EIA-882T Template GC for LNG Storage

Request for Approval under the “Generic Clearance for Questionnaire Testing and Research” (OMB Control Number: 1905-0186)

TITLE OF INFORMATION COLLECTION: Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Data Collection

PURPOSE:

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) seeks to add Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) storage facilities to its respondent frames that report on Form EIA-191 Monthly Underground Gas Storage Report and Form EIA-912 Weekly Underground Natural Gas Storage Report. Aboveground LNG storage capacity increased 20 % from 279 billion cubic feet (46.5 million barrels) in 2010 to 334 billion cubic feet (55.6 million barrels) in 2019. Aboveground LNG storage currently is an important factor in stabilizing movements in wholesale natural gas prices by functioning as an important part in the nation’s natural gas supply.

Collecting information on above ground LNG storage will improve the accuracy of EIA’s weekly and monthly natural gas storage reports. EIA’s weekly underground natural gas storage is a leading economic indicator for the nation. In addition, EIA seeks to gather information on the type of LNG storage that companies maintain as part of their regular course of business and the time burden associated with reporting this information to EIA on a weekly and monthly basis.

DESCRIPTION OF RESPONDENTS:

Participants to this cognitive study are companies that operate above ground LNG storage facilities that include marine terminals, peak shaving facilities, and satellite storage

TYPE OF COLLECTION: (Check one)

[ ] Field Testing [X] Cognitive Interviews

[ ] Usability Testing [ ] Focus Groups

[ ] Pilot Surveys [ ] Other: ______________________

[ ] Respondent Debriefings

CERTIFICATION:

I certify the following to be true regarding the proposed collection of information:

1. It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions.

2. It avoids unnecessary duplication.

3. It reduces burden on small entities.

4. It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents.

5. Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and record keeping practices.

6. It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements.

7. It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

   1. Why the information is being collected;

   2. Use of information;

   3. Burden estimate;

   4. Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);

   5. Nature and extent of confidentiality; and

   6. Need to display currently valid OMB control number

8. It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

9. It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable).

10. It makes appropriate use of information technology.

Name: Thomas Leckey, Assistant Administrator for Energy Statistics,

U.S. Energy Information Administration

To assist review, please provide answers to the following questions:

Personally Identifiable Information:

1. Is personally identifiable information (PII) collected? [ ] Yes [X] No

2. If Yes, will any information that is collected be included in records that are subject to the Privacy Act of 1974? [ ] Yes [X] No

3. If Yes, has an up-to-date System of Records Notice (SORN) been published? [ ] Yes [X] No

Gifts or Payments:

Is an incentive (e.g., money or reimbursement of expenses, token of appreciation) provided to participants? [ ] Y [X] No

BURDEN HOURS

Category of Respondent	Sample Size (Round 1)	Sample Size (Round 2)	Participation Time	Burden Hours
LNG marine terminals	5	3	.5	4
LNG peak shaving facilities	5	3	.5	4
Satellite LNG storage facilities	5	3	.5	4
Totals	15	9		12

ESTIMATE OF RESPONDENT BURDEN HOURS AND COST – The burden to respondents is 12 hours and the cost to the respondents is estimated to be ($78.52* 12) = $942.24.

FEDERAL COST: EIA seeks to obtain 6 in-person and 9 telephone cognitive interviews. Telephone interviews will be conducted at headquarters. The cost of the travel expense for the in-person interviews is shown below. The estimated total cost to the Federal government is $8,913.66 as shown below.

Activity	Count	Time (hours)	Cost	Total
Telephone Cognitive Interviews	18	.5	EIA FTE rate @ $78.52/hr	$1,413.36
In-person cognitive interviews	2	5	Travel expense for 2 staff: $1,250 each	$2,500
In-person cognitive interviews	2	5	Travel expense for 2 staff: $1,250 each	$2,500
In-person cognitive interviews	2	5	Travel expense for 2 staff: $1,250 each	$2,500

EIA will conduct two rounds of interviews. There will be 15 telephone and in-person interviews in the first round, and if needed, 9 telephone interviews in the second round.. The results will be analyzed to determine if sufficient information has been collected to satisfy the research goals based on the number of interviews with operators of different types of above ground storage facilities. If additional information is needed to determine if “saturation” has been reached on any of the research goals, then EIA will conduct a 2nd round with 9 telephone interviews.

