Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Continuous Release Reporting Regulations (CRRR) Under CERCLA 1980 (Renewal), 37809-37811 [2011-16193]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 124 / Tuesday, June 28, 2011 / Notices Dated: June 21, 2011. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Appendix [Docket No. TS11–4–000] Discussion Topics for Technical Conference on Performance Measurement of Demand Response in the PJM Capacity Market, July 29, 2011 I. Reliability Issues 1. Whether the customer baseline load (CBL) or peak load contribution (PLC) is a more accurate capacity market performance measure of what a demand response customer would have consumed in the absence of an instruction to reduce load. 2. Whether a demand response resource should be obligated to reduce below its PLC during an emergency event, even if the magnitude of supply that the resource is providing is otherwise equivalent to its capacity commitment. 3. Whether the current PJM add-back process under the guaranteed load drop (GLD) option, which is used to calculate peak load for capacity for the following delivery year, accurately reflects the fact that the load reduction of an over-performing demand response customer (a customer that provides a level of response greater than the MW nominated for it in the capacity auction) has been used to support an under-performing customer (a customer that provides a level of response less than the nominated MW) in a portfolio aggregated to meet the capacity commitment. 4. Whether PJM dispatchers account for PLCs during an emergency. 5. Whether any load in PJM can be at load levels in excess of PLC during an emergency. II. Capacity Obligations 6. Discuss the capacity obligations of enduse customers whose demand response resources have been committed in a prior RPM auction. 7. Whether the PLC limit on nominations in the capacity auction should serve as a basis for requiring load reductions of capacity resources to be below PLC. III. Load Reductions and Incentives 8. Whether the same MW reduction that is voluntarily made by a peak shaving customer in order to reduce capacity costs should also be eligible to receive incentives from PJM’s Load Management programs. 9. Whether the current GLD option provides an incentive for aggregators to offset under-performing resources with resources that over-perform. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES IV. Impact of PJM’s Proposal 10. Whether PJM’s proposal undermines the GLD methodology. 11. Whether PJM’s proposal unduly discriminates against resources on days other than the coincident peak days and whether PJM’s proposal negatively affects Annual Demand Resource aggregations. [FR Doc. 2011–16174 Filed 6–27–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:46 Jun 27, 2011 Jkt 223001 The Connecticut Transmission Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative; Notice of Request for Waiver or Exemption Take notice that on June 8, 2011, the Connecticut Transmission Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative filed a petition requesting full waiver or exemption from any reciprocity-based standards of conduct requirements under Order Nos. 899, FERC Stats. & Regs. ¶ 31,035 (2006), or Order No. 717, FERC Stats. & Regs. ¶ 31,280 (2008). Any person desiring to intervene or to protest in any of the above proceedings must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214) on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on the specified comment date. It is not necessary to separately intervene again in a subdocket related to a compliance filing if you have previously intervened in the same docket. Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Anyone filing a motion to intervene or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant. In reference to filings initiating a new proceeding, interventions or protests submitted on or before the comment deadline need not be served on persons other than the Applicant. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper, using the FERC Online links at https:// www.ferc.gov. To facilitate electronic service, persons with Internet access who will eFile a document and/or be listed as a contact for an intervenor must create and validate an eRegistration account using the eRegistration link. Select the eFiling link to log on and submit the intervention or protests. Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the intervention or protest to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First St., NE., Washington, DC 20426. The filings in the above proceedings are accessible in the Commission’s eLibrary system by clicking on the appropriate link in the above list. They are also available for review in the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 37809 eSubscription link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed dockets(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov. or call (866) 208–3676 (toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502–8659. Intervention and Protest Date: 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday June 29, 2011. Dated: June 22, 2011. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2011–16171 Filed 6–27–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–SFUND–2011–0523; FRL–9425–7] Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Continuous Release Reporting Regulations (CRRR) Under CERCLA 1980 (Renewal) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that EPA is planning to submit a request to renew an existing approved Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This ICR is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2011. 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 August 29, 2011. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ– SFUND–2011–0523, by one of the following methods: • https://www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. • E-mail: superfund.docket@epa.gov. • Fax: (202) 566–9744. • Mail: Superfund Docket, Environmental Protection Agency, Mailcode: [2822T], 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460. • Hand Delivery: EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket’s normal hours of operation, and special SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\28JNN1.SGM 28JNN1 37810 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 124 / Tuesday, June 28, 2011 / Notices arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information. Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–SFUND–2011– 0523, 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: Lynn M. Beasley, Regulation and Policy Development Division, Office of Emergency Operations (5104A), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 564–1965; fax number: (202) 564–2625; e-mail address: Beasley.lynn@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 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–SFUND–2011–0523, which is available for online viewing at https:// www.regulations.gov, or in person viewing at the Superfund Docket in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA/ VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:46 Jun 27, 2011 Jkt 223001 DC 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 Superfund Docket is 202–566–0276. 