Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Recordkeeping and Periodic Reporting of the Production, Import, Recycling, Destruction, Transhipment, and Feedstock Use of Ozone-Depleting Substances (Renewal), 74055-74057 [2011-30855]
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 230 / Wednesday, November 30, 2011 / Notices
Are there changes in the estimates from
the last approval?
There is a decrease of 17,796 hours in
the total estimated respondent burden
compared with that identified in the ICR
currently approved by OMB. This
decrease reflects EPA’s phase down of
the Climate Leaders program on
September 30, 2011. As a result, the
number of respondents to this ICR
decreased to include only those 46
small businesses participating in the
joint EPA–GSA Federal Supplier
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory
Pilot.
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: November 21, 2011.
Elizabeth Craig,
Director, Climate Protection Partnerships
Division.
[FR Doc. 2011–30850 Filed 11–29–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[EPA–HQ–OAR–2011–0891; FRL–9498–3]
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Proposed Collection;
Comment Request; Protection of
Stratospheric Ozone: Recordkeeping
and Periodic Reporting of the
Production, Import, Recycling,
Destruction, Transhipment, and
Feedstock Use of Ozone-Depleting
Substances (Renewal)
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
emcdonald on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
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, 1432.29, is scheduled to expire on
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:30 Nov 29, 2011
Jkt 226001
April 30, 2012. 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 January 30, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–
OAR–2011–0891 by one of the following
methods:
• https://www.regulations.gov: Follow
the on-line instructions for submitting
comments.
• Email: a-and-r-Docket@epa.gov.
• Fax: (202) 566–1741
• Mail: EPA–HQ–OAR–2011–0891,
Environmental Protection Agency,
Mailcode: 6205J, 1200 Pennsylvania
Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460.
• Hand Delivery: EPA–HQ–OAR–
2011–0891, Air and Radiation Docket at
EPA West, 1301 Constitution Avenue
NW., Room B108, Mail Code 6102T,
Washington, DC 20460. Such deliveries
are only accepted during the Docket’s
normal hours of operation, and special
arrangements should be made for
deliveries of boxed information.
Instructions: Direct your comments to
Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2011–
0891. 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 email. 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 email
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 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
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74055
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:
Staci Gatica, Stratospheric Protection
Division, Office of Atmospheric
Programs, (6205J), Environmental
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania
Ave., NW. Washington, DC 20460;
telephone number: (202) 343–9469; fax
number: (202) 343–2338; email address:
gatica.staci@epa.gov. You may also visit
the Ozone Depletion Web site of EPA’s
Stratospheric Protection Division at
www.epa.gov/ozone/strathome.html for
further information about EPA’s
Stratospheric Ozone Protection
regulations, the science of ozone layer
depletion, and related topics.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
How can I access the docket and/or
submit comments?
EPA has established a public docket
for this ICR under Docket ID No. EPA–
HQ–OAR–2011–0891, 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 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;
E:\FR\FM\30NON1.SGM
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74056
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 230 / Wednesday, November 30, 2011 / Notices
(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.
emcdonald on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
What information collection activity or
ICR does this apply to?
Affected entities: Entities potentially
affected by this action are producers,
importers, and distributors of Class I
ozone-depleting substances, including
chlorofluorocarbons, halons, and
quarantine and preshipment methyl
bromide, as well as research institutions
using such substances.
Title: Agency Information Collection
Activities; Proposed Collection;
Comment Request; Protection of
Stratospheric Ozone: Recordkeeping
and Periodic Reporting of the
Production, Import, Recycling,
Destruction, Transhipment, and
Feedstock Use of Ozone-Depleting
Substances (Renewal).
ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 1432.30,
OMB Control No. 2060–0170.
ICR status: EPA ICR 1432.29 is
currently scheduled to expire on April
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:30 Nov 29, 2011
Jkt 226001
30, 2012. An Agency may not conduct
or sponsor, and a person is not required
to respond to, a collection of
information, unless it displays a
currently valid OMB control number.
The OMB control numbers for EPA’s
regulations in Title 40 of the CFR, after
appearing in the Federal Register when
approved, are listed in 40 CFR part 9,
are displayed either by publication in
the Federal Register or by other
appropriate means, such as on the
related collection instrument or form, if
applicable. The display of OMB control
numbers in certain EPA regulations is
consolidated in 40 CFR part 9.
