Emergency Approval Request for Information Collection Package

USDA
United States Department of Agriculture

March 9, 2020
TO:

Elke Hodson Marten
Senior Desk Officer
Office of Management and Budget

THROUGH: Ruth Brown
USDA Information Collection Officer
FROM:

Mark B. Brodziski
Acting Administrator
Rural Business-Cooperative Service

SUBJECT: Request for Emergency Approval of a New Information Collection Request for
Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) Notice of Funds
Availability (NOFA) announcement
The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS),
a Rural Development agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is
requesting emergency review and approval of a new information collection for the Higher
Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP). The CCC and RBCS is expecting to publish
the Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) in the Federal Register on May 1, 2020. The CCC and
RBCS is expecting to have the grantees begin their application submissions on May 1, 2020. In
lieu of the time sensitive application window commencing on May 1, 2020, and to effectively
implement the program prior to the close of FY 2020, the CCC and RBCS is requesting OMB
approve this information collection no later than April 10, 2020. The White House and U.S.
Department of Agriculture Secretary Perdue have indicated that timely implementation of the
HBIIP is a priority prior to the end of FY 2020.
Under this NOFA, the CCC and the RBCS will announce the availability of up to $100 million
in competitive grants to eligible entities for activities designed to expand the sales and use of
renewable fuels under HBIIP. Cost-share grants of up to 50 percent of eligible project costs but
not more than $5 million will be made available to assist transportation fueling and biodiesel
distribution facilities. The HBIIP is authorized by the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter
Act of 1948 (Charter Act), (62 Stat. 1070; 15 U.S.C. §714. Charter Act). The program will be
administered under the general supervision of RBCS.
Approval of an emergency approval for this new collection is important because HBIIP will
not be able to be implemented, as the use of normal clearance procedures is likely to prevent the
collection of information from applicants which, in turn, will have negative consequences on the
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intended recipients. The 60-day notice for comments is included in the NOFA and comments on
the HBIIP information collection request is requested in order to submit the regular request to
obtain a 3-year approval from OMB after receiving the 6-month OMB emergency approval. Due
to the need to consider comments received and then issue another notice for the Federal Register
for an additional thirty days of comment, RBCS would not be able to complete the information
collection process. Please note that after the 60-day comment period closes, RD will submit the
collection package for a 3-year approval addressing any comments received.
In compliance with OMB regulations (5 CFR Part 1320), which implements the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13), the information collection and recordkeeping
requirements that may be imposed by this section are submitted to OMB for emergency review
and approval. Attached are the supporting statement and spreadsheet for the HBIIP.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Michele Brooks, Director,
Regulations Management Division, Innovation Center, Rural Development by telephone at (202)
690-1078 or by email at [email protected]. or MaryPat Daskal, Management Analyst,
Regulations Management Division, Innovation Center, Rural Development by telephone at (202)
720-7853.
Thank you in advance for your quick review and response to us.

Attachments

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