[Federal Register: April 20, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 76)]
[Notices]
[Page 19925-19927]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20ap07-62]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-0286; FRL-8302-2]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection;
Comment Request; EPA's In-Use Vehicle Testing Programs; EPA ICR No.
0222.08, OMB Control No. 2060-0086
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (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 ICR is
scheduled to expire on September 30, 2007. 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 June 19, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OAR-2007-0286, by one of the following methods:
http://www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for
submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 566-1741
Mail: EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-0286, Environmental Protection
Agency, Mailcode: 6102T, Docket1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington,
DC 20460.
Hand Delivery: Docket Center, (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room
B102, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., 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-
2007-0286. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included
in the public docket without change and may be 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 Web site 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,
[[Page 19926]]
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: Lynn Sohacki, Compliance and
Innovative Strategies Division, Office of Transportation and Air
Quality, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2000 Traverwood, Ann
Arbor, Michigan 48105; telephone number: 734-214-4851; fax number: 734-
214-4869; e-mail address: sohacki.lynn@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-2007-0286, which is available for online viewing at
http://www.regulations.gov, or in person viewing at the Air Docket in the EPA
Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room 3334, 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 Air 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 the 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?
Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are
owners of motor vehicles.
Title: EPA's In-Use Vehicle and Engine Testing Programs.
ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 0222.08, OMB Control No. 2060-0086.
ICR status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on September
30, 2007. 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, are displayed
either by publication in the Federal Register or by other appropriate
means, such as on the related collection instrument or form, if
applicable. The display of OMB control numbers in certain EPA
regulations is consolidated in 40 CFR part 9.
Abstract: EPA has ongoing programs to evaluate the emission
performance of in-use light-duty (passenger car and light truck) motor
vehicles, heavy-duty trucks, and nonroad vehicles and engines. These
are referred to collectively as EPA's in-use vehicle testing programs.
They operate in conjunction with testing of prototype vehicles prior to
use (manufacturer and EPA confirmatory testing for certification) and
the mandatory manufacturer's in-use testing program (IUVP) for light-
duty vehicles. They derive from the Clean Air Act's charge that EPA
insure that motor vehicles comply with emissions requirements
throughout their useful lives. The primary purpose of the program is
information gathering. Nevertheless, EPA can require a recall if it
receives information, from whatever source, including in-use testing,
that a ``substantial number'' of any class or category of vehicles or
engines, although properly maintained and used, do not conform to the
emission standards, when in actual use throughout their useful life.
The program has two components: Light-duty, and heavy-duty and
nonroad. The light-duty component can be broken down into three
closely-related headings. The first is a surveillance program that
selects approximately 50 classes of passenger cars and light trucks for
in-use testing, at EPA's testing facility, of approximately 150
vehicles (three in each class on average). In rare cases surveillance
testing may be followed by compliance testing (only one such class in
the last five years).The purpose of a compliance phase is to develop
additional information related to test failures observed in a class
during surveillance testing. The second heading is testing of a subset
of approximately 35 vehicles from the surveillance recruitment for
operation of on-board diagnostics (OBD) systems. The third category is
special investigations involving testing of vehicles to address
specific issues. The number of vehicles procured under this category
varies widely from year to year, but this request asks for approval of
the information burden corresponding to 25 such vehicles per year for
the next three years.
Participation in the light-duty surveys, as well as the vehicle
testing, is strictly voluntary. A group of 25 to 50 potential
participants is identified from state vehicle registration records.
They are asked to return a postcard indicating their willingness to
participate and if so,
[[Page 19927]]
to verify some limited vehicle information. Three of those who return
the card are called and asked about a half dozen questions concerning
vehicle condition, and operation and maintenance. Additional groups of
potential participants may be contacted until a sufficient number of
vehicles has been obtained. Owners verify the survey information when
they deliver their vehicles to EPA, voluntarily provide maintenance
records for copying, and receive a loaner car or a cash incentive.
Procurement and testing are different for the heavy-duty and
nonroad in-use testing program. All testing is done by installing
``Rover'' portable emissions monitoring devices on the vehicle or
engine during a period of operation. Heavy-duty trucks, those commonly
referred to as over \3/4\ ton capacity, are usually employed
commercially; typically they are part of a fleet of identical (or very
similar) vehicles. Consequently, EPA employs a slightly different
method to obtain them. Potential owners/lessees can be found in
registrations lists; engine manufacturers will also supply identities
of their customers. In addition, EPA has a network of entities who have
shown a willingness to participate over the years. Once a potential
source is identified, EPA will make a brief telephone call to the fleet
manager to ascertain if they wish to participate. If the response is
positive, EPA's contractors will frequently visit the fleet to install
the testing instruments at the company's service facility or government
garage. Otherwise, the lessee will be within driving distance of the
testing grounds and the devices will be installed there. The procedure
for nonroad vehicles and engines (e.g., farm tractors, compressors) is
similar; in some cases the vehicle or engine may be rented for the day.
Therefore, EPA makes far fewer inquires than with individual owners of
light vehicles in the process of procuring an estimated 126 vehicles
and engines a year for this program. As with the light-duty component,
all participation is strictly voluntary.
Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.15
hours 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 Supporting Statement provides a detailed explanation of the
Agency's estimate, which is only briefly summarized here:
Estimated total number of potential respondents: Approximately
4,411 owners/lessees receive EPA's solicitations to participate and
approximately 336 do participate.
Frequency of response: On Occasion.
Estimated total average number of responses for each respondent:
One.
Estimated total annual burden hours: 658.
Estimated total annual costs: $49,320. This includes an estimated
burden cost of $49,320 and an estimated cost of $0 for capital
investment or maintenance and operational costs.
Are There Changes in the Estimates From the Last Approval?
There is an increase of 58 hours in the total estimated respondent
burden compared with that identified in the ICR currently approved by
OMB. This increase reflects EPA's updating of burden estimates based
upon historical information on the scope of EPA's in-use testing
programs and the number of vehicles and engines tested. Note: This ICR
was previously titled, ``Investigation into Possible Noncompliance of
Motor Vehicles''.
What Is the Next Step in the Process for This ICR?
EPA will consider the comments received 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: April 16, 2007.
Margo Tsirigotis Oge,
Director, Office of Transportation and Air Quality.
[FR Doc. E7-7542 Filed 4-19-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P