Abstract: EPA is seeking to renew
EPA ICR 1432.29 which authorizes the
recordkeeping and reporting
requirements established in the
regulations stated in 40 CFR part 82,
subpart A and as required by the United
States’ commitments under the
international treaty The Montreal
Protocol on Substances that Deplete the
Ozone Layer (Protocol). This
information collection allows EPA to
monitor the United States’ compliance
with the Protocol and Title VI of the
Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990
(CAA).
Under its Protocol commitments, the
United States is obligated to cease
production and import of Class I
controlled substances excluding
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) that are
subject to essential use exemptions,
methyl bromide that is subject to critical
use exemptions or exemptions for
quarantine and preshipment uses,
previously used material, and material
that will be transformed, destroyed, or
exported to developing countries. The
Protocol also establishes limits and
reduction schedules leading to the
eventual phaseout of Class II controlled
substances with similar exemptions
beyond the phaseout. In addition to the
Montreal Protocol, the CAA has its own
limits on production and consumption
of controlled substances that EPA must
adhere to and enforce.
Under 40 CFR 82.13, producers,
importers, exporters, and distributors of
Class I ozone-depleting substances
(ODS) must meet quarterly, annual, and/
or transactional recordkeeping and
reporting requirements. This
information collection is conducted to
meet U.S. obligations under the
Montreal Protocol. The information
collection request is required to obtain
a benefit under Title VI of the CAA,
added by Section 764 of the 1999
Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency
Supplemental Appropriations Act (Pub.
L. 105–277; October 21, 1998).
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The reporting and recordkeeping
requirements for Class I ODS will enable
EPA to:
1. Ensure compliance with the
restrictions on production, import, and
export of Class I controlled substances;
2. Allow exempted production and
import for certain uses and the
consequent tracking of that production
and import;
3. Address industry and Federal
concerns regarding the illegal import of
mislabeled used controlled substances;
4. Satisfy the United States’
obligations to report data under Article
7 of the Montreal Protocol;
5. Fulfill statutory obligations under
Section 603(b) of the CAA for reporting
and monitoring;
6. Provide information to report to the
U.S. Congress on the production, use,
and consumption of Class I controlled
substances as statutorily required in
Section 603(d) of Title VI of the CAA.
The reported data will enable EPA to:
1. Maintain compliance with the
Protocol requirements for annual data
submission on the production of ODS;
and
2. Analyze technical use data to
ensure that exemptions are used in
accordance with requirements included
in the annual authorization
rulemakings.
EPA informs respondents that they
may assert claims of business
confidentiality for any of the
information they submit. Information
claimed confidential will be treated in
accordance with the procedures for
handling information claimed as
confidential under 40 CFR Part 2,
Subpart B, and will be disclosed only to
the extent, and by means of the
procedures, set forth in Subpart B. If no
claim of confidentiality is asserted when
the information is received by EPA, it
may be made available to the public
without further notice to the
respondents (40 CFR 2.203).
Burden Statement: The annual public
reporting and recordkeeping burden for
this collection of information is
estimated to average 2.3 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
E:\FR\FM\30NON1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 230 / Wednesday, November 30, 2011 / Notices
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 draft supporting statement
available in the public docket provides
a detailed explanation of the Agency’s
estimate, which is only briefly
summarized here:
• Estimated total number of potential
respondents: 1143.
• Frequency of response:
—Producers, importers, exporters of
methyl bromide, laboratory suppliers,
and distributors of QPS methyl
bromide (Class I, Group VI
substances) are to report to EPA
quarterly (45 days after the end of
each quarter).
—Exporters (of non-methyl bromide
Class I substances), and persons that
destroy and transform Class I
controlled ODS are to report to EPA
annually (45 days after the end of the
control period).
—Persons wanting to transfer CFCs or
who petition to import used Class I
controlled substances are to submit
reports to EPA on a transactional
basis.
—All entities may be required to
provide other such information that
the Administrator may reasonably
require to comply with requests from
the Ozone Secretariat seeking
information required by decisions
taken by the Parties to the Montreal
Protocol.
• Estimated total annual burden
hours: 2583 hours.
