[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 154 (Thursday, August 9, 2012)] [Notices] [Page 47668] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2012-19567] [[Page 47668]] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Office of the Secretary Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Underground Retorts ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Underground Retorts,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for continued use in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). DATES: Submit comments on or before September 10, 2012. ADDRESSES: A copy of this ICR with applicable supporting documentation; including a description of the likely respondents, proposed frequency of response, and estimated total burden may be obtained from the RegInfo.gov Web site, http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain, on the day following publication of this notice or by contacting Michel Smyth by telephone at 202-693-4129 (this is not a toll-free number) or sending an email to [email protected]. Submit comments about this request to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for DOL-MSHA, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20503, Telephone: 202-395-6929/Fax: 202-395-6881 (these are not toll- free numbers), email: [email protected]. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michel Smyth by telephone at 202-693- 4129 (this is not a toll-free number) or by email at [email protected]. Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 section 103(h), 30 U.S.C. 813(h), authorizes the MSHA to collect information necessary to carry out Agency duties in protecting the safety and health of miners. Regulations 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). This presently 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 MSHA District Manager. The plan must contain site-specific safeguards and safety procedures for underground areas of the mine that are affected by the retorts. 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 it is approved by the OMB under the PRA 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 if the collection of information does not display a valid Control Number. See 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6. The DOL obtains OMB approval for this information collection under Control Number 1219-0096. The current approval is scheduled to expire on October 31, 2012. For additional information, see the related notice published in the Federal Register on April 27, 2012 (77 FR 25206). Interested parties are encouraged to send comments to the OMB, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the address shown in the ADDRESSES section within 30 days of publication of this notice in the Federal Register. In order to help ensure appropriate consideration, comments should mention OMB Control Number 1219-0096. The OMB is particularly interested in comments that:Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and 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, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. Agency: DOL-MSHA. Title of Collection: Underground Retorts. OMB Control Number: 1219-0096. Affected Public: Private Sector--Businesses or other for-profits. Total Estimated Number of Respondents: 1. Total Estimated Number of Responses: 1. Total Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 160. Total Estimated Annual Other Costs Burden: $0. Dated: August 6, 2012. Michel Smyth, Departmental Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2012-19567 Filed 8-8-12; 8:45 a.m.] BILLING CODE 4510-43-P