In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for 6 months.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
06/30/2011
6 Months From Approved
2,473
0
0
2,473
0
0
0
0
0
DOE requests authorization to collect data on the status of Weatherization Assistance Program, State Energy Program and Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program activities. Activities using DOE funds, exempt activities from histories preservation review and all other Historic Preservation activities. DOE has also requested authorization to liaise regularly with states to gather real-time data on implementation issues, challenges, and activities.
The Department of Energy (DOE) requires collection of information for the Weatherization Assistance Program as included in Funding Opportunity Announcement DE-FOA-0000051, the State Energy Program (SEP) as included in Funding Opportunity Announcement DE-FOA-0000013 and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program as included in Funding Opportunity Announcement DE-FOA-0000013 Attachment C, the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 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 Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA). Information gathered provides current information required to respond to OMB, congressional and consumer requests and budget preparation. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and OMB requirements for (1) grant and financial administration, and (2) American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds.
$5 billion for the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) to retrofit low income homes distributed via 58 states and territories to 984 community action agencies;
$3.2 billion in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) distributed via over 2,350 state and local governments to implement energy efficiency and renewable energy projects including residential and commercial retrofit projects;
$3.1 billion distributed to 56 State Energy Program (SEP) recipients to implement energy efficiency and renewable energy projects including residential and commercial retrofit projects
We request an emergency request and a waiver from publishing a Federal Register Notice due to the urgency of the programs and the request of the White House. The WAP Program has $5 billion under ARRA to be spent by March 2012 compared to $200 MM historically annually. In order to adequately monitor, report, and ensure transparency and accountability, we 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 the 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 expenditure 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.