• Estimated total annual costs:
$277,130. This includes an estimated
burden cost of $71,550 and an estimated
cost of $5,580 for capital investment or
maintenance and operational costs.
emcdonald on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Are there changes in the estimates from
the last approval?
There is a decrease of 227 hours in the
total estimated respondent burden
compared with that identified in the
EPA ICR 1432.29 which is currently
approved by OMB. This decrease is due
to the continued phaseout and
decreased use of Class I controlled
substances which subsequently reduces
reporting obligations. For example, the
exemption under the Montreal Protocol
allowing for production and export of
Class I controlled substances to
developing countries for basic domestic
needs expired in 2010. The burden and
cost estimates for the Agency decreased
due to revisions to the managerial
review of reporting forms. Most reviews
are done at the technical staff level. EPA
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:30 Nov 29, 2011
Jkt 226001
also now offers electronic reporting via
the Agency’s central data exchange
(CDX) to the regulated community
which has contributed to the reduction
in burden for both the Agency as well
as the regulated community.
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: November 20, 2011.
Drusilla Hufford,
Director, Stratospheric Protection Division.
[FR Doc. 2011–30855 Filed 11–29–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[FRL–9498–4]
Clean Water Act Section 303(d):
Availability of List Decisions
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice of availability.
AGENCY:
This notice announces the
availability of EPA’s action identifying
water quality limited segments and
associated pollutants in Louisiana to be
listed pursuant to Clean Water Act
Section 303(d), and request for public
comment. Section 303(d) requires that
States submit and EPA approve or
disapprove lists of waters for which
existing technology-based pollution
controls are not stringent enough to
attain or maintain State water quality
standards and for which total maximum
daily loads (TMDLs) must be prepared.
On November 17, 2011, EPA partially
approved and proposed to partially
disapprove Louisiana’s 2010 Section
303(d) submittal. Specifically, EPA
approved Louisiana’s listing of 410
waterbody pollutant combinations, and
associated priority rankings. EPA
proposed to disapprove Louisiana’s
decisions not to list three waterbodies.
These three waterbodies were added by
EPA because the applicable numeric
water quality standards marine criterion
SUMMARY:
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74057
for dissolved oxygen was not attained in
these segments.
EPA is providing the public the
opportunity to review its proposed
decisions to add the three waters to
Louisiana’s 2010 Section 303(d) List.
EPA will consider public comments and
if necessary amend its proposed action
on the additional waterbodies identified
for inclusion on Louisiana’s Final 2010
Section 303(d) List.
DATES: Comments must be submitted in
writing to EPA on or before December
30, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Comments on the decisions
should be sent to Diane Smith,
Environmental Protection Specialist,
Water Quality Protection Division, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency
Region 6, 1445 Ross Ave., Dallas, TX
75202–2733, telephone (214) 665–2145,
facsimile (214) 665–6490, or email:
smith.diane@epa.gov. Oral comments
will not be considered. Copies of the
documents which explain the rationale
for EPA’s decisions and a list of the 3
water quality limited segments for
which EPA proposed disapproval of
Louisiana’s decisions not to list can be
obtained at EPA Region 6’s web site at
https://www.epa.gov/region6/water/
npdes/tmdl/index.htm, or by writing or
calling Ms. Smith at the above address.
Underlying documents from the
administrative record for these
decisions are available for public
inspection at the above address. Please
contact Ms. Smith to schedule an
inspection.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Diane Smith at (214) 665–2145.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section
303(d) of the Clean Water Act (CWA)
requires that each State identify those
waters for which existing technologybased pollution controls are not
stringent enough to attain or maintain
State water quality standards. For those
waters, States are required to establish
Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
according to a priority ranking. EPA’s
Water Quality Planning and
Management regulations include
requirements related to the
implementation of Section 303(d) of the
CWA (40 CFR 130.7). The regulations
require States to identify water quality
limited waters still requiring TMDLs
every two years. The list of waters still
needing TMDLs must also include
priority rankings and must identify the
waters targeted for TMDL development
during the next two years (40 CFR
130.7). On March 31, 2000, EPA
promulgated a revision to this
regulation that waived the requirement
for States to submit Section 303(d) lists
in 2000 except in cases where a court
E:\FR\FM\30NON1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 230 (Wednesday, November 30, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 74055-74057]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-30855]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[EPA-HQ-OAR-2011-0891; FRL-9498-3]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection;
Comment Request; Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Recordkeeping and
Periodic Reporting of the Production, Import, Recycling, Destruction,
Transhipment, and Feedstock Use of Ozone-Depleting Substances (Renewal)
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that EPA is planning to
submit a request to renew an existing approved Information Collection
Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This ICR,
1432.29, is scheduled to expire on April 30, 2012. 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 January 30, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OAR-2011-0891 by one of the following methods:
https://www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line
instructions for submitting comments.
