Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements Under the Perfluorocompound (PFC) Reduction/Climate Partnership for the Semiconductor Industry; EPA ICR No. 1823.04, OMB Control No. 2060-0382, 51464-51466 [E8-20393]
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<![CDATA[
51464
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 171 / Wednesday, September 3, 2008 / Notices
at mason.emnett@ferc.gov or (202) 502–
6540.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8–20261 Filed 9–2–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[EPA–HQ–OPPT–2003–0004; FRL–8380–3]
Access to Confidential Business
Information by Industrial Economics,
Inc.
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: EPA has authorized its
contractor, Industrial Economics, Inc. of
Cambridge, MA, to access information
which has been submitted to EPA under
all sections of the Toxic Substances
Control Act (TSCA). Some of the
information may be claimed or
determined to be Confidential Business
Information (CBI).
DATES: Access to the confidential data
will occur no sooner than September 10,
2008.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
general information contact: Colby
Lintner, Regulatory Coordinator,
Environmental Assistance Division
(7408M), Office of Pollution Prevention
and Toxics, Environmental Protection
Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.,
Washington, DC 20460–0001; telephone
number: (202) 554–1404; e-mail address:
TSCA-Hotline@epa.gov.
For technical information contact:
Scott M. Sherlock, Environmental
Assistance Division (7408M), Office of
Pollution Prevention and Toxics,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington,
DC 20460–0001; telephone number:
(202) 564–8257; fax number: (202) 564–
8251; e-mail address:
sherlock.scott@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
I. General Information
A. Does this Notice Apply to Me?
This action is directed to the public
in general. This action may, however, be
of interest to you if you are conducting,
or may be required to conduct, testing
of chemical substances under the Toxic
Substances Control Act (TSCA). Since
other entities may also be interested, the
Agency has not attempted to describe all
the specific entities that may be affected
by this action. If you have any questions
regarding the applicability of this action
VerDate Aug<31>2005
22:59 Sep 02, 2008
Jkt 214001
to a particular entity, consult the
technical person listed under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
B. How Can I Get Copies of this
Document and Other Related
Information?
1. Docket. EPA has established a
docket for this action under docket
identification (ID) number EPA–HQ–
OPPT–2003–0004. All documents in the
docket are listed in the docket’s index
available at https://www.regulations.gov.
Although, listed in the index, some
information is not publicly available,
e.g., CBI or other information whose
disclosure is restricted by statute.
Certain other material, such as
copyrighted material, will be publicly
available only in hard copy. Publicly
available docket materials are available
electronically at https://
www.regulations.gov, or, if only
available in hard copy, at the OPPT
Docket. The OPPT Docket is located in
the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC) in Rm.
3334, EPA West Bldg., 1301
Constitution Ave., NW., Washington,
DC. The A/DC Public Reading Room
hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30
p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding
Federal holidays. The telephone number
of the EPA/DC Public Reading Room is
(202) 566–1744, and the telephone
number for the OPPT Docket Facility is
(202) 566–0280. Docket visitors are
required to show photographic
identification, pass through a metal
detector, and sign the EPA visitor log.
All visitor bags are processed through
an X-ray machine and subject to search.
Visitors will be provided an EPA/DC
badge that must be visible at all times
in the building and returned upon
departure.
2. Electronic access. You may access
this Federal Register document
electronically through the EPA Internet
under the ‘‘Federal Register’’ listings at
https://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr.
II. What Action is the Agency Taking?
Under GSA Contract Number
GS10F0224J, contractor, Industrial
Economics, Inc. of 2067 Massachusetts
Avenue, Cambridge, MA, will assist the
Office of Pollution Prevention and
Toxics (OPPT) in providing economic
analysis support for EPA’s enforcement
actions.
In accordance with 40 CFR 2.306(j),
EPA has determined that under GSA
Contract Number GS10F0224J,
Industrial Economics, Inc. will require
access to CBI submitted to EPA under
all sections of TSCA to perform
successfully the duties specified under
the contract. Industrial Economics, Inc.
personnel will be given access to
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information submitted to EPA under all
sections of TSCA. Some of the
information may be claimed or
determined to be CBI.
EPA is issuing this notice to inform
all submitters of information under all
sections of TSCA that EPA may provide
Industrial Economics, Inc. access to
these CBI materials on a need-to-know
basis only. All access to TSCA CBI
under this contract will take place at
EPA Headquarters and Industrial
Economics, Inc. site in Cambridge, MA.
