This collection is approved with the following terms of clearance: DOE is approved as an emergency clearance to meet American Reinvestment Recovery Act requirements. This collection will be valid for six months. If DOE decides to continue use of the collection past the approved emergency request clearance time period, it must resubmit to OMB under the normal PRA clearance process for a three-year approval.
Additional terms of clearance follow: 1)If DOE seeks renewal of this and related emergency collections(including but not limited to OWIP collections for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG), Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and State Energy Program (SEP)), at 4 months following the date of each collection's approval, DOE will begin to dialogue with OMB on burden impact and introducing a risk-tiered model where selected recipients could return to quarterly reporting; 2)Monthly data for these collections(including but not limited to OWIP collections for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG), Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and State Energy Program (SEP))will be presumed to be for internal use, but where made public, DOE will caveat the data as "preliminary/informal and subject to change"; 3)DOE will include language reflective of terms 1) and 2) in both their supporting statements and guidance; 4)DOE will continue to collect jobs data on a quarterly rather than monthly basis.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
09/30/2010
6 Months From Approved
3,528
0
0
42,168
0
0
1,401,120
0
0
EECBG is a new program, authorized by the energy Independence and Security Act and funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which provides formula grants to all 50 states, 6 territories, the District of Columbia, 2, 327 local communities and 3 tribal governments to carry out activities designed to save energy, create and retain jobs, increase energy efficiency, and decrease harmful emissions.
The Department of Energy (DOE) requires collection of information for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG)Program as included in Funding Opportunity Announcement DE-FOA-0000013, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (P.L. 11-140) and the OMB requirements for (1) grant and financial administration, and (2) American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds. DOE provides Federal financial assistance and technical support to states and local governments under the EISA. Information gathered provides current information required to respond to OMB, congressional and consumer requests and budget preparation. We request an emergency request at this point and request a waiver from sending a Federal Register Notice because of the urgency of the programs and the request of the White House. The EECBG Program is a brand new program has $3.2 billion under ARRA to be spent by March 2012. As this is a new program with many new grantees who are not familiar with how to work with and use DOE money, we believe monthly reporting is necessary. In order to adequately monitor, report, and ensure transparency and accountability, we simply must require monthly reporting instead of quarterly reporting given the new huge increase in funding for this program. DOE has reviewed its monitoring and oversight procedures, and has determined that reporting requirements must be modified to increase both frequency of reports and the information needed to ensure that these programs are managed effectively and efficiently and achieve Administration goals for job creation and energy transformation. The information collected is used by program staff to track the recipients' activities, their progress in achieving scheduled milestones, and funds expended (including expenditures rates). The information also enables program staff to provide required or requested information on program activities to OMB, Congress and the public.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
EECBG Reporting Program Guidance (Attachment 2) v5 5.docx
PAGE Screens 091409 v112-16-09.ppt
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program