[Federal Register: December 20, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 243)]
[Notices]
[Page 75458-75460]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20de05-52]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0039, FRL-8110-4]
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements of the HCFC
Allowance System, EPA ICR Number 2014.03, OMB Control Number 2060-0948
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501
et seq.), this document announces that EPA is planning to submit a
request to renew an existing approved Information Collection Request
(ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This is a request
for to renew an existing approved collection. This ICR is scheduled to
expire on June 30, 2006. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review
and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the
proposed information collection as described below.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before February 21, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OAR-2003-0039, by one of the following methods:
http://www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line
instructions for submitting comments.
E-mail: a-and-r-Docket@epa.gov
Fax: 202-566-1741
Mail: Docket , Air and Radiation Docket and
Information Center, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Mailcode:
6102T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.
Hand Delivery: Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0039, Air and
Radiation Docket at EPA West, 1301 Constitution Avenue NW., Room B108,
Mail Code 6102T, Washington, DC 20460. Such deliveries are only
accepted during the Docket's normal hours of operation, and special
arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information.
Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-
2003-0039. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included
in the public docket without change and may be
[[Page 75459]]
made available online at http://www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information provided, unless the comment includes information
claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit
information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through
http://www.regulations.gov or e-mail. The http://www.regulations.gov
website is an ``anonymous access'' system, which means EPA will not
know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the
body of your comment. If you send an e-mail comment directly to EPA
without going through http://www.regulations.gov your e-mail address will be
automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is
placed in the public docket and made available on the Internet. If you
submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name
and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any
disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to
technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA
may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid
the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of
any defects or viruses. For additional information about EPA's public
docket visit the EPA Docket Center homepage at http://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm
.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cindy Axinn Newberg, Stratospheric
Protection Division, Office of Atmospheric Programs, Office of Air and
Radiation, Mail Code 6205J, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: 202-
343-9729 and email address: newberg.cindy@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
How Can I Access the Docket and/or Submit Comments?
EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID
No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0039, which is available for online viewing at
http://www.regulations.gov, or in person viewing at Air and Radiation
Docket and Information Center in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA
West, Room B102, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA/
DC Public Reading Room is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through
Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Reading
Room is 202-566-1744, and the telephone number for the Office of Air
and Radiation, Docket is 202-566-1742.
Use http://www.regulations.gov to obtain a copy of the draft
collection of information, submit or view public comments, access the
index listing of the contents of the docket, and to access those
documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Once
in the system, select ``search,'' then key in the docket ID number
identified in this document.
What Information Is EPA Particularly Interested In?
Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of PRA, EPA specifically solicits
comments and information to enable it to:
(i) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency,
including whether the information will have practical utility;
(ii) Evaluate the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden
of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of
the methodology and assumptions used;
(iii) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information
to be collected; and
(iv) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those
who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic
submission of responses. In particular, EPA is requesting comments from
very small businesses (those that employ less than 25) on examples of
specific additional efforts that EPA could make to reduce the paperwork
burden for very small businesses affected by this collection.
What Should I Consider When I Prepare My Comments for EPA?
You may find the following suggestions helpful for preparing your
comments:
1. Explain your views as clearly as possible and provide specific
examples.
2. Describe any assumptions that you used.
3. Provide copies of any technical information and/or data you used
that support your views.
4. If you estimate potential burden or costs, explain how you
arrived at the estimate that you provide.
5. Offer alternative ways to improve the collection activity.
6. Make sure to submit your comments by the deadline identified
under DATES.
7. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, be sure to identify the docket
ID number assigned to this action in the subject line on the first page
of your response. You may also provide the name, date, and Federal
Register citation.
What Information Collection Activity or ICR Does This Apply to?
[Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0039]
Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action
are:
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Category NAICS code SIC code Examples of regulated entities
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Chlorofluorocarbon gas 325120 2869 Chlorodifluoromethane manufacturers;
manufacturing. Dichlorofluoroethane manufacturers;
Chlorodifluoroethane manufacturers.
Chlorofluorocarbon gas importers. .............. .............. Chlorodifluoromethane importers;
Dichlorofluoroethane importers;
Chlorodifluoroethane importers;
Chlorodifluoromethane exporters;
Dichlorofluoroethane exporters;
Chlorodifluoroethane exporters.
