Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Recordkeeping and Periodic Reporting of the Production, Import, Recycling, Destruction, Transhipment, and Feedstock Use of Ozone-Depleting Substances (Renewal); EPA ICR No. 1432.29, OMB Control No. 2060-0170, 30917-30919 [E8-11986]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 104 / Thursday, May 29, 2008 / Notices
application for authorization pursuant
to section 7 of the NGA.
The Commission strongly encourages
electronic filings of comments, protests,
and interventions via the Internet in lieu
of paper. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii)
and the instructions on the
Commission’s Web site (https://
www.ferc.gov) under the ‘‘e-Filing’’ link.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8–11913 Filed 5–28–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. AD08–5–000]
Compliance Workshop; First Notice of
Workshop on Regulatory Compliance
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
May 21, 2008.
The staff of the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (Commission)
will hold a workshop on July 8, 2008,
from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon Eastern
Daylight time, in the Commission
Meeting Room at the Commission’s
Washington, DC headquarters, 888 First
Street, NE. This workshop will provide
a forum for interested participants to
share perspectives and information on
federal energy regulatory compliance.
The workshop will focus, in particular,
on the elements of a sound compliance
program. One or more of the
Commissioners may attend the
workshop.
The purpose of this notice is to advise
the public of the date and time. More
information on the topics to be explored
and the format of the workshop will be
provided in a subsequent notice.
This workshop will neither be Webcast nor transcribed. All interested
parties are invited, and there is no
registration fee to attend.
Commission conferences are
accessible under section 508 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973. For
accessibility accommodations please
send an e-mail to accessibility@ferc.gov
or call toll free 1–866–208–3372 (voice)
or 202–208–1659 (TTY), or send a FAX
to 202–208–2106 with the required
accommodations.
Questions about the workshop may be
directed to Jamie Jordan, AttorneyAdvisor, Office of Enforcement,
Division of Investigations, by e-mail at
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:45 May 28, 2008
Jkt 214001
Jamie.Jordan@ferc.gov or by telephone
at 202–502–6628.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8–11916 Filed 5–28–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[EPA–HQ–OAR–2008–0264; FRL–8572–8]
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Proposed Collection;
Comment Request; Protection of
Stratospheric Ozone: Recordkeeping
and Periodic Reporting of the
Production, Import, Recycling,
Destruction, Transhipment, and
Feedstock Use of Ozone-Depleting
Substances (Renewal); EPA ICR No.
1432.29, OMB Control No. 2060–0170
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
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, 1432.25, is scheduled to expire on
December 31, 2008. 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 July 28, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–
OAR–2008–0264 by one of the following
methods:
• https://www.regulations.gov: Follow
the on-line instructions for submitting
comments.
• E-mail: a-and-r-Docket@epa.gov.
• Fax: 202–566–1741.
• Mail: EPA–HQ–OAR–2008–0264,
Environmental Protection Agency,
Mailcode: 6205J, 1200 Pennsylvania
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.
• Hand Delivery: EPA–HQ–OAR–
2008–0264, 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–2008–
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
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30917
0264. EPA’s policy is that all comments
received will be included in the public
docket without change and may be
made available online at https://
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 https://
www.regulations.gov or e-mail. The
https://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 https://
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 https://
www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kirsten Cappel, Stratospheric Protection
Division, Office of Atmospheric
Programs, (6205J), Environmental
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460;
telephone number: (202) 343–9556; fax
number: (202) 343–2338; e-mail address:
cappel.kirsten@epa.gov. You may also
visit the Ozone Depletion Web site of
EPA’s Stratospheric Protection Division
at https://www.epa.gov/ozone/
strathome.html for further information
about EPA’s Stratospheric Ozone
Protection regulations, the science of
ozone layer depletion, and related
topics.
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–2008–0264, which is
available for online viewing at https://
www.regulations.gov, or in person
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29MYN1
30918
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 104 / Thursday, May 29, 2008 / Notices
viewing at the Air and Radiation 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 Air and Radiation
Docket is 202–566–1742.
Use https://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.
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
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.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:45 May 28, 2008
Jkt 214001
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 producers,
importers, and distributors of
chlorofluorocarbons and methyl
bromide, as well as research institutions
using such substances.
Title: Agency Information Collection
Activities; Proposed Collection;
Comment Request; Protection of
Stratospheric Ozone: Recordkeeping
and Periodic Reporting of the
Production, Import, Recycling,
Destruction, Transhipment, and
Feedstock Use of Ozone-Depleting
Substances (Renewal).
ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 1432.29,
OMB Control No. 2060–0170.
