Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Information Collection Activities Associated With EPA's ENERGY STAR Program in the Commercial and Industrial Sectors; EPA ICR No. 1772, OMB Control No. 2060-0347, 40183-40186 [E9-19188]
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 153 / Tuesday, August 11, 2009 / Notices
transmission system, such as the
development of inter-regional
transmission facilities, the integration of
large amounts of location-constrained
generation, and the interconnection of
distributed energy resources.
The attached agenda provides details
on the topics that will be discussed on
the panels at each of the three
conferences as well as the topics
panelists should be prepared to address.
As provided for in the June 30 notice,
those wishing to participate as panelists
should submit a request form, as
indicated below, describing the topic(s)
they wish to address. Those wishing to
40183
attend each conference are also asked to
complete the registration form, as
indicated below.
A final notice with a list of the
panelists for each conference will be
issued in advance of the conferences.
Location
Further information
September 3, 2009
Phoenix Airport Marriott, 1101 North
44th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85008.
September 10, 2009
Sheraton Gateway Hotel, Atlanta Airport, 1900 Sullivan Road, Atlanta, GA
30337.
September 21, 2009
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Date
Marriott Philadelphia Airport, One Arrivals Road, Philadelphia, PA 19153.
Entities located within the ColumbiaGrid, Northern Tier Transmission Group,
WestConnect, and CAISO footprints, and other entities in the WECC region
that are not a part of any of these subregional groups. Staff also requests a
representative of WECC’s Transmission Expansion Planning Policy Committee attend this technical conference.
For further information, see calendar listing, located at: https://www.ferc.gov/
EventCalendar/EventDetails.aspx?ID=4744&CalType=%20&
CalendarID=116&Date=09/03/2009&View=Listview.
Those wishing to participate as a panelist on one of the panels in the attached
agenda should submit a request form by close of business on August 13,
2009, located at: https://www.ferc.gov/whats-new/registration/trans-09–03speaker-form.asp.
Those that plan to attend the Phoenix conference should submit the registration
form, located at: https://www.ferc.gov/whats-new/registration/trans-09-03form.asp
Entities located in the states represented in the Southeastern Association of
Regulatory Utility Commissioners (SEARUC) and entities located in the
Southwest Power Pool footprint.
For further information, see calendar listing, located at: https://www.ferc.gov/
EventCalendar/EventDetails.aspx?ID=4745&CalType=%20&
CalendarID=116&Date=09/10/2009&View=Listview.
Those wishing to participate as a panelist on one of the panels in the attached
agenda should submit a request form by close of business on August 20,
2009, located at: https://www.ferc.gov/whats-new/registration/trans-09-10speaker-form.asp
Those that plan to attend the Atlanta conference should submit the registration
form, located at: https://www.ferc.gov/whats-new/registration/trans-09-10form.asp.
Entities located within the Midwest ISO, PJM, New York ISO, and ISO New
England footprints, MAPP/MAPP Participants, and adjacent areas.
For further information, see calendar listing, located at: https://www.ferc.gov/
EventCalendar/EventDetails.aspx?ID=4746&CalType=%20&
CalendarID=116&Date=09/21/2009&View=Listview.
Those wishing to participate as a panelist on one of the panels in the attached
agenda should submit a request form by close of business on August 31,
2009, located at: https://www.ferc.gov/whats-new/registration/trans-09-21speaker-form.asp.
Those that plan to attend the Philadelphia conference should submit the registration form, located at: https://www.ferc.gov/whats-new/registration/trans09-21-form.asp.
In the event a transmission provider
is uncertain as to which technical
conference is the appropriate forum for
discussion of its planning process, such
transmission providers should contact
Commission staff in advance to discuss
the matter. Lastly, a comment date will
be set at a later date allowing for the
filing of post-conference comments.
For further information about these
conferences, please contact:
Zeny Magos (Technical Information),
Office of Energy Market Regulation,
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, 888 First Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20426, (202) 502–
8244, zeny.magos@ferc.gov.
John Cohen (Legal Information), Office
of the General Counsel—Energy
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Markets, Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, 888 First Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20426, (202) 502–
8705, john.cohen@ferc.gov.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E9–19138 Filed 8–10–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
PO 00000
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[EPA–HQ–OAR–2006–0407; FRL–8943–4]
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Proposed Collection;
Comment Request; Information
Collection Activities Associated With
EPA’s ENERGY STAR Program in the
Commercial and Industrial Sectors;
EPA ICR No. 1772, OMB Control No.
2060–0347
AGENCY: Environmental Protection
Agency.
ACTION: Notice.
