[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 71 (Monday, April 14, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18114-18115]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-9580]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-5811-3]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Continuing Collection; 
Comment Request; Registration of Fuels and Fuel Additives

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 
et seq.), this notice announces that EPA is planning to submit the 
following continuing Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB): Registration of Fuels and Fuel 
Additives (EPA ICR Number 309.09, OMB Control Number 2060-1050, 
expiration date: 6-30-97). 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 June 13, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Fuels and Energy Division, Office of Mobile Sources, Office 
of Air and Radiation, Mail Code 6406J, U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency, Washington, DC 20460. A paper or electronic copy of the ICR may 
be obtained without charge by contacting the person listed below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James W. Caldwell, (202) 233-9303, 
fax: (202) 233-9557, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Affected entities: Entities potentionally affected by this action 
are those which manufacture or import gasoline or diesel fuel, or 
manufacture or import an additive for gasoline or diesel fuel.
    Title: Registration of Fuels and Fuel Additives, OMB Control Number 
2060-0150, EPA ICR Number 309.09, Expiring: 6-30-97.
    Abstract: In accordance with the regulations at 40 CFR 79, Subparts 
A, B, C, and D, Registration of Fuels and Fuel Additives, manufacturers 
(including importers) of gasoline and diesel fuel, and manufacturers 
(including importers) if additives for gasoline or diesel fuel, are 
required to have their products registered by EPA prior to their

[[Page 18115]]

introduction into commerce. Registration involves providing a chemical 
description of the fuel or additive, certain technical and marketing 
information, and any health-effects information in possession of the 
manufacturer. The development of health-effects data, as required by 40 
CFR 79, Subpart F, is not included in this ICR due to upcoming changes 
in the requirements. Manufacturers are also required to submit periodic 
reports (annually for additives, quarterly and annually for fuels) on 
production volume and related information. The information is used to 
identify products whose evaporative or combustion emissions may pose an 
unreasonable risk to public health, thus meriting further investigation 
and potential regulation. The information is also used to ensure that 
gasoline additives comply with EPA requirements for protecting emission 
controls and controlling intake valve and injector deposits. The data 
have been used to construct a comprehensive data base on fuel and 
additive composition. These data have been useful in related 
assessments, such as the potential for dioxin emissions from motor 
vehicles. The Mine Safety and Health Administration of the Department 
of Labor restricts the use of diesel additives in mines to those 
registered by EPA. Most of the information is confidential. 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 are 
listed in 40 CFR Part 9 and 48 CFR Chapter 15.
    The EPA would like to solicit comments 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.
    Burden Statement: There are approximately 100 fuel manufacturers, 
1300 additive manufacturers, 800 registered fuels, and 6000 registered 
additives. For each additive, an annual report is required, at an 
estimated burden of one hour and cost of $52.60. For each fuel, 
quarterly and annual reports are required, at an estimated burden of 
one hour and cost of $52.60 for each report. EPA estimates that there 
will be 550 new additives registered each year, with a reporting burden 
3 hours and $169.60 each. EPA estimates that there will be 200 additive 
update letters each year, with a burden of one hour and $43.00 each. 
EPA estimated that there will be 100 new gasoline and diesel fuels 
registered each year, with a burden of 3 hours and $169.60 each. EPA 
estimates that there will be fuel update letters each year, with a 
burden of one hour and $43.00 each. There are not capital and start-up 
costs. There are no operation and maintenance costs beyond copying and 
postage. The total annual estimated burden for industry is 12,900 hours 
and $722,000. 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; 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.

    Dated: April 3, 1997.
Charles N. Freed,
Director, Fuels and Energy Division.
[FR Doc. 97-9580 Filed 4-11-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P