[Federal Register: September 19, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 183)]
[Notices]               
[Page 54359-54360]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19se08-23]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

 
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

September 15, 2008.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
regarding (a) whether the collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy 
of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk 
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), OIRA_Submission@OMB.EOP.GOV or 
fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, 
Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these 
information collections are best assured of having their full effect if 
received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the 
submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-8681.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1726, Electric System Construction Policies and 
Procedures--Electric.

[[Page 54360]]

    OMB Control Number: 0572-0107.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Electrification Act of 1936, 7 
U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended, (RE ACT) in Sec. 4 (7 U.S.C. 904) 
authorizes and empowers the Administrator of the Rural Utilities 
Service (RUS) to make loans in the several States and Territories of 
the United States for rural electrification and the furnishing and 
improving of electric energy to persons in rural areas. These loans are 
for a term of up to 35 years and are secured by a first mortgage on the 
borrower's electric system. In the interest of protecting loan security 
and accomplishing the statutory objective of a sound program of rural 
electrification, Section 4 of the RE Act further requires that RUS make 
or guarantee a loan only if there is reasonable assurance that the 
loan, together with all outstanding loans and obligations of the 
borrower, will be repaid in full within the time agreed. RUS will 
collect information using various RUS forms.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to 
implement certain provisions of the RUS standard form of loan documents 
regarding the borrower's purchase of materials and equipment and the 
construction of its electric system by contract or force account. The 
information will be used by RUS electric borrowers and their 
contractors and by RUS. If standard forms were not used, borrowers 
would need to prepare their own documents at a significant expense; and 
each document submitted by a borrower would require extensive and 
costly review by both RUS and the Office of the General Counsel.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business 
or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 1,210.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 104.

Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. E8-21907 Filed 9-18-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-15-P