### 11147 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 46 / Wednesday, March 10, 2010 / Notices

**DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE**

**Department of the Navy**

**Notice of Intent To Grant Exclusive Patent License; Distilled Solutions,**  **LLC**

**AGENCY :**  Department of the Navy, DoD.

**ACTION :**  Notice.

**SUMMARY :**  The Department of the Navy hereby gives notice of its intent to grant to Distilled Solutions, LLC a revocable, nonassignable, exclusive license to practice in the United States, the Government-owned invention described in U.S. Patent No. 6,893,540, entitled

‘‘High Temperature Peltier Effect Water Distiller, ’’ issued May 17, 2005, Navy Case No. 82,363.

**DATES :**  Anyone wishing to object to the grant of this license must file written objections along with supporting evidence, if any, not later than March 25, 2010.

**ADDRESSES :**  Written objections are to be filed with the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City, 110 Vernon Ave., Code CDL, Panama City, FL 32407–
7001.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Mr. James Shepherd, Patent Counsel, Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City, 110 Vernon Ave., Panama City, FL 32407–7001, telephone 850–234–4646, fax 850–235–5497, or james.t.shepherd@navy.mil.

Authority: 35 U.S.C. 207, 37 CFR part 404.
Dated: March 2, 2010. A.M. Vallandingam, Lieutenant Commander, Office of the Judge Advocate General, U.S. Navy, Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2010–5089 Filed 3–9–10; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3810–FF–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE**

**Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers** 

**Process for Requesting a Variance From Vegetation Standards for Levees**  **and Floodwalls**

**AGENCY :**  U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.

**ACTION :**  Extension of public comment period.

**SUMMARY :**  In the February 9, 2010 issue of the Federal Register (75 FR 6364), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), published its proposed update to its current process for requesting a variance from vegetation standards for levees and floodwalls for public comment. In that notice, the Corps stated that written comments must be submitted on or before March 11, 2010. Instructions for submitting comments are provided in the February 9, 2010, Federal Register notice. In response to several requests, the Corps has decided to extend the public comment period to April 25,
2010.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Douglas J. Wade, Headquarters, Engineering and Construction Community of Practice, Washington, DC, at 202–761–4668.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  None.

Dated: March 5, 2010. John W. Hunter, Engineering and Construction, Headquarters, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
[FR Doc. 2010–5126 Filed 3–9–10; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3720–58–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY**

**Ultra-Deepwater and Unconventional Natural Gas and Other Petroleum**  **Resources Research and Development Program 2010 Annual Plan** 

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

**ACTION :**  Notice of report availability.

**SUMMARY :**  The Office of Fossil Energy announces the availability of the 2010 Annual Plan for the Ultra-Deepwater and Unconventional Natural Gas and Other Petroleum Resources Research and Development Program on the DOE Web site at http:// management.energy.gov/FOIA/1480.htm or in print form (see ‘‘Contact’’ below).

The 2010 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 e-mail to UltraDeepwater@hq.doe.gov

.
**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  Executive Summary [Excerpted From the 2010 Annual Plan p. 3]

This document is the 2010 Annual Plan for the Ultra-Deepwater and Unconventional Natural Gas and Other Petroleum Resources Research and Development Program established pursuant to Title IX, Subtitle J (Subtitle J) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct). Subtitle J is reproduced in Appendix A.

As required by Subtitle J, the Department of Energy (DOE) contracted with a consortium (Program Consortium) to administer three program elements identified in EPAct: ultra-deepwater architecture and technology, unconventional natural gas and other petroleum resources exploration and production technology, and technology challenges of small producers. A fourth program element of complementary research identified in EPAct is being conducted by the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). NETL is also responsible for review and oversight of the Program Consortium.

In 2006, NETL awarded a contract to the Research Partnership to Secure Energy for America (RPSEA) to function as the Program Consortium.

The 2007 Annual Plan , the first annual plan, resulted in a total of 15 solicitations from which 43 projects were selected. The 2008 Annual Plan resulted in the selection of 29 projects. Implementation of the 2009 Annual Plan includes 7 solicitations issued by the Program Consortium in October 2009, with selections anticipated in early 2010.

As further required by Subtitle J, in September 2009, two Federal advisory committees, the Ultra-Deepwater Advisory Committee and the Unconventional Resources Technology Advisory Committee, began their respective reviews of the draft 2010 Annual Plan. In October 2009, the two advisory committees provided their recommendations.

Section 999B(e)(3) of EPAct requires DOE to publish all written comments received regarding the annual plan. Accordingly, the Program Consortium’s 2010 draft Annual Plan is included here as Appendix B, and the comments and recommendations provided by the two Federal advisory committees are included here as Appendix C. No other written comments were received.

The 2010 Annual Plan provides a comprehensive outline of the research activities planned for 2010. The primary focus of these activities is to fill in any technology gaps not adequately addressed by the projects and solicitations to date. A highlight of 2010 Annual Plan is the attention that is being given to technology transfer.

Technology transfer is important to the success of this research program. Subtitle J requires 2.5% of the amount of each award to be designated for technology transfer activities. The Federal advisory committees have recommended that more information on


### 11148 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 46 / Wednesday, March 10, 2010 / Notices

technology transfer be included in future annual plans. In response, the 2010 Annual Plan describes the structure for the overall technology transfer program.

