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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 243 (Wednesday, December 18, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 102956-102957]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-29835]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request; Underground Retorts

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting this Mine Safety 
and Health Administration (MSHA)-sponsored information collection 
request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review 
and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(PRA). Public comments on the ICR are invited.

DATES: The OMB will consider all written comments that the agency 
receives on or before January 17, 2025.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed 
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of 
this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular 
information collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--
Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Howell by telephone at 202-
693-6782, or by email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 103(h) of the Federal Mine Safety 
and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. 813, authorizes MSHA to 
collect information necessary to carry out its duty in protecting the 
safety and health of miners. Title 30 CFR 57.22401 sets forth the 
safety requirements for using a retort to extract oil from shale in 
underground metal and nonmetal I-A and I-B mines (those that operate in 
a combustible ore and either liberate methane or have the potential to 
liberate methane based on the history of the mine or the geological 
area in which the mine is located). At present, this applies only to 
underground oil shale mines. The standard requires that prior to 
ignition of underground retorts; mine operators must submit a written 
ignition operation plan to the appropriate Mine Safety and Health 
Administration (MSHA) District Manager which contains site-specific 
safeguards and safety procedures for the underground areas of the mine 
which are affected by the retorts. For additional substantive 
information about this ICR, see the related notice published in the 
Federal Register on August 15, 2024 (89 FR 66453).
    Comments are invited on: (1) whether the collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the 
Department, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimates of the burden and 
cost of the collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information collection; and

[[Page 102957]]

(4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.
    This information collection is subject to the PRA. A Federal agency 
generally cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and 
the public is generally not required to respond to an information 
collection, unless the OMB approves it and displays a currently valid 
OMB Control Number. In addition, notwithstanding any other provisions 
of law, no person shall generally be subject to penalty for failing to 
comply with a collection of information that does not display a valid 
OMB Control Number. See 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6.
    Agency: DOL-MSHA.
    Title of Collection: Underground Retorts.
    OMB Control Number: 1219-0096.
    Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profits.
    Number of Respondents: 1.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Number of Responses: 1.
    Annual Burden Hours: 160 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Other Costs Burden: $0.

(Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D))

Michael Howell,
Senior Paperwork Reduction Act Analyst.
[FR Doc. 2024-29835 Filed 12-17-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P
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