### 24736 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 81 / Friday, April 26, 2013 / Notices

**DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION**

**[Docket No. ED–2013–ICCD–0015]**

**Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of**  **Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request;**  **William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program (DL) Regulations** 

**AGENCY :**  Federal Student Aid (FSA), Department of Education (ED).

**ACTION :**  Notice.

**SUMMARY :**  In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 3501 et seq. ), ED is proposing an extension of an existing information collection.

**DATES :**  Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before May 28,
2013.

**ADDRESSES :**  Comments submitted in response to this notice should be submitted electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http:// www.regulations.gov by selecting Docket ID number ED–2013–ICCD–0015 or via postal mail, commercial delivery, or hand delivery. Please note that comments submitted by fax or email and those submitted after the comment period will not be accepted. Written requests for information or comments submitted by postal mail or delivery should be addressed to the Director of the Information Collection Clearance Division, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., LBJ, Room 2E103, Washington, DC 20202–4537.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Electronically mail ICDocketMgr@ed.gov. Please do not send comments here.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  The Department of Education (ED), in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps the Department assess the impact of its information collection requirements and minimize the public’s reporting burden. It also helps the public understand the Department’s information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. ED is soliciting comments on the proposed information collection request (ICR) that is described below. 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: William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program (DL) Regulations.

OMB Control Number: 1845–0021. Type of Review: Extension without change of an existing collection of information.

Respondents/Affected Public: Private Sector.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 6,603,667.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 535,998.

Abstract: The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program regulations cover areas of program administration. These regulations are in place to minimize administrative burden for program participants, to determine eligibility for and provide program benefits to borrowers, and to prevent fraud and abuse of program funds to protect the taxpayers’ interests. This request is for continued approval of reporting and recordkeeping related to the administrative requirements of the Direct Loan program.

Dated: April 22, 2013. Kate Mullan, Acting Director, Information Collection Clearance Division, Privacy, Information and Records Management Services, Office of Management.
[FR Doc. 2013–09947 Filed 4–25–13; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 4000–01–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY**

**Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy** 

**Energy Savings Performance Contracts: Extension of Comment**  **Period**

**AGENCY :**  Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy.

**ACTION :**  Notice of request for information; extension of comment period.

**SUMMARY :**  The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a request for information (RFI) on April 3, 2013 that requested comments and information regarding improvements to Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs), to be submitted by May 3, 2013. In an interest to provide additional time for a response, this notice extends the comment period until May 17, 2013.

**DATES :**  Written comments and information are requested on or before May 17, 2013.

**ADDRESSES :**  Interested persons may submit comments by any of the following methods. Your response should be in the form of a Word document, or a compatible format.

1. Email: to femp@go.doe.gov. Include ‘‘ESPC Comments’’ in the subject line of the message.

2. Mail: Mr. Randy Jones, U.S. Department of Energy, 1617 Cole Blvd., Golden, CO 80401, Telephone: (720) 356–1667, Email: randy.jones@go.doe.gov. Please submit one signed paper original.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Mr. Randy Jones, U.S. Department of Energy, 1617 Cole Blvd., Golden, CO 80401, Telephone: (720) 356–1667, Email: randy.jones@go.doe.gov, or Ms. Michella Hill, Contracting Officer, U.S. Department of Energy, 1617 Cole Blvd., Golden, CO 80401, Telephone: (720) 356–1489, Email: michella.hill@go.doe.gov.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  The Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP), within the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), provides services, tools, and expertise to Federal agencies to help them achieve their legislated and executive-ordered energy, greenhouse gas, and water goals. These are delivered through project, technical, and program services. One of FEMP’s major services is to support Federal agencies in identifying, obtaining, and implementing project funding for energy projects through the use of ESPCs.

ESPCs allow Federal agencies to accomplish energy savings projects without up-front capital costs. In an ESPC, a Federal agency contracts with an ESCO, following a comprehensive energy audit conducted by the ESCO of a Federal facility to identify improvements to save energy. In consultation with the Federal agency, the ESCO designs and constructs a project that meets the agency’s needs and arranges the necessary funding. The ESCO guarantees that the improvements will generate energy cost savings sufficient to pay for the project over the term of the contract. After the contract ends, all additional cost savings accrue to the agency. Contract terms up to 25 years are allowed.


### 24737 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 81 / Friday, April 26, 2013 / Notices

Under the ESPC statutes, DOE is required to develop methods and procedures for Federal agencies to implement the use of energy savings performance contracting. On April 10, 1995, DOE established the implementing procedures and regulations for ESPCs at 10 CFR part 436, Subpart B. (See, 60 FR 18334.)

