Federal Register: April 10, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 68)
DOCID: fr10ap09-27 FR Doc E9-8182
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Census Bureau
NOTICE: NOTICES
DOCID: fr10ap09-27
DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Survey of Plant Capacity Utilization
DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on or before June 9, 2009.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 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)).
SUMMARY:
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
I. Abstract
The Census Bureau plans to continue the current OMB clearance for the Survey of Plant Capacity Utilization (SPC). The SPC is conducted quarterly, collecting from manufacturing plants and publishers, the value of actual production and the value of production that could have been achieved if operating at ``full production'' levels. The survey also collects data on work patterns by shift. These data include hours in operation, production workers, and plant hours worked.
The primary user of these data will be the Federal Reserve Board (FRB) and
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will use the data in several ways. First, the capital workweek data
will be used as an indicator of capital use in the estimation of
monthly output (industrial production). Second, the workweek data will
also be used to improve the projections of labor productivity that are
used to align industrial production (IP) with comprehensive benchmark
information in the Economic Census, Manufacturing and Annual Survey of
Manufactures. Third, the utilization rate data will assist in the
assessment of recent changes in IP, as most of the highfrequency
movement in utilization rates reflect production changes rather than capacity changes.
II. Method of Collection
The Census Bureau will use the mail out/mail back survey forms to
collect the data. An electronic version of the form for reporting via
the Internet will also be offered. Companies will be asked to respond
within 20 days of the initial mailing. This due date will be imprinted
at the top of the form. Letters encouraging participation will be
mailed to companies that have not responded by the designated time.
Subsequent to the letter, a telephone followup will be conducted. III. Data
OMB Control Number: 06070175.
Form Number: MQC2.
Type of Review: Regular submission.
Affected Public: Business or other forprofit organizations.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 7,500.
Estimated Time per Response: 1.75 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 52,500.
Estimated Total Annual Cost: $1,594,425.
Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
Legal Authority: Title 13 United States Code, Section 182. 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 has 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 collection of information on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record.
Dated: April 7, 2009.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E98182 Filed 4909; 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., U.S. Census Bureau,
Manufacturing and Construction Division, Room 7K145, Washington, DC 20233, (301) 7634683 (or via the Internet at
julius.smith.jr@census.gov).