Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; EPA's Methane Challenge and Natural Gas STAR Programs (Renewal), 79584-79585 [2024-22296]

Download as PDF 79584 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 189 / Monday, September 30, 2024 / Notices Comments must be submitted on or before November 29, 2024. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing Docket ID No. EPA–HQ– OEI–2011–0096, online using www.regulations.gov (our preferred method), by email to docket_oms@ 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: Nathan Wilkes, Office of Information Management, Office of Mission Support (2824T), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: 202–566–0335; email address: wilkes.nathan@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 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq), 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 ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 DATES: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:51 Sep 27, 2024 Jkt 262001 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. Abstract: The scope of this ICR is the electronic reporting components of the Cross-Media Electronic Reporting Rule (CROMERR), which is designed to: (i) allow EPA to comply with the Government Paperwork Elimination Act of 1998; (ii) provide a uniform, technology-neutral framework for electronic reporting across all EPA programs; (iii) allow EPA programs to offer electronic reporting as they become ready for CROMERR; and (iv) provide states with a streamlined process—together with a uniform set of standards—for approval of their electronic reporting provisions for all their EPA-authorized programs. Responses to the collection of information are voluntary. In order to accommodate CBI, the information collected must be in accordance with the confidentiality regulations set forth in 40 CFR part 2, subpart B. Additionally, EPA will ensure that the information collection procedures comply with the Privacy Act of 1974 and the OMB Circular 108. Form Numbers: None. Respondents/affected entities: Entities that report electronically to EPA and state or local government authorized programs; and state and local government authorized programs implementing electronic reporting. Respondent’s obligation to respond: Voluntary, required to obtain or retain a benefit (CROMERR was established to ensure compliance with the Government Paperwork Elimination Act (GPEA)). Estimated number of respondents: About 144,800 (total). Frequency of response: On occasion. Total estimated burden: About 117,000 hours (per year). Burden is defined at 5 CFR 1320.03(b). Total estimated cost: About $7,177,800 (per year), includes $1,276,700 annualized capital or operation & maintenance costs. Changes in Estimates: The annual respondent burden estimate in the currently approved CROMERR ICR (EPA ICR Number 2002.08) is 81,985 hours. The annual respondent burden estimate for this ICR (EPA ICR Number 2002.09) is anticipated to be about 117,000 hours. This represents an increase of 35,015 hours in the total estimated respondent burden compared with the ICR currently approved by OMB. PO 00000 Frm 00084 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The increase in respondent burden can be attributed primarily to an estimated increase in the annual number of registrants with EPA’s electronic document receiving system (i.e., the Central Data Exchange (CDX)) over the past three years. In addition, as a result of technological improvements, the Agency now is able to obtain real world data on the frequency and amount of time a respondent spends accessing CDX pages and features. Based on this information, EPA has revised the burden estimates associated with some of the CDX registration and identity proofing activities. The Agency believes that the revised burden estimates more accurately reflect the resources spent by respondents conducting the various CDX activities. The overall change in respondent burden is considered an ‘‘adjustment,’’ because it results from changes in the respondent universe estimates used in the development of the ICR. Courtney Kerwin, Director, Information Engagement Division. [FR Doc. 2024–22306 Filed 9–27–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–OAR–2016–0731; FRL–12299–01– OMS] Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; EPA’s Methane Challenge and Natural Gas STAR Programs (Renewal) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted an information collection request (ICR), EPA’s Methane Challenge and Natural Gas STAR Programs (EPA ICR Number 2547.03, OMB Control Number 2060– 0722) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. This is a proposed revision of the current ICR, which is currently approved through December 31, 2024. Public comments were previously requested via the Federal Register on June 5, 2024 during a 60-day comment period. This notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments. SUMMARY: Comments may be submitted on or before October 30, 2024. DATES: E:\FR\FM\30SEN1.SGM 30SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 189 / Monday, September 30, 2024 / Notices Submit your comments, referencing Docket ID Number EPA– HQ–OAR–2016–0731, to EPA online using www.regulations.gov (our preferred method), by email to a-and-rDocket@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. Submit written comments and recommendations to OMB for the proposed information collection within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting ‘‘Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments’’ or by using the search function. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Meluch, Office of Atmospheric Programs, Climate Change Division, (6207A), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 564–4762; email address: meluch.andrew@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a proposed revision of the ICR, which is currently approved through December 31, 2024. 