To facilitate and accelerate the use ofESPCs, DOE has issued IndefiniteDelivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contracts designed to make ESPCs as practical and cost-effective as possible for use by Federal agencies. DOE awarded these ‘‘umbrella’’ contracts to ESCOs based on their ability to meet terms and conditions established in IDIQ contracts, and consistent with the ESPC regulations. DOE IDIQ contracts can be used by Federal agencies to achieve energy savings for any Federally-owned facility worldwide, by awarding Task Orders for ESPC projects at their facilities.

Since the inception of DOE’s IDIQ contracts in 1996, numerous Federal agencies have used them to award more than 280 ESPC projects throughout the Federal government. More than $2.71 billion has been invested in Federal energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements. These improvements have resulted in more than 347.5 trillion Btu life-cycle energy savings and more than $7.18 billion of cumulative energy cost savings for the Federal Government.

While FEMP has provided implementing rules and policies regarding ESPCs, its efforts to promote and improve ESPC projects have been primarily through the DOE IDIQ contract vehicle. Over the course of the last 15 years, FEMP has continuously improved the ESPC IDIQ contract in many key areas, including contractor selection procedures, scope definition, Measurement and Verification (M&V), financing procurement, and definition of risk and responsibilities.

More detailed background and specifics of the current FEMP ESPC program can be found at: http:// www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/financing/ espcs.html.

More detailed information about the IDIQ contracts, FEMP’s primary vehicle for implementation of ESPCs, including a generic version of the current contract, can be found at: http:// www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/financing/
espcs

_resources.html.

More detailed information about the new FEMP streamlined ESPC ENABLE program for smaller facilities can be found at: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/ femp/financing/espc

_enable.html. RFI On April 3, 2013, DOE issued a request for information to solicit input on further potential improvements to ESPCs, with emphasis on improvements to the FEMP IDIQ contracts. (78 FR 20097) Comments and information regarding improvements ESPCs were requested to be submitted by May 3, 2013. In an interest to provide additional time for a response, DOE is accepting comments and information until May 17, 2013. Specifically, FEMP is interested in obtaining ideas and information in the following areas: Speed to Award

• Decreasing the time from the point an agency decides to go forward (Issues Notice of Opportunity (NOO), Request for Proposals (RFP), etc.) to the time of award.

Æ Process improvements and simplifications, while maintaining technical and project management integrity.

Æ Addressing internal agency policies and processes to speed up key reviews, approvals, and decisions.
ESPC IDIQ Contract Improvements

• Opportunities and benefits relating to greater standardization of contract processes, terms and conditions across the Government.

• Comments on current IDIQ processes that allow contractor selection based on ESCO qualifications only, without the submission of a price proposal.

• Comments on structuring an ESPC IDIQ Contract so that new contractors may be added during the life of the contract based on meeting the same qualification criteria as specified in the original solicitation.

• Comments on a potential process where the technical criterion to receive an IDIQ ESPC contract from DOE are based partially or fully on meeting requirements of an impartial, national ESCO certification program.

• Comments on structuring an ESPC IDIQ Contract so that contractors can be removed during the life of the contract based on conditions specified in the IDIQ such as non-performance or lack of participation.

• Improvement of deliverables content and format (Investment Grade Audit, Commissioning Plans and Reports, Measurement and Verification Plans and Reports, etc.). Increasing the Certainty of Energy Savings Persistence

• Improvements to Measurement and Verification methodologies, to achieve and maintain the greatest assurance of energy savings at the least cost. Approaches To Encourage Innovative or Underutilized Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Technologies

• Approaches to increase confidence in investing in technologies with good potential but little implementation experience.

• Approaches to incentivize ESCOs to propose innovative or underutilized technologies. Potential Improvements to the FEMP Streamlined ENABLE Program for Smaller Facilities

• Improvements to the technical tools and contract templates that support project development and execution.

• Feedback on the process that is required by GSA Schedule 84, Special Identification Number 246–53 and use of the Schedule ordering process in general. Disclaimer and Important Notes

This is an RFI issued solely for information and program planning purposes; this RFI does not constitute a formal solicitation for proposals or abstracts. Your response to this notice will be treated as information only. DOE will not provide reimbursement for costs incurred in responding to this RFI. Respondents are advised that DOE is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted under this RFI. Responses to this RFI do not bind DOE to any further actions related to this topic.

Confidential Business Information

In accordance with 10 CFR 1004.11, any person submitting information he or she believes to be confidential and exempt by law from public disclosure should submit via email, postal mail, or hand delivery/courier two well-marked copies: One copy of the document marked confidential including all the information believed to be confidential, and one copy of the document marked non-confidential with the information believed to be confidential deleted. Submit these documents via email or on a CD, if feasible. DOE will make its own determination about the confidential status of the information and treat it according to its determination.

