Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Reporting Under EPA's Landfill Methane Outreach Program; EPA ICR No. 1849.06, 4297-4299 [2012-1821]

Agencies

• ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 18 (Friday, January 27, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4297-4299]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-1821]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0078; FRL-9623-5]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Reporting Under EPA's Landfill Methane Outreach 
Program; EPA ICR No. 1849.06

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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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 04/30/2012. 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 March 27, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OAR-2003-0078 by one of the following methods:
     https://www.regulations.gov: Follow the online instructions 
for submitting comments.
     Email: a-and-r-Docket@epa.gov.
     Fax Number: (202) 566-9744.
     Phone Number: (202) 566-1742.
     Mail: Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0078, Environmental 
Protection Agency, Mailcode: 2822T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., 
Washington, DC 20460.
     Hand Delivery: EPA Docket Center, 1301 Constitution Ave. 
NW., Room 3334, Washington, DC 20460 (Attention Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OAR-2003-0078). 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-
2003-0078. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included 
in the public docket without change and may be made available on line 
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 email. 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 email comment directly to EPA without 
going through https://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/dockets/index.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Victoria Ludwig, Climate Change 
Division, Office of Atmospheric Programs, 6207J, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20460; 
telephone number: (202) 343-9291; fax number: (202) 343-2202; email 
address: ludwig.victoria@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-2003-0078, which is available for online viewing at 
https://www.regulations.gov, or in person viewing at the Air and 
Radiation Docket in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room 
3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC. The EPA/DC Public 
Reading Room is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room is 
(202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the Air and Radiation 
Docket is (202) 566-1742.
    Use https://www.regulations.gov to obtain a copy of the existing 
approved Information Collection Request EPA ICR No. 1849.05, submit or 
view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the 
docket, and 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.

[[Page 4298]]

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 
those private companies and municipalities that own or operate 
landfills; manufacturers and suppliers of equipment/knowledge to 
capture and utilize landfill gas; utility companies; end users of 
energy from landfills; developers of landfill gas energy projects; 
State agencies; and other landfill gas energy stakeholders.
    Title: Reporting Under EPA's Landfill Methane Outreach Program.
    ICR Numbers: EPA ICR Number 1849.06, OMB Control Number 2060-0446.
    ICR Status: This ICR will expire on 4/30/12. An Agency may not 
conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a 
collection of information, unless it displays a currently valid OMB 
control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's regulations in Title 
40 of the CFR, after appearing in the Federal Register when approved, 
are listed in 40 CFR part 9, and are displayed either by publication in 
the Federal Register or by other appropriate means, such as on the 
related collection instrument or form, if applicable. The display of 
OMB control numbers in certain EPA regulations is consolidated in 40 
CFR part 9.
    Abstract: The Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP), created by 
EPA as part of the Climate Change Action Plan, is a voluntary program 
designed to encourage and facilitate the development of environmentally 
and economically sound landfill gas (LFG) energy projects across the 
United States in order to reduce methane emissions from landfills. LMOP 
does this by educating local governments and communities about the 
benefits of LFG recovery and use; building partnerships between state 
agencies, industry, energy service providers, local communities, and 
other stakeholders interested in developing this valuable resource in 
their community; and providing tools to evaluate LFG energy potential. 
LMOP signs voluntary Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with these 
organizations to enlist their support in promoting cost-effective LFG 
utilization. The information collection includes completion and 
submission of the MOU, and annual completion and submission of 
information forms that include basic information on landfill methane 
projects with which the organizations are involved as an effort to 
update the LMOP Landfill and Landfill Gas Energy Project Database. The 
information collection is to be utilized to maintain up-to-date data 
and information about LMOP Partners and landfill methane projects with 
which they are involved. The data will also be used by the public to 
assess LFG energy project development opportunities in the United 
States. In addition, the information collection will assist LMOP in 
evaluating the reduction of methane emissions from landfills. Responses 
to the information collection are voluntary.
    Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping 
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 3.2 
hours for each respondent. 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: An 
average of 1,220 existing Partners and an additional 113 new Partners 
per year.
     Frequency of response: On occasion.
     Estimated total average number of responses for each 
respondent: 1.8 responses per new respondent and 0.8 responses per 
existing respondent.
     Estimated total annual burden hours: 4,215 hours.
     Estimated total annual costs: $334,298 per year. This 
includes an estimated burden cost of $333,959 and an estimated cost of 
$339 for maintenance and operational costs.

Are there changes in the estimates from the last approval?

    There is a decrease of 1,670 hours in the total estimated annual 
respondent burden and a decrease in average annual burden per 
respondent of 1.5 hours compared with the burdens identified in the 
existing ICR approved by OMB. The existing approved ICR included a one-
time, large-scale outreach to 1,000 additional landfill owners and 
operators. This activity and group of entities are not included in the 
scope of this ICR renewal, resulting in the overall decreases in total 
hours and hours per respondent. This change is the result of a program 
change. However, in the last approved ICR, Energy Partners were not 
requested to update landfill gas energy project data, and under this 
renewal, Energy Partners will be requested to provide updates on their 
involvement in these projects. Also, there has been growth in the 
number of overall Partners since the last renewal. There were 675 
Partners as of July 2007, whereas there are 994 Partners as of 
September 2011, a 47 percent increase in four years. These changes 
offset the magnitude of the overall burden decrease. There have been no 
major changes in how the information forms or MOU are dispersed or 
collected since the last renewal. LMOP has previously implemented 
simplifications and other changes to increase the efficiency of its ICR 
process.

What is the next step in the process for this ICR?

    EPA will consider the comments received and amend the ICR as 
appropriate. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be 
included in the public docket without change and may be made available 
on line at https://www.regulations.gov. EPA's responses to any comments 
received will also be included in the public docket, as part of the 
supporting statement document. 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

[[Page 4299]]

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: January 19, 2012.
Rona Birnbaum,
Acting Director, Climate Change Division.
[FR Doc. 2012-1821 Filed 1-26-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P