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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 12 (Tuesday, January 21, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7071-7073]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-01286]

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Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
appearing in this section.

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Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 12 / Tuesday, January 21, 2025 / 
Notices

[[Page 7071]]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for review and clearance 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; 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 
20, 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.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: RUS Electric Loan Application and Related Reporting Burdens.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0032.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) was 
established in 1994 by the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department 
of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (Pub. L. 103-354, 108 Stat. 
3178, 7 U.S.C. 6941 et seq.) as successor to the Rural Electrification 
Administration (REA) with respect to certain programs, including the 
electric loan and loan guarantee program authorized under the Rural 
Electrification Act (RE Act) of 1936. The RE Act authorizes and 
empowers the Administrator of RUS to make and guarantee loans to 
furnish and improve electric service in rural areas. These loans are 
amortized over a period of up to 35 years and secured by the borrower's 
electric assets and/or revenue. RUS will collect information including 
studies and reports to support borrower loan applications.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to 
determine the eligibility of applicants for loans and loan guarantees 
under the RE Act; monitor the compliance of borrowers with debt 
covenants and regulatory requirements in order to protect loan 
security; ensure that borrowers use loan funds for purposes consistent 
with the statutory goals of the RE Act; and obtain information on the 
progress of rural electrification and evaluate the success of RUS 
program activities. Without the information RUS would be unable to 
accomplish statutory goals.
    Description of Respondents: Private Sector; Not-for-profit 
institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 608.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 37,515.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: Telecommunications System Construction Policies and 
Procedures.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0059.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (RE 
Act), 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., was amended in 2002 by title IV, Rural 
Broadband Access, by Farm Security and rural Investment Act, which 
authorizes Rural Utilities Service (RUS) to provide loans and loan 
guarantees to fund the cost of construction, improvement, or 
acquisition for facilities and equipment for the provision of broadband 
service in eligible rural communities in the States and territories of 
the United States. Title VI of the RE Act requires that loans are 
granted only to borrowers who demonstrated that they will be able to 
repay in full within the time agreed. RUS has established certain 
standards and specification for materials, equipment and construction 
to assure that standards are maintained; loans are not adversely 
affected, and loans are used for intended purposes.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS has developed specific forms 
for borrowers to use when entering into contracts for goods or 
services. The information collected is used to implement certain 
provisions of loan documents about the borrower's purchase of materials 
and equipment and the construction of its broadband system and is 
provided on an as needed basis or when the individual borrower 
undertakes certain projects. The standardization of the forms has 
resulted in substantial savings to borrowers by reducing preparation of 
the documentation and the costly review by the Government.
    Description of Respondents: Private Sector; Business or other for-
profit; Not-for-profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 1,434.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 7,703.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1726, Electric System Construction Policies and 
Procedures--Electric.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0107.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Electrification Act of 1936, 7 
U.S.C. 901 et.seq., as amended, (RE ACT) in sec. 4 (7 U.S.C. 904) 
authorizes and empowers the Administrator of the Rural Utilities 
Service (RUS) to make loans in the several States and Territories of 
the United States for rural electrification and the furnishing and 
improving of electric energy to persons in rural areas. These loans are 
for a term of up to 35 years and are secured by a first mortgage on the 
borrower's electric system. In the interest of protecting loan security 
and accomplishing the statutory objective of a sound program of rural 
electrification, Section 4 of the RE Act further requires

[[Page 7072]]