Email: a-and-r-Docket@epa.gov.
Fax: (202) 566-1741
Mail: EPA-HQ-OAR-2011-0891, Environmental Protection
Agency, Mailcode: 6205J, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC
20460.
Hand Delivery: EPA-HQ-OAR-2011-0891, Air and Radiation
Docket at EPA West, 1301 Constitution Avenue NW., Room B108, Mail Code
6102T, Washington, DC 20460. Such deliveries are only accepted during
the Docket's normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should
be made for deliveries of boxed information.
Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-
2011-0891. 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 email. 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 email 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 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: Staci Gatica, Stratospheric Protection
Division, Office of Atmospheric Programs, (6205J), Environmental
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW. Washington, DC 20460;
telephone number: (202) 343-9469; fax number: (202) 343-2338; email
address: gatica.staci@epa.gov. You may also visit the Ozone Depletion
Web site of EPA's Stratospheric Protection Division at www.epa.gov/ozone/strathome.html for further information about EPA's Stratospheric
Ozone Protection regulations, the science of ozone layer depletion, and
related topics.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
How can I access the docket and/or submit comments?
EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID
No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2011-0891, 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 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;
[[Page 74056]]
(iii) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information
to be collected; and
(iv) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those
who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic
submission of responses. In particular, EPA is requesting comments from
very small businesses (those that employ less than 25) on examples of
specific additional efforts that EPA could make to reduce the paperwork
burden for very small businesses affected by this collection.
What should I consider when I prepare my comments for EPA?
You may find the following suggestions helpful for preparing your
comments:
1. Explain your views as clearly as possible and provide specific
examples.
2. Describe any assumptions that you used.
3. Provide copies of any technical information and/or data you used
that support your views.
4. If you estimate potential burden or costs, explain how you
arrived at the estimate that you provide.
5. Offer alternative ways to improve the collection activity.
6. Make sure to submit your comments by the deadline identified
under DATES.
7. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, be sure to identify the docket
ID number assigned to this action in the subject line on the first page
of your response. You may also provide the name, date, and Federal
Register citation.
What information collection activity or ICR does this apply to?
Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are
producers, importers, and distributors of Class I ozone-depleting
substances, including chlorofluorocarbons, halons, and quarantine and
preshipment methyl bromide, as well as research institutions using such
substances.
Title: Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed
Collection; Comment Request; Protection of Stratospheric Ozone:
Recordkeeping and Periodic Reporting of the Production, Import,
Recycling, Destruction, Transhipment, and Feedstock Use of Ozone-
Depleting Substances (Renewal).
ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 1432.30, OMB Control No. 2060-0170.
ICR status: EPA ICR 1432.29 is currently scheduled to expire on
April 30, 2012. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is
not required to respond to, a collection of information, unless it
displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers
for EPA's regulations in Title 40 of the CFR, after appearing in the
Federal Register when approved, are listed in 40 CFR part 9, are
displayed either by publication in the Federal Register or by other
appropriate means, such as on the related collection instrument or
form, if applicable. The display of OMB control numbers in certain EPA
regulations is consolidated in 40 CFR part 9.
Abstract: EPA is seeking to renew EPA ICR 1432.29 which authorizes
the recordkeeping and reporting requirements established in the
regulations stated in 40 CFR part 82, subpart A and as required by the
United States' commitments under the international treaty The Montreal
Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (Protocol). This
information collection allows EPA to monitor the United States'
compliance with the Protocol and Title VI of the Clean Air Act
Amendments of 1990 (CAA).