ICR status: EPA ICR 1432.25 is
currently scheduled to expire on
December 31, 2008. 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 is seeking to renew
EPA ICR 1432.25 which authorizes the
recordkeeping and reporting
requirements established in the
regulations stated in 40 CFR part 82,
subpart A and as required by the United
States’ commitments under the
international treaty The Montreal
Protocol on Substances that Deplete the
Ozone Layer (Protocol). This
information collection allows EPA to
monitor the United States’ compliance
with the Protocol and Title VI of the
PO 00000
Frm 00039
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990
(CAA).
Under its Protocol commitments, the
United States is obligated to cease
production and import of Class I
controlled substances excluding
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) that are
subject to essential use exemptions,
methyl bromide that is subject to critical
use exemptions or exemptions for
quarantine and preshipment uses or
emergency uses, previously used
material, and material that will be
transformed, destroyed, or exported to
developing countries. The Protocol also
establishes limits and reduction
schedules leading to the eventual
phaseout of Class II controlled
substances with similar exemptions
beyond the phaseout. In addition to the
Montreal Protocol, the CAA has its own
limits on production and consumption
of controlled substances that EPA must
adhere to and enforce.
Under 40 CFR 82.13, producers,
importers, exporters, distributors, and
other entities must meet quarterly,
annual, and/or transactional
recordkeeping and reporting
requirements for Class I ozone-depleting
substances (ODS). This information
collection is conducted to meet U.S.
obligations under the Montreal Protocol.
The information collection request is
required to obtain a benefit under Title
VI of the CAA, added by Section 764 of
the 1999 Omnibus Consolidated and
Emergency Supplemental
Appropriations Act (Pub. L. No. 105–
277; October 21, 1998).
The reporting and recordkeeping
requirements for Class I ODS will enable
EPA to:
1. Ensure compliance with the
restrictions on production, import, and
export of Class I controlled substances;
2. Allow exempted production and
import for certain uses and the
consequent tracking of that production
and import;
3. Address industry and Federal
concerns regarding the illegal import of
mislabeled used controlled substances;
4. Satisfy the United States’
obligations to report data under Article
7 of the Protocol;
5. Fulfill statutory obligations under
Section 603(b) of the CAA for reporting
and monitoring;
6. Provide information to report to the
U.S. Congress on the production, use,
and consumption of Class I controlled
substances as statutorily required in
Section 603(d) of Title VI of the CAA.
The reported data will enable EPA to:
1. Maintain compliance with the
Protocol requirements for annual data
submission on the production of ODS;
and
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jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 104 / Thursday, May 29, 2008 / Notices
2. Analyze technical use data to
ensure that exemptions are used in
accordance with requirements included
in the annual authorization
rulemakings.
EPA informs respondents that they
may assert claims of business
confidentiality for any of the
information they submit. Information
claimed confidential will be treated in
accordance with the procedures for
handling information claimed as
confidential under 40 CFR Part 2,
Subpart b, and will be disclosed only if
EPA determines that the information is
not entitled to confidential treatment. If
no claim of confidentiality is asserted
when the information is received by
EPA, it may be made available to the
public without further notice to the
respondents (40 CFR 2.203). Individual
reporting data may be claimed as
sensitive and will be treated as
confidential information in accordance
with procedures outlined in 40 CFR
Part 2.
Burden Statement: The annual public
reporting and recordkeeping burden for
this collection of information is
estimated to average 2.4 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 provides a detailed
explanation of the Agency’s estimate,
which is only briefly summarized here:
• Estimated total number of potential
respondents: 1157.
• Frequency of response:
— Producers, importers, holders of
essential use allowances, laboratory
suppliers, and distributors of QPS
methyl bromide (Class I, Group VI
substances) are to report to EPA
quarterly (45 days after the end of each
quarter);
— Exporters, and persons that
destroy and transform Class I controlled
ODS are to report to EPA annually (45
days after the end of the control period);
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:45 May 28, 2008
Jkt 214001
— Persons wanting to trade with
another Party to the Protocol, undertake
interpollutant conversions, transfer
allowances, import used Class I
controlled substances (i.e. petition) are
to submit reports to EPA on a
transactional basis.
— All entities may be required to
provide other such information that the
Administrator may reasonably require to
comply with requests from the Ozone
Secretariat seeking information required
by decisions taken by the Parties to the
Montreal Protocol.
• Estimated total average number of
responses for each respondent: 1.6.
• Estimated total annual burden
hours: 2810 hours.
• Estimated total annual costs:
$269,242. This includes an estimated
burden cost of $263,662 and an
estimated cost of $5,580 for capital
investment or maintenance and
operational costs.
Are There Changes in the Estimates
from the Last Approval?
