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[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 234 (Tuesday, December 7, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70627-70628]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-26779]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau

Survey of Pollution Abatement Costs and Expenditures

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork burden, invites the general public and other 
Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the proposed 
and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

[[Page 70628]]

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before February 7, 
2005.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20233 (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Julius Smith Jr., Census Bureau, Room 2135, 
Building 4, Washington, DC 20233-6900, (301) 763-4683 (or via the 
Internet at [email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau, with support from the Environmental Protection 
Agency, plans to reinstate the Survey of Pollution Abatement Costs and 
Expenditures (PACE), MA-200 for 2005. In addition to the survey, the 
Census Bureau also plans to conduct a screener and a pilot.
    The screener will be administered in an attempt to identify plants, 
for both the pilot and the survey, that have pollution abatement 
activities. Once these plants have been identified, the pilot will then 
be administered to a small sample. These selected plants will be asked 
to complete and comment on the proposed 2005 survey form. The 
information gained from the screener and pilot will be used in 
finalizing the survey instrument and sample design.
    The screener will contain a small number of questions 
(approximately 3-5), in the form of check boxes, to determine if 
pollution abatement activities are conducted and if so, a range of 
those costs. The pilot and the survey will collect data on capital 
expenditures for pollution abatement activities and operating costs. 
These data will be collected by categories (treatment, prevention, 
disposal and recycling) and media (air, water and solid waste). It will 
also collect some data on depreciation and cost offsets. The pilot will 
also include some qualitative questions to validate the estimates 
collected.

II. Method of Collection

    The Census Bureau will use mail out/mail back survey forms for the 
screener, pilot and survey. Companies will be asked to respond to each 
within 30 days of the initial mailing.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0176.
    Form Number: MA-200S, MA-200P and MA-200.
    Type of Review: Regular.
    Affected Public: Manufacturing, mining and electric utility 
establishments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: The screener--40,000 facilities; 
the pilot--2,000 facilities; and the survey--20,000 facilities.
    Estimated Time Per Response: The screener--.25 hours; the pilot--5 
hours; and the survey--5 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden: 120,000 hours. The screener--10,000; the 
pilot--10,000; and the survey--100,000.
    Estimated Total Cost: $ 1,500,000.
    Respondents' Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 United States Code, Section 182,224 and 
225.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
information collection on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be 
summarized and included in the request for OMB approval of this 
information collection; they also will become a matter of public 
record.

    Dated: December 1, 2004.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-26779 Filed 12-6-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P
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