[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 176 (Thursday, September 11, 1997)] [Notices] [Page 47835] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-24141] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Documents Containing Reporting or Recordkeeping Requirements: Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Review AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). ACTION: Notice of the OMB review of information collection and solicitation of public comment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The NRC has recently submitted to OMB for review the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). 1. Type of submission, new, revision, or extension: Revision. 2. The title of the information collection: Proposed Rule, 10 CFR part 50, Financial Assurance Requirements for Decommissioning Nuclear Power Reactors. 3. The form number if applicable: Not applicable. 4. How often is the collection required: The initial report is to be submitted within 9 months after the effective date of this rule, and then at least once every 2 years. Any licensee that is within 5 years of the projected end of operation would be required to report annually. 5. Who will be required or asked to report: Part 50 licensees. 6. An estimate of the number of responses: About 100 responses within 9 months of the rule's effective date, then 100 responses every 2 years, or an average of 50 per year. 7. The estimated number of annual respondents: About 100 the first year, then approximately 50 licensees per year. 8. An estimate of the total number of hours needed annually to complete the requirement or request: 800 the first year and 400 each year thereafter (8 hours per respondent). 9. An indication of whether Section 3507(d), Pub. L. 104-13 applies: Applicable. 10. Abstract: Potential deregulation of the power generating industry has created uncertainty with respect to whether current NRC regulations concerning decommissioning funds and the financial mechanisms will require a modification to account for utility reorganizations not contemplated when current financial assurance requirements were promulgated. Therefore, the NRC is proposing to require power reactor licensees to periodically report on the status of their decommissioning funds. This mandatory requirement will ensure that sufficient funds will be set aside for decommissioning. The NRC is planning to issue a Regulatory Guide relative to this proposed rule in which the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) draft standard No. 158-B, ``Accounting for Certain Liabilities Related to Closure or Removal of Long-Lived Assets,'' will be endorsed for the reporting requirements of the proposed rule. Submit, by October 14, 1997, comments that address the following questions: 1. Is the proposed collection of information necessary for the NRC to properly perform its functions? Does the information have practical utility? 2. Is the burden estimate accurate? 3. Is there a way to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected? 4. How can the burden of information collection be minimized, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology? A copy of the submittal may be viewed free of charge at the NRC Public Document Room, 2120 L Street NW, (lower level), Washington, DC. The proposed rule indicated in ``The title of the information collection'' is or has been published in the Federal Register within several days of the publication date of this Federal Register Notice. Instructions for accessing the electronic OMB clearance package for the rulemaking have been appended to the electronic rulemaking. Members of the public may access the OMB clearance package by following the directions for electronic access provided in the preamble to the titled rulemaking. Comments and questions should be directed to the OMB reviewer by October 14, 1997: Norma Gonzales, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (3150-0011), NEOB-10202, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503. Comments can also be submitted by telephone at (202) 395-3084. The NRC Clearance Officer is Brenda Jo. Shelton, (301) 415-7233. Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 4th day of September, 1997. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Arnold E. Levin, Acting Designated Senior Official for Information Resources Management. [FR Doc. 97-24141 Filed 9-10-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590-01-P