There is a decrease of 5,560 hours in
the total estimated respondent burden
compared with that identified in the
EPA ICR 1432.25 which is currently
approved by OMB. This large decrease
is primarily due to a decrease in the
overall burden for compliance,
specifically the hours needed to certify
laboratory and QPS uses of ozone
depleting substances. The prior estimate
for self certification was much higher
than the Agency’s experience has shown
it to be. The burden and cost estimates
for the Agency increased largely due to
increases in the average hourly wage
rate caused by normal inflation. As
implementation of electronic reporting
via the Agency’s central data exchange
(CDX) expands to additional segments
of the regulated community, EPA
expects burden and costs to further
decline. EPA anticipated that when the
CDX system becomes fully utilized, all
required data will be submitted and
tracked electronically, thus reducing
and/or eliminating reporting by paper.
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
PO 00000
Frm 00040
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
30919
technical person listed under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
Dated: May 22, 2008.
Drusilla Hufford,
Director, Stratospheric Protection Division.
[FR Doc. E8–11986 Filed 5–28–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION
[AU Docket No. 08–46; Report No. AUC–
08–78–B (Auction 78); DA 08–1090]
Auction of AWS–1 and Broadband PCS
Licenses Rescheduled for August 13,
2008; Notice and Filing Requirements,
Minimum Opening Bids, Upfront
Payments and Other Procedures for
Auction 78
Federal Communications
Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This document announces the
procedures and minimum opening bids
for the upcoming auction of AWS–1 and
Broadband PCS Licenses (Auction 78).
This document is intended to
familiarize prospective bidders with the
procedures and minimum opening bids
for the auction.
DATES: This auction has been
rescheduled from July 29, 2008, to
August 13, 2008. Short-form
Applications to participate in Auction
78 must be filed before 6:00 p.m. ET on
June 19, 2008. The upfront payments
deadline for Auction 78 is July 17, 2008,
6:00 p.m. ET. Bidding for Auction No.
78 is scheduled to begin on August 13,
2008.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau,
Auctions Spectrum and Access Division
For legal questions: Scott Mackoul or
Stephen Johnson at (202) 418–0660. For
general auction questions: Barbara
Sibert at (717) 338–2868.
Mobility Division
For Broadband PCS service rule
questions: Erin McGrath (legal), Keith
Harper (engineering) and Denise Walter
(licensing) at (202) 418–0620.
Broadband Division
For AWS–1 service rule questions:
John Spencer at (202) 418–2487. To
request materials in accessible formats
(Braille, large print, electronic files or
audio format) for people with
disabilities, send an e-mail to
fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer
and Governmental Affairs Bureau at
E:\FR\FM\29MYN1.SGM
29MYN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 104 (Thursday, May 29, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30917-30919]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-11986]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-0264; FRL-8572-8]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection;
Comment Request; Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Recordkeeping and
Periodic Reporting of the Production, Import, Recycling, Destruction,
Transhipment, and Feedstock Use of Ozone-Depleting Substances
(Renewal); EPA ICR No. 1432.29, OMB Control No. 2060-0170
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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,
1432.25, is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2008. 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 July 28, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OAR-2008-0264 by one of the following methods:
https://www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line
instructions for submitting comments.
E-mail: a-and-r-Docket@epa.gov.
Fax: 202-566-1741.
Mail: EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-0264, Environmental Protection
Agency, Mailcode: 6205J, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC
20460.
Hand Delivery: EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-0264, 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-
2008-0264. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included
in the public docket without change and may be made available online at
https://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 https://
www.regulations.gov or e-mail. The https://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 https://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 https://www.epa.gov/
epahome/dockets.htm.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kirsten Cappel, Stratospheric
Protection Division, Office of Atmospheric Programs, (6205J),
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.,
Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 343-9556; fax number:
(202) 343-2338; e-mail address: cappel.kirsten@epa.gov. You may also
visit the Ozone Depletion Web site of EPA's Stratospheric Protection
Division at https://www.epa.gov/ozone/strathome.html for further
information about EPA's Stratospheric Ozone Protection regulations, the
science of ozone layer depletion, and related topics.
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-2008-0264, which is available for online viewing at
https://www.regulations.gov, or in person
[[Page 30918]]
viewing at the Air and Radiation 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 Air and
Radiation Docket is 202-566-1742.
Use https://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
producers, importers, and distributors of chlorofluorocarbons and
methyl bromide, as well as research institutions using such substances.
Title: Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed
Collection; Comment Request; Protection of Stratospheric Ozone:
Recordkeeping and Periodic Reporting of the Production, Import,
Recycling, Destruction, Transhipment, and Feedstock Use of Ozone-
Depleting Substances (Renewal).
ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 1432.29, OMB Control No. 2060-0170.
ICR status: EPA ICR 1432.25 is currently scheduled to expire on
December 31, 2008. 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 is seeking to renew EPA ICR 1432.25 which authorizes
the recordkeeping and reporting requirements established in the
regulations stated in 40 CFR part 82, subpart A and as required by the
United States' commitments under the international treaty The Montreal
Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (Protocol). This
information collection allows EPA to monitor the United States'
compliance with the Protocol and Title VI of the Clean Air Act
Amendments of 1990 (CAA).