Industrial Economics, Inc. will be
authorized access to TSCA CBI at EPA
Headquarters and at the Industrial
Economics, Inc. facility, provided they
comply with the provisions of the EPA
TSCA CBI Protection Manual. Before
access to TSCA CBI is authorized at
Industrial Economic’s site, EPA will
perform the required inspection of the
facility and ensure that the facility is in
compliance with the Manual.
Access to TSCA data, including CBI,
will continue until October 31, 2009. If
the contract is extended, this access will
also continue for the duration of the
extended contract without further
notice.
Industrial Economics, Inc. personnel
will be required to sign nondisclosure
agreements and will be briefed on
appropriate security procedures before
they are permitted access to TSCA CBI.
List of Subjects
Environmental Protection,
Confidential Business Information.
Dated: August 25, 2008.
Todd S. Holderman,
Acting Director, Information Management
Division, Office of Pollution Prevention and
Toxics.
[FR Doc. E8–20130 Filed 9–2–08; 8:45 a.m.]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–S
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[EPA–HQ–OAR–2004–0228; FRL–8710–5]
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Submission to OMB for
Review and Approval; Comment
Request; Reporting and
Recordkeeping Requirements Under
the Perfluorocompound (PFC)
Reduction/Climate Partnership for the
Semiconductor Industry; EPA ICR No.
1823.04, OMB Control No. 2060–0382
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
E:\FR\FM\03SEN1.SGM
03SEN1
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 171 / Wednesday, September 3, 2008 / Notices
announces that an Information
Collection Request (ICR) has been
forwarded to the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) for review and
approval. This is a request to reinstate
a previously approved ICR. The ICR,
which is abstracted below, describes the
nature of the information collection and
its estimated burden and cost.
DATES: Additional comments may be
submitted on or before October 3, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
referencing Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–
OAR–2004–0228, to (1) EPA online
using www.regulations.gov (our
preferred method), by e-mail to a-andr-Docket@epa.gov, or by mail to: EPA
Docket Center, Environmental
Protection Agency, Air and Radiation
Docket, Mailcode: 2822T, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington,
DC 20460, and (2) OMB by mail to:
Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs, Office of Management and
Budget (OMB), Attention: Desk Officer
for EPA, 725 17th Street, NW,
Washington, DC 20503.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Scott Bartos, Office of Atmospheric
Programs, Climate Change Division
(6207J), Environmental Protection
Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.,
Washington, DC 20460; telephone
number: 202–343–9167; fax number:
202–343–2202; e-mail address:
bartos.scott@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA has
submitted the following ICR to OMB for
review and approval according to the
procedures prescribed in 5 CFR 1320.12.
On March 11, 2008 (73 FR 12996), EPA
sought comments on this ICR pursuant
to 5 CFR 1320.8(d). EPA received no
comments. Any additional comments on
this ICR should be submitted to EPA
and OMB within 30 days of this notice.
EPA has established a public docket
for this ICR under Docket ID No. EPA–
HQ–OAR–2004–0228, which is
available for online viewing at
www.regulations.gov, or in person
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 the Air and
Radiation Docket is 202–566–1742.
Use EPA’s electronic docket and
comment system at
www.regulations.gov, to submit or view
public comments, access the index
listing of the contents of the docket, and
to access those documents in the docket
VerDate Aug<31>2005
22:59 Sep 02, 2008
Jkt 214001
that are available electronically. Once in
the system, select ‘‘docket search,’’ then
key in the docket ID number identified
above. Please note that EPA’s policy is
that public comments, whether
submitted electronically or in paper,
will be made available for public
viewing at www.regulations.gov as EPA
receives them and without change,
unless the comment contains
copyrighted material, confidential
business information (CBI), or other
information whose public disclosure is
restricted by statute. For further
information about the electronic docket,
go to www.regulations.gov.
Title: Reporting and Recordkeeping
Requirements under the
Perfluorocompound (PFC) Reduction/
Climate Partnership for the
Semiconductor Industry
ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 1823.04,
OMB Control No. 2060–0382
ICR Status: This ICR expired on
March 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
and 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: The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) PFC
Reduction/Climate Partnership for the
Semiconductor Industry is a voluntary
program that promotes reduction of
perfluorocompounds (PFCs). PFCs are
the most potent greenhouse gases (GHG)
known, with atmospheric lifetimes of
up to 50,000 years. These unique
chemical compounds are required
during two critical semiconductor
manufacturing steps: Plasma etching
and CVD chamber cleaning. EPA’s
Partnership uses a pollution prevention
approach to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions and tracks progress by
collecting annual PFC emissions
estimates from voluntary participants.
