[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 249 (Tuesday, December 30, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67862-67863]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-33961]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-5940-6]


Agency Information Collection Activities Under OMB Review

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces that EPA is planning to submit an 
Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) to allow the Agency to continue collecting data for the 
Natural Gas STAR Program. Information is required from participants 
(``Partners'') in the Natural Gas STAR Program. Partners develop a 
Memorandum of Understanding, develop an implementation plan, and report 
to EPA annually on progress towards meeting the goals identified in the 
implementation plan. This ICR is a reinstatement of a previously 
approved information collection. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for 
review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of 
the proposed information collection described below.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before March 2, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to the Docket Clerk (Docket No. 97-
62), located in the USEPA, Office of Air & Radiation. One original and 
two copies of each comment should be submitted. Hand delivery of 
comments should be made to: Air Docket, USEPA, MC 6102, 401 M Street, 
SW., room M 1500, Washington, DC 20460.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rhone Resch, U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Division (6202J), 
401 M Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20460, or call (202) 564-9793.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Information Collection Requests

    EPA is seeking comment on the ICR for the Natural Gas STAR Program 
(EPA ICR 1736.02). This ICR requests approval for renewal of an 
existing collection.
    Affected Entities: Entities affected by this action are natural gas 
production, storage, transmission, and distribution facilities.
    Abstract: The Natural Gas STAR Program is an EPA-sponsored, 
voluntary program that encourages cost effective methods for reducing 
methane emissions from natural gas production, storage, transmission, 
and distribution facilities. Partners determine and implement 
appropriate Best Management Practices (BMPs) that reduce methane 
emissions, are cost effective for the industry, and can increase 
competitiveness and maintain or enhance natural gas delivery service. 
Participants develop a Memorandum of Understanding, develop an 
implementation plan, and report to EPA annually on progress towards 
meeting the goals identified in the implementation plan.
    Burden Statement: The estimated average public burden per 
respondent for new Partners is 45 hours per response, including time 
for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering 
the data needed, and completing the collection of information.
    Respondents: Natural gas production, storage, transmission, and 
distribution companies.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 140