Under its Protocol commitments, the United States is obligated to
cease production and import of Class I controlled substances excluding
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) that are subject to essential use
exemptions, methyl bromide that is subject to critical use exemptions
or exemptions for quarantine and preshipment uses or emergency uses,
previously used material, and material that will be transformed,
destroyed, or exported to developing countries. The Protocol also
establishes limits and reduction schedules leading to the eventual
phaseout of Class II controlled substances with similar exemptions
beyond the phaseout. In addition to the Montreal Protocol, the CAA has
its own limits on production and consumption of controlled substances
that EPA must adhere to and enforce.
Under 40 CFR 82.13, producers, importers, exporters, distributors,
and other entities must meet quarterly, annual, and/or transactional
recordkeeping and reporting requirements for Class I ozone-depleting
substances (ODS). This information collection is conducted to meet U.S.
obligations under the Montreal Protocol. The information collection
request is required to obtain a benefit under Title VI of the CAA,
added by Section 764 of the 1999 Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency
Supplemental Appropriations Act (Pub. L. No. 105-277; October 21,
1998).
The reporting and recordkeeping requirements for Class I ODS will
enable EPA to:
1. Ensure compliance with the restrictions on production, import,
and export of Class I controlled substances;
2. Allow exempted production and import for certain uses and the
consequent tracking of that production and import;
3. Address industry and Federal concerns regarding the illegal
import of mislabeled used controlled substances;
4. Satisfy the United States' obligations to report data under
Article 7 of the Protocol;
5. Fulfill statutory obligations under Section 603(b) of the CAA
for reporting and monitoring;
6. Provide information to report to the U.S. Congress on the
production, use, and consumption of Class I controlled substances as
statutorily required in Section 603(d) of Title VI of the CAA.
The reported data will enable EPA to:
1. Maintain compliance with the Protocol requirements for annual
data submission on the production of ODS; and
[[Page 30919]]
2. Analyze technical use data to ensure that exemptions are used in
accordance with requirements included in the annual authorization
rulemakings.
EPA informs respondents that they may assert claims of business
confidentiality for any of the information they submit. Information
claimed confidential will be treated in accordance with the procedures
for handling information claimed as confidential under 40 CFR Part 2,
Subpart b, and will be disclosed only if EPA determines that the
information is not entitled to confidential treatment. If no claim of
confidentiality is asserted when the information is received by EPA, it
may be made available to the public without further notice to the
respondents (40 CFR 2.203). Individual reporting data may be claimed as
sensitive and will be treated as confidential information in accordance
with procedures outlined in 40 CFR Part 2.
Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 2.4
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 provides a detailed explanation of the Agency's estimate,
which is only briefly summarized here:
Estimated total number of potential respondents: 1157.
Frequency of response:
-- Producers, importers, holders of essential use allowances,
laboratory suppliers, and distributors of QPS methyl bromide (Class I,
Group VI substances) are to report to EPA quarterly (45 days after the
end of each quarter);
-- Exporters, and persons that destroy and transform Class I
controlled ODS are to report to EPA annually (45 days after the end of
the control period);
-- Persons wanting to trade with another Party to the Protocol,
undertake interpollutant conversions, transfer allowances, import used
Class I controlled substances (i.e. petition) are to submit reports to
EPA on a transactional basis.
-- All entities may be required to provide other such information
that the Administrator may reasonably require to comply with requests
from the Ozone Secretariat seeking information required by decisions
taken by the Parties to the Montreal Protocol.
Estimated total average number of responses for each
respondent: 1.6.
Estimated total annual burden hours: 2810 hours.
Estimated total annual costs: $269,242. This includes an
estimated burden cost of $263,662 and an estimated cost of $5,580 for
capital investment or maintenance and operational costs.
Are There Changes in the Estimates from the Last Approval?
There is a decrease of 5,560 hours in the total estimated
respondent burden compared with that identified in the EPA ICR 1432.25
which is currently approved by OMB. This large decrease is primarily
due to a decrease in the overall burden for compliance, specifically
the hours needed to certify laboratory and QPS uses of ozone depleting
substances. The prior estimate for self certification was much higher
than the Agency's experience has shown it to be. The burden and cost
estimates for the Agency increased largely due to increases in the
average hourly wage rate caused by normal inflation. As implementation
of electronic reporting via the Agency's central data exchange (CDX)
expands to additional segments of the regulated community, EPA expects
burden and costs to further decline. EPA anticipated that when the CDX
system becomes fully utilized, all required data will be submitted and
tracked electronically, thus reducing and/or eliminating reporting by
paper.
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: May 22, 2008.
Drusilla Hufford,
Director, Stratospheric Protection Division.
[FR Doc. E8-11986 Filed 5-28-08; 8:45 am]
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