Factors of interest to DOE when evaluating requests to treat submitted information as confidential include: (1) A description of the items; (2) whether and why such items are customarily treated as confidential within the industry; (3) whether the information is


### 24738 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 81 / Friday, April 26, 2013 / Notices

generally known by or available from other sources; (4) whether the information has previously been made available to others without obligation concerning its confidentiality; (5) an explanation of the competitive injury to the submitting person which would result from public disclosure; (6) when such information might lose its confidential character due to the passage of time; and (7) why disclosure of the information would be contrary to the public interest.

It is DOE’s policy that all comments may be included in a public docket, without change and as received, including any personal information provided in the comments (except information deemed to be exempt from public disclosure).

Issued in Washington, DC, on April 22,
2013. Timothy Unruh, Program Manager, Federal Energy Management Program.
[FR Doc. 2013–09926 Filed 4–25–13; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 6450–01–P**

**ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY** 
**[EPA–HQ–OPP–2013–0276; FRL–9385–2]**

**Ethylene Oxide; Receipt of Application for Emergency Exemption, Solicitation**  **of Public Comment**

**AGENCY :**  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

**ACTION :**  Notice.

**SUMMARY :**  EPA has received a quarantine exemption request from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to use the pesticide ethylene oxide (CAS No. 75– 21–8) to sterilize the interior surfaces of enclosed animal isolator units to control microorganisms. The applicant proposes a use of a pesticide which contains an active ingredient which is or has been the subject of a Special Review, and which could pose a risk similar to the risk which is or has been the subject of the Special Review. EPA is soliciting public comment before making the decision whether or not to grant the exemption.

**DATES :**  Comments must be received on or before May 13, 2013.

**ADDRESSES :**  Submit your comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA–HQ–OPP–2013–0276, by one of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.

• Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/ DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001.

• Hand Delivery: To make special arrangements for hand delivery or delivery of boxed information, please follow the instructions at http:// www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.htm.

Additional instructions on commenting or visiting the docket, along with more information about dockets generally, is available at http:// www.epa.gov/dockets.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Keri Grinstead, Registration Division (7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001; telephone number: (703) 308–8373; fax number: (703) 605– 0781; email address: grinstead.keri@epa.gov.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :** 
I. General Information A. Does this action apply to me?

You may be potentially affected by this action if you are an agricultural producer, food manufacturer, or pesticide manufacturer. The following list of North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a guide to help readers determine whether this document applies to them. Potentially affected entities may include:

• Crop production (NAICS code 111).

• Animal production (NAICS code 112).

• Food manufacturing (NAICS code 311).

• Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS code 32532). B. What should I consider as I prepare my comments for EPA?

1. Submitting CBI. Do not submit this information to EPA through www.regulations.gov or email. Clearly mark the part or all of the information that you claim to be CBI. For CBI information in a disk or CD–ROM that you mail to EPA, mark the outside of the disk or CD–ROM as CBI and then identify electronically within the disk or CD–ROM the specific information that is claimed as CBI. In addition to one complete version of the comment that includes information claimed as CBI, a copy of the comment that does not contain the information claimed as CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public docket. Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance with procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2.

2. Tips for preparing your comments. When submitting comments, remember
to:

i. Identify the document by docket ID number and other identifying information (subject heading, Federal Register date and page number).

ii. Follow directions. The Agency may ask you to respond to specific questions or organize comments by referencing a Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part or section number.

iii. Explain why you agree or disagree; suggest alternatives and substitute language for your requested changes.

iv. Describe any assumptions and provide any technical information and/ or data that you used.

v. If you estimate potential costs or burdens, explain how you arrived at your estimate in sufficient detail to allow for it to be reproduced.

vi. Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns and suggest alternatives.

vii. Explain your views as clearly as possible, avoiding the use of profanity or personal threats.

viii. Make sure to submit your comments by the comment period deadline identified.

3. Environmental justice. EPA seeks to achieve environmental justice, the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of any group, including minority and/or low income populations, in the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. To help address potential environmental justice issues, the Agency seeks information on any groups or segments of the population who, as a result of their location, cultural practices, or other factors, may have atypical or disproportionately high and adverse human health impacts or environmental effects from exposure to the pesticide(s) discussed in this document, compared to the general population. II. What action is the Agency taking?

Under section 18 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) (7 U.S.C. 136p), at the discretion of the EPA Administrator, a Federal or State agency may be exempted from any provision of FIFRA if the EPA Administrator determines that emergency conditions exist which require the exemption. USDA APHIS has requested the EPA Administrator to issue a quarantine exemption for the use of ethylene oxide to sterilize interior