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1.  INTRODUCTION

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) is in the process of
redesigning their Form EIA-906, Power Plant Report. This form is used to
collect data regarding production of electric power and associated fuel
consumption and stocks remaining. As part of the redesign, EIA is
changing the process from a paper-based system to an online system using
the Internet. EIA tasked Allied Technology Group, Inc. to support their
EIA Form 906 redesign effort.

EIA tasked Allied Technology to review their current EIA Form 906 Edits
and the proposed Form 906 redesign and evaluate the edits used to
validate submitted data. The objective of work steps 1 a and 2a is to
develop a set of edits that may be used to validate data submitted while
minimizing the number of potential errors that must be researched by EIA
staff, errors which result from edits that identify submitted data as
unreasonable that are actually correct.

The edits for the new Form 906 process may be divided into two basic
categories:

1.  **Respondent level edits** -- on-line, immediate edits presented to
    the respondent as data are being entered into the Form 906; and

2.  **Summary level edits** -- identified data inconsistencies are
    reviewed by EIA Electric Power Division survey staff prior to
    publication.

The respondent level edits check for data inconsistencies within data
currently being entered or when compared to data entered in a prior
period (month to month and year over year comparisons). These edits will
alert respondents (and data entry personnel) to potential errors prior
to submission to EIA. This approach will provide respondents with the
capability to review and correct data if in error or provide an
explanation for data anomalies.

> Summary level edits use data from multiple respondents or external
> sources to identify data inconsistencies (e.g., average power
> generated per unit of fuel, average monthly stock level by fuel type).
> Respondent data are processed against these edits when the number of
> responses received is sufficient to produce meaningful aggregates.
> Summary level edits are not available to respondents. They are used to
> allow survey staff and analysts to conducting data quality reviews
> prior to publication and correct data errors, note data anomalies, and
> adjust or impute responses, if necessary.
>
> This report presents the results of the EIA Form 906 edit development
> effort for steps 1a and 2a of this task. The report is divided into
> three sections:

-   Section 1.0 -- INTRODUCTION -- describes the purpose and background
    of this effort;

-   Section 2.0 -- METHODOLOGY -- describes the approach used in perform
    the analysis; and

-   Section 3.0 -- EDITS -- Presents the edits proposed for use in the
    FORM 906 process.

    0.  **METHODOLOGY**

> Allied Technology used a two-step process to perform this analysis:

-   **Data Collection**

Information was collected from a variety of sources to determine the
nature of the data currently collected and to be collected in the
revised form, concerns relating to current Form 906 edits, and data
relationships that may be used to support logical edits. The data
sources used were:

-   Listing of current Form 906 error messages

-   Discussions with EIA survey staff

-   Computer code used to perform current Form 906 Edits

-   Participation in a demonstration of the Form 906 survey system by
    EIA staff

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-   **Analysis**

Information collected was used to assess the applicability of current
edits to the revised Form 906 and to identify potential new edits and
revisions to current edits that might improve their precision (i.e.,
identify unreasonable data inputs, but with fewer instances of correct
data identified as inconsistent). This analysis resulted in the
following general conclusions and recommendations:

-   Programming techniques may be used to enhance the data entry process
    by explicitly presenting respondents with the acceptable data values
    (e.g., allowing users to select from a list of valid codes instead
    of unrestricted data entry).

-   Program coding may be used to limit data input values based on data
    element relationships (i.e., acceptable data value lists presented
    to respondents is altered based on data already entered). As shown
    in exhibits T-1, T-2 and T-3. Specific recommendations for
    implementing these relationship edits will be included in a
    subsequent report after the relationships are validated.

-   Statistical techniques may be used to provide data reasonableness
    ranges that have a greater likelihood to identify data error with
    reduced potential for reporting correct data as inconsistent. For
    example, an unusually cold winter might result in higher fuel oil
    consumption without a corresponding growth in electricity
    generation).

-   Graphic data displays could facilitate EIA staff review of summary
    edits (e.g., consumption curves for the current and prior year could
    be shown concurrently providing an opportunity for the analyst to
    determine that the consumption curves are similar, but shifted due
    to a change in weather patterns between years.

