[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 66 (Wednesday, April 7, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17681-17682]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-7813]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

 April 1, 2010.
    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), [email protected] 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

[[Page 17682]]

displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: RUS Form 444, ``Wholesale Power Contracts''.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0089.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (RE 
Act) as amended (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.), authorizes the Rural Utilities 
Service (RUS) to make and guaranteed loans that will enable rural 
consumers to obtain electric power. Rural consumers formed non-profit 
electric distribution cooperatives, groups of these distribution 
cooperatives banded together to form Generation and Transmission 
cooperatives (G&T's) that generate or purchase power and transmit the 
power to the distribution systems. All RUS and G&T borrowers will enter 
into a Wholesale Power Contract with their distribution members by 
using RUS Form 444.
    Need and Use of the Information: To fulfill the purposes of the RE 
Act RUS will collect information to improve the credit quality and 
credit worthiness of loans and loan guarantees to G&T borrowers. RUS 
works closely with lending institutions that provide supplemental loan 
funds to borrowers.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for profit institutions; business 
or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 102.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Quarterly.
    Total Burden Hours: 612.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: Technical Assistance and Training Grant Program--Recovery 
Act Funding.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0144.
    Summary of Collection: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 
of 2009 (Recovery Act) provides for the availability of $5 million in 
assistance to the Technical Assistance and Training (TAT) competitive 
grant program as authorized by Section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and 
Rural Development Act (CONACT). 7 U.S.C. 1926, authorizes Rural 
Utilities Service (RUS) to administer the TAT program to make loans and 
grants to public agencies, American Indian tribes, and nonprofit 
corporations. The grants fund the development of drinking water, 
wastewater, and solid waste disposal facilities in rural areas with 
populations of up to 10,000 residents.
    Need and Use of the Information: Nonprofit organizations applying 
for TAT grants must submit a pre-application, which includes an 
application form, narrative proposal, various other forms, 
certifications and supplemental information. RUS staff will use the 
information collected to determine applicant eligibility, project 
feasibility, and the applicant's ability to meet the grant and 
regulatory requirements. RUS will review the information, evaluate it, 
and, if the applicant and project are eligible for further competition, 
invite the applicant to submit a formal application. Without the 
requested information, RUS could not make awards consistent with the 
purposes of the Recovery Act. RUS also could not determine whether 
applicants meet the requirements that the Recovery Act establishes for 
recordkeeping requirements.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 15.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Quarterly; Annually; On 
occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 472.

Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2010-7813 Filed 4-6-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P