If you are conducting a focus group, survey, or plan to employ statistical methods, please provide answers to the following questions:

The selection of your targeted respondents

1. Do you have a customer list or something similar that defines the universe of potential respondents and do you have a sampling plan for selecting from this universe? [X] Yes [ ] No

If the answer is yes, please provide a description of both below (or attach the sampling plan)? If the answer is no, please provide a description of how you plan to identify your potential group of respondents and how you will select them?

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation publishes a frame file with capacity and contact information for 118 above ground LNG storage facilities available at

https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/data-and-statistics/pipeline/gas-distribution-gas-gathering-gas-transmission-hazardous-liquids

This list breaks out the type of LNG facility in the frame file.

10 – LNG Alternative Fuel Facilities (LNG as vehicular fuel)

12 – Marine Terminals

69 – Peak Shaving Facilities

13 – Plant LNG Storage (Storage connected to a power plant)

14 – Satellite Facilities (Generally receive LNG from Trucks and have no liquefaction production capacity)

118 – Total above ground storage facilities

Capacity will be used as a measure of size. EIA will solicit in-person interviews from the largest LNG storage facilities in New England and Gulf Coast regions. Staff will rent a vehicle and drive to an LNG facility in the mid-Atlantic region.

Administration of the Instrument

1. How will you collect the information? (Check all that apply)

[ ] Web-based or other forms of Social Media

[X] Telephone

[X] In-person

[ ] Mail

[ ] Other, Explain

2. Will interviewers or facilitators be used? [X] Yes [ ] No

Please make sure that all instruments, instructions, and scripts are submitted with the request.

Instructions for completing Request for Approval under the

“Generic Clearance for Questionnaire Testing and Research”

(OMB Control Number: 1905-0186)

TITLE OF INFORMATION COLLECTION: Provide the name of the collection that is the subject of the request. (e.g. Comment card for soliciting feedback on xxxx)

PURPOSE: Provide a brief description of the purpose of this collection and how it will be used. If this is part of a larger study or effort, please include this in your explanation.

DESCRIPTION OF RESPONDENTS: Provide a brief description of the targeted group or groups for this collection of information. These groups must have experience with the program.

TYPE OF COLLECTION: Check one box. If you are requesting approval of other instruments under the generic, you must complete a form for each instrument.

CERTIFICATION: Please read the certification carefully. If you incorrectly certify, the collection will be returned as improperly submitted or it will be disapproved.

Personally Identifiable Information: Provide answers to the questions. Note: Agencies should only collect PII to the extent necessary, and they should only retain PII for the period of time that is necessary to achieve a specific objective.

Gifts or Payments: If you answer yes to the question, please describe the incentive and provide a justification for the amount.

BURDEN HOURS:

Category of Respondents: Identify who you expect the respondents to be in terms of the following categories: (1) Individuals or Households; (2) Private Sector; (3) State, local, or tribal governments; or (4) Federal Government. Only one type of respondent can be selected per row.

No. of Respondents: Provide an estimate of the Number of respondents.

Participation Time: Provide an estimate of the amount of time required for a respondent to participate (e.g. fill out a survey or participate in a focus group)

Burden: Provide the Annual burden hours: Multiply the Number of responses and the participation time and divide by 60.

FEDERAL COST: Provide an estimate of the annual cost to the Federal government.

If you are conducting a focus group, survey, or plan to employ statistical methods, please provide answers to the following questions:

The selection of your targeted respondents. Please provide a description of how you plan to identify your potential group of respondents and how you will select them. If the answer is yes, to the first question, you may provide the sampling plan in an attachment.

Administration of the Instrument: Identify how the information will be collected. More than one box may be checked. Indicate whether there will be interviewers (e.g. for surveys) or facilitators (e.g., for focus groups) used.

Submit all instruments, instructions, and scripts are submitted with the request.

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