### 51020 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 164 / Thursday, August 23, 2012 / Notices

Appendix 2—Statement of Chairman Gary Gensler

I support the proposed relief from the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act) swaps provisions for certain electricity and electricity-related energy transactions between rural electric cooperatives; state, municipal, and tribal power authorities; and federal power authorities.

Congress directed the CFTC, when it is in the public interest, to provide relief from the Dodd-Frank Act’s swaps market reform provisions for certain transactions between these entities.

For decades, these entities have been recognized as performing a public service mission, a fundamentally different function than investor-owned utilities. The purpose of these entities is to provide their customers or cooperative members with reliable electric energy at the lowest cost possible. They have been largely exempt from regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission because of their government entity status or their not-for-profit cooperative status.

The scope of the proposed relief extends only to non-financial electricity and electricity-related energy transactions for the generation, transmission and delivery of electric energy to customers. Such transactions must be intended for making or taking physical delivery of the underlying commodity.

I look forward to receiving public comment on the proposed relief.

[FR Doc. 2012–20589 Filed 8–22–12; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 6351–01–P**

**BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION** 

**Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB**  **Review; Comment Request**

Agency: Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.

**ACTION :**  Notice and request for
comments.

**SUMMARY :**  The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Bureau), 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 a proposed information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The Bureau is soliciting comments concerning the information collection efforts relating to the collection titled, ‘‘CFPB Office of Intergovernmental Affairs Outreach Activities.’’ The proposed collection has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. A copy of the submission, including copies of the proposed collection and supporting documentation, may be obtained by contacting the agency contact listed below.

**DATES :**  Written comments are encouraged and must be received on or before September 24, 2012 to be assured of consideration.

**ADDRESSES :**  You may submit comments, identified by ‘‘Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’’ and the collection title below, to:

• Agency: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Attention: PRA Office), 1700 G Street NW., Washington, DC 20552; (202) 435–9011; and CFPB

_Public

_PRA@cfpb.gov.

• OMB: Shagufta Ahmed, Office of Management and Budget, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503; (202) 395–7873.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Requests for additional information should be directed to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Attention: PRA Office), 1700 G Street NW., Washington, DC 20552, (202) 435–9011 or through the Internet at CFPB

_Public

_PRA@cfpb.gov.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :** 

Title: CFPB Office of Intergovernmental Affairs Outreach Activities.

OMB Number: 3170–00xx. Type of Review: New generic collection.

Abstract: The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act) contemplates that the Bureau will conduct outreach activities, as appropriate. See, e.g. 12 U.S.C. 5495; 12 U.S.C. 5512(c)(1), 12 U.S.C. 5493(d), 12 U.S.C. 5493(b)(2), 12 U.S.C. 5511(c)(6). The Bureau’s Office of Intergovernmental Affairs seeks to conduct outreach by collecting information from state, local, and tribal governments related to the Bureau’s exercise of its functions under the Dodd-Frank Act. These governments interact closely with consumers and are critical partners in promoting transparency and competition in the marketplace, preventing unfair and unlawfully discriminatory practices, and enforcing consumer financial laws.

The information collected through the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs Outreach Activities will be shared, as appropriate, within the Bureau in the exercise of its functions, such as the Bureau’s financial education, rulemaking, market monitoring, outreach to traditionally underserved populations, fair lending monitoring, supervision, and enforcement functions.

The information collected may be used to form policies and programs presented to state, local, and tribal governments, as well as to other federal agencies and the general public. Nearly all information collection will involve the use of electronic communication or other forms of information technology and telephonic means.

The Bureau received one comment letter on the proposed collection from a coalition of cities committed to local action for financial empowerment and consumer protection. The comment supported the Bureau’s proposal to formalize processes for information collection from local governments, noting that the proposed information collection would maximize efficiency of information sharing and minimize burden on cities. The letter recommended that the Bureau set up protocols to solicit information and develop a mechanism for local governments to provide information to the Bureau. The letter further recommended that the Bureau offer cities a distinct communication channel through which cities can obtain information from the Bureau and inform regulatory or enforcement actions. The Bureau notes that this regular and structured solicitation of information may help mitigate the effects of future ruptures in consumer financial markets by helping to facilitate effective monitoring of local markets for risks to

consumers.

Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal Governments.

Estimated Number of Responses: 1,600.

Estimated Time per Respondent: 2 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 3,200.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a valid OMB control number.

The Bureau issued a 60-day Federal Register notice on April 30, 2012, 77 FR 25438–39. Comments were solicited and continue to be invited on: (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Bureau, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Bureau’s estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and the assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.


