Proposed Collection; Comment Request for 49 CFR 537

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket Number 96-120; Notice 1]

Proposed Collection; Comment Request for 49 CFR 537

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),

Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Request for public comment on proposed collections of

information.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Transportation, as part of its continuing

effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general

public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment

on proposed and/or continuing information, as required by the Paperwork

Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 United States Code

(U.S.C.) 3506 (c)(2)(A)). Currently, NHTSA is soliciting comments

concerning 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 537--Automotive Fuel

Economy Reports.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 21, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments must refer to the docket and notice number cited at

the beginning of this notice and be submitted to Docket Section, Room

5109, NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street, Southwest, Washington, D.C. 20590.

Please identify the proposed collection of information for which a

comment is provided, by referencing its OMB Clearance Number. It is

requested, but not required, that one original plus two copies of the

comments be provided. The Docket Section is open on weekdays from 9:30

a.m. to 4 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Complete copies of each request for

collection of information may be obtained at no charge from Mr. Edward

Kosek, NHTSA Information Collection Clearance Officer, NHTSA, 400

Seventh Street, Southwest, Room 6123, Washington, D.C. 20590. Mr.

Kosek's telephone number is (202) 366-2590. Please identify the

relevant collection of information by referring to its OMB Clearance

Number.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: 49 CFR 537--Automotive Fuel Economy Reports.

OMB Number: 2127-0019.

Form Number: This collection of information uses no standard form.

Abstract: Part 537 requires that automobile manufacturers submit

semi-annual reports to NHTSA regarding their efforts to improve fuel

economy.

Type of Review: Reinstatement of a previously approved collection.

Affect Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 18.

Requested Expiration Date: Three years from approval date.

Summary of the Collection of Information: NHTSA ensures that

automobile manufacturers comply with 49 CFR Part 537--Automotive Fuel

Economy Reports. Part 537 requires that automobile manufacturers submit

reports to NHTSA regarding their efforts to improve automotive fuel

economy.

Section 32907 of Chapter 329 of Title 49 of the United States Code

requires each automobile manufacturer (other than those low volume

manufacturers which were granted an alternative fuel economy standard

under section 32902 (d)) to submit semi-annual reports to the agency

relating to that manufacturers' efforts to comply with average fuel

economy standards. One report is due during the 30-day period preceding

the beginning of each model year (the ``pre-model year report'') and

the other is due during the 30-day period beginning on the 180th day of

the model year (the ``mid-model year report'').

Section 32907 (a)(1) of Chapter 329 provides that each report must

contain a statement as to whether the manufacturer will comply with

average fuel economy standards for that year, a plan describing the

steps the manufacturer took or will take to comply with the standards,

and any other information the agency may require. Whenever a

manufacturer determines that a plan it has submitted in one of its

reports is no longer adequate to assure compliance, it must submit a

revised plan.

Description of the Need for the Information and Proposed Use of the

Information

This information assists NHTSA in evaluating automobile

manufacturers' plans for complying with average fuel economy standards

and in preparing an annual review of the average fuel economy

standards. The information is collected by NHTSA by having the

automobile manufacturers mail their semi-annual automotive fuel economy

reports and/or submit a copy on computer diskette to the agency. The

required information is used for four basic purposes. These purposes

are: (a) to give NHTSA advance indication if any manufacturer will fail

to comply with the applicable average fuel economy standards; (b) to

give NHTSA necessary information to prepare its annual fuel economy

report to Congress, as required by 49 U.S.C. 32916; (c) to assist NHTSA

in responding to general

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information requests concerning automotive fuel economy, which are

routinely received from Congress, other parts of the Executive branch,

and the public; and (d) to provide NHTSA with detailed and accurate

technical and economic information used to evaluate possible future

average fuel economy standards which may be established by NHTSA.

Request for Comments

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized

and/or included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will

become a matter of public record. Comments are invited on:

(i) 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;

(ii) The burden of the proposed collection of information,

including the methodology and assumptions used;

(iii) How to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the

information to be collected;

(iv) How to minimize the burden of the collection of information on

those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated,

electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or

other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic

submission of responses;

(v) Estimates of annual hours required to prepare and submit these

reports to NHTSA; and

(vi) Estimates of capital or start-up costs and costs of operation,

maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information to NHTSA.

Issued on: December 3, 1996.

Noble Bowie,

Acting Director, Office of Planning and Consumer Programs, Safety

Performance Standards.

[FR Doc. 96-32482 Filed 12-20-96; 8:45 am]

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