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# EXHIBIT T-1

**TOTAL AND COMPONENT ENTRIES MAY BE USE TO IDENTIFY DATA
INCONSISTENCY**[^1]

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**EXHIBIT T-2**

**DATA ELEMENT RELATIONSHIPS AND DATA REPORTING**

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**EXHIBIT T-3**

**DATA ELEMENT RELATIONSHIPS AND DATA REPORTING WITH PRIME MOVER AND
FUEL CODES**

3.  **EDITS**

This section presents the edits proposed for use with the revised Form
906 process. Techniques for how a particular edit might be implemented,
however, are not presented (i.e., a particular edit might be best
implemented through a multiple choice question as opposed to a drop down
list). This presentation approach facilitates analysis of the validity
of the edits proposed without biasing the process by proposing an
implementation methodology. Suggested implementation methodologies will
be provided after the proposed edits have been validated for
applicability.

> The edits contained in following table were developed subject to the
> following:

-   The data correction process should be placed on the respondent when
    possible as only the respondent can determine whether data are
    correct. Automated edits can only determine data reasonableness and
    consistency.

-   A copy of the proposed EIA Form 906 has been marked and included as
    Attachment A. This attachment numbers each data item that a
    respondent is to provide. This numbering is used to reference the
    proposed edits to the data items and data elements in the edit
    tables and exhibits.

-   The data provided on prior submissions, up to one year, will be
    available during respondent data entry.

-   The column titled EDIT STAGE refers to the place of edit
    performance. Stage 1 is a respondent level edit and stage 2 is a
    summary level edit.

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## ATTACHMENT A

ANNOTATED EIA FORM 906

+--------------------------+-------------------+----------------------+
| **U.S. Department of     | ########          | **Form Approval      |
| Energy**                 |                   | Pending**            |
|                          | ######## P        |                      |
| **Energy Information     | OWER PLANT REPORT | **OMB No.            |
| Administration**         |                   | 1905-0129**          |
|                          |                   |                      |
| **Form EIA-906 (2004)**  |                   | **Approval Expires** |
+--------------------------+-------------------+----------------------+
| **NOTICE:** The timely   |                   |                      |
| submission of Form       |                   |                      |
| EIA‑906 by those         |                   |                      |
| required to report is    |                   |                      |
| mandatory under Section  |                   |                      |
| 13(b) of the Federal     |                   |                      |
| Energy Administration    |                   |                      |
| Act of 1974 (FEAA)       |                   |                      |
| (Public Law 93‑275), as  |                   |                      |
| amended. Failure to      |                   |                      |
| respond may result in a  |                   |                      |
| penalty of not more than |                   |                      |
| \$2,750 per day for each |                   |                      |
| civil violation, or a    |                   |                      |
| fine of not more than    |                   |                      |
| \$5,000 per day for each |                   |                      |
| criminal violation. The  |                   |                      |
| government may bring a   |                   |                      |
| civil action to prohibit |                   |                      |
| reporting violations,    |                   |                      |
| which may result in a    |                   |                      |
| temporary restraining    |                   |                      |
| order or a preliminary   |                   |                      |
| or permanent injunction  |                   |                      |
| without bond. In such    |                   |                      |
| civil action, the court  |                   |                      |
| may also issue mandatory |                   |                      |
| injunctions commanding   |                   |                      |
| any person to comply     |                   |                      |
| with these reporting     |                   |                      |
| requirements. A person   |                   |                      |
| is not required to       |                   |                      |
| respond to collection of |                   |                      |
| information unless the   |                   |                      |
| form displays a valid    |                   |                      |
| OMB number. **Stocks at  |                   |                      |
| End of Reporting Period  |                   |                      |
| will be kept             |                   |                      |
| confidential**. **All    |                   |                      |
| other data are not       |                   |                      |
| confidential.**          |                   |                      |
|                          |                   |                      |
| **RESPONSE DUE DATE:**   |                   |                      |
| Please submit by the     |                   |                      |
| 10^th^ working day       |                   |                      |
| following the close of   |                   |                      |
| the calendar month.      |                   |                      |
+--------------------------+-------------------+----------------------+
| **SURVEY CONTACTS:**     |                   |                      |
| Persons to contact with  |                   |                      |
| questions about this     |                   |                      |
| form.                    |                   |                      |
|                          |                   |                      |
| Contact Person 1: Title: |                   |                      |
|                          |                   |                      |
| Telephone: ( ) Fax: ( )  |                   |                      |
| E-mail:                  |                   |                      |
|                          |                   |                      |
| Contact Person 2: Title: |                   |                      |
|                          |                   |                      |
| Telephone: ( ) Fax: ( )  |                   |                      |
| E-mail:                  |                   |                      |
+--------------------------+-------------------+----------------------+
|                          |                   |                      |
+--------------------------+-------------------+----------------------+
|                          |                   |                      |
+--------------------------+-------------------+----------------------+
| **REPORT FOR:**          |                   |                      |
|                          |                   |                      |
| \< plant name \> \<plant |                   |                      |
| id\> Month and Year:     |                   |                      |
|                          |                   |                      |
| Address line 1:          |                   |                      |
|                          |                   |                      |
| Address line 2:          |                   |                      |
|                          |                   |                      |
| Address line 3:          |                   |                      |
|                          |                   |                      |
| City: State: Zip Code:   |                   |                      |
+--------------------------+-------------------+----------------------+