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. Public comments were previously requested via the Federal Register on June 5, 2024, during a 60-day comment period (89 FR 48164). This notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments. 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. Abstract: This ICR revision proposes to significantly pare down the information reported to EPA’s Natural Gas STAR and Methane Challenge Programs. Specifically, it proposes to ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 ADDRESSES: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:51 Sep 27, 2024 Jkt 262001 remove all of the partnership-specific reporting elements, based on the Programs’ changes to sunset the ‘‘Partnership’’ aspects of the programs. EPA proposes to retain one key element of the ICR, the Service Provider Directory. The oil and natural gas industry is the second largest source of anthropogenic methane emissions in the U.S., according to the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990–2022. Since 1993, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Natural Gas STAR Program has encouraged oil and natural gas companies to adopt cost-saving technologies and practices that improve operational efficiency and reduce methane emissions. In 2016, EPA launched the Methane Challenge Program, which created a mechanism for oil and natural gas companies to make ambitious, voluntary commitments to reduce their methane emissions. EPA has recently taken historic steps to tackle wasteful methane emissions from the oil and gas sector beyond voluntary action. The Inflation Reduction Act directed EPA to implement a suite of actions to swiftly reduce methane emissions through the creation of the Methane Emissions Reduction Program (MERP). On December 2, 2023, EPA announced final New Source Performance Standards and Emissions Guidelines (NSPS/EG) to regulate the oil and gas industry under the Clean Air Act, resulting in ambitious requirements to reduce methane from both new and existing sources. In 2022, EPA announced the sunsetting of the Natural Gas STAR Program partnership agreements, implementation plans, and annual reporting. Based on the limited remaining potential for voluntary actions to reduce methane emissions, EPA will also be sunsetting the Methane Challenge Partnership at the end of 2024. EPA will be transitioning the Natural Gas STAR Program outreach efforts to advance ambitious, sectorwide methane reductions through technical assistance and outreach under the Methane Emissions Reduction Program. Therefore, based on these significantly reduced programmatic elements, for this revision of the program ICR, EPA proposes to remove all partnership reporting data elements and partnership-related information collection forms for both programs. This includes the removal of annual reporting forms, partnership agreements, and implementation plans. The sole programmatic element PO 00000 Frm 00085 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 79585 involving voluntary information collection that EPA plans to retain is the Service Providers Directory. This directory’s purpose is to share information about service and technology providers that can facilitate methane emission reduction activities in the oil and gas sector. These changes will result in a significant overall decrease in burden for this ICR. Form Numbers: 5900–502. Respondents/affected entities: Stakeholders seeking to join the Service Provider Directory. Respondent’s obligation to respond: Voluntary. Estimated number of respondents: 50 per year (total). Frequency of response: Respondents may fill out the Service Provider Directory form any time. Total estimated burden: 12.5 hours (per year). Burden is defined at 5 CFR 1320.03(b). Total estimated cost: $1,394 (per year), which includes $0 annualized capital or operation & maintenance costs. Changes in the Estimates: There is a decrease of 4,846 hours in the total estimated respondent burden compared with the ICR currently approved by OMB. This decrease is due to the removal of all previous forms associated with the Natural Gas STAR and Methane Challenge Programs, maintaining only the Service Provider Directory form. Courtney Kerwin, Director, Information Engagement Division. [FR Doc. 2024–22296 Filed 9–27–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–OW–2023–0287; FRL–12303–01– OMS] Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Textile Mills Industry Data Collection (New) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted an information collection request (ICR), Textile Mills Industry Data Collection (EPA ICR Number 2798.01, OMB Control Number 2040–NEW) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\30SEN1.SGM 30SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 189 (Monday, September 30, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79584-79585]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-22296]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OAR-2016-0731; FRL-12299-01-OMS]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment 
Request; EPA's Methane Challenge and Natural Gas STAR Programs 
(Renewal)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted an 
information collection request (ICR), EPA's Methane Challenge and 
Natural Gas STAR Programs (EPA ICR Number 2547.03, OMB Control Number 
2060-0722) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and 
approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. This is a 
proposed revision of the current ICR, which is currently approved 
through December 31, 2024. Public comments were previously requested 
via the Federal Register on June 5, 2024 during a 60-day comment 
period. This notice allows for an additional 30 days for public 
comments.

