Information Collection Request Number 2265.04; Proposed Information Collection Request; Comment Request; Information Collection Activities Associated With the SmartWay Transport Partnership, 99856-99857 [2024-29020]
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99856
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 11, 2024 / Notices
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC
20460; telephone number: (202) 566–
1204; email address:
Sleasman.katherine@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a
proposed extension of the ICR, which is
currently approved through January 31,
2025. 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
April 23, 2024, during a 60-day
comment period (89 FR 30358). 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 covers reporting
and recordkeeping requirements
associated with EPA’s workplace
standards for the protection of state and
local government employees who work
with asbestos and who are not covered
by a state plan approved by the
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration. Currently, some 23
states and state equivalent territories
have reporting and recordkeeping
requirements under the Toxic
Substances Control Act, Section 8,
documenting worker protection actions
for state and local government
employees involved in asbestos work.
EPA’s asbestos work protection
regulations incorporate, by reference,
the OSHA Construction Industry
Standard for Asbestos, and the General
Industry Standard for Asbestos. EPA
does not collect any information under
this collection. All information subject
to this collection request is to be
gathered and maintained by the
employer.
Form number(s): None.
Respondents/affected entities: Public
Administration, Educational Services.
North American Industrial
Classification System (NAICS) codes
identified in question 12 of the ICR.
Respondent’s obligation to respond:
Mandatory. (15 U.S.C 2605, 2607(a)).
Estimated number of respondents:
34,138 (total).
Frequency of response: On occasion.
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18:17 Dec 10, 2024
Jkt 265001
Total estimated burden: 358,049
hours (per year). Burden is defined at 5
CFR 1320.3(b).
Total estimated cost: $21,175,968 (per
year), which includes $0 annualized
capital or operation & maintenance
costs.
Changes in the estimates: There is a
decrease of 14,920 hours in the total
estimated respondent burden compared
with the ICR currently approved by
OMB. This change, which is discussed
in more detail in the ICR, reflects a
decrease in the number of states subject
to the rule. This change is an
adjustment.
Courtney Kerwin,
Director, Information Engagement Division.
[FR Doc. 2024–29065 Filed 12–10–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[EPA–HQ–OAR–2024–0423; FRL–12291–01–
OAR]
Information Collection Request
Number 2265.04; Proposed Information
Collection Request; Comment
Request; Information Collection
Activities Associated With the
SmartWay Transport Partnership
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is planning to submit an
information collection request (ICR),
‘‘Information Collection Activities
Associated with the SmartWay
Transport Partnership’’ (EPA ICR No.
2265.04, OMB Control No. 2060–0663)
to the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) for review and approval in
accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act. Before doing so, EPA is
soliciting public comments on specific
aspects of the proposed information
collection as described below. This is a
proposed extension of the ICR, which is
currently approved through March 25,
2025. 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 February 10, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
referencing Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–
OAR–2024–0423 online using
www.regulations.gov (our preferred
method), by email to smartway_
transport@epa.gov, or by mail to: EPA
Docket Center, Environmental
SUMMARY:
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Protection Agency, Mail Code 28221 T,
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: Erik
Herzog, U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, 2000 Traverwood Drive, S–72,
Ann Arbor, MI 48105; telephone
number: 734–214–4487; Fax: 734–214–
4906; email address: herzog.erik@
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
document to announce the submission
of the ICR to OMB and the opportunity
to submit additional comments to OMB.
Abstract: The EPA’s Office of Air and
Radiation (OAR) developed the
SmartWay Transport Partnership
(‘‘SmartWay’’) under directives outlined
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11DEN1
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 11, 2024 / Notices
in Subtitle D of the Energy Policy Act
of 2005 which calls on EPA to assess the
energy and air quality impacts of
activities within the freight industry.
These activities include long-duration
truck idling, the development and
promotion of strategies for reducing
idling, fuel consumption, and negative
air quality effects. SmartWay’s
objectives also are consistent with the
Clean Air Act, the Federal Technology
Transfer Act and other laws that
authorize and support research, training
and air pollutant control activities.
SmartWay is open to organizations
that own, operate, or contract with fleet
operations, including truck, rail, barge,
air and multi-modal carriers, logistics
companies, and shippers. Organizations
that do not operate fleets, but that are
working to strengthen the freight
industry, such as industry trade
associations, state and local
transportation agencies and
environmental groups, also may join as
SmartWay affiliates. All organizations
that join SmartWay are asked to provide
EPA with information as part of their
SmartWay registration to annually
benchmark their transportation-related
operations and improve the
environmental performance of their
freight activities.
A company joins SmartWay when it
completes and submits a SmartWay
Annual Reporting tool to EPA. The
company submits an updated reporting
tool annually thereafter. Truck carriers
with fewer than 20 trucks may submit
their annual updates through the OnLine Truck Tool Short Form, rather than
the full On-Line Truck Tool version.
