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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 208 (Friday, October 26, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65374-65375]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-26366]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Proposed Agency Information Collection

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. 
Department of Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Notice and request for comments

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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy invites public comment on a proposed 
collection of information that DOE is developing for submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995. 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 of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and 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.
    The proposed collection would involve information that will enable 
DOE to measure the impact and progress of DOE's National Clean Fleets 
Partnership (Partnership). The Partnership is an initiative through 
which DOE provides large private-sector fleets with technical 
assistance and expertise to incorporate alternative fuels and fuel 
saving measures into their operations successfully. The initiative 
builds on the established success of DOE's Clean Cities program. The 
Partnership was developed with input from fleet managers, industry 
representatives, Clean Cities program staff, and Clean Cities 
coordinators.

DATES: Comments regarding this proposed information collection must be 
received on or before December 26, 2012. If you anticipate difficulty 
in submitting comments within that period, contact the person listed in 
ADDRESSES as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be sent to Mr. Mark Smith, Office of 
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE-2G), U.S. Department of 
Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121, or by 
fax at 202-586-1600, or by email at Mark.Smith@ee.doe.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Mr. Mark Smith, Office of Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy (EE-2G), U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence 
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121, (202) 287-5151, 
Mark.Smith@ee.doe.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This information collection request 
contains: (1) OMB No. New; (2) Information Collection Request Title: 
National Clean Fleets Partnership Progress; (3) Type of Request: New; 
(4) Purpose: DOE's Clean Cities initiative has developed a voluntary 
National Clean Fleets Partnership effort that establishes strategic 
alliances with large private fleets to help them explore and adopt 
alternative fuels and fuel economy measures to reduce petroleum use. 
The Partnership does not endeavor to engage a large number of fleets, 
but rather works with select fleets committed to

[[Page 65375]]

leading the way in reducing petroleum consumption. Under a voluntary 
agreement, Clean Cities commits to provide each fleet with a designated 
account manager for assistance and support; work with fleets to develop 
individual partner plans to reduce petroleum use; provide technical 
assistance, data, access to subject matter experts, analysis, and 
unbiased evaluation; provide education and outreach materials to 
recognize a fleet's involvement with the Partnership and its 
accomplishments; supply mechanisms for fleet information exchange and 
networking; and identify and document progress related to petroleum 
savings, cost savings, and reductions in emissions. A participating 
fleet commits to appointing a primary contact; developing a petroleum 
use reduction plan; acting to work toward the goals set forth in the 
plan; tracking progress and provide baseline information and annual 
data on petroleum use; and participating as an active Clean Cities 
stakeholder.
    The principal objective of collecting the information DOE seeks to 
gather through the Partnership effort is to allow DOE to develop an 
objective assessment and estimate of each fleet's impact and progress. 
Information requested would be used to establish a baseline of 
activities, vehicle inventories, and fuel use for each fleet, which 
will then be used for future comparisons and analyses of instituted 
programs and policies. A designated representative for each 
participating fleet will provide the requested information. The 
intended respondent is expected to be aware of relevant aspects of the 
company's fleet management, such that the gathering of information is 
not expected to be very resource consuming.
    The Partnership effort will rely on data provided in a template 
spreadsheet and responses to questions the respondent chooses to answer 
during a phone or in-person interview. The questions and data 
collection would address the following topic areas: (a) Vehicle data, 
in terms of the number of different vehicles in the fleet sorted by 
fuel type and class or category of vehicle; (b) Fuel data, in terms of 
the quantity of fuel used in given vehicle categories or classes, based 
on the type of fuel; (c) Fuel use by type by zip code or other 
appropriate geographic zone; (d) type of infrastructure used; (e) 
Current and historical fleet strategies to reduce petroleum (driver 
training, idle reduction, alternative fuels, right sizing); and (e) 
Fleet operations (how vehicles are fueled). The responses and data will 
be compiled for the purpose of assessing progress against the fleet's 
baseline information, and impact in terms of increasing deployment of 
alternative fueled vehicles and alternative fuels themselves.
    The interview that would be part of the voluntary Partnership 
initiative would be completed on an annual basis, at the convenience of 
the participating fleet, there being no date by which the questions 
must be completed. Calculation of progress and impacts will be 
undertaken on an ongoing basis, once the interview is completed.
    The data and subsequent analyses will allow DOE to compare 
historical records dynamically, and provide the opportunity for each 
fleet to determine annual progress. The Partnership is targeted at 
large, private-sector fleets that own or have contractual control over 
at least 50 percent of their vehicles and have vehicles operating in 
multiple States. DOE expects approximately 30 fleets to participate in 
the Partnership the first year and, as a result, DOE expects a total 
respondent population of approximately 20 respondents the first year. 
Providing initial baseline information for each participating fleet, 
which occurs only once, is expected to take 60 minutes. Follow-up 
questions and clarifications for the purpose of ensuring accurate 
analyses are expected to take up to 90 minutes. (5) Annual Estimated 
Number of Respondents: 20; (6) Annual Estimated Number of Total 
Responses: 20; (7) Annual Estimated Number of Burden Hours: 50; and (8) 
Annual Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Cost Burden: There is no 
cost associated with reporting and recordkeeping.

    Statutory Authority:  42 U.S.C. Sec. 13252(a)-(b); 42 U.S.C. 
13255; 42 U.S.C. 7256.

    Issued in Washington, DC on October 19, 2012.
Patrick B. Davis,
Program Manager, Vehicle Technologies Program, Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 2012-26366 Filed 10-25-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
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