[Federal Register: July 21, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 139)]
[Notices]
[Page 43101-43103]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21jy03-71]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Energy Information Administration
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request
AGENCY: Energy Information Administration (EIA), Department of Energy
(DOE).
ACTION: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request.
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SUMMARY: The EIA is soliciting comments on a proposal to request
[[Page 43102]]
monthly reporting of natural gas import and export information. This
reporting would be in addition to the existing information collection
requirements for Form FE-746R, ``Import and Export of Natural Gas.''
DATES: Comments must be filed by September 19, 2003. If you anticipate
difficulty in submitting comments within that period, contact the
person listed below as soon as possible.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Yvonne Caudillo. To ensure receipt of the
comments by the due date, submission by FAX (202-586-4062) or e-mail
(yvonne.caudillo@hq.doe.gov) is recommended. Ms. Caudillo's mailing
address is Office of Fossil Energy, FE-34, Forrestal Building, U.S.
Department of Energy, Washington, DC 20585. Ms. Caudillo may be
contacted by telephone at (202) 586-4587.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
copies of any forms and instructions should be directed to Ms. Caudillo
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 DOE Organization Act (Pub. L. 95-91, 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 (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) 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 containing basic information about
the scope and nature of the proposed import/export activity.
Historically FE has collected information on a quarterly basis
regarding import and export transactions. That information has been
used to ensure compliance with any terms and conditions of
authorization. In addition, the data are used to monitor North American
natural 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.
II. Current Actions
DOE will be requesting a revision of its existing information
reporting requirements for imports and exports of natural gas (Form FE-
746R). The Department of Energy (DOE) is undertaking an ambitious
Natural Gas Data Collection Initiative to improve the way the DOE
gathers and disseminates information about the use and origin of
natural gas supplies in the U.S. Under this Initiative, DOE plans to
collect critical natural gas information (i.e., country of origin,
international point of entry/exit, and volume imported/exported)
monthly, instead of waiting until the end of each quarter to collect
any import/export information. To facilitate timely reporting DOE will
establish an Internet-based reporting option for the monthly reporting.
Also, DOE will treat all monthly information as confidential.
Over the last decade, demand for natural gas increased
significantly and demand is projected to continue increasing. With
these increases, there is the possibility of periodic price spikes and
market dislocations. In a tight and volatile natural gas market,
consumers and producers must have the best information possible
regarding the availability of supply and the forces that drive prices
in order to make informed decisions about their consumption and
production activities.
III. Request for Comments
Prospective respondents and other interested parties should 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 to the Request for Information
A. What actions could be taken to help ensure and maximize the
quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of the information to be
collected?
B. Are the instructions and definitions clear and sufficient? If
not, which instructions need clarification?
C. Can the information be submitted by the due date?
D. Public reporting burden for the monthly reporting of natural gas
imports/exports is estimated to average three hours per response. The
estimated burden includes the total time necessary to provide the
requested information. In your opinion, how accurate is this estimate?
E. The agency estimates that the only cost to a respondent is for
the time it will take to complete the collection. Will a respondent
incur any start-up costs for reporting, or any recurring annual costs
for operation, maintenance, and purchase of services associated with
the information collection?
F. What additional actions could be taken to minimize the burden of
this collection of information? Such actions may involve the use of
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information technology.
G. Does any other Federal, State, or local agency collect similar
information? If so, specify the agency, the data element(s), and the
methods of collection.
As a Potential User of the Information To Be Collected
A. What actions could be taken to help ensure and maximize the
quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of the information
disseminated?
B. Is the information useful at the levels of detail to be
collected?
C. For what purpose(s) would the information be used? Be specific.
D. Are there alternate sources for the information and are they
useful? If so,
[[Page 43103]]
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: Section 3507(h)(1) of the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35).
Issued in Washington, DC, July 14, 2003.
Jay H. Casselberry,
Agency Clearance Officer, Statistics and Methods Group, Energy
Information Administration.
[FR Doc. 03-18444 Filed 7-18-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P