Under its Protocol commitments, the United States is obligated to
cease production and import of Class I controlled substances excluding
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) that are subject to essential use
exemptions, methyl bromide that is subject to critical use exemptions
or exemptions for quarantine and preshipment uses, previously used
material, and material that will be transformed, destroyed, or exported
to developing countries. The Protocol also establishes limits and
reduction schedules leading to the eventual phaseout of Class II
controlled substances with similar exemptions beyond the phaseout. In
addition to the Montreal Protocol, the CAA has its own limits on
production and consumption of controlled substances that EPA must
adhere to and enforce.
Under 40 CFR 82.13, producers, importers, exporters, and
distributors of Class I ozone-depleting substances (ODS) must meet
quarterly, annual, and/or transactional recordkeeping and reporting
requirements. This information collection is conducted to meet U.S.
obligations under the Montreal Protocol. The information collection
request is required to obtain a benefit under Title VI of the CAA,
added by Section 764 of the 1999 Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency
Supplemental Appropriations Act (Pub. L. 105-277; October 21, 1998).
The reporting and recordkeeping requirements for Class I ODS will
enable EPA to:
1. Ensure compliance with the restrictions on production, import,
and export of Class I controlled substances;
2. Allow exempted production and import for certain uses and the
consequent tracking of that production and import;
3. Address industry and Federal concerns regarding the illegal
import of mislabeled used controlled substances;
4. Satisfy the United States' obligations to report data under
Article 7 of the Montreal Protocol;
5. Fulfill statutory obligations under Section 603(b) of the CAA
for reporting and monitoring;
6. Provide information to report to the U.S. Congress on the
production, use, and consumption of Class I controlled substances as
statutorily required in Section 603(d) of Title VI of the CAA.
The reported data will enable EPA to:
1. Maintain compliance with the Protocol requirements for annual
data submission on the production of ODS; and
2. Analyze technical use data to ensure that exemptions are used in
accordance with requirements included in the annual authorization
rulemakings.
EPA informs respondents that they may assert claims of business
confidentiality for any of the information they submit. Information
claimed confidential will be treated in accordance with the procedures
for handling information claimed as confidential under 40 CFR Part 2,
Subpart B, and will be disclosed only to the extent, and by means of
the procedures, set forth in Subpart B. If no claim of confidentiality
is asserted when the information is received by EPA, it may be made
available to the public without further notice to the respondents (40
CFR 2.203).
Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 2.3
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
[[Page 74057]]
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 draft supporting statement available in the public docket
provides a detailed explanation of the Agency's estimate, which is only
briefly summarized here:
Estimated total number of potential respondents: 1143.
Frequency of response:
--Producers, importers, exporters of methyl bromide, laboratory
suppliers, and distributors of QPS methyl bromide (Class I, Group VI
substances) are to report to EPA quarterly (45 days after the end of
each quarter).
--Exporters (of non-methyl bromide Class I substances), and persons
that destroy and transform Class I controlled ODS are to report to EPA
annually (45 days after the end of the control period).
--Persons wanting to transfer CFCs or who petition to import used Class
I controlled substances are to submit reports to EPA on a transactional
basis.
--All entities may be required to provide other such information that
the Administrator may reasonably require to comply with requests from
the Ozone Secretariat seeking information required by decisions taken
by the Parties to the Montreal Protocol.
Estimated total annual burden hours: 2583 hours.
Estimated total annual costs: $277,130. This includes an
estimated burden cost of $71,550 and an estimated cost of $5,580 for
capital investment or maintenance and operational costs.
Are there changes in the estimates from the last approval?
There is a decrease of 227 hours in the total estimated respondent
burden compared with that identified in the EPA ICR 1432.29 which is
currently approved by OMB. This decrease is due to the continued
phaseout and decreased use of Class I controlled substances which
subsequently reduces reporting obligations. For example, the exemption
under the Montreal Protocol allowing for production and export of Class
I controlled substances to developing countries for basic domestic
needs expired in 2010. The burden and cost estimates for the Agency
decreased due to revisions to the managerial review of reporting forms.
Most reviews are done at the technical staff level. EPA also now offers
electronic reporting via the Agency's central data exchange (CDX) to
the regulated community which has contributed to the reduction in
burden for both the Agency as well as the regulated community.
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: November 20, 2011.
Drusilla Hufford,
Director, Stratospheric Protection Division.
[FR Doc. 2011-30855 Filed 11-29-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
