Supporting Statement B Final

Supporting Statement B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods

The agency should be prepared to justify its decision not to use statistical methods in any case where such methods might reduce burden or improve accuracy of results. When Item 17 on the Form OMB 83-I is checked, "Yes," the following documentation should be included in the Supporting Statement to the extend that it applies to the methods proposed:

1. Describe (including a numerical estimate) the potential respondent universe and any sampling or other respondent selection methods to be used. Data on the number of entities (e.g., establishments, State and local government units, households, or persons) in the universe covered by the collection and in the corresponding sample are to be provided in tabular form for the universe as a whole and for each of the strata in the proposed sample. Indicate expected response rates for the collection as a whole. If the collection had been conducted previously, include the actual response rate achieved during the last collection.

We are hoping to acquire at least 80 responses from a list of about 400 potential respondents that we have categorized into occupational categories. Occupational categories and numbers of potential respondents within each include: Sub-Supplier (84), Turbine OEM (49), Developer (13), Developer/Owner/Operator (95), Developer/Owner/Operator/ Offshore (19), Owner/Operator (7), Service Provider (16), Consultancy (55), Utility (9), Offshore (44), and other (11). The list was primarily generated from contacts held by members of Sandia National Laboratories, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

2. Describe the procedures for the collection of information including:

* Statistical methodology for stratification and sample selection,

* Estimation procedure,

* Degree of accuracy needed for the purpose described in the justification,

* Unusual problems requiring specialized sampling procedures, and

* Any use of periodic (less frequent than annual) data collection cycles to reduce burden.

The list of approximately 400 was divided by category of work done within the wind industry. The list was assembled from other databases of industry contacts held at DOE and national labs and was inclusive of organizations that represent a large portion of the US marketshare, and also small businesses to get a balanced perspective.

3. Describe methods to maximize response rates and to deal with issues of non-response. The accuracy and reliability of information collected must be shown to be adequate for intended uses. For collections based on sampling, a special justification must be provided for any collection that will not yield "reliable" data that can be generalized to the universe studied.

In order to maximize response rates, an initial email will be sent as a notification to each potential participant that they will receive an email with the survey included. The survey will then be sent out a couple days later to the entire group. After two weeks, response rates for the aforementioned categories will be tallied. Follow up reminder emails will be sent specifically to categories with the fewest responses.

Note that the proposed methods cannot create nationally representative estimates, because the actual underlying population of participants in the wind technology industry cannot be completely characterized. The proposed methods endeavor to build a sampling frame that is as close as possible to representative, based on available information. We will not claim that the frame is nationally representative; therefore, we cannot claim that our results (weighted to the frame) are nationally representative.

4. Describe any tests of procedures or methods to be undertaken. Testing is encouraged as an effective means of refining collections of information to minimize burden and improve utility. Tests must be approved if they call for answers to identical questions from 10 or more respondents. A proposed test or set of test may be submitted for approval separately or in combination with the main collection of information.

Drafts of the survey have been sent out to the internal team specified below. This was done in order to surmise the quality of the questions, to gage the estimated length of time to complete, and to ensure that the questions were asked in a way that encouraged completion and detailed responses from participants.

5. Provide the name and telephone number of individuals consulted on statistical aspects of the design and the name of the agency unit, contractor(s), grantee(s), or other person(s) who will actually collect and/or analyze the information for the agency.

Brian Naughton (505-844-4033), Karen Jenni (303-558-7116), Katherine Dykes (303-384-7260), and Kelly Yaker (303-275-4692) were all consulted on the statistical aspect of the design. Miles Hall (Sandia National Laboratories), Brian Naughton (Sandia National Laboratories), and Katherine Dykes (NREL) will be collecting and analyzing the information.