SUMMARY: In compliance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 153 / Tuesday, August 11, 2009 / Notices
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 February
28, 2010. 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 October 13, 2009.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–
OAR–2006–0407, by one of the
following methods:
• www.regulations.gov: Follow the
on-line instructions for submitting
comments.
• E-mail: a-and-r-Docket@epa.gov.
• Fax: 202–566–9744.
• Mail: Air and Radiation Docket,
Environmental Protection Agency,
Mailcode: 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.
• Hand Delivery: Air and Radiation
Docket in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/
DC), EPA West Building, Room 3334,
1301 Constitution Ave., NW.,
Washington, DC. 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–2006–
0407. EPA’s policy is that all comments
received will be included in the public
docket without change and may be
made available online at
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 www.regulations.gov
or e-mail. The 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 www.regulations.gov your email 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
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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:
Mary Susan Bailey, Climate Protection
Partnerships Division, Mailcode: 6202J,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington,
DC 20460; telephone number: 202–343–
9014; fax number: 202–343–2204; e-mail
address: bailey.marysusan@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–2006–0407, 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 Building, 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 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;
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(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 affected by
this action are participants in EPA’s
ENERGY STAR Program in the
Commercial and Industrial Sectors.
Title: Information Collection
Activities Associated with EPA’s
ENERGY STAR Program in the
Commercial and Industrial Sectors.
ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 1772,
OMB Control No. 2060–0347.
ICR status: This ICR is currently
scheduled to expire on February 28,
2010. 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
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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: ENERGY STAR is a
voluntary program helping businesses
and organizations as well as individuals
protect the environment through
superior energy efficiency. The program
focuses on reducing utility-generated
emissions by reducing the demand for
energy. In 1991, EPA launched the
Green Lights program to encourage
corporations, State and local
governments, colleges and universities,
and other organizations to adopt energyefficient lighting as a profitable means
of preventing pollution and improving
lighting quality. Since then, EPA has
rolled Green Lights into ENERGY STAR
and expanded ENERGY STAR to
encompass organization-wide energy
performance improvement, such as
building technology upgrades, product
purchasing initiatives, and employee
training. At the same time, EPA has
streamlined the reporting procedures of
ENERGY STAR and focused on
providing incentives for improvements
(e.g., ENERGY STAR Awards Program).
EPA provides tools and other resources
over the web to help the public
overcome the barriers to evaluating their
energy performance and investing in
profitable improvements. EPA regularly
evaluates its reporting procedures and
tools to identify ways to minimize the
public’s burden. For example, EPA has
increasingly automated ENERGY
STAR’s information collections so that
organizations can submit information
online instead of by mail.
For several reasons, EPA has seen a
dramatic increase in the public’s
participation in ENERGY STAR over the
past several years and expects their
participation to rise even more in the
coming years. President Obama has
made energy efficiency an important
component of the Federal government’s
approach to energy management. Under
the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009, Congress and
the president allocated approximately
$20 billion to encourage Federal
agencies, States, local governments and
industry to design, improve and use
energy efficient buildings and products.
President Obama is currently urging
Congress to pass the American Clean
Energy and Security Act, which would
encourage greater energy efficiency in
the nation’s buildings and homes.
In addition, a growing number of
State and local governments are
promoting ENERGY STAR as a way for
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the public to respond to rising energy
costs and global warming. Participation
in ENERGY STAR has also risen
dramatically because of the efforts of
trade associations, utilities, and thirdparty providers in promoting the
program to the public. These
organizations voluntarily transmit
ENERGY STAR messages and promote
the use of ENERGY STAR tools and
strategies in an effort to help companies
reduce their energy consumption and
find more environmentally friendly
ways to conduct business.
To join ENERGY STAR, organizations
are asked to complete a Partnership
Letter or Agreement that establishes
their commitment to protect the
environment. Partners agree to
undertake efforts such as measuring and
tracking the energy performance of their
facilities where possible by using tools
such as those offered by ENERGY STAR,
spreading the word about the
importance of energy efficiency to staff
and the community, supporting the
ENERGY STAR Challenge, and
highlighting achievements with
recognition offered through ENERGY
STAR.
Partners also may be asked to
periodically submit information to EPA
as needed to assist in program
implementation. For example, EPA
maintains the Most Active Service and
Product Providers Directory to provide
the public with easy access to energy
efficiency services that can help
companies lower operating costs and
increase their bottom line. Businesses
wishing to appear in this directory are
asked to submit a completed application
that demonstrates that they have met
specified requirements.
Partnership in ENERGY STAR is
voluntary and can be terminated by
Partners or EPA at any time. EPA does
not expect organizations to join the
program unless their participation is
cost-effective and otherwise beneficial
for them.
