[Federal Register: September 15, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 178)] [Notices] [Page 50072-50073] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr15se99-59] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Energy Information Administration Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request AGENCY: Energy Information Administration, DOE. ACTION: Agency information collection activities: proposed collection; comment request. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Energy Information Administration (EIA) is soliciting comments on the proposal to change the data collection frequency of the Form EIA-820, Biennial Refinery Report, from biennial to annual. DATES: Written comments must be submitted by November 15, 1999. If you anticipate difficulty in submitting comments within that period, contact the person identified below as soon as possible. ADDRESSES: Send comments to Stacey Ungerleider, Energy Information Administration, EI-42, Forrestal Building, U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, DC 20585. Alternatively, Stacey Ungerleider may be reached by phone at (202) 586-5130, by e-mail stacey.ungerleider@eia.doe.gov, or by FAX (202) 586-5846. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the form and instructions should be directed to Stacey Ungerleider at the address listed above. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background II. Current Actions III. Request for Comments I. Background The Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974 (Pub. L. 93-275, 15 U.S.C. 761 et seq.) and the Department of Energy Organization Act (Pub. L. 95-91, 42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.) require the Energy Information Administration (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 (Pub. L. 104-13, 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. Any comments received help the EIA to prepare data requests that maximize the utility of the information collected, and to assess the impact of collection requirements on the public. Also, the EIA will later seek approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of the collections under section 3507(h) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The Form EIA-820 is used to collect data on the following items: Fuels consumed for all purposes at the refinery; refinery receipts of crude oil by method of transportation; current and projected capacities for refineries, specifically operable atmospheric crude oil distillation capacity, downstream charge capacity, and production capacity; and working and shell storage capacities. Federal, State, and local governments as well as the private sector use these data to conduct research and to provide relevant and timely analysis on the refinery industry. Data from this survey is published by the Energy Information Administration in the Petroleum Supply Annual Volume I. II. Current Actions The Energy Information Administration is requesting a change in the frequency of collection for the Form EIA-820, Biennial Refinery Report. EIA proposes to use the Form EIA-820 to collect data on an annual basis in order to maintain a more accurate, up-to-date database for refinery capacity activity. Annual collection of this data will provide internal and external customers with the data to perform more extensive and accurate trend and feasibility costs analysis. Also, pending new environmental standards for motor gasoline and distillate fuel oil will impact the capability of U.S. refineries to produce new quality products in sufficient volumes to meet consumer demand. EIA's ability to assess this impact requires the most timely data available on refinery capacity. Data on a biennial basis is inadequate to meet this need. III. Request for Comments Prospective respondents and other interested persons are invited to comment on the actions discussed in item II. The following guidelines are provided to assist in the preparation of comments. General Issues A. Is the proposed collection of information necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency and does the information have practical utility? Practical utility is defined as the actual usefulness of information to or for an agency, taking into account its accuracy, adequacy, reliability, timeliness, and the agency's ability to process the information it collects. B. What enhancements can be made to the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected? As a Potential Respondent A. Are the instructions and definitions clear and sufficient? If not, which instructions require clarification? B. Can information be submitted by the due date? C. Public reporting burden for this collection is estimated to average 2 hours per response. The estimated burden includes the total time, effort, or financial resources expended to generate, maintain, retain, disclose and provide the information. Please comment on (1) The accuracy of the agency's estimate and (2) how the agency could minimize the burden of collecting this information, including the use of information technology. D. The agency estimates respondents will incur no additional costs for reporting other than the hours required to complete the collection. What is the estimated: (1) Total dollar amount annualized for capital and start-up costs; and (2) recurring annual costs of operation and maintenance, and purchase of services associated with this data collection? E. Does any other Federal, State, or local agency collect similar information? If so, specify the agency, the data element(s), and the method(s) of collection. As a Potential User A. Is the information useful at the levels of detail indicated on the form? B. For what purpose(s) would the information be used? Be specific. C. Are there alternate sources for the information and are they useful? If so, what are their weaknesses and/or strengths? Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of the form. They also will become a matter of public record. Statutory Authority: Sec. 3506 (c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). [[Page 50073]] Issued in Washington, DC, September 9, 1999. Jay H. Casselberry, Agency Clearance Officer, Statistics and Methods Group, Energy Information Administration. [FR Doc. 99-24085 Filed 9-14-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P