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **COMMENTS:**                                                         |
|                                                                       |
| IF THERE ARE ANY UNUSUAL VALUES, OCCURRENCES, OR CHANGES IN           |
| OWNERSHIP, EXPLAIN IN THIS SECTION.                                   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

**Plant Name:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Plant ID: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

**State: \_\_\_\_ Reporting Month and Year:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

If any preprinted information is incorrect, please provide the correct
information.

Report actual values. If these are not available, then report estimated
values.

The following diagram explains the data needed for question 1 and
question 2.

1.  **Total Fuel Used by the Cogeneration System *Q1***

> Report all fuels consumed by the cogeneration system for all purposes:
> power, useful heat, and losses.

Include start-up and flame stabilization fuels.

+---------------------+---------------------+-------------------------+
| **Energy Source**   | **Amount**          | ###### Type of          |
|                     |                     |                         |
| (See codes on p. 6  | (Enter 0 when a     | ###### Physical Units   |
| to add energy       | fuel source has no  |                         |
| sources)            | fuel consumption    | (Tons, Barrels, or      |
|                     | for this reporting  | Thousand Cubic Feet)    |
| ***1a***            | ***1b*** period)    |                         |
|                     |                     | ***1c***                |
+---------------------+---------------------+-------------------------+
|                     |                     |                         |
+---------------------+---------------------+-------------------------+
|                     |                     |                         |
+---------------------+---------------------+-------------------------+
|                     |                     |                         |
+---------------------+---------------------+-------------------------+
|                     |                     |                         |
+---------------------+---------------------+-------------------------+
|                     |                     |                         |
+---------------------+---------------------+-------------------------+

**Plant Name:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Plant ID: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

######### State: \_\_\_\_ Reporting Month and Year: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**2.** Prime movers are devices that convert fuel or heat energy into
mechanical energy. Examples include steam turbines, combustion gas
turbines, reciprocating engines, and water turbines. ***Q2***

In the **Total Electricity Generated** line, EIA wants one aggregate
number for all prime movers of a single type. For example, all the
generation from your steam turbines, no matter how many energy sources,
should be reported as one number.

> If there are not enough lines in any of the tables, or if there are
> not enough tables to represent the number of prime movers, please
> photocopy the appropriate sheets and include them in your submission.

**2a. Prime Mover Type: [*2a1*]{.underline} Total Electricity Generated:
[*2a2*]{.underline} MWh**

Fuel Used to Generate Electricity for Prime Mover During Reporting
Period

+-----------------+-----------------+------------------+---------------+
| **Energy        | ###### Amount   | ###### Type of   | **Heat Value  |
| Source**        |                 |                  | per Unit of   |
|                 | (Enter 0 when a | #####            | Fuel**        |
| (See codes on   | fuel source has | # Physical Units |               |
| p. XXX to add   | no fuel         |                  | (MMBtus per   |
| energy sources) | consumption for | (Tons, Barrels,  | fuel unit)    |
|                 | this reporting  | or Thousand      |               |
|                 | period)         | Cubic Feet)      |               |
+-----------------+-----------------+------------------+---------------+
| ***2a3***       | ***2a4***       | ***2a5***        | ***2a6***     |
+-----------------+-----------------+------------------+---------------+
|                 |                 |                  |               |
+-----------------+-----------------+------------------+---------------+
|                 |                 |                  |               |
+-----------------+-----------------+------------------+---------------+
|                 |                 |                  |               |
+-----------------+-----------------+------------------+---------------+
|                 |                 |                  |               |
+-----------------+-----------------+------------------+---------------+

