[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 195 (Wednesday, October 11, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47171-47172]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-21843]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

October 5, 2017.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
are requested regarding (1) 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; (2) the 
accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of 
the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) 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 November 
13, 2017 will be considered. Written comments should be addressed to: 
Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), New Executive Office 
Building, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20502. Commenters are 
encouraged to submit their comments to OMB via email to: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a6e9eff4e7f9f5d3c4cbcfd5d5cfc9c8e6e9ebe488e3e9f688e1e9f0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3c73756e7d636f495e51554f4f5553527c73717e1279736c127b736a">[email protected]</span></a> or fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental 
Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-
7602. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-
8958.
    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 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: 1,175.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 1,160.

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

    Title: Repowering Assistance Program, 7 CFR 4288-A.
    OMB Control Number: 0570-0066.
    Summary of Collection: The Repowering Assistance Program is 
authorized under section 9004 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act 
of 2008 (Pub. L. 110-246). The objective of this program is to provide 
financial incentives to bio-refineries in existence

[[Page 47172]]

on the date of the enactment of the 2008 Farm Bill; to replace the use 
of fossil fuels used to produce heat or power at their facilities by 
installing new systems that use renewable biomass, or to produce new 
energy from renewable biomass.
    Need and Use of the Information: Information gathered under this 
collection will be used to determine the eligibility of bio-refineries 
to participate in the program. The Agency will determine the amount of 
payments to be made to a bio-refinery under this program with 
consideration given to: (1) The quantity of fossil fuel a renewable 
biomass system is replacing; (2) the percentage reduction in fossil 
fuel used by the bio-refinery that will result from the installation of 
the renewable biomass system; and (3) the cost-effectiveness of the 
renewable biomass system. Failure to collect proper information could 
result in improper determinations of eligibility and improper payments.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; 
Individuals.
    Number of Respondents: 6.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion; 
Monthly; Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 462.

Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017-21843 Filed 10-10-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P


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