[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 16, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14369-14370]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-6042]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

March 10, 2011.
    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 displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: RUS Electric Loan Application and Related Reporting Burdens.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0032.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) was 
established in 1994 by the Federal Crop Insurance

[[Page 14370]]

Reform and Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (Pub. 
L. 103-354, 108 stat. 3178, 7 U.S.C. 6941 et seq.) as successor to the 
Rural Electrification Administration (REA) with respect to certain 
programs, including the electric loan and loan guarantee program 
authorized under the Rural Electrification Act (RE Act) of 1936. The RE 
Act authorizes and empowers the Administrator of RUS to make and 
guarantee loans to furnish and improve electric service in rural areas. 
These loans are amortized over a period of up to 35 years and secured 
by the borrower's electric assets and/or revenue. RUS will collect 
information including studies and reports to support borrower loan 
applications.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to 
determine the eligibility of applicants for loans and loan guarantees 
under the RE Act; monitor the compliance of borrowers with debt 
covenants and regulatory requirements in order to protect loan 
security; ensure that borrowers use loan funds for purposes consistent 
with the statutory goals of the RE Act; and obtain information on the 
progress of rural electrification and evaluate the success of RUS 
program activities. Without the information RUS would be unable to 
accomplish statutory goals.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business 
or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 650.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 66,695.

Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-6042 Filed 3-15-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P