Proposed Extension of FE-746R, ``Import and Export of Natural Gas''

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Energy Information Administration

Proposed Extension of FE-746R, ``Import and Export of Natural

Gas''

AGENCY: Energy Information Administration, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of the Proposed Extension of FE-746R, ``Import and

Export of Natural Gas''.

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SUMMARY: The Energy Information Administration (EIA) is soliciting

comments concerning the proposed extension of FE-746R, ``Import and

Export of Natural Gas.''

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before December 12,

1995. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but find

it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this notice,

you should advise the contact listed below of your intention to do so

as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to John Glynn, FE-531, Rm. 3H-087, U.S.

Department of Energy, Office of Natural Gas, Fossil Energy, 1000

Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, DC 20585. Alternatively, John

Glynn can be reached at [email protected] (Internet e-mail), or 202-

586-6050 (facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or

copies of the regulation should be directed to John Glynn at the

address listed above, or phone 202-586-9454.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background.

II. Current Actions.

III. Request for Comments.

I. Background

In order to fulfill its responsibilities under the Federal Energy

Administration Act of 1974 (Pub. L. No. 93-275) and the Department of

Energy Organization Act (Pub. L. No. 95-91), the Energy Information

Administration is obliged to carry out a central, comprehensive, and

unified energy data and information program. As part of this

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program, EIA collects, evaluates, assembles, analyzes, and disseminates

data and information related to energy resource reserves, production,

demand, and technology, and related economic and statistical

information relevant to the adequacy of energy resources to meet

demands in the near and longer term future for the Nation's economic

and social needs.

The Energy Information Administration, as part of its continuing

effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden (required by the

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13)), conducts a presurvey

consultation program to provide the general public and other Federal

agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing

reporting forms. This program helps to ensure that requested data can

be provided in the desired format, reporting burden is minimized,

reporting forms are clearly understood, and the impact of collection

requirements on respondents can be properly assessed.

The information requirements in FE-746R contain an application for

authorization to export or import natural gas and for information to be

filed as part of an import/export proceeding. Applications to export

and import natural gas are required by statute and provide the

decision-maker with the basic factural information about the scope and

nature of a proposed export or import. The application and the

information obtained during the course of a proceeding form the record

upon which a decision will be based.

II. Current Actions

This notice is to solicit comments on the proposed extension to FE-

746R. The extension request to the Office of Management and Budget will

be through December 31, 1998. The regulation establishes the procedures

that are to be followed by persons filing applications to obtain

authorization to import or export natural gas.

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 responses.

General Issues

EIA is interested in receiving comments from persons regarding:

A. Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for

the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including

whether the information will have practical utility. Practical utility

is 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 EIA make to the quality, utility, and

clarity of the information to be collected?

As a Potential Respondent

C. Are the instructions and definitions clear and sufficient? If

not, which instructions require clarification?

D. Can data be submitted in accordance with the due date specified

in the instructions?

E. Public reporting burden for the FE-746R is estimated to average

150 hours per respondent. Burden includes the total time, effort, or

financial resources expended to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose

or provide the information including: (1) Reviewing instructions; (2)

developing, acquiring, installing, and utilizing technology and systems

for the purposes of collecting, validating, verifying, processing,

maintaining, disclosing and providing information; (3) adjusting the

existing ways to comply with any previously applicable instructions and

requirements; (4) training personnel to respond to a collection of

information; (5) searching data sources; (6) completing and reviewing

the collection of information; and (7) transmitting, or otherwise

disclosing the information.

Please comment on (1) the accuracy of our estimate, and (2) how the

agency could minimize the burden of the collection of information,

including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of

information technology.

F. What is the estimated cost of providng this data, including the

direct and indirect costs associated with the data collection? Direct

costs should include all costs, such as administrative costs, directly

attributable to providing this information.

G. Do you know of any other Federal, State, or local agency that

collects similar data? If you do, specify the agency, the data

element(s), and the methods of collection.

H. If you have the capability, what is your electronic reporting

preference (FAX, Touch-Tone Telephone Data Entry, Internet, etc.)?

As a Potential User

I. Can you use data at the levels of detail indicated?

J. For what purpose would you use the data? Be specific.

K. Are there alternate sources of data and do you use them? If so,

what are their deficiencies and/or strengths?

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized

and/or included in the request for OMB approval. They also will become

a matter of public record.

Statutory Authority: Section 3506 (c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork

Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. No. 104-13).

Issued in Washington, D.C. October 10, 1995.

John Gross,

Acting Director, Office of Statistical Standards, Energy Information

Administration.

[FR Doc. 95-25430 Filed 10-12-95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6450-01-P