In addition, Partners and any other
interested party can help EPA promote
energy-efficient technologies by
evaluating the efficiency of their
buildings using EPA’s on-line tools (e.g.,
Portfolio Manager) and applying for
recognition.
Burden Statement: The annual public
reporting and recordkeeping burden for
this collection of information will vary
depending on the type of participant,
the specific collection activity, and
other factors. The annual burden for
joining ENERGY STAR and conducting
related activities is estimated to range
from about 2 to 7 hours per respondent.
This includes time for preparing and
submitting the Partnership Letter or
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40185
Agreement and other information as
requested. The burden for applying for
an ENERGY STAR is estimated to range
from about 5.5 to 10.5 hours per
respondent. This includes time for
reading the instructions of the
benchmarking tool if needed, gathering
and entering information on building
characteristics and energy use into the
tool, and preparing/submitting the
ENERGY STAR application materials to
EPA. The burden for applying for an
ENERGY STAR Award is estimated to
range from 2 to 26.5 hours per
respondent. This includes time for
preparing and submitting the awards
application materials to EPA.
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 annual number of potential
respondents: 6,000.
Frequency of response: One-time,
annually, and/or periodically,
depending on the type of respondent
and collection.
Estimated total annual respondent
burden hours: 54,500.
Estimated total annual respondent
costs: $5,436,710, including $3,574,491
in labor costs and $1,862,219 in O&M
costs. There are no capital/start-up costs
to respondents.
Are There Changes in the Estimates
From the Last Approval?
The burden estimates presented in
this document are from the last
approval. EPA is currently evaluating
and updating these estimates as part of
the ICR renewal process. EPA will
discuss its updated estimates, as well as
changes from the last approval, in the
next Federal Register notice to be
issued for this renewal.
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 153 / Tuesday, August 11, 2009 / Notices
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 320.5(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: August 5, 2009.
Kathleen Hogan,
Director, Climate Protection Partnerships
Division.
[FR Doc. E9–19188 Filed 8–10–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[FRL–8943–5]
Clean Air Act Advisory Committee
(CAAAC); Request for Nominations for
2009 Clean Air Excellence Awards
Program
AGENCY: Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Request for nominations for
Clean Air Excellence Awards.
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SUMMARY: EPA established the Clean Air
Excellence Awards Program in
February, 2000. This is an annual
awards program to recognize
outstanding and innovative efforts that
support progress in achieving clean air.
This notice announces the competition
for the Year 2009 program.
DATES: All submissions of entries for the
Clean Air Excellence Awards Program
must be postmarked by September 25,
2009.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Concerning the Clean Air Excellence
Awards Program please use the CAAAC
Web site and click on awards program
or contact Mr. Pat Childers, U.S. EPA at
202–564–1082 or 202–564–1352 (Fax),
mailing address: Office of Air and
Radiation (6102A), 1200 Pennsylvania
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20004.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Awards Program Notice: Pursuant to
42 U.S.C. 7403(a)(1) and (2) and sections
103(a)(1) and (2) of the Clean Air Act
(CAA), notice is hereby given that the
EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation (OAR)
announces the opening of competition
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for the Year 2009 ‘‘Clean Air Excellence
Awards Program’’ (CAEAP). The intent
of the program is to recognize and honor
outstanding, innovative efforts that help
to make progress in achieving cleaner
air. The CAEAP is open to both public
and private entities. Entries are limited
to the United States. There are five
general award categories: (1) Clean Air
Technology; (2) Community Action; (3)
Education/Outreach; (4) Regulatory/
Policy Innovations; (5) Transportation
Efficiency Innovations; and two special
awards categories: (1) Thomas W. Zosel
Outstanding Individual Achievement
Award; and (2) Gregg Cooke Visionary
Program Award. Awards are given on an
annual basis and are for recognition
only.
Entry Requirements: All applicants
are asked to submit their entry on a
CAEAP entry form, contained in the
CAEAP Entry Package, which may be
obtained from the Clean Air Act
Advisory Committee (CAAAC) Web site
at https://www.epa.gov/oar/caaac by
clicking on Awards Program or by
contacting Mr. Pat Childers, U.S. EPA at
202–564–1082 or 202–564–1352 Fax,
mailing address: Office of Air and
Radiation (6102A), 1200 Pennsylvania
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20004.
The entry form is a simple, three-part
form asking for general information on
the applicant and the proposed entry;
asking for a description of why the entry
is deserving of an award; and requiring
information from three (3) independent
references for the proposed entry.
