Proposed Information Collection Request; Renewal; EPA's Natural Gas STAR Program, 45126-45127 [2018-19254]

Download as PDF 45126 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 172 / Wednesday, September 5, 2018 / Notices Dated: August 13, 2018. Delores Barber, Director, Information Technology and Resources Management Division, Office of Pesticide Programs. [FR Doc. 2018–19261 Filed 9–4–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–OAR–2004–0075; FRL–9983–24– OAR] Clean Air Act Advisory Committee (CAAAC): Notice of Meeting Dated: August 21, 2018. John Shoaff, Director, Office of Air Policy and Program Support. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of meeting. [FR Doc. 2018–19253 Filed 9–4–18; 8:45 am] The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announces an upcoming meeting for the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee (CAAAC). The EPA established the CAAAC on November 19, 1990, to provide independent advice and counsel to EPA on policy issues associated with implementation of the Clean Air Act of 1990. The Committee advises EPA on economic, environmental, technical, scientific and enforcement policy issues. DATES: Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. App. 2 Section 10(a)(2), notice is hereby given that the CAAAC will hold its next faceto-face meeting on Wednesday, September 26th, 2018 from 1:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m., continuing Thursday September 27th, 2018 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon. ADDRESSES: The meeting will take place at the Holiday Inn Arlington at Ballston, 4610 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AGENCY: BILLING CODE 6560–50–P SUMMARY: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES requesting information under docket EPA–HQ–OAR–2004–0075. The docket office can be reached by email at: a-andr-Docket@epa.gov or FAX: 202–566– 9744. For information on access or services for individuals with disabilities, please contact Lorraine Reddick at reddick.lorraine@epa.gov, preferably at least 10 days prior to the meeting to give EPA as much time as possible to process your request. Larry Weinstock, Designated Federal Official, Clean Air Act Advisory Committee (6103A), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: 202–564–9226; email address: weinstock.larry@epa.gov. Additional information about this meeting, the CAAAC, and its subcommittees and workgroups can be found on the CAAAC website: https:// www.epa.gov/oar/caaac/. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The committee agenda and any documents prepared for the meeting will be publicly available on the CAAAC website at https://www.epa.gov/oar/ caaac/ prior to the meeting. Thereafter, these documents, together with CAAAC meeting minutes, will be available on the CAAAC website or by contacting the Office of Air and Radiation Docket and VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:04 Sep 04, 2018 Jkt 244001 [EPA–HQ–OAR–2004–0082; FRL–9983–36– OAR] Proposed Information Collection Request; Renewal; EPA’s Natural Gas STAR Program Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to submit a renewal information collection request (ICR), ‘‘EPA’s Natural Gas STAR Program’’ (EPA–HQ–OAR–2004–0082, OMB Control No. 2060–0328) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Before doing so, EPA is soliciting public comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described below. Specifically, EPA is proposing to replace the current Program’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a Partnership Agreement (PA), update the calculations used to estimate methane reductions, and create a vendor service provider directory. This is a renewal with modification of the existing ICR which expires on March 31, 2019. 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. DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before November 5, 2018. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing Docket ID No. EPA–HQ– OAR–2004–0082 online using www.regulations.gov (our preferred method), by email to a-and-r-Docket@ SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 epa.gov, or by mail to: EPA Docket Center, Environmental Protection Agency, Mail Code 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460. EPA’s policy is that all comments received will be included in the public docket without change including any personal information provided, unless the comment includes profanity, threats, information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jerome Blackman, Office of Atmospheric Programs, Climate Change Division, (6207A), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: 202–343–9630; fax number: 202–343–2342; email address: Blackman.Jerome@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supporting documents which explain in detail the information that the EPA will be collecting are available in the public docket for this ICR. The docket can be viewed online at www.regulations.gov or in person at the EPA Docket Center, WJC West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC. The telephone number for the Docket Center is 202–566–1744. For additional information about EPA’s public docket, visit https://www.epa.gov/dockets. Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, EPA is soliciting 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. 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. At that time, EPA will issue another Federal Register notice to announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the opportunity to submit additional comments to OMB. E:\FR\FM\05SEN1.SGM 05SEN1 daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 172 / Wednesday, September 5, 2018 / Notices Abstract: Natural Gas STAR is a voluntary program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that encourages oil and natural gas companies to adopt cost effective technologies and practice that improve operational efficiency and reduce methane emissions. Methane is the primary component of natural gas and a potent greenhouse gas. The Program works with oil and natural gas companies in the production, gathering & processing, transmission, and distribution sectors to remove barriers that inhibit the implementation of technologies and practices that reduce methane emissions. The Program effectively promotes the adoption of emission