Chlorofluorocarbon gas exporters. .............. .............. Insulation and cushioning, foam plastics
(except polystyrene) manufacturing.
Urethane and Other Foam Product 326150 3086
(Except Polystyrene)
Manufacturing.
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[[Page 75460]]
Title: Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements of the HCFC
Allowance System.
ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 2014.03, OMB Control No. 2060-0498.
ICR status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on June 30,
2006. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to, a collection of information, unless it displays
a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's
regulations in title 40 of the CFR, after appearing in the Federal
Register when approved, are listed in 40 CFR part 9, and included on
the related collection instrument or form, if applicable.
Abstract: In order to continue to meet its obligations under the
Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (Protocol)
and the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (CAAA), EPA maintains an
allowance system for class II controlled substances or
hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). Under the Protocol, the U.S. is
obligated to limit HCFC consumption (defined by the Protocol as
production plus imports, minus exports) under a specific cap. The U.S.
is also a signatory to amendments that froze HCFC production on January
1, 2004. EPA is controlling U.S. production and import of HCFCs by
granting baseline allowances based on the historical activity levels of
producers and importers. Since each allowance will be equal to 1
kilogram of HCFC, EPA will be able to monitor the quantity of HCFCs
being produced, imported, exported, transformed, or destroyed. There
are two types of allowances: Consumption allowances and production
allowances. Transfers of production and consumption allowances among
producers and importers are allowed. Producers, importers, and
exporters are required to submit to EPA quarterly reports of the
quantity of HCFCs in each of their transactions; they are also required
to report the quantity of HCFCs transformed or destroyed. EPA requires
all producers, importers, and exporters maintain records such as
Customs entry forms, bills of lading, sales records, and canceled
checks to support their quarterly reports. The quarterly reports may be
faxed or mailed to EPA and soon may be submitted electronically, where
they are handled as confidential business information. EPA stores the
submitted information in a computerized database designed to track
allowance balances and transfer activities. When electronic reporting
is available, EPA will change its guidance document and revise the ICR
if there is any change in burden hours. EPA uses collected information
to ensure that the U.S. maintains compliance with the Protocol caps, to
report annually to the United Nations Environment Programme the U.S.
activity in HCFCs, and to ensure that allowance holders are in
compliance. The respondents are producers, importers, and exporters of
HCFCs; and entities granted HCFC-141b exemption allowances.
Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping
burden for this collection of information is currently estimated to
average less than one hour per response. Burden means the total time,
effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate,
maintain, retain, or disclose or provide information to or for a
Federal agency. This includes the time needed to review instructions;
develop, acquire, install, and utilize technology and systems for the
purposes of collecting, validating, and verifying information,
processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing
information; adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously
applicable instructions and requirements which have subsequently
changed; train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of
information; search data sources; complete and review the collection of
information; and transmit or otherwise disclose the information.
The ICR provides a detailed explanation of the Agency's estimate,
which is only briefly summarized here:
Estimated total number of potential respondents: 52.
Frequency of response: quarterly, annual, or one-time only.
Estimated total average number of responses for each respondent:
114.
Estimated total annual burden hours: 3,292 hours for respondents.
Estimated total annual costs: $472,197 for respondents. This
includes the current OMB-approved estimated burden cost of $253,089 and
an estimated cost of $219,108 for capital investment or maintenance and
operational costs. There is no change of hours in the total estimated
respondent burden compared with that identified in the ICR currently
approved by OMB.
What Is the Next Step in the Process for This ICR?
EPA will consider the comments received, historical information
with complying with the requirements of this ICR, and amend the ICR as
appropriate. The final ICR package will then be submitted to OMB for
review and approval pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.12. At that time, EPA will
issue another Federal Register notice pursuant to 5 CFR
1320.5(a)(1)(iv) to announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the
opportunity to submit additional comments to OMB. If you have any
questions about this ICR or the approval process, please contact the
technical person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
Dated: December 12, 2005.
Drusilla Hufford,
Division Director, Stratospheric Protection Division.
[FR Doc. E5-7559 Filed 12-19-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P