collection should be submitted by August 23, 2013.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all comments to Marilyn Levitt, Surface Transportation Board, 395 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001, or to [e-mail]. When submitting comments, please refer to “Report of Fuel Cost, Consumption, and Surcharge Revenue.”

For further information regarding the Report of Fuel Cost, Consumption, and Surcharge Revenue, or to obtain a copy of the reporting form, contact Paul Aguiar at [phone] or [e-mail]. [Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) for the hearing impaired: [phone].] The form is also available on the Board's Web site.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA, a Federal agency conducting or sponsoring a collection of information must display a currently valid OMB control number. A collection of information, which is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c), includes agency requirements or requests that persons submit reports, keep records, or provide information to the agency, third parties, or the public. Under § 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, Federal agencies are required to provide, prior to an agency's submitting a collection to OMB for approval, a 60-day notice and comment period through publication in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information.

Dated: June 18, 2013.

Jeffrey Herzig,

Clearance Clerk.