[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 168 (Wednesday, August 31, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-21537]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: August 31, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Energy Information Administration
Form EIA-846A/C, ``Manufacturing Energy Consumption Survey''
AGENCY: Energy Information Administration, Department of Energy.
ACTION: Notice of the proposed revision of forms EIA-846A/C,
``Manufacturing Energy Consumption Survey,'' 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, Pub. L. 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 and/or continuing 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 impact of collection requirements on respondents
can be properly assessed. Currently, EIA is soliciting comments
concerning the proposed revision to forms EIA-846A/C, ``Manufacturing
Energy Consumption Survey.''
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before September 30,
1994. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but find
it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this notice,
you should advise the contact listed below of your intention to do so
as soon as possible.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Mr. Robert K. Adler, Energy End Use
Division, Energy Information Administration, EI-632, Forrestal
Building, U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, D.C. 20585.
Mr. Adler's telephone number is (202) 586-1134, FAX number (202)
586-0018. His Internet address is [email protected]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO OBTAIN COPIES OF THE PROPOSED FORMS AND
INSTRUCTIONS: Requests for additional information or copies of the
forms and instructions should be directed to Robert K. Adler at the
address listed above.
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 (Pub. L. No. 93-275) and the Department of
Energy Organization Act (Pub. L. No. 95-91), the Energy Information
Administration 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 resource reserves, production, demand,
and technology, and related economic and statistical information
relevant to the adequacy of energy resources to meet demands in the
near and longer term future for the Nation's economic and social needs.
The Manufacturing Energy Consumption Survey (MECS) has been
conducted three times previously, covering the years 1985, 1988, and
1991. The MECS has collected basic data on energy consumption, fuel-
switching, and in 1991, end-uses, energy management activities, and
energy-saving technologies. The MECS forms the basis for major
publications on energy consumption and energy intensity (e.g.,
Manufacturing Energy Consumption Survey: Consumption of Energy, 1988
and Changes in Energy Intensity in the Manufacturing Sector, 1980-
1988.)
The proposed 1994 MECS design utilizes experience gained from the
administration and processing of the three previous surveys and
consultations with respondents, trade association representatives, and
data users. EIA conducted user needs assessment meetings with frequent
customers of the MECS data both inside and outside the Department of
Energy. When meetings were not feasible, outside customers especially
were given a chance to present their requests through mail or phone
conversation. This notice can serve as another chance for customers to
express their manufacturing energy data needs.
Additionally, a formal survey of 1991 MECS respondents about their
experiences in completing that questionnaire was done during the
conduct of the MECS to determine other enhancements and redesign
directions for the 1994 survey.
II. Current Actions
EIA proposes to make the changes described below to the 1991 MECS
survey forms for use in 1994. These changes are being made to better
serve the needs of data users, streamline the administration and
processing of the survey, and reduce respondent burden where possible.
The frequency of the MECS is also changing. In accordance with Section
171 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT), the MECS, beginning in
1994, will be conducted biennially.
The sample size for the 1994 MECS has been increased to
Permit more extensive coverage of industries consuming
wood and biomass (approximately 5 additional four-digit Standard
Industrial Classification codes)
Better serve the National Energy Modeling System (NEMS) by
providing inputs at a finer geographic level (Census Division) for two-
digit and selected four-digit Standard Industrial Classification codes
Enable the MECS to publish reliable population counts of
manufacturing characteristics collected on the MECS forms
Improve the reliability of estimates.
As in previous versions, the 1994 MECS will contain five sections:
Section I, Non-Combustible Energy Sources; Section II, Combustible
Energy Sources; Section III, Fuel Switching Capability; Section IV,
Estimated Percent Consumption by End Use; and Section V, Establishment
Checklist. In addition, the 1994 MECS will collect minimal information
to determine the operational status of the manufacturing establishment
for purposes of statistical sampling.
As in the 1991 survey, separate forms will be used to meet the
special needs of three major groups of manufacturers. EIA-846A will be
sent to the majority of the manufacturing establishments; EIA-846B will
be sent to establishments in SIC 2911 (Petroleum Refining); and EIA-
846C will be sent to all other establishments in SIC 29 (Petroleum
Refining and Related Industries), as well as establishments in SIC 24
(Lumber and Wood Products), SIC 26 (Paper and Allied Products), SIC 28
(Chemicals and Allied Products), and SIC 3312 (Blast Furnaces and Steel
Mills). EIA-846A is the most general form and collects the basic
consumption and fuel-switching data. EIA-846B minimizes burden for the
refining industry by taking advantage of data already collected by
other EIA surveys. Finally, EIA-846C is very similar to EIA-846A except
that it collects additional information on energy source shipments.
Specific changes in data items from the 1991 MECS are discussed
section by section below.
Section I (Noncombustible Energy Sources): This section will not
differ among the three forms. The noncombustible energy sources
(electricity, steam, and industrial hot water) will remain as the
column headings with desired quantities forming the rows of the table.
One question, a checkbox for the source of renewable electricity
generation, will be added for 1994.
