Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Energy Information Administration

Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection;

Comment Request

AGENCY: Energy Information Administration, DOE.

SUMMARY: The Energy Information Administration (EIA) is soliciting

comments concerning the extension of EIA-882(T), ``Generic Clearance

for Testing, Evaluation, and Research.''

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before May 20, 1996. 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 Herbert T. Miller, Office of Statistical

Standards, FAX: 202 426-1083, e:mail: [email protected], Energy

Information Administration, EI-73, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000

Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20585, (202) 426-1103.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION contact: Requests for additional information

should be directed to Mr. Miller at the address listed above.

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 (Public Law No. 93-275) and the Department

of Energy Organization Act (Public Law 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 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 (Public Law 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 information collections. 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.

On June 21, 1993, the EIA-882(T), ``Generic Clearance for

Questionnaire

[[Page 11391]]

Testing, Evaluation, and Research'' (OMB No. 1905-0185) was approved by

the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for three years. OMB

stipulated that reports be submitted indicating the work that was

conducted under the clearance. Six studies were conducted (or proposed

to be conducted). The testing activities included several methods: a

focus group, mail questionnaire, telephone questionnaires, and personal

interviews. The total number of burden hours that were used in

conducting these activities was 126 hours.

The main focus of these efforts was pretesting activities to

improve questionnaires. Two activities were undertaken to improve a

vehicle fleet survey, and two were used to develop customer

satisfaction questionnaires. A methodological study of fuelwood use was

conducted. There was a wide variety of uses of the data obtained

through the use of this generic clearance.

These projects represent significant strides in our efforts to

improve the pretesting of EIA surveys. As we gain more experience, we

hope to broaden involvement in testing, evaluation, and research that

meet the criteria for the clearance.

II. Current Actions

EIA plans on requesting a 3-year extension of the OMB approval for

this collection. For each study that EIA undertakes under this generic

clearance, OMB is notified, at least two weeks in advance, and provided

with an information copy of the questionnaire (if one is used), and all

other materials describing the testing activity.

III. Request for Comments

Comments are invited on:

(a) Whether the proposed information collection is necessary for

the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including

whether the information has practical utility;

(b) The accuracy of EIA's estimate of the burden of the collection

of the information;

(c) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the

information to be collected, and

(d) Ways to minimize the burden related to the collection of

information on respondents, including the use of automated collection

techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized

and/or included in the request for OMB approval of the form. They also

will become a matter of public record.

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

Reduction Act of 1995 (Public Law No. 104-13).

Issued in Washington, DC, March 7, 1996.

Yvonne M. Bishop,

Director, Office of Statistical Standards, Energy Information

Administration

[FR Doc. 96-6710 Filed 3-19-96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6450-01-P