that RUS make or guarantee a loan only if there is reasonable assurance 
that the loan, together with all outstanding loans and obligations of 
the borrower, will be repaid in full within the time agreed. RUS will 
collect information using various RUS forms.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to 
implement certain provisions of the RUS standard form of loan documents 
regarding the borrower's purchase of materials and equipment and the 
construction of its electric system by contract or force account. The 
use of standard forms and procurement procedures helps assure RUS that 
appropriate standards and specifications are maintained; agency loan 
security is not adversely affected; and loan and loan guarantee funds 
are used effectively and for the intended purposes. The information 
will be used by RUS electric borrowers, their contractors and by RUS. 
If standard forms were not used, borrowers would need to prepare their 
own documents at a significant expense; and each document submitted by 
a borrower would require extensive and costly review by both RUS and 
the Office of the General Counsel.
    Description of Respondents: Private Sector; Not-for-profit 
institutions; Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 477.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 82.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: Technical Assistance Program, 7 CFR part 1775.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0112.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service is authorized by 
section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 
U.S.C. 1926) to make loans to public agencies, American Indian Tribes, 
and nonprofit corporations to fund the development of drinking water, 
wastewater, and solid waste disposal facilities in rural areas with 
populations of up to 10,000 residents. Under the CONACT, 7 U.S.C. 
1925(a), as amended, section 306(a) (14) (A) authorizes Technical 
Assistance and Training grants, and 7 U.S.C. 1932(b), section 310B 
authorizes Solid Waste Management grants. Grants are made for 100 
percent of the cost of assistance. The Technical Assistance and 
Training Grants and Solid Waste Management Grants programs are 
administered through 7 CFR part 1775.
    Need and Use of the Information: Nonprofit organizations applying 
for TAT and SWM grants must submit a pre-application, which includes an 
application form, narrative proposal, various other forms, 
certifications and supplemental information. RUS will collect 
information to determine applicant's eligibility, project feasibility, 
and the applicant's ability to meet the grant and regulatory 
requirements. RUS will review the information, evaluate it, and, if the 
applicant and project are eligible for further competition, invite the 
applicant to submit a formal application. Failure to collect proper 
information could result in improper determinations of eligibility, 
improper use of funds, or hindrances in making grants authorized by the 
TAT and SWM program.
    Description of Respondents: Private Sector; Not-for-profit 
institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 66.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually; On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 5,558.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: 7 CFR part 1724 and Part 1738 Electric Engineering, 
Architectural Services and Design Policies and Procedures; and Rural 
Broadband Access Loans and Loan Guarantees.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0118.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Electrification Act of 1936, 7 
U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended, authorizes Rural Utilities Service 
(RUS) to make loans in several States and Territories of the United 
States for broadband access and rural electrification and the 
furnishing and improving of electric energy to persons in rural areas. 
Title 7 CFR 1724 requires each borrower to select a qualified architect 
to perform certain architectural services and to use the designated 
form that provides for these services. The agency has developed 
standardized contractual forms used by borrowers to contract for 
services.
    Need and Use of the Information: The information collected 
stipulates the parties to the agreement, contain certain information 
relating to the approved loan or loan guarantee, and provide detailed 
contractual obligations and services to be provided and performed 
relating to construction, project design, construction management, 
compensation, and related information. The contractual forms provide 
standardized contract agreements between the electric or broadband 
borrower and the engineering or architectural firm providing services 
to the borrower. This has resulted in substantial savings to borrowers 
by reducing preparation of the documentation and the costly review by 
the Government.
    Description of Respondents: Private Sector; Business or other for-
profit.
    Number of Respondents: 4.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 8.

Rural Utility Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1780, Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0121.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (``RUS''), an 
agency of the Rural Development (``RD''), United States Department of 
Agriculture, is requesting OMB clearance of the reporting requirements 
relating to 7 CFR part 1780, the regulation utilized to administer the 
Water and Waste Loans and Grants program. In addition, RUS is seeking 
clearance for applicants applying under 7 CFR part 1777, section 306C 
Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grant,'' and 7 CFR part 1778, 
``Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants'', which follow 7 CFR 
part 1780 for application requirements.
    Section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act 
(``CONACT''), 7 U.S.C. 1926, authorizes RUS to make loans and grants to 
public entities, federally-recognized American Indian Tribes, and not-
for-profit corporations. The loans and grants fund the development of 
drinking water, wastewater, solid waste disposal, and storm wastewater 
disposal facilities in rural areas with populations of up to 10,000 
residents. A rural area is defined in the CONACT as any city, town, or 
unincorporated area consisting of no more than 10,000 residents. In 
addition to the development costs, 7 CFR 1780.9, Eligible loan and 
grant purposes, defines the associated costs that are eligible for 
reimbursement, such as reasonable engineering and legal expenses. The 
agency uses information submitted by applicant entities to determine 
eligibility and evaluate project feasibility.
    Need and Use of the Information: RD state and field offices collect 
the information from applicants, borrowers, and consultants. They use 
the information to determine applicant eligibility and project 
feasibility. They also use the information to ensure that borrowers 
operate on a sound basis and use the loan and grant funds for 
authorized purposes as defined in statute and regulation.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government; Not-
for-profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 656.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 109,200.