Partnership Companies have committed
to reduce their PFC emissions 10
percent below their 1995 baseline level
by 2010. As a Partner to the industry,
EPA serves as a clearinghouse of
technical information on successful
strategies for reducing PFC emissions
that are economically, technically, and
environmentally sound. EPA also helps
assess the global warming potential of
potential substitute chemicals and
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51465
publicly recognizes the Partner
Companies’ achievements.
Participation in the program begins
with completion of a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) that outlines
responsibilities of the PFC Reduction/
Climate Partnership. By joining the
Partnership, a Company agrees to
submit a Company-specific annual
report, identifying an overall estimate of
PFC emissions by gas, to a third party
designated by the participating
Companies. The MOU also specifies that
the Partner Company will direct the
designated third party to create a
confidential data depository for the
information supplied by the Partner
Company. In addition, the MOU states
that the Partner Company will direct the
designated third party to prepare an
industry-wide annual report, to be
submitted to EPA, that aggregates PFC
emissions estimates, and provides each
Partner Company’s annual emissions by
gas on a ‘‘blind’’ or anonymous basis.
The Partner Company also agrees to
share with EPA and others in the
semiconductor industry information
about successful PFC emission
reduction processes and technologies
that the Partner Company considers
nonconfidential. This MOU applies only
to PFC emissions originating from U.S.
semiconductor manufacturing sites and
can be terminated by either Party 30
days after the receipt of written notice
by the other Party with no penalties or
continuing obligations.
Using the information provided
through the Partnership, the EPA is able
to (1) evaluate the overall PFC emission
reductions achieved by the voluntary
program, (2) develop estimates for the
total U.S. semiconductor emissions, (3)
identify new technologies or processes
that reduce PFC emissions, and (4) serve
as a technical clearing-house to provide
industry with pertinent information on
emissions estimation and reduction
strategies. The Partnership data is a
valuable resource for evaluating current
and promoting future GHG emissions
reductions within the semiconductor
industry.
Burden Statement: The annual public
reporting and recordkeeping burden for
this collection of information is
estimated to average 544 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
E:\FR\FM\03SEN1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 171 / Wednesday, September 3, 2008 / Notices
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.
Respondents/Affected Entities:
Semiconductor manufacturing
companies.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
21.
Frequency of Response: Annually.
Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden:
11,426.
Estimated Total Annual Cost:
$938,461, which includes $116,319
annualized capital or O&M costs and
$822,142 in labor costs.
Changes in the Estimates: There is an
increase of 11,426 hours in the total
estimated burden currently identified in
the OMB Inventory of Approved ICR
Burdens, which reflect the burden for
reinstating the entire program. EPA has
not collected under this ICR since it
expired in March 2008. There is a
decrease of 1,624 hours from the last
time this ICR was approved. This is
because the number of respondents
decreased from 24 to 21.
Dated: August 27, 2008.
Sara Hisel-McCoy,
Director, Collection Strategies Division.
[FR Doc. E8–20393 Filed 9–2–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[EPA–HQ–OECA–2008–0294; FRL–8710–6]
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Submission to OMB for
Review and Approval; Comment
Request; NSPS for Sulfuric Acid Plants
(Renewal), EPA ICR Number 1057.11,
OMB Control Number 2060–0041
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: In compliance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C.
3501 et seq.), this document announces
that an Information Collection Request
(ICR) has been forwarded to the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB) for
review and approval. This is a request
to renew an existing approved
collection. The ICR which is abstracted
below describes the nature of the
collection and the estimated burden and
cost.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
22:59 Sep 02, 2008
Jkt 214001
Additional comments may be
submitted on or before October 3, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
referencing docket ID number EPA–HQ–
OECA–2008–0294, to (1) EPA online
using https://www.regulations.gov (our
preferred method), or by e-mail to
docket.oeca@epa.gov, or by mail to: EPA
Docket Center (EPA/DC), Environmental
Protection Agency, Enforcement and
Compliance Docket and Information
Center, mail code 2201T, 1200
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.,
Washington, DC 20460, and (2) OMB at:
Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs, Office of Management and
Budget (OMB), Attention: Desk Officer
for EPA, 725 17th Street, NW.,
Washington, DC 20503.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Learia Williams, Compliance
Assessment and Media Programs
Division, Office of Compliance, Mail
Code 2223A, Environmental Protection
Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone
number: (202) 564–4113; fax number:
(202) 564–0050; e-mail address:
williams.learia@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA has
submitted the following ICR to OMB for
review and approval according to the
procedures prescribed in 5 CFR 1320.12.
