[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 208 (Friday, October 26, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65374-65375]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-26366]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Proposed Agency Information Collection
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S.
Department of Energy (DOE).
ACTION: Notice and request for comments
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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy invites public comment on a proposed
collection of information that DOE is developing for submission to the
Office of Management and Budget pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act
of 1995. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection
of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions
of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical
utility; (b) 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; (c) ways to enhance the quality,
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents,
including through the use of automated collection techniques or other
forms of information technology.
The proposed collection would involve information that will enable
DOE to measure the impact and progress of DOE's National Clean Fleets
Partnership (Partnership). The Partnership is an initiative through
which DOE provides large private-sector fleets with technical
assistance and expertise to incorporate alternative fuels and fuel
saving measures into their operations successfully. The initiative
builds on the established success of DOE's Clean Cities program. The
Partnership was developed with input from fleet managers, industry
representatives, Clean Cities program staff, and Clean Cities
coordinators.
DATES: Comments regarding this proposed information collection must be
received on or before December 26, 2012. If you anticipate difficulty
in submitting comments within that period, contact the person listed in
ADDRESSES as soon as possible.
ADDRESSES: Written comments may be sent to Mr. Mark Smith, Office of
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE-2G), U.S. Department of
Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121, or by
fax at 202-586-1600, or by email at Mark.Smith@ee.doe.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should
be directed to Mr. Mark Smith, Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy (EE-2G), U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121, (202) 287-5151,
Mark.Smith@ee.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This information collection request
contains: (1) OMB No. New; (2) Information Collection Request Title:
National Clean Fleets Partnership Progress; (3) Type of Request: New;
(4) Purpose: DOE's Clean Cities initiative has developed a voluntary
National Clean Fleets Partnership effort that establishes strategic
alliances with large private fleets to help them explore and adopt
alternative fuels and fuel economy measures to reduce petroleum use.
The Partnership does not endeavor to engage a large number of fleets,
but rather works with select fleets committed to
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leading the way in reducing petroleum consumption. Under a voluntary
agreement, Clean Cities commits to provide each fleet with a designated
account manager for assistance and support; work with fleets to develop
individual partner plans to reduce petroleum use; provide technical
assistance, data, access to subject matter experts, analysis, and
unbiased evaluation; provide education and outreach materials to
recognize a fleet's involvement with the Partnership and its
accomplishments; supply mechanisms for fleet information exchange and
networking; and identify and document progress related to petroleum
savings, cost savings, and reductions in emissions. A participating
fleet commits to appointing a primary contact; developing a petroleum
use reduction plan; acting to work toward the goals set forth in the
plan; tracking progress and provide baseline information and annual
data on petroleum use; and participating as an active Clean Cities
stakeholder.
The principal objective of collecting the information DOE seeks to
gather through the Partnership effort is to allow DOE to develop an
objective assessment and estimate of each fleet's impact and progress.
Information requested would be used to establish a baseline of
activities, vehicle inventories, and fuel use for each fleet, which
will then be used for future comparisons and analyses of instituted
programs and policies. A designated representative for each
participating fleet will provide the requested information. The
intended respondent is expected to be aware of relevant aspects of the
company's fleet management, such that the gathering of information is
not expected to be very resource consuming.
The Partnership effort will rely on data provided in a template
spreadsheet and responses to questions the respondent chooses to answer
during a phone or in-person interview. The questions and data
collection would address the following topic areas: (a) Vehicle data,
in terms of the number of different vehicles in the fleet sorted by
fuel type and class or category of vehicle; (b) Fuel data, in terms of
the quantity of fuel used in given vehicle categories or classes, based
on the type of fuel; (c) Fuel use by type by zip code or other
appropriate geographic zone; (d) type of infrastructure used; (e)
Current and historical fleet strategies to reduce petroleum (driver
training, idle reduction, alternative fuels, right sizing); and (e)
Fleet operations (how vehicles are fueled). The responses and data will
be compiled for the purpose of assessing progress against the fleet's
baseline information, and impact in terms of increasing deployment of
alternative fueled vehicles and alternative fuels themselves.
The interview that would be part of the voluntary Partnership
initiative would be completed on an annual basis, at the convenience of
the participating fleet, there being no date by which the questions
must be completed. Calculation of progress and impacts will be
undertaken on an ongoing basis, once the interview is completed.
The data and subsequent analyses will allow DOE to compare
historical records dynamically, and provide the opportunity for each
fleet to determine annual progress. The Partnership is targeted at
large, private-sector fleets that own or have contractual control over
at least 50 percent of their vehicles and have vehicles operating in
multiple States. DOE expects approximately 30 fleets to participate in
the Partnership the first year and, as a result, DOE expects a total
respondent population of approximately 20 respondents the first year.
Providing initial baseline information for each participating fleet,
which occurs only once, is expected to take 60 minutes. Follow-up
questions and clarifications for the purpose of ensuring accurate
analyses are expected to take up to 90 minutes. (5) Annual Estimated
Number of Respondents: 20; (6) Annual Estimated Number of Total
Responses: 20; (7) Annual Estimated Number of Burden Hours: 50; and (8)
Annual Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Cost Burden: There is no
cost associated with reporting and recordkeeping.
Statutory Authority: 42 U.S.C. Sec. 13252(a)-(b); 42 U.S.C.
13255; 42 U.S.C. 7256.
Issued in Washington, DC on October 19, 2012.
Patrick B. Davis,
Program Manager, Vehicle Technologies Program, Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 2012-26366 Filed 10-25-12; 8:45 am]
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