Subtitle J provides that the UltraDeepwater and Unconventional Natural Gas and Other Petroleum Research Fund be funded at $50-million-per-year, with funds generated from Federal lease royalties, rents, and bonuses paid by oil and gas companies. Seventy-five percent of these funds are obligated to the Program Consortium’s contract to execute the three program elements. After allocations for contract management by NETL and program administration by the Program Consortium, the amount to be invested in research activities by the Program Consortium totals $31.88 million per
year.

Under the Stage-Gate approach applied to prior years’ activities, all Program Consortium administered projects are fully funded to the completion of the appropriate decision point identified in each contract, which may include multiple stages. If a decision is made to move to the next stage or decision point or to gather additional data, additional funding will be provided from available funds.

The NETL Strategic Center for Natural Gas and Oil is responsible for management of the consortium’s contract as part of its review and oversight function. Complementary research and development (R&D) is being carried out by NETL’s Office of Research and Development. Planning and analysis related to the Program, including benefits assessment and technology impacts analysis, is being carried out by NETL’s Office of Systems, Analysis, and Planning.

Subtitle J contains a general sunset provision for Title IX, Subtitle J, of September 30, 2014.

Issued in Washington, DC, on February 22,
2010. Christopher A. Smith, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Oil and Natural Gas, Office of Fossil Energy.
[FR Doc. 2010–5083 Filed 3–9–10; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 6450–01–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY**

**Energy Information Administration**

**Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;**  **Comment Request**

**AGENCY :**  Energy Information Administration (EIA), Department of Energy (DOE). **ACTION :**  Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request.

**SUMMARY :**  The EIA is soliciting comments on the proposed three-year extension of EIA Form EIA–914 Monthly Natural Gas Production Report.

**DATES :**  Comments must be filed by May 10, 2010. If you anticipate difficulty in submitting comments within that period, contact the person listed below as soon as possible.

**ADDRESSES :**  Send comments to Ms. Rhonda Green at Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration, Reserves and Production Division, 1999 Bryan Street, Suite 1110, Dallas, Texas 75201–6801. To ensure receipt of the comments by the due date, submission by e-mail (rhonda.green@eia.doe.gov ) or FAX 214–720–6155 is recommended. Alternatively, Ms. Green may be contacted by telephone at 214–720–
6161.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Requests for additional information or copies of any forms and instructions should be directed to Ms. Rhonda Green at the contact information listed above. The proposed forms and instructions are also available on the Internet at: http:// www.eia.doe.gov/oil

_

gas/natural

_

gas/
survey

_ forms/nat

_survey

_ forms.html.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  I. Background II. Current Actions III. Request for Comments I. Background

The Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974 (Pub. L. No. 93–275, 15 U.S.C. 761 et seq. ) and the DOE Organization Act (Pub. L. No. 95–91, 42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq. ) require the EIA to carry out a centralized, comprehensive, and unified energy information program. This program collects, evaluates, assembles, analyzes, and disseminates information on energy resource reserves, production, demand, technology, and related economic and statistical information. This information is used to assess the adequacy of energy resources to meet near and longer-term domestic demands.

The EIA, as part of its effort to comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), provides the general public and other Federal agencies with opportunities to comment on collections of energy information conducted by or in conjunction with the EIA. Any comments received help the EIA to prepare data requests that maximize the utility of the information collected, and to assess the impact of collection requirements on the public. Also, the EIA will later seek approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under section 3507(a) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

Currently a sample of operators of natural gas wells report on the Form EIA–914. From a universe of about 9,300 active operators, a cut-off sample is selected of 243 largest natural gas producers by state or area, known to have produced at least 20 million cubic feet (10 million cubic feet in Oklahoma) of natural gas per day in 2009. Using information collected on Form EIA–914, EIA estimates and disseminates timely and reliable monthly natural gas production data for Texas (onshore and offshore) and Louisiana (onshore and offshore), New Mexico, Oklahoma, Wyoming, the Federal Offshore Gulf of Mexico, Other States (onshore and offshore for the remaining gas producing States with Alaska excluded), and the lower 48 States. This collection is essential to the mission of the DOE in general and the EIA in particular because of the increasing demand for natural gas in the United States and the requirement for accurate and timely natural gas production information necessary to monitor the United States natural gas supply and demand balance. These estimates are essential to the development, implementation, and evaluation of energy policy and legislation. Data are disseminated through the EIA Natural Gas Monthly and EIA Natural Gas Annual Web site. Secondary publications that use the data include EIA’s Short-Term Energy Outlook, Annual Energy Outlook, Monthly Energy Review, and Annual Energy Review.

II. Current Actions

Currently EIA asks operators to resubmit if actual or corrected data vary more than plus or minus four percent (4%) from the data previously reported. The proposed change would ask that operators resubmit any change in previously reported data. This will make the instructions consistent with the way operators actually report now, i.e., without regard to a four percent difference threshold on revision submissions.
III. Request for Comment

Prospective respondents and other interested parties should comment on the actions discussed in item II. The following guidelines are provided to assist in the preparation of comments.