Applicants should also submit the entry
form electronically (cd preferred) and
additional supporting documentation as
necessary. Specific directions and
information on filing an entry form are
included in the Entry Package.
Judging and Award Criteria: Judging
will be accomplished through a
screening process conducted by EPA
staff, with input from outside subject
experts, as needed. Members of the
CAAAC will provide advice to EPA on
the entries. The final award decisions
will be made by the EPA Assistant
Administrator for Air and Radiation.
Entries will be judged using both
general criteria and criteria specific to
each individual category. There are four
(4) general criteria: (1) The entry
directly or indirectly (i.e., by
encouraging actions) reduces emissions
of criteria pollutants or hazardous/toxic
air pollutants; (2) The entry
demonstrates innovation and
uniqueness; (3) The entry provides a
model for others to follow (i.e., it is
replicable); and (4) The positive
outcomes from the entry are continuing/
sustainable. Although not required to
win an award, the following general
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criteria will also be considered in the
judging process: (1) The entry has
positive effects on other environmental
media in addition to air; (2) The entry
Demonstrates effective collaboration
and partnerships; and (3) The
individual or organization submitting
the entry has effectively measured/
evaluated the outcomes of the project,
program, technology, etc. As previously
mentioned, additional criteria will be
used for each individual award
category. These criteria are listed in the
2009 Entry Package.
Dated: August 5, 2009.
Patrick Childers,
Designated Federal Official for Clean Air Act
Advisory Committee.
[FR Doc. E9–19192 Filed 8–10–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[FRL–8942–9]
Notice of a Regional Project Waiver of
Section 1605 (Buy American
requirement) of the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of
2009 (ARRA) to the Hooksett, New
Hampshire Sewer Commission
AGENCY: Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
SUMMARY: The EPA is hereby granting a
waiver of the Buy America requirements
of ARRA Section 1605 under the
authority of Section 1605(b)(2)
[manufactured goods are not produced
in the United States in sufficient and
reasonably available quantities and of a
satisfactory quality] to the Hooksett,
New Hampshire Sewer Commission
(‘‘HSC’’) for the purchase of a foreign
manufactured polyethylene Biofilm
chip media. HSC’s proposed upgrade of
its wastewater treatment facility
upgrade will utilize an Integrated Fixed
Film Activated Sludge (IFAS) process,
in which the AnoxKaldnesTM Biochip-M
IFAS media manufactured in Germany
by Kruger, Inc. will meet the HSC’s
design specifications. This is a project
specific waiver and only applies to the
use of the identified product for the
ARRA funded project being proposed.
Any other ARRA project that may wish
to use the same product must apply for
a separate waiver based on project
specific circumstance. The Acting
Regional Administrator is making this
determination based on the review and
recommendations of the Municipal
Assistance Unit. The HSC through its
design engineer has provided sufficient
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 153 (Tuesday, August 11, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40183-40186]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-19188]
=======================================================================
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[EPA-HQ-OAR-2006-0407; FRL-8943-4]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection;
Comment Request; Information Collection Activities Associated With
EPA's ENERGY STAR Program in the Commercial and Industrial Sectors; EPA
ICR No. 1772, OMB Control No. 2060-0347
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44
[[Page 40184]]
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 February 28, 2010. 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 October 13, 2009.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OAR-2006-0407, by one of the following methods:
www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for
submitting comments.
E-mail: a-and-r-Docket@epa.gov.
Fax: 202-566-9744.
Mail: Air and Radiation Docket, Environmental Protection
Agency, Mailcode: 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC
20460.
Hand Delivery: Air and Radiation Docket in the EPA Docket
Center (EPA/DC), EPA West Building, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave.,
NW., Washington, DC. 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-
2006-0407. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included
in the public docket without change and may be made available online at
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 www.regulations.gov or e-mail.
The 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 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: Mary Susan Bailey, Climate Protection
Partnerships Division, Mailcode: 6202J, Environmental Protection
Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone
number: 202-343-9014; fax number: 202-343-2204; e-mail address:
bailey.marysusan@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-2006-0407, 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 Building, 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 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 affected by this action are
participants in EPA's ENERGY STAR Program in the Commercial and
Industrial Sectors.
Title: Information Collection Activities Associated with EPA's
ENERGY STAR Program in the Commercial and Industrial Sectors.
ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 1772, OMB Control No. 2060-0347.