### 51021 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 164 / Thursday, August 23, 2012 / Notices

Approved: August 17, 2012. Chris Willey, Chief Information Officer, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.
[FR Doc. 2012–20700 Filed 8–22–12; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 4810–AM–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION**

**Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests; Federal Student**  **Aid; Student Assistance General Provisions—Student Right To Know** 

**SUMMARY :**  The proposed changes to the current regulations require institutions to disclose the employment andplacement rate, retention rate of firsttime, full-time undergraduate students, and completion and graduation rate data disaggregated by gender, race, and grant or loan assistance in addition to the currently required reporting to prospective and enrolled students and employees.

**DATES :**  Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before October 22, 2012.

**ADDRESSES :**  Written comments regarding burden and/or the collection activity requirements should be electronically mailed to ICDocketMgr@ed.gov or mailed to U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., LBJ, Washington, DC 20202–4537. Copies of the proposed information collection request may be accessed from http://edicsweb.ed.gov, by selecting the ‘‘Browse Pending Collections’’ link and by clicking on link number 04924. When you access the information collection, click on ‘‘Download Attachments’’ to view. Written requests for information should be addressed to U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., LBJ, Washington, DC 20202–4537. Requests may also be electronically mailed to ICDocketMgr@ed.gov or faxed to 202–401–0920. Please specify the complete title of the information collection and OMB Control Number when making your request.

Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–
8339.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  Section 3506 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35) requires that Federal agencies provide interested parties an early opportunity to comment on information collection requests. The Director, Information Collection Clearance Division, Privacy, Information and Records Management Services, Office of Management, publishes this notice containing proposed information collection requests at the beginning of the Departmental review of the information collection. The Department of Education is especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues: (1) Is this collection necessary to the proper functions of the Department; (2) will this information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the Department enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (5) how might the Department minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology. Please note that written comments received in response to this notice will be considered public records.

Title of Collection: Student Assistance General Provisions—Student Right to
Know.

OMB Control Number: 1845–0004. Type of Review: Extension. Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 33,568.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 244,179.

Abstract: Eligible participating postsecondary institutions are required to provide this Student Right-to-Know (SRK) information to all enrolled students, prospective students prior to their enrolling or entering into a financial obligation with the school as well as to institution’s employees. This information pertains to the completion, graduation and post-graduate study rates for students at a given institution. This information must be made through publications, mailings and electronic media. The SRK information is made available so that students and prospective students can be aware of the ability of students at that institution to complete a course of study as well as find employment or continuing education opportunities upon graduation.

Dated: August 20, 2012. Stephanie Valentine, Acting Director, Information Collection Clearance Division, Privacy, Information and Records Management Services, Office of Management.
[FR Doc. 2012–20775 Filed 8–22–12; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 4000–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY** 

**Ultra-Deepwater and Unconventional Natural Gas and Other Petroleum**  **Resources, Research and Development Program 2012 Annual**  **Plan**

**AGENCY :**  Office of Fossil Energy, Department of Energy.

**ACTION :**  Notice of report availability.

**SUMMARY :**  The Office of Fossil Energy announces the availability of the 2012 Annual Plan for the Ultra-Deepwater and Unconventional Natural Gas and Other Petroleum Resources Research and Development Program on the DOE Web site at www.fossil.energy.gov/ programs/oilgas/ ultra

_ and

_ unconventional/
2012

_ annual

_

plan.pdf or in print form (see ‘‘Contact’’ below).

The 2012 Annual Plan is in compliance with the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Subtitle J, Section 999B(e)(3) which requires the publication of this plan and all written comments in the Federal Register

. **FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Elena Melchert, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Oil and Natural Gas, Mail Stop FE–30, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585 or phone: (202) 586–5600 or email to UltraDeepwater@hq.doe.gov

. **SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  Executive Summary [Excerpted From the 2012 Annual Plan p. iv]

This 2012 Annual Plan is the sixth research plan for the Ultra-Deepwater and Unconventional Natural Gas and Other Petroleum Resources Research Program since the launch of the program in 2007.

This plan continues the important shift in priorities towards safety and environmental sustainability that was initiated in the last plan, and is consistent with the President’s Office of Management and Budget directive for research that has significant potential public benefits.

Onshore, research on Unconventional Resources will focus on protecting groundwater and air quality, understanding rock and fluid interactions, and integrated environmental protection, including water treatment technologies and water management. For Small Producers, the Program will focus on extending the life of mature fields in an environmentally sustainable way.

Offshore, research on Ultra-Deepwater will focus on improved understanding of systems risk, reducing risk through the acquisition of real-time information