The data outputs from the submitted
tool are used by partners and SmartWay
in several ways. First, the data provides
confirmation that SmartWay partners
are meeting established objectives in
their Partnership Agreement. The
reporting tool outputs enable EPA to
provide partners with environmental
performance information to assist them
in incorporating freight efficiency in
their goods movement decisions.
Additionally, the data allows EPA to
empower SmartWay partners, as
appropriate, by providing them with
environmental strategies and technology
information that improve their
efficiency. This information also
improves EPA’s knowledge and
understanding of the environmental and
energy impacts associated with goods
movement, and the effectiveness of both
proven and emerging strategies to lessen
those impacts.
In addition to requesting annual
freight transportation-related data, EPA
may ask its SmartWay partners for other
kinds of information which could
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18:17 Dec 10, 2024
Jkt 265001
include opinions and test data on the
effectiveness of new and emerging
technology applications, sales volumes
associated with SmartWayrecommended vehicle equipment and
technologies, the reach and value of
partnering with EPA through the
SmartWay Partnership, and awareness
of the SmartWay brand. In some
instances, EPA might query other freight
industry representatives (not just
SmartWay partners), including trade
and professional associations, nonprofit
environmental groups, energy and
community organizations, and
universities, and a small sampling of the
general public.
Form Numbers: None.
Respondents/affected entities: Entities
potentially affected by this action
include private and public organizations
that join the SmartWay Transport
Partnership; freight industry
representatives who engage in activities
related to the SmartWay Partnership;
and representative samplings of
consumers in the general public. These
entities may be affected by EPA efforts
to assess the effectiveness and value of
the SmartWay program, awareness of
the SmartWay brand, and ideas for
developing and improving SmartWay.
Respondent’s obligation to respond:
Voluntary.
Estimated number of respondents:
4,770.
Frequency of response: The
information collections described in the
ICR must be completed in order for an
organization to register as or continue
its status as a SmartWay partner, to
become a SmartWay affiliate, to use the
SmartWay logo on an EPA-designated
tractor or trailer, or to be considered for
a SmartWay Excellence Award.
Total estimated burden: The annual
burden for this collection of information
that all respondent partners and
affiliates incur is estimated to average
8,879 hours with a projected annual
aggregate cost of $732,210. The annual
burden for this collection of information
that federal agency respondents incur is
estimated to average 4,578 hours with a
projected annual aggregate cost of
$122,602.
This ICR estimates that approximately
5,844 respondent partners will incur
burden associated with SmartWay in the
first year, with a growth of 330 partners
per year projected into the future. The
estimated average burden time per
respondent is 1.52 hours annually. This
is an average across all Smart Way
partners, regardless of whether they are
affiliates, shippers, carriers or logistics
companies. The average also includes
150 consumer and industry
respondents, who spend far less time,
PO 00000
Frm 00031
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 9990
99857
providing the SmartWay program with
basic information on their awareness of
the program. Among respondent
partners the burden hours are typically
higher for larger companies with
complex fleets, than for smaller
companies.
Burden means the total time, effort, or
financial resources expended by persons
to generate, maintain, retain, 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; 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.
Total estimated cost: The total annual
cost to all respondent partners is
$732,210. The total annual cost to
federal agency respondents is $122,602.
Changes in estimates: There is a
decrease of 3,678 hours and $129,672 in
the total estimated respondent partner
burden compared with the ICR currently
approved by OMB. This decrease
reflects the following adjustments and
program changes:
(1) Implementation of a new On-Line
Truck Tools for the majority of partners.
(2) The reduction of the number of
annual Affiliate Applications.
There is also a decrease of 110 hours
and $48,228 in the total estimated
agency burden currently approved by
OMB. This decrease is due to the
following:
(1) Implementation of a new On-Line
Truck Tools for the majority of partners.
(2) The reduction of the number of
annual Affiliate Applications.
Karl Simon,
Director, Transportation and Climate
Division, Office of Transportation and Air
Quality.
[FR Doc. 2024–29020 Filed 12–10–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
E:\FR\FM\11DEN1.SGM
11DEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 238 (Wednesday, December 11, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 99856-99857]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-29020]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[EPA-HQ-OAR-2024-0423; FRL-12291-01-OAR]
Information Collection Request Number 2265.04; Proposed
Information Collection Request; Comment Request; Information Collection
Activities Associated With the SmartWay Transport Partnership
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to
submit an information collection request (ICR), ``Information
Collection Activities Associated with the SmartWay Transport
Partnership'' (EPA ICR No. 2265.04, OMB Control No. 2060-0663) to the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. Before doing so, EPA is
soliciting public comments on specific aspects of the proposed
information collection as described below. This is a proposed extension
of the ICR, which is currently approved through March 25, 2025. 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 February 10, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-
2024-0423 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 28221 T, 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: Erik Herzog, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, 2000 Traverwood Drive, S-72, Ann Arbor, MI 48105;
telephone number: 734-214-4487; Fax: 734-214-4906; 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
document to announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the
opportunity to submit additional comments to OMB.
