Federal Register: December 7, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 234)
DOCID: FR Doc 04-26779
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Census Bureau
NOTICE: NOTICES
DOCUMENT ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Survey of Pollution Abatement Costs and Expenditures
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before February 7, 2005.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 10413 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). [[Page 70628]]
SUMMARY:
Agency information collection activities; proposals, submissions, and approvals,
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
I. Abstract
The Census Bureau, with support from the Environmental Protection Agency, plans to reinstate the Survey of Pollution Abatement Costs and Expenditures (PACE), MA200 for 2005. In addition to the survey, the Census Bureau also plans to conduct a screener and a pilot.
The screener will be administered in an attempt to identify plants, for both the pilot and the survey, that have pollution abatement activities. Once these plants have been identified, the pilot will then be administered to a small sample. These selected plants will be asked to complete and comment on the proposed 2005 survey form. The information gained from the screener and pilot will be used in finalizing the survey instrument and sample design.
The screener will contain a small number of questions (approximately 35), in the form of check boxes, to determine if pollution abatement activities are conducted and if so, a range of those costs. The pilot and the survey will collect data on capital expenditures for pollution abatement activities and operating costs. These data will be collected by categories (treatment, prevention, disposal and recycling) and media (air, water and solid waste). It will also collect some data on depreciation and cost offsets. The pilot will also include some qualitative questions to validate the estimates collected.
II. Method of Collection
The Census Bureau will use mail out/mail back survey forms for the
screener, pilot and survey. Companies will be asked to respond to each within 30 days of the initial mailing.
III. Data
OMB Number: 06070176.
Form Number: MA200S, MA200P and MA200.
Type of Review: Regular.
Affected Public: Manufacturing, mining and electric utility establishments.
Estimated Number of Respondents: The screener40,000 facilities; the pilot2,000 facilities; and the survey20,000 facilities.
Estimated Time Per Response: The screener.25 hours; the pilot5 hours; and the survey5 hours.
Estimated Total Burden: 120,000 hours. The screener10,000; the pilot10,000; and the survey100,000.
Estimated Total Cost: $ 1,500,000.
Respondents' Obligation: Mandatory.
Legal Authority: Title 13 United States Code, Section 182,224 and 225.
IV. Request for Comments
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
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information;
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the
information collection on respondents, including through the use of
automated collection techniques or other forms of information
technology. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be
summarized and included in the request for OMB approval of this
information collection; they also will become a matter of public record.
Dated: December 1, 2004.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. 0426779 Filed 12604; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 351007P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions should be directed to Julius Smith Jr., Census Bureau, Room 2135, Building 4, Washington, DC 202336900, (301) 7634683 (or via the Internet at julius.smith.jr@census.gov).