reduction technologies and practices by helping Natural Gas Star partners evaluate Best Management Practices (BMPs) and Partner Reported Opportunities (PROs) in the context of their current operations, and implement them where cost effective. Implementation of the Program’s BMPs and PROs saves participants money, improves operational efficiency, and enhances the protection of the environment. Form Numbers: Companies that wish to become Natural Gas STAR partners sign and submit an one-page Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to EPA that describes the terms of participation in the Program. The MOU forms covered under this ICR include: • Production Partners: EPA Form No. 5900–105 • Transmission Partners: EPA Form No. 5900–96 • Distribution Partners: EPA Form No. 5900–98 • Gathering and Processing Partners: EPA Form No. 5900–101 Partners agree to complete and submit a Natural Gas STAR Implementation Plan within six to twelve months of signing the MOU. The Implementation Plan forms covered under this ICR include: • Production Partners: EPA Form No. 5900–103 • Transmission Partners: EPA Form No. 5900–109 • Distribution Partners: EPA Form No. 5900–97 • Gathering and Processing Partners: EPA Form No. 5900–100 After one full year of participation in the Program, partners submit an annual report documenting the previous year’s methane emission reduction activities. The annual reporting forms covered under this ICR include: • Production Partners: EPA Form No. 5900–104 VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:04 Sep 04, 2018 Jkt 244001 • Transmission Partners: EPA Form No. 5900–95 • Distribution Partners: EPA Form No. 5900–99 • Gathering and Processing Partners: EPA Form No. 5900–102 Respondents/affected entities: The gathering and processing, production, transmission, and distribution sectors of the natural gas industry. Respondent’s obligation to respond: Voluntary. Estimated number of respondents: 92 (total). Frequency of response: Annual and semi-annual. Total estimated burden: 1,991 hours (per year). Burden is defined at 5 CFR 1320.03(b). Total estimated cost: $184,242 (per year), there are no capital/start-up costs or O&M costs associated with this information collection. Changes in Estimates: EPA expects that the burden associated with the final ICR submission will decrease slightly due to the Program’s maturity and participation of companies in the new Methane Challenge Program. Dated: August 29, 2018. Paul M. Gunning, Director, Climate Change Division. [FR Doc. 2018–19254 Filed 9–4–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL9982–95—Region 1] Proposed CERCLA Administrative Cost Recovery Settlement: Former Lawrence Metals Site, Chelsea, Massachusetts Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of proposed settlement; request for public comments. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given of a proposed administrative cost settlement for recovery of response costs concerning the Former Lawrence Metals Site, located in Chelsea, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, with the Settling Party, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The proposed settlement requires the Settling Party pay EPA $200,000 to settle EPA’s past response costs, which amount to approximately $8,235,772. In exchange, EPA will provide the Settling Party with a covenant not to sue for past costs. The settlement has been approved by the Environmental and Natural Resources Division of the United States Department of Justice. For 30 days SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 45127 following the date of publication of this notice, the Agency will receive written comments relating to the settlement for recovery of response costs. The Agency will consider all comments received and may modify or withdraw its consent to this cost recovery settlement if comments received disclose facts or considerations which indicate that the settlement is inappropriate, improper, or inadequate. The Agency’s response to any comments received will be available for public inspection at the Environmental Protection Agency— Region I, 5 Post Office Square, Suite 100, Boston, MA 02109–3912. DATES: Comments must be submitted by October 5, 2018. ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Man Chak Ng, Senior Enforcement Counsel, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 5 Post Office Square, Suite 100 (OES04– 2), Boston, MA 02109–3912 (Telephone No. 617–918–1785) and should reference the Former Lawrence Metals Site, U.S. EPA Docket No: CERCLA 01– 2018–0047. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A copy of the proposed settlement may be obtained from Stacy Greendlinger, Office of Site Remediation and Restoration, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region I, 5 Post Office Square, Suite 100 (OSRR02–2), Boston, MA 02109–3912, (617) 918– 1403; greendlinger.stacy@epa.gov. Technical questions can also be directed to Stacy Greendlinger. For legal questions, Man Chak Ng, Office of Environmental Stewardship, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region I, 5 Post Office Square, Suite 100 (OES04–2), Boston, MA 02109–3912, (617) 918–1785; ng.manchak@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This proposed administrative settlement for recovery of past response costs concerning the Former Lawrence Metals Site, located in Chelsea, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, is made in accordance with Section 122(h)(l) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). EPA covenants not to sue or take administrative action against the Settling Party, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, pursuant to Section 107(a) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9607(a), for Past Response Costs. In exchange, the Settling Party agrees to pay EPA $200,000. Payment of such amount shall be due within 10 days after the Effective Date and, if timely paid, shall include no interest. If payment is not paid as stipulated, interest shall accrue beginning as of the Effective Date and shall continue to E:\FR\FM\05SEN1.SGM 05SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 5, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45126-45127]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-19254]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OAR-2004-0082; FRL-9983-36-OAR]