On May 30, 2008 (73 FR 31088), EPA
sought comments on this ICR pursuant
to 5 CFR 1320.8(d). EPA received no
comments. Any additional comments on
this ICR should be submitted to EPA
and OMB within 30 days of this notice.
EPA has established a public docket
for this ICR under docket ID number
EPA–HQ–OECA–2008–0294, which is
available for public viewing online at
https://www.regulations.gov, in person
viewing at the Enforcement and
Compliance Docket in the EPA Docket
Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room
3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW.,
Washington, DC. The EPA Docket
Center Public Reading Room is open
from 8:30 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
Enforcement and Compliance Docket is
(202) 566–1927.
Use EPA’s electronic docket and
comment system at https://
www.regulations.gov, to submit or view
public comments, access the index
listing of the contents of the docket, and
to access those documents in the docket
that are available electronically. Once in
the system, select ‘‘docket search,’’ then
key in the docket ID number identified
above. Please note that EPA’s policy is
that public comments, whether
DATES:
PO 00000
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Sfmt 4703
submitted electronically or in paper will
be made available for public viewing at
https://www.regulations.gov, as EPA
receives them and without change,
unless the comment contains
copyrighted material, Confidential
Business Information (CBI), or other
information whose public disclosure is
restricted by statute. For further
information about the electronic docket,
go to https://www.regulations.gov.
Title: NSPS for Sulfuric Acid Plants
(Renewal).
ICR Numbers: EPA ICR Number
1057.11, OMB Control Number 2060–
0041.
ICR Status: This ICR is schedule to
expire on October 31, 2008. Under OMB
regulations, the Agency may continue to
conduct or sponsor the collection of
information while this submission is
pending at OMB. 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 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: The New Source
Performance Standards (NSPS) for
Sulfuric Acid Plants were proposed on
August 17, 1971, and promulgated on
December 23, 1971. These standards
apply to any sulfuric acid facility
commencing construction, modification
or reconstruction after the date of
proposal. The control of sulfur dioxide
(SO2) and acid mist requires not only
the installation of properly designed
equipment, but also the proper
operation and maintenance of that
equipment. Sulfur dioxide and acid mist
emissions from sulfuric acid plants
result from the burning of sulfur or
sulfur-bearing feed-stock to form SO2,
catalytic oxidation of SO2 to sulfur
trioxide, and absorption of SO2 in a
strong acid stream. These standards rely
on the capture of SO2 and acid mist by
venting to a control device.
Owners or operators of sulfuric acid
plants are required to make the
following one-time-only reports,
notification of the date of construction
or reconstruction, notification of actual
startup dates, notification of any
physical or operational change to an
existing facility, and notification of
demonstration of the continuous
emissions monitoring system (CEMS).
E:\FR\FM\03SEN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 171 (Wednesday, September 3, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51464-51466]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-20393]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[EPA-HQ-OAR-2004-0228; FRL-8710-5]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to OMB for
Review and Approval; Comment Request; Reporting and Recordkeeping
Requirements Under the Perfluorocompound (PFC) Reduction/Climate
Partnership for the Semiconductor Industry; EPA ICR No. 1823.04, OMB
Control No. 2060-0382
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
[[Page 51465]]
announces that an Information Collection Request (ICR) has been
forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and
approval. This is a request to reinstate a previously approved ICR. The
ICR, which is abstracted below, describes the nature of the information
collection and its estimated burden and cost.
DATES: Additional comments may be submitted on or before October 3,
2008.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-
2004-0228, to (1) EPA online using www.regulations.gov (our preferred
method), by e-mail to a-and-r-Docket@epa.gov, or by mail to: EPA Docket
Center, Environmental Protection Agency, Air and Radiation Docket,
Mailcode: 2822T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460, and
(2) OMB by mail to: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Attention: Desk Officer for EPA,
725 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20503.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Bartos, Office of Atmospheric
Programs, Climate Change Division (6207J), Environmental Protection
Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone
number: 202-343-9167; fax number: 202-343-2202; e-mail address:
bartos.scott@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA has submitted the following ICR to OMB
for review and approval according to the procedures prescribed in 5 CFR
1320.12. On March 11, 2008 (73 FR 12996), EPA sought comments on this
ICR pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.8(d). EPA received no comments. Any
additional comments on this ICR should be submitted to EPA and OMB
within 30 days of this notice.
EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID
No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2004-0228, which is available for online viewing at
www.regulations.gov, or in person 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 the Air and Radiation Docket is 202-
566-1742.
Use EPA's electronic docket and comment system at
www.regulations.gov, to submit or view public comments, access the
index listing of the contents of the docket, and to access those
documents in the docket that are available electronically. Once in the
system, select ``docket search,'' then key in the docket ID number
identified above. Please note that EPA's policy is that public
comments, whether submitted electronically or in paper, will be made
available for public viewing at www.regulations.gov as EPA receives
them and without change, unless the comment contains copyrighted
material, confidential business information (CBI), or other information
whose public disclosure is restricted by statute. For further
information about the electronic docket, go to www.regulations.gov.
Title: Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements under the
Perfluorocompound (PFC) Reduction/Climate Partnership for the
Semiconductor Industry
ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 1823.04, OMB Control No. 2060-0382
ICR Status: This ICR expired on March 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 and 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: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) PFC
Reduction/Climate Partnership for the Semiconductor Industry is a
voluntary program that promotes reduction of perfluorocompounds (PFCs).
PFCs are the most potent greenhouse gases (GHG) known, with atmospheric
lifetimes of up to 50,000 years. These unique chemical compounds are
required during two critical semiconductor manufacturing steps: Plasma
etching and CVD chamber cleaning. EPA's Partnership uses a pollution
prevention approach to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and tracks
progress by collecting annual PFC emissions estimates from voluntary
participants. Partnership Companies have committed to reduce their PFC
emissions 10 percent below their 1995 baseline level by 2010. As a
Partner to the industry, EPA serves as a clearinghouse of technical
information on successful strategies for reducing PFC emissions that
are economically, technically, and environmentally sound. EPA also
helps assess the global warming potential of potential substitute
chemicals and publicly recognizes the Partner Companies' achievements.
Participation in the program begins with completion of a Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU) that outlines responsibilities of the PFC
Reduction/Climate Partnership. By joining the Partnership, a Company
agrees to submit a Company-specific annual report, identifying an
overall estimate of PFC emissions by gas, to a third party designated
by the participating Companies. The MOU also specifies that the Partner
Company will direct the designated third party to create a confidential
data depository for the information supplied by the Partner Company. In
addition, the MOU states that the Partner Company will direct the
designated third party to prepare an industry-wide annual report, to be
submitted to EPA, that aggregates PFC emissions estimates, and provides
each Partner Company's annual emissions by gas on a ``blind'' or
anonymous basis. The Partner Company also agrees to share with EPA and
others in the semiconductor industry information about successful PFC
emission reduction processes and technologies that the Partner Company
considers nonconfidential. This MOU applies only to PFC emissions
originating from U.S. semiconductor manufacturing sites and can be
terminated by either Party 30 days after the receipt of written notice
by the other Party with no penalties or continuing obligations.
Using the information provided through the Partnership, the EPA is
able to (1) evaluate the overall PFC emission reductions achieved by
the voluntary program, (2) develop estimates for the total U.S.
semiconductor emissions, (3) identify new technologies or processes
that reduce PFC emissions, and (4) serve as a technical clearing-house
to provide industry with pertinent information on emissions estimation
and reduction strategies. The Partnership data is a valuable resource
for evaluating current and promoting future GHG emissions reductions
within the semiconductor industry.
Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 544
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
[[Page 51466]]
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.
Respondents/Affected Entities: Semiconductor manufacturing
companies.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 21.
Frequency of Response: Annually.
Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 11,426.
Estimated Total Annual Cost: $938,461, which includes $116,319
annualized capital or O&M costs and $822,142 in labor costs.
Changes in the Estimates: There is an increase of 11,426 hours in
the total estimated burden currently identified in the OMB Inventory of
Approved ICR Burdens, which reflect the burden for reinstating the
entire program. EPA has not collected under this ICR since it expired
in March 2008. There is a decrease of 1,624 hours from the last time
this ICR was approved. This is because the number of respondents
decreased from 24 to 21.
Dated: August 27, 2008.
Sara Hisel-McCoy,
Director, Collection Strategies Division.
[FR Doc. E8-20393 Filed 9-2-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
