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[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 29 (Thursday, February 12, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 7837]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-02867]

[[Page 7837]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau

Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Quarterly 
Survey of Plant Capacity Utilization

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, 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 
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)).

DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on 
or before April 13, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (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 Mary Susan Bucci, U.S. Census Bureau, Economic 
Reimbursable Surveys Division, Room 7K039, Washington, DC 20233, (301) 
763-4639 (or via the Internet at [email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau plans to continue the current OMB clearance for 
the Quarterly Survey of Plant Capacity Utilization (SPC). The SPC is 
conducted quarterly, collecting from manufacturing plants and 
publishers, the value of actual production, the value of production 
that could have been achieved if operating at ``full production'' 
levels, and the value of production that could have been achieved if 
operating at ``national emergency'' levels. The survey also collects 
data on work patterns by shift. These data include hours in operation, 
production workers, and plant hours worked.
    The primary users of these data will be the Federal Reserve Board 
(FRB) and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). The FRB will use these 
data in several ways. First, the capital workweek data will be used as 
an indicator of capital use in the estimation of monthly output 
(industrial production). Second, the workweek data will be used to 
improve the projections of labor productivity that are used to align 
industrial production (IP) with comprehensive benchmark information in 
the Economic Census, Manufacturing and Annual Survey of Manufactures. 
Third, the utilization rate data will assist in the assessment of 
recent changes in IP, as most of the high-frequency movement in 
utilization rates reflect production changes rather than capacity 
changes. Fourth, the time series of utilization rate data for each 
industry, in combination with the FRB IP data, will be used to estimate 
current and historical measures of capacity consistent with the FRB 
production measures. The DLA will use these data to assess readiness to 
meet demand for goods under selected national emergency scenarios.

II. Method of Collection

    The Census Bureau will use the mail out/mail back survey forms to 
collect the data. We also offer an electronic version of the form for 
reporting via the Internet. Information for reporting online is 
included on the form. Companies will be asked to respond within 20 days 
of the initial mailing. This due date will be imprinted at the top of 
the form. Letters encouraging participation will be mailed to companies 
that have not responded by the designated time. Subsequent to the 
letter, we will conduct a telephone follow-up.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-0175.
    Form Number: MQ-C2.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Manufacturing and publishing plants.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 7,500 per quarter.
    Estimated Time per Response: 2 hours and 5 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 62,500.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $0.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.

    Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S. Code, Sections 182.

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 
collection of information 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/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: February 6, 2015.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-02867 Filed 2-11-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P
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