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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 3 (Monday, January 6, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 583-584]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-31627]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and approval 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
are requested regarding: whether the collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility; the 
accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of 
the methodology and assumptions used; ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.
    Comments regarding this information collection received by February 
5, 2025 will be considered. Written comments and recommendations for 
the proposed information collection should be submitted within 30 days 
of the publication of this notice on the following website 
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.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

[[Page 584]]

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

    Title: Annual Survey of Farmer Cooperatives.
    OMB Control Number: 0570-0007.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Business Cooperative Service (RBS) 
was mandated the responsibility to acquire and disseminate information 
pertaining to agricultural cooperatives under the Cooperative Marketing 
Act of 1926: 7 U.S.C. 451-457 and Public Law 450. The primary objective 
of RBS is to promote understanding, use and development of the 
cooperative form of business as a viable option for enhancing the 
income of agricultural producers and other rural residents. The annual 
survey collects basic statistics on cooperative business volume, net 
income, members, financial status, employees, and other selected 
information to support RBS' objective and role. RBS will use a variety 
of forms to collect information.
    Need and Use of the Information: RBS uses the information collected 
to summarize for program planning, evaluation service work and 
cooperative analysis and education. The information collected and 
published in the annual report on farmer cooperatives supports and 
enhances most of the major functions of RBS. By not collecting this 
information, the RBS would have difficulties in carrying out its policy 
on farmer cooperatives.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 1,035.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 806.

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

    Title: Voluntary Labeling Program for Biobased Products.
    OMB Control Number: 0570-0072.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS 
or the Agency), a Rural Development agency of the United States 
Department of Agriculture (USDA), announced the availability of 
approximately $450 million, under section 22003 of the Inflation 
Reduction Act of 2022, in competitive grants to eligible entities for 
activities designed to expand the sales and use of renewable fuels 
under the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP). Cost-
share grants of up to 75 percent of total eligible project costs, but 
not more than $5 million, are made available to assist transportation 
fueling facilities and fuel distribution facilities with converting to 
higher blend friendly status for ethanol (i.e., greater than 10 percent 
ethanol) and biodiesel (greater than 5 percent biodiesel) by sharing 
the costs related to the installation, and/or retrofitting, and/or 
otherwise upgrading of fuel dispenser or pumps and related equipment, 
storage tank system components, and other required infrastructure. All 
applicants are responsible for expenses incurred in developing their 
applications.
    HBIIP is intended to encourage a more comprehensive approach to 
marketing higher blends biofuels by sharing the costs related to 
building out biofuel-related infrastructure. To be eligible for this 
program, a project's sole purpose must be to assist transportation 
fueling and biodiesel distribution facilities with converting to higher 
ethanol and biodiesel blend friendly status by sharing the costs 
related to the installation, and/or retrofitting, and/or otherwise 
upgrading of fuel storage, dispenser/pumps, related equipment, and 
infrastructure. An eligible project must conform to all applicable 
Federal, State and local regulatory requirements.
    Need and Use of the Information: Pursuant to section 22003 of the 
Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (Pub. L. 117-169), RBCS will collect 
information to determine whether participants meet the eligibility 
requirements to be a recipient of grant funds, project eligibility, 
conduct the technical evaluation, calculate a priority score, rank and 
compete the application, as applicable, in order to be considered. Lack 
of adequate information to make the determination could result in the 
improper administration and appropriation of Federal grant funds.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 641.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Other (once).
    Total Burden Hours: 84,177.

Levi S. Harrell,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2024-31627 Filed 1-3-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P
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