Abstract: The EPA's Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) developed the
SmartWay Transport Partnership (``SmartWay'') under directives outlined
[[Page 99857]]
in Subtitle D of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 which calls on EPA to
assess the energy and air quality impacts of activities within the
freight industry. These activities include long-duration truck idling,
the development and promotion of strategies for reducing idling, fuel
consumption, and negative air quality effects. SmartWay's objectives
also are consistent with the Clean Air Act, the Federal Technology
Transfer Act and other laws that authorize and support research,
training and air pollutant control activities.
SmartWay is open to organizations that own, operate, or contract
with fleet operations, including truck, rail, barge, air and multi-
modal carriers, logistics companies, and shippers. Organizations that
do not operate fleets, but that are working to strengthen the freight
industry, such as industry trade associations, state and local
transportation agencies and environmental groups, also may join as
SmartWay affiliates. All organizations that join SmartWay are asked to
provide EPA with information as part of their SmartWay registration to
annually benchmark their transportation-related operations and improve
the environmental performance of their freight activities.
A company joins SmartWay when it completes and submits a SmartWay
Annual Reporting tool to EPA. The company submits an updated reporting
tool annually thereafter. Truck carriers with fewer than 20 trucks may
submit their annual updates through the On-Line Truck Tool Short Form,
rather than the full On-Line Truck Tool version. The data outputs from
the submitted tool are used by partners and SmartWay in several ways.
First, the data provides confirmation that SmartWay partners are
meeting established objectives in their Partnership Agreement. The
reporting tool outputs enable EPA to provide partners with
environmental performance information to assist them in incorporating
freight efficiency in their goods movement decisions. Additionally, the
data allows EPA to empower SmartWay partners, as appropriate, by
providing them with environmental strategies and technology information
that improve their efficiency. This information also improves EPA's
knowledge and understanding of the environmental and energy impacts
associated with goods movement, and the effectiveness of both proven
and emerging strategies to lessen those impacts.
In addition to requesting annual freight transportation-related
data, EPA may ask its SmartWay partners for other kinds of information
which could include opinions and test data on the effectiveness of new
and emerging technology applications, sales volumes associated with
SmartWay-recommended vehicle equipment and technologies, the reach and
value of partnering with EPA through the SmartWay Partnership, and
awareness of the SmartWay brand. In some instances, EPA might query
other freight industry representatives (not just SmartWay partners),
including trade and professional associations, nonprofit environmental
groups, energy and community organizations, and universities, and a
small sampling of the general public.
Form Numbers: None.
Respondents/affected entities: Entities potentially affected by
this action include private and public organizations that join the
SmartWay Transport Partnership; freight industry representatives who
engage in activities related to the SmartWay Partnership; and
representative samplings of consumers in the general public. These
entities may be affected by EPA efforts to assess the effectiveness and
value of the SmartWay program, awareness of the SmartWay brand, and
ideas for developing and improving SmartWay.
Respondent's obligation to respond: Voluntary.
Estimated number of respondents: 4,770.
Frequency of response: The information collections described in the
ICR must be completed in order for an organization to register as or
continue its status as a SmartWay partner, to become a SmartWay
affiliate, to use the SmartWay logo on an EPA-designated tractor or
trailer, or to be considered for a SmartWay Excellence Award.
Total estimated burden: The annual burden for this collection of
information that all respondent partners and affiliates incur is
estimated to average 8,879 hours with a projected annual aggregate cost
of $732,210. The annual burden for this collection of information that
federal agency respondents incur is estimated to average 4,578 hours
with a projected annual aggregate cost of $122,602.
This ICR estimates that approximately 5,844 respondent partners
will incur burden associated with SmartWay in the first year, with a
growth of 330 partners per year projected into the future. The
estimated average burden time per respondent is 1.52 hours annually.
This is an average across all Smart Way partners, regardless of whether
they are affiliates, shippers, carriers or logistics companies. The
average also includes 150 consumer and industry respondents, who spend
far less time, providing the SmartWay program with basic information on
their awareness of the program. Among respondent partners the burden
hours are typically higher for larger companies with complex fleets,
than for smaller companies.
Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources
expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, 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;
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.
Total estimated cost: The total annual cost to all respondent
partners is $732,210. The total annual cost to federal agency
respondents is $122,602.
Changes in estimates: There is a decrease of 3,678 hours and
$129,672 in the total estimated respondent partner burden compared with
the ICR currently approved by OMB. This decrease reflects the following
adjustments and program changes:
(1) Implementation of a new On-Line Truck Tools for the majority of
partners.
(2) The reduction of the number of annual Affiliate Applications.
There is also a decrease of 110 hours and $48,228 in the total
estimated agency burden currently approved by OMB. This decrease is due
to the following:
(1) Implementation of a new On-Line Truck Tools for the majority of
partners.
(2) The reduction of the number of annual Affiliate Applications.
Karl Simon,
Director, Transportation and Climate Division, Office of Transportation
and Air Quality.
[FR Doc. 2024-29020 Filed 12-10-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P