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. PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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 not defined. The usage and release of hazardous substances are pervasive throughout industry. EPA expects a number of different industrial categories to report hazardous substance releases under the provisions of the CRRR. No one industry sector or group of sectors is disproportionately affected by the information collection burden. Title: Continuous Release Reporting Regulations (CRRR) under CERCLA 1980 (Renewal). ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 1445.11, OMB Control No. 2050–0086. ICR status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on December 31, 2011. 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: Section 103(a) of CERCLA, as amended, requires the person in charge of a vessel or facility to immediately notify the National Response Center (NRC) of a hazardous substance release into the environment if the amount of the release equals or exceeds the substance’s reportable quantity (RQ). The RQ of every hazardous substance can be found in Table 302.4 of 40 CFR 302.4. Section 103(f)(2) of CERCLA provides facilities relief from this per-occurrence notification requirement if the hazardous substance release at or above the RQ is continuous and stable in quantity and rate. Under the Continuous Release Reporting Requirements (CRRR), to report such a release as a continuous release you must make an initial telephone call to the NRC, an E:\FR\FM\28JNN1.SGM 28JNN1 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 124 / Tuesday, June 28, 2011 / Notices initial written report to the EPA Region, and, if the source and chemical composition of the continuous release does not change and the level of the continuous release does not significantly increase, a follow-up written report to the EPA Region one year after submission of the initial written report. If the source or chemical composition of the previously reported continuous release changes, notifying the NRC and EPA Region of a change in the source or composition of the release is required. Further, a significant increase in the level of the previously reported continuous release must be reported immediately to the NRC according to section 103(a) of CERCLA. Finally, any change in information submitted in support of a continuous release notification must be reported to the EPA Region. The reporting of a hazardous substance release that is equal to or above the substance’s RQ allows the Federal government to determine whether a Federal response action is required to control or mitigate any potential adverse effects to public health or welfare or the environment. The continuous release of hazardous substance information collected under CERCLA section 103(f)(2) is also available to EPA program offices and other Federal agencies who use the information to evaluate the potential need for additional regulations, new permitting requirements for specific substances or sources, or improved emergency response planning. State and local government authorities and facilities subject to the CRRR use release information for purposes of local emergency response planning. Members of the public, who have access to release information through the Freedom of Information Act, may request release information for purposes of maintaining an awareness of what types of releases are occurring in different localities and what actions, if any, are being taken to protect public health and welfare and the environment. 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 40 CFR are listed in 40 CFR part 9. The EPA would like to solicit comments 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; VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:46 Jun 27, 2011 Jkt 223001 (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. Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 10.2 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: 3,856. Frequency of response: On occasion. Estimated total average number of responses for each respondent: 8. Estimated total annual burden hours: 315,176 hours. Estimated total annual costs: $15,456,936. This includes an estimated burden cost of $15,310,231and an estimated cost of $146,705 for capital investment or maintenance and operational costs. For this renewal, we are also providing estimates for use of Continuous Release Reporting Forms (the Forms). The ICR provides a detailed explanation of the Agency’s estimate for use of the Forms, which is briefly summarized here: Estimated total annual burden hours: 315,899 hours. Estimated total annual costs: $15,453,810. This includes an estimated burden cost of $15,307,105 and an PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 37811 estimated cost of $146,705 for capital investment or maintenance and operational costs. Are there changes in the estimates from the last approval? There is an increase of 14,458 hours in the total estimated respondent burden compared with that identified in the ICR currently approved by OMB. This increase reflects EPA’s use of data on the actual number of continuous release reports from several regions and applying a growth rate consistent with prior years reporting. The average annual percent increase in facilities in the previous ICR was approximately 7.5%. The same percent increase was assumed for this ICR. The unit burden hours per respondent information collection activity remains the same as the previous ICR. 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: June 22, 2011. Kimberly J. Jennings, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Emergency Management. [FR Doc. 2011–16193 Filed 6–27–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–OEI–2006–0037, FRL–9425–2] Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Exchange Network Grants Progress Report (Renewal) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: 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 SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\28JNN1.SGM 28JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 124 (Tuesday, June 28, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37809-37811]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-16193]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-SFUND-2011-0523; FRL-9425-7]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Continuous Release Reporting Regulations (CRRR) Under 
CERCLA 1980 (Renewal)