ICR status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on February
28, 2010. 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
[[Page 40185]]
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: ENERGY STAR is a voluntary program helping businesses and
organizations as well as individuals protect the environment through
superior energy efficiency. The program focuses on reducing utility-
generated emissions by reducing the demand for energy. In 1991, EPA
launched the Green Lights program to encourage corporations, State and
local governments, colleges and universities, and other organizations
to adopt energy-efficient lighting as a profitable means of preventing
pollution and improving lighting quality. Since then, EPA has rolled
Green Lights into ENERGY STAR and expanded ENERGY STAR to encompass
organization-wide energy performance improvement, such as building
technology upgrades, product purchasing initiatives, and employee
training. At the same time, EPA has streamlined the reporting
procedures of ENERGY STAR and focused on providing incentives for
improvements (e.g., ENERGY STAR Awards Program). EPA provides tools and
other resources over the web to help the public overcome the barriers
to evaluating their energy performance and investing in profitable
improvements. EPA regularly evaluates its reporting procedures and
tools to identify ways to minimize the public's burden. For example,
EPA has increasingly automated ENERGY STAR's information collections so
that organizations can submit information online instead of by mail.
For several reasons, EPA has seen a dramatic increase in the
public's participation in ENERGY STAR over the past several years and
expects their participation to rise even more in the coming years.
President Obama has made energy efficiency an important component of
the Federal government's approach to energy management. Under the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Congress and the
president allocated approximately $20 billion to encourage Federal
agencies, States, local governments and industry to design, improve and
use energy efficient buildings and products. President Obama is
currently urging Congress to pass the American Clean Energy and
Security Act, which would encourage greater energy efficiency in the
nation's buildings and homes.
In addition, a growing number of State and local governments are
promoting ENERGY STAR as a way for the public to respond to rising
energy costs and global warming. Participation in ENERGY STAR has also
risen dramatically because of the efforts of trade associations,
utilities, and third-party providers in promoting the program to the
public. These organizations voluntarily transmit ENERGY STAR messages
and promote the use of ENERGY STAR tools and strategies in an effort to
help companies reduce their energy consumption and find more
environmentally friendly ways to conduct business.
To join ENERGY STAR, organizations are asked to complete a
Partnership Letter or Agreement that establishes their commitment to
protect the environment. Partners agree to undertake efforts such as
measuring and tracking the energy performance of their facilities where
possible by using tools such as those offered by ENERGY STAR, spreading
the word about the importance of energy efficiency to staff and the
community, supporting the ENERGY STAR Challenge, and highlighting
achievements with recognition offered through ENERGY STAR.
Partners also may be asked to periodically submit information to
EPA as needed to assist in program implementation. For example, EPA
maintains the Most Active Service and Product Providers Directory to
provide the public with easy access to energy efficiency services that
can help companies lower operating costs and increase their bottom
line. Businesses wishing to appear in this directory are asked to
submit a completed application that demonstrates that they have met
specified requirements.
Partnership in ENERGY STAR is voluntary and can be terminated by
Partners or EPA at any time. EPA does not expect organizations to join
the program unless their participation is cost-effective and otherwise
beneficial for them.
In addition, Partners and any other interested party can help EPA
promote energy-efficient technologies by evaluating the efficiency of
their buildings using EPA's on-line tools (e.g., Portfolio Manager) and
applying for recognition.
Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping
burden for this collection of information will vary depending on the
type of participant, the specific collection activity, and other
factors. The annual burden for joining ENERGY STAR and conducting
related activities is estimated to range from about 2 to 7 hours per
respondent. This includes time for preparing and submitting the
Partnership Letter or Agreement and other information as requested. The
burden for applying for an ENERGY STAR is estimated to range from about
5.5 to 10.5 hours per respondent. This includes time for reading the
instructions of the benchmarking tool if needed, gathering and entering
information on building characteristics and energy use into the tool,
and preparing/submitting the ENERGY STAR application materials to EPA.
The burden for applying for an ENERGY STAR Award is estimated to range
from 2 to 26.5 hours per respondent. This includes time for preparing
and submitting the awards application materials to EPA.
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 annual number of potential respondents: 6,000.
Frequency of response: One-time, annually, and/or periodically,
depending on the type of respondent and collection.
Estimated total annual respondent burden hours: 54,500.
Estimated total annual respondent costs: $5,436,710, including
$3,574,491 in labor costs and $1,862,219 in O&M costs. There are no
capital/start-up costs to respondents.
Are There Changes in the Estimates From the Last Approval?
The burden estimates presented in this document are from the last
approval. EPA is currently evaluating and updating these estimates as
part of the ICR renewal process. EPA will discuss its updated
estimates, as well as changes from the last approval, in the next
Federal Register notice to be issued for this renewal.
[[Page 40186]]
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 320.5(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: August 5, 2009.
Kathleen Hogan,
Director, Climate Protection Partnerships Division.
[FR Doc. E9-19188 Filed 8-10-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P