Proposed Information Collection Request; Renewal; EPA's Natural 
Gas STAR Program

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to 
submit a renewal information collection request (ICR), ``EPA's Natural 
Gas STAR Program'' (EPA-HQ-OAR-2004-0082, OMB Control No. 2060-0328) to 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in 
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). 
Before doing so, EPA is soliciting public comments on specific aspects 
of the proposed information collection as described below. 
Specifically, EPA is proposing to replace the current Program's 
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a Partnership Agreement (PA), 
update the calculations used to estimate methane reductions, and create 
a vendor service provider directory. This is a renewal with 
modification of the existing ICR which expires on March 31, 2019. 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.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before November 5, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-
2004-0082 online using www.regulations.gov (our preferred method), by 
email to [email protected], or by mail to: EPA Docket Center, 
Environmental Protection Agency, Mail Code 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania 
Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460.
    EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in the 
public docket without change including any personal information 
provided, unless the comment includes profanity, threats, information 
claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jerome Blackman, Office of Atmospheric 
Programs, Climate Change Division, (6207A), Environmental Protection 
Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460; telephone 
number: 202-343-9630; fax number: 202-343-2342; email address: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supporting documents which explain in detail 
the information that the EPA will be collecting are available in the 
public docket for this ICR. The docket can be viewed online at 
www.regulations.gov or in person at the EPA Docket Center, WJC West, 
Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC. The telephone 
number for the Docket Center is 202-566-1744. For additional 
information about EPA's public docket, visit https://www.epa.gov/dockets.
    Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, EPA is soliciting 
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. 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. At that time, EPA will issue another Federal Register notice 
to announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the opportunity to 
submit additional comments to OMB.

[[Page 45127]]

    Abstract: Natural Gas STAR is a voluntary program sponsored by the 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that encourages oil and 
natural gas companies to adopt cost effective technologies and practice 
that improve operational efficiency and reduce methane emissions. 
Methane is the primary component of natural gas and a potent greenhouse 
gas. The Program works with oil and natural gas companies in the 
production, gathering & processing, transmission, and distribution 
sectors to remove barriers that inhibit the implementation of 
technologies and practices that reduce methane emissions. The Program 
effectively promotes the adoption of emission reduction technologies 
and practices by helping Natural Gas Star partners evaluate Best 
Management Practices (BMPs) and Partner Reported Opportunities (PROs) 
in the context of their current operations, and implement them where 
cost effective. Implementation of the Program's BMPs and PROs saves 
participants money, improves operational efficiency, and enhances the 
protection of the environment.
    Form Numbers: Companies that wish to become Natural Gas STAR 
partners sign and submit an one-page Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 
to EPA that describes the terms of participation in the Program. The 
MOU forms covered under this ICR include:

 Production Partners: EPA Form No. 5900-105
 Transmission Partners: EPA Form No. 5900-96
 Distribution Partners: EPA Form No. 5900-98
 Gathering and Processing Partners: EPA Form No. 5900-101

    Partners agree to complete and submit a Natural Gas STAR 
Implementation Plan within six to twelve months of signing the MOU. The 
Implementation Plan forms covered under this ICR include:

 Production Partners: EPA Form No. 5900-103
 Transmission Partners: EPA Form No. 5900-109
 Distribution Partners: EPA Form No. 5900-97
 Gathering and Processing Partners: EPA Form No. 5900-100

    After one full year of participation in the Program, partners 
submit an annual report documenting the previous year's methane 
emission reduction activities. The annual reporting forms covered under 
this ICR include:

 Production Partners: EPA Form No. 5900-104
 Transmission Partners: EPA Form No. 5900-95
 Distribution Partners: EPA Form No. 5900-99
 Gathering and Processing Partners: EPA Form No. 5900-102

    Respondents/affected entities: The gathering and processing, 
production, transmission, and distribution sectors of the natural gas 
industry.
    Respondent's obligation to respond: Voluntary.
    Estimated number of respondents: 92 (total).
    Frequency of response: Annual and semi-annual.
    Total estimated burden: 1,991 hours (per year). Burden is defined 
at 5 CFR 1320.03(b).
    Total estimated cost: $184,242 (per year), there are no capital/
start-up costs or O&M costs associated with this information 
collection.
    Changes in Estimates: EPA expects that the burden associated with 
the final ICR submission will decrease slightly due to the Program's 
maturity and participation of companies in the new Methane Challenge 
Program.

    Dated: August 29, 2018.
Paul M. Gunning,
Director, Climate Change Division.
[FR Doc. 2018-19254 Filed 9-4-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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