[[Page 7073]]

Rural Utility Service

    Title: Servicing of Water Programs Loans and Grants.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0137.
    Summary of Collection: This information collection package covers 
the Servicing of Water Programs Loans and Grants regulation, 7 CFR part 
1782. The regulation outlines the Rural Utilities Service's (RUS), an 
agency delivering the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) 
Rural Development Utilities Programs, hereinafter referred to as Rural 
Development (RD) and/or Agency, policies and procedures for servicing 
direct and insured Water and Waste Disposal loans and grants (WWLG); 
Watershed loans and advances (Watershed); Resource Conservation and 
Development loans (RCDL); Technical Assistance and Training grants 
(TAT); Emergency Community Water Assistance grants (ECWAG); Solid Waste 
Management grants (SWMG); and section 306C Water and Waste Facility 
loans and grants (Colonias/Tribal).
    Need and Use of the Information: The Rural Utilities Service will 
collect information using various forms. The Agency provides forms and/
or guidelines to assist in collection and submission of the information 
required to service loans and grants. In some cases, use of Agency 
forms is optional and the borrower may submit the information required 
on other forms. The Agency utilizes existing Rural Development forms to 
the greatest extent possible to continue to meet the needs of the 
program. The forms or related items completed by the borrower are 
submitted to and evaluated by the Agency servicing office. The 
information, mostly financial in nature, is required to determine if 
borrowers, based on their individual situations, qualify for the 
various servicing authorities.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local, and Tribal Governments.
    Number Of Respondents: 4,438.
    Frequency Of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 28,140.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1776, Household Water Well System Grant Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0139.
    Summary of Collection: This program was formerly the Household 
Water Well System Grant Program, but its name was changed by the 
Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018. This regulation is used to 
administer grants made to private non-profit organizations under the 
DWS program. The Agency is authorized to make the grants under Section 
306E of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (CONACT) 7 
U.S.C. 1926e.
    Need and Use of the Information: The grant applicants will provide 
information to be collected as part of the application and grant 
process through certain documentation, certifications, and completed 
forms. Grant applicants must show that the project will provide 
technical and financial assistance to eligible individuals to remedy 
household well problems. The grant recipients will establish a 
revolving loan fund lending program to provide water well loans to 
individuals who own or will own private wells in rural areas. The 
individual loan recipients may use the funds to construct, refurbish, 
and service their household well systems for an existing home.
    Description of Respondents: Private Sector; Not-for-profit 
institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 7.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 652.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: Special Authority to Enable Funding of Broadband and Smart 
Utility Facilities Across Select Rural Development Programs.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0156.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service, Rural Business-
Cooperative Service, and Rural Housing Service, agencies that comprise 
the Rural Development Mission Area within the United States Department 
of Agriculture, are issuing this final rule to establish the authority 
authorized by Section 6210 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. 
This rule describes the procedures by which these agencies will 
consider projects eligible for special broadband authority and Smart 
Utility facilities.
    On December 20, 2018, Congress passed The Agricultural Improvement 
Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) (Pub. L. 115-334). In addition to sweeping 
changes in broadband program authorities, Congress provided for special 
use of funding from other RD programs for broadband deployment in 
Section 6210, ``Smart Utility Authority for Broadband.'' The provision 
granted the Secretary of Agriculture the discretion to allow recipients 
of grants, loans, or loan guarantees under RD programs to use not more 
than 10 percent of such funding to finance broadband infrastructure in 
areas not served by the minimum acceptable level of broadband service, 
as defined in this Part, and which will not result in competitive harm 
to a current RD loan, grant, or loan guarantee. While section 6210 only 
imposes the competitive harm restriction with respect to RUS loan, 
grant, and loan guarantee recipients, RD has determined to apply the 
restriction RD-wide, consistent with the statutory guidance on 
conflicts and duplications of awards provided in 7 U.S.C. 2204b(d)(2).
    Rural community leaders, businesses and utilities must consider 
broadband availability and uses as they plan for, and implement, new 
and improved facilities and services to support community and economic 
development. While integration of communications technology into a 
planned investment can be used for internal purposes, it can also serve 
as a catalyst to rural broadband deployment efforts. For example, 
investment in health care, public safety and businesses can be enhanced 
or leveraged to expand the availability and utilization of advanced 
broadband in rural areas. Smart highways can facilitate vehicle to 
infrastructure communications to enhance driver safety; smart water 
systems can remotely detect contaminants before they pose a health 
risk; smart pipelines can report leaks and structural weaknesses before 
they become dangerous; and smart grid systems deliver enhanced security 
and energy efficiency, as well as speed recovery after an electric 
outage. Through this regulation, RD enables limited integration of 
broadband deployment with other rural investments funded through its 
broad suite of programs. It does so without adding the burden of 
seeking funding through separate program areas.
    Need and Use of the Information: The collection of information is 
necessary for RD to determine an applicant's ability to borrow under 
the terms of the 2018 Farm Bill and included programs and that the 
applicant complies with statutory, regulatory, and administrative 
eligibility requirements for loan assistance. As part of that 
submission, applicants are required to provide a service area map, 
where applicable, of their entire service territory.
    Description of Respondents: Private Sector; Businesses or other 
for-profits.
    Number of Respondents: 53.
    Frequency of Responses: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 239.

Levi S. Harrell,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2025-01286 Filed 1-17-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P
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