DATES: Comments may be submitted on or before October 30, 2024.

[[Page 79585]]


ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-
OAR-2016-0731, to EPA 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.
    Submit written comments and recommendations to OMB for the proposed 
information collection within 30 days of publication of this notice to 
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information 
collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--Open for 
Public Comments'' or by using the search function.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Meluch, Office of Atmospheric 
Programs, Climate Change Division, (6207A), Environmental Protection 
Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460; telephone 
number: (202) 564-4762; email address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a proposed revision of the ICR, 
which is currently approved through December 31, 2024. 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.
    Public comments were previously requested via the Federal Register 
on June 5, 2024, during a 60-day comment period (89 FR 48164). This 
notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments. 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.
    Abstract: This ICR revision proposes to significantly pare down the 
information reported to EPA's Natural Gas STAR and Methane Challenge 
Programs. Specifically, it proposes to remove all of the partnership-
specific reporting elements, based on the Programs' changes to sunset 
the ``Partnership'' aspects of the programs. EPA proposes to retain one 
key element of the ICR, the Service Provider Directory.
    The oil and natural gas industry is the second largest source of 
anthropogenic methane emissions in the U.S., according to the Inventory 
of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2022. Since 1993, the 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Natural Gas STAR Program 
has encouraged oil and natural gas companies to adopt cost-saving 
technologies and practices that improve operational efficiency and 
reduce methane emissions. In 2016, EPA launched the Methane Challenge 
Program, which created a mechanism for oil and natural gas companies to 
make ambitious, voluntary commitments to reduce their methane 
emissions.
    EPA has recently taken historic steps to tackle wasteful methane 
emissions from the oil and gas sector beyond voluntary action. The 
Inflation Reduction Act directed EPA to implement a suite of actions to 
swiftly reduce methane emissions through the creation of the Methane 
Emissions Reduction Program (MERP). On December 2, 2023, EPA announced 
final New Source Performance Standards and Emissions Guidelines (NSPS/
EG) to regulate the oil and gas industry under the Clean Air Act, 
resulting in ambitious requirements to reduce methane from both new and 
existing sources.
    In 2022, EPA announced the sunsetting of the Natural Gas STAR 
Program partnership agreements, implementation plans, and annual 
reporting. Based on the limited remaining potential for voluntary 
actions to reduce methane emissions, EPA will also be sunsetting the 
Methane Challenge Partnership at the end of 2024. EPA will be 
transitioning the Natural Gas STAR Program outreach efforts to advance 
ambitious, sector-wide methane reductions through technical assistance 
and outreach under the Methane Emissions Reduction Program.
    Therefore, based on these significantly reduced programmatic 
elements, for this revision of the program ICR, EPA proposes to remove 
all partnership reporting data elements and partnership-related 
information collection forms for both programs. This includes the 
removal of annual reporting forms, partnership agreements, and 
implementation plans. The sole programmatic element involving voluntary 
information collection that EPA plans to retain is the Service 
Providers Directory. This directory's purpose is to share information 
about service and technology providers that can facilitate methane 
emission reduction activities in the oil and gas sector. These changes 
will result in a significant overall decrease in burden for this ICR.
    Form Numbers: 5900-502.
    Respondents/affected entities: Stakeholders seeking to join the 
Service Provider Directory.
    Respondent's obligation to respond: Voluntary.
    Estimated number of respondents: 50 per year (total).
    Frequency of response: Respondents may fill out the Service 
Provider Directory form any time.
    Total estimated burden: 12.5 hours (per year). Burden is defined at 
5 CFR 1320.03(b).
    Total estimated cost: $1,394 (per year), which includes $0 
annualized capital or operation & maintenance costs.
    Changes in the Estimates: There is a decrease of 4,846 hours in the 
total estimated respondent burden compared with the ICR currently 
approved by OMB. This decrease is due to the removal of all previous 
forms associated with the Natural Gas STAR and Methane Challenge 
Programs, maintaining only the Service Provider Directory form.

Courtney Kerwin,
Director, Information Engagement Division.
[FR Doc. 2024-22296 Filed 9-27-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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