Proposed to be dropped from the 1994 MECS Section I is the
requirement that establishments that received transfers of
noncombustible energy sources from outside establishments indicate the
name, address and telephone number of the supplier. This will result in
the removal from the MECS of Form EIA-846D, a questionnaire that was
sent in 1988 and 1991 to company-owned electric generating plants
serving manufacturers. The institution and further development of Form
EIA-867, ``Annual Nonutility Power Producer Report'' made the EIA-846D
redundant.
Section II (Combustible Energy Sources): In 1994, the MECS will
contain revised wood- and biomass-related energy source categories to
agree with respondent and data-user understanding of these energy
sources. Specifically,
The category ``Roundwood'' will be expanded to explicitly
include any wood product (roundwood, wood chips, and bark) generated
from harvested trees.
Wood Waste will be termed Wood Residue and it will include
byproducts from mill processing (bark, slabs, sawdust, shavings).
``Waste Materials'' will be more specifically defined as
wood/paper related refuse.
Natural gas is another energy source that will be modified in 1994
to reflect the deregulation of the natural gas industry and emerging
purchasing patterns of manufacturers. The MECS will collect natural gas
purchases and cost data within the major categories:
Local Distribution Company/Utilities (LDC)
Other Sources (Pipelines, Brokers, and Other).
For LDC purchases of natural gas, the 1994 MECS will collect
purchases and expenditures for three natural gas service rates: Firm,
Interruptible, or Other. For other sources, the quantity of purchases
will be collected but not subdivided. However, costs will be collected
for three components of the Other Sources purchases total: cost of
supplies, cost of transportation, and unspecified costs.
Section III (Fuel Switching): Previously, fuel switching data were
restricted to fuel switching capability, rather than actual fuel
switching experiences. This section will continue to collect
information on the capabilities of a manufacturing establishment,
however, it will be enhanced with questions pertaining to actual fuel
substitution. These questions for each fuel are:
Number of times substitutions occurred
Primary reason(s) for substitution, such as: supply
shortage or curtailment of this fuel, down-time caused by maintenance,
less expensive substitute, environmental restriction on emissions or
waste
If ``less expensive substitute'' was chosen as a primary
reason, the respondent is asked to supply a range that contains the
difference between the alternative fuel price and the current fuel
price as percentage of the current price.
Section IV (Estimated Percent Consumption by End Use): No
substantial changes from the 1991 version are anticipated. Definitions
and instructions will be enhanced to clarify possible ambiguities among
the categories.
Section V (Establishment Checklist): There are three subsections in
Section V: Part A. Estimated Square Footage of Buildings, Part B.
Energy Management Activities, Part C. General Technologies, and other
parts concerning specific technologies relevant only to selected
industries.
EIA and the Bureau of the Census jointly conducted a survey of MECS
respondents for the purpose of evaluating the effectiveness and
comprehensibility of certain aspects of the 1991 MECS questionnaire.
The results of the survey relating to Part A indicate that most
respondents could provide an estimate of the enclosed square-footage
without major difficulty. Accordingly, the 1994 MECS questionnaire will
ask for those estimates. Those respondents who would still prefer to
give an estimate within a broad category will be given that option.
The list for Part B will be expanded to include participation in
certain Federal government programs, such as the Environmental
Protection Agency's ``Green Lights'' and DOE's ``Motor Challenge.''
Third party sponsorship will be separated from Self-only participation
as a column-header.
Part C, the checklist for energy-saving technologies, will be
expanded to include specific cogeneration technologies.
III. Request for Comments
Prospective respondents and other interested parties should comment
on the proposed revisions. The following general guidelines are
provided to assist in the preparation of responses. Please indicate to
which form(s) your comments apply.
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. Can data be submitted in accordance with the response time
specified in the instructions?
D. Public reporting burden for this collection is estimated to
average eight 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 to
complete and submit the required form(s)?
F. What is the estimated cost of completing these forms, 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.
G. How can the form(s) be improved?
H. 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?
E. For the most part, information is published by EIA in U.S.
customary units, e.g., cubic feet of natural gas, short tons of coal,
and barrels of oil. Would you prefer to see EIA publish more
information in metric units, e.g., cubic meters, metric tons, and
kilograms? If yes, please specify what information (e.g., coal
production, natural gas consumption, and crude oil imports), the metric
unit(s) of measurement preferred, and in which EIA publication(s) you
would like to see such information.
EIA is also interested in receiving comments from persons regarding
their views on the need for the information contained in the
Manufacturing Energy Consumption Survey.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of the form(s). They
also will become a matter of public record.
Statutory Authorities: Section 2(a) of the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1980 (Pub. L. No. 96-511), which amended Chapter 35 of Title
44 of the United States Code [See 44 U.S.C. Sec. 3506(a) and
(c)(1)].
Issued in Washington, D.C., August 24, 1994.
Yvonne M. Bishop,
Director, Office of Statistical Standards, Energy Information
Administration.
[FR Doc. 94-21537 Filed 8-30-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
