2015-32721. Agency Information Collection Extension

AGENCY:

U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Department of Energy (DOE).

ACTION:

Agency Information Collection Activities: Information Collection Extension With Changes; Notice and Request for Comments.

SUMMARY:

The EIA, pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, intends to extend for three years with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Form FE-746R, “Natural Gas Imports and Exports.” 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 proposed information collection must be received on or before February 29, 2016. If you anticipate difficulty in submitting comments within that period, contact the person listed in ADDRESSES as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES:

Send comments to Benjamin Nussdorf. To ensure receipt of the comments by the due date, submission by email ([e-mail]) is recommended. The mailing address is U.S. Department of Energy (FE-34), Office of Natural Gas Regulatory Activities, Office of Fossil Energy, P.O. Box 44375, Washington, DC 20026-4375, Attn: Benjamin Nussdorf. Alternatively, Mr. Nussdorf may be contacted by telephone at [phone] or by fax at [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Benjamin Nussdorf at the contact information given above. Forms and instructions are also available on the Internet at: http://energy.gov/​fe/​services/​natural-gas-regulation/​guidelines-filing-monthly-reports.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This information collection request contains:

(1) OMB No.: 1901-0294;

(2) Information Collection Request Title: Natural Gas Import and Export Application;

(3) Type of Request: Revision;

(4) Purpose: The Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 761 et seq.) and the DOE Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.) require the EIA to carry out a centralized, comprehensive, and unified energy information program. This program collects, evaluates, assembles, analyzes, and disseminates information on energy resource reserves, production, demand, technology, and related economic and statistical information. This information is used to assess the adequacy of energy resources to meet near and longer term domestic demands.

The EIA, as part of its effort to comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), provides the general public and other Federal agencies with opportunities to comment on collections of energy information conducted by or in conjunction with the EIA. Also, the EIA will later seek approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under Section 3507(a) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DOE's Office of Fossil Energy (FE) is delegated the authority to regulate natural gas imports and exports under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act of 1938, 15 U.S.C. 717b. In order to carry out its delegated responsibility, FE requires those persons seeking to import or export natural gas to file an application providing basic information on the scope and nature of the proposed import/export activity. Once an importer or exporter receives authorization from FE, they are required to submit monthly reports of all import and export transactions. Form FE-746R collects critical information on U.S. natural gas trade including: Name of importer/exporter; country of origin/destination; international point of entry/exit; name of supplier; volume; price; transporter; geographic market served; and duration of supply contract on a monthly basis. The data, published in Natural Gas Imports and Exports, are used to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the authorizations. In addition, the data are used to monitor North American gas trade, which, in turn, enables the Federal government to perform market and regulatory analyses; improve the capability of industry and the government to respond to any future energy-related supply problems; and keep the general public informed of international natural gas trade;

(4a) Proposed Changes to Information Collection:

FE proposes to add the following reporting sections for the collection and identification of new types of natural gas transactions related to:

(a) Exports/imports of compressed natural gas by vessel;

(b) Exports/imports of compressed natural gas by rail;

(c) Exports/imports of compressed natural gas by waterborne transport;

(d) Exports/imports of liquefied natural gas by rail;

(e) Exports/imports of liquefied natural gas by waterborne transport;

(f) Other exports and imports of natural gas by rail, truck, vessel, and waterborne transport;

(g) Re-export of liquefied natural gas by vessel; and

(h) Exports/Imports of liquefied natural gas by vessel in International Standards Organization (ISO) containers;

(5) Annual Estimated Number of Respondents: 371;

(6) Annual Estimated Number of Total Responses: 4,662;

(7) Annual Estimated Number of Burden Hours: 14,266; and

(8) Annual Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Cost Burden: There are no additional costs associated with the surveys other than the burden hours. The information is maintained in the normal course of business. The cost of burden hours to the respondents is estimated to be $1,026,724 (14,266 burden hours times $71.97 per hour). Therefore, other than the cost of burden hours, FE estimates that there are no additional costs for generating, maintaining and providing the information.

Statutory Authority: Section 13(b) of the Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974, Public Law 93-275, codified at 15 U.S.C. 772(b) and Section 3 of the Natural Gas Act of 1938, codified at 15 U.S.C. 717b.

Issued in Washington, DC, on December 22, 2015.

Nanda Srinivasan,

Director, Office of Survey Development and Statistical Integration, U.S. Energy Information Administration.