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 is 
scheduled to expire on December 31, 2011. 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 August 29, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
SFUND-2011-0523, by one of the following methods:
     https://www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line 
instructions for submitting comments.
     E-mail: superfund.docket@epa.gov.
     Fax: (202) 566-9744.
     Mail: Superfund Docket, Environmental Protection Agency, 
Mailcode: [2822T], 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.
     Hand Delivery: EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution 
Ave., NW., Washington, DC. Such deliveries are only accepted during the 
Docket's normal hours of operation, and special

[[Page 37810]]

arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information.
    Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-SFUND-
2011-0523, 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: Lynn M. Beasley, Regulation and Policy 
Development Division, Office of Emergency Operations (5104A), 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 564-1965; fax number: 
(202) 564-2625; e-mail address: Beasley.lynn@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

How can I access the docket and/or submit comments?

    EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID 
No. EPA-HQ-SFUND-2011-0523, which is available for online viewing at 
https://www.regulations.gov, or in person viewing at the Superfund 
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 8:30 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 Superfund Docket is 202-566-
0276.
    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 
not defined. The usage and release of hazardous substances are 
pervasive throughout industry. EPA expects a number of different 
industrial categories to report hazardous substance releases under the 
provisions of the CRRR. No one industry sector or group of sectors is 
disproportionately affected by the information collection burden.
    Title: Continuous Release Reporting Regulations (CRRR) under CERCLA 
1980 (Renewal).
    ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 1445.11, OMB Control No. 2050-0086.
    ICR status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on December 
31, 2011. 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: Section 103(a) of CERCLA, as amended, requires the person 
in charge of a vessel or facility to immediately notify the National 
Response Center (NRC) of a hazardous substance release into the 
environment if the amount of the release equals or exceeds the 
substance's reportable quantity (RQ). The RQ of every hazardous 
substance can be found in Table 302.4 of 40 CFR 302.4.
    Section 103(f)(2) of CERCLA provides facilities relief from this 
per-occurrence notification requirement if the hazardous substance 
release at or above the RQ is continuous and stable in quantity and 
rate. Under the Continuous Release Reporting Requirements (CRRR), to 
report such a release as a continuous release you must make an initial 
telephone call to the NRC, an

[[Page 37811]]

initial written report to the EPA Region, and, if the source and 
chemical composition of the continuous release does not change and the 
level of the continuous release does not significantly increase, a 
follow-up written report to the EPA Region one year after submission of 
the initial written report. If the source or chemical composition of 
the previously reported continuous release changes, notifying the NRC 
and EPA Region of a change in the source or composition of the release 
is required. Further, a significant increase in the level of the 
previously reported continuous release must be reported immediately to 
the NRC according to section 103(a) of CERCLA. Finally, any change in 
information submitted in support of a continuous release notification 
must be reported to the EPA Region.
    The reporting of a hazardous substance release that is equal to or 
above the substance's RQ allows the Federal government to determine 
whether a Federal response action is required to control or mitigate 
any potential adverse effects to public health or welfare or the 
environment. The continuous release of hazardous substance information 
collected under CERCLA section 103(f)(2) is also available to EPA 
program offices and other Federal agencies who use the information to 
evaluate the potential need for additional regulations, new permitting 
requirements for specific substances or sources, or improved emergency 
response planning. State and local government authorities and 
facilities subject to the CRRR use release information for purposes of 
local emergency response planning. Members of the public, who have 
access to release information through the Freedom of Information Act, 
may request release information for purposes of maintaining an 
awareness of what types of releases are occurring in different 
localities and what actions, if any, are being taken to protect public 
health and welfare and the environment. 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 40 CFR are listed in 
40 CFR part 9.
    The EPA would like to solicit comments 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.
    Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping 
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 10.2 
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: 3,856.
    Frequency of response: On occasion.
    Estimated total average number of responses for each respondent: 8.
    Estimated total annual burden hours: 315,176 hours.
    Estimated total annual costs: $15,456,936. This includes an 
estimated burden cost of $15,310,231and an estimated cost of $146,705 
for capital investment or maintenance and operational costs.
    For this renewal, we are also providing estimates for use of 
Continuous Release Reporting Forms (the Forms). The ICR provides a 
detailed explanation of the Agency's estimate for use of the Forms, 
which is briefly summarized here:
    Estimated total annual burden hours: 315,899 hours.
    Estimated total annual costs: $15,453,810. This includes an 
estimated burden cost of $15,307,105 and an estimated cost of $146,705 
for capital investment or maintenance and operational costs.

Are there changes in the estimates from the last approval?

    There is an increase of 14,458 hours in the total estimated 
respondent burden compared with that identified in the ICR currently 
approved by OMB. This increase reflects EPA's use of data on the actual 
number of continuous release reports from several regions and applying 
a growth rate consistent with prior years reporting. The average annual 
percent increase in facilities in the previous ICR was approximately 
7.5%. The same percent increase was assumed for this ICR. The unit 
burden hours per respondent information collection activity remains the 
same as the previous ICR.

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: June 22, 2011.
Kimberly J. Jennings,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Emergency Management.
[FR Doc. 2011-16193 Filed 6-27-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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