Extension of Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Pipeline System Operator Security Information

AGENCY:

Transportation Security Administration, DHS.

ACTION:

30-Day notice.

SUMMARY:

This notice announces that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has forwarded the Information Collection Request (ICR), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number 1652-0055, abstracted below to OMB for review and approval of an extension of the currently approved collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden. Specifically, the collection involves the submission of data concerning pipeline security incidents.

DATES:

Send your comments by April 10, 2019. A comment to OMB is most effective if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication.

ADDRESSES:

Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on the proposed information collection to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB. Comments should be addressed to Desk Officer, Department of Homeland Security/TSA, and sent via electronic mail to dhsdeskofficer@omb.eop.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Christina A. Walsh, TSA PRA Officer Information Technology (IT), TSA-11, Transportation Security Administration, 601 South 12th Street, Arlington, VA 20598-6011; telephone (571) 227-2062; email TSAPRA@tsa.dhs.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

TSA published a Federal Register notice, with a 60-day comment solicitation period, of the following collection of information on October 29, 2018, 83 FR 54368.

Comments Invited

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The ICR documentation will be available at http://www.reginfo.gov upon its submission to OMB. Therefore, in preparation for OMB review and approval of the following information collection, TSA is soliciting comments to—

(1) Evaluate whether the proposed information requirement is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden;

(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including using appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Consistent with the requirements of Executive Order (E.O.) 13771, Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs, and E.O. 13777, Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda, TSA is also requesting comments on the extent to which this request for information could be modified to reduce the burden on respondents.

Information Collection Requirement

Title: Pipeline System Operator Security Information.

Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.

OMB Control Number: 1652-0055.

Forms(s): NA.

Affected Public: Pipeline system operators.

Abstract: In addition to TSA's broad responsibility and authority for “security in all modes of transportation,” see 49 U.S.C. 114(d), TSA is statutorily required to develop and transmit to pipeline operators security recommendations for natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines and pipeline facilities. See sec. 1557 of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, Public Law 110-53 (121 Stat. 266; August 3, 2007), codified at 6 U.S.C. 1207. Consistent with these requirements, TSA produced Pipeline Security Guidelines in December 2010, with an update published in March 2018. Among the recommendations, TSA encouraged pipeline operators to notify TSA of all—

(1) Incidents that may indicate a deliberate attempt to disrupt pipeline operations; and

(2) Activities that could be precursors to such an attempt.

Number of Respondents: 32.

Estimated Annual Burden Hours: An estimated 16 hours annually.