**2b. Prime Mover Type: \_\_\_\_\_ Total Electricity Generated:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ MWh**

Fuel Used to Generate Electricity for Prime Mover During Reporting
Period

+-----------------+-----------------+------------------+---------------+
| **Energy        | ###### Amount   | ###### Type of   | **Heat Value  |
| Source**        |                 |                  | per Unit of   |
|                 | (Enter 0 when a | #####            | Fuel**        |
| (See codes on   | fuel source has | # Physical Units |               |
| p. XXX to add   | no fuel         |                  | (MMBtus per   |
| energy sources) | consumption for | (Tons, Barrels,  | fuel unit)    |
|                 | this reporting  | or Thousand      |               |
|                 | period)         | Cubic Feet)      |               |
+-----------------+-----------------+------------------+---------------+
|                 |                 |                  |               |
+-----------------+-----------------+------------------+---------------+
|                 |                 |                  |               |
+-----------------+-----------------+------------------+---------------+
|                 |                 |                  |               |
+-----------------+-----------------+------------------+---------------+
|                 |                 |                  |               |
+-----------------+-----------------+------------------+---------------+
|                 |                 |                  |               |
+-----------------+-----------------+------------------+---------------+

**Plant Name:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Plant ID: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

######### State: \_\_\_\_ Reporting Month and Year: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**2c. Prime Mover Type: \_\_\_\_\_ Total Electricity Generated:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ MWh**

Fuel Used to Generate Electricity for Prime Mover During Reporting
Period

+-----------------+-----------------+------------------+---------------+
| **Energy        | ###### Amount   | ###### Type of   | **Heat Value  |
| Source**        |                 |                  | per Unit of   |
|                 | (Enter 0 when a | #####            | Fuel**        |
| (See codes on   | fuel source has | # Physical Units |               |
| p. XXX to add   | no fuel         |                  | (MMBtus per   |
| energy sources) | consumption for | (Tons, Barrels,  | fuel unit)    |
|                 | this reporting  | or Thousand      |               |
|                 | period)         | Cubic Feet)      |               |
+-----------------+-----------------+------------------+---------------+
|                 |                 |                  |               |
+-----------------+-----------------+------------------+---------------+
|                 |                 |                  |               |
+-----------------+-----------------+------------------+---------------+
|                 |                 |                  |               |
+-----------------+-----------------+------------------+---------------+
|                 |                 |                  |               |
+-----------------+-----------------+------------------+---------------+
|                 |                 |                  |               |
+-----------------+-----------------+------------------+---------------+

3.  **Stocks at End of Calendar Month**

    Report stocks only for coal and petroleum products including
    petroleum coke that you burn in your cogeneration system. Include
    back up fuels. Include start-up and flame stabilization fuels. Do
    not report waste coal.

+---------------------+---------------------+-------------------------+
| **Energy Source**   | ###### Amount       | ###### Type of          |
|                     |                     |                         |
| (See codes on p. 6  | (Enter 0 if a plant | ###### Physical Units   |
| to add energy       | has no stocks for   |                         |
| sources)            | this reporting      | (Tons or Barrels)       |
|                     | period)             |                         |
+---------------------+---------------------+-------------------------+
| ***3a***            | ***3b***            | ***3c***                |
+---------------------+---------------------+-------------------------+
|                     |                     |                         |
+---------------------+---------------------+-------------------------+
|                     |                     |                         |
+---------------------+---------------------+-------------------------+
|                     |                     |                         |
+---------------------+---------------------+-------------------------+
|                     |                     |                         |
+---------------------+---------------------+-------------------------+

[^1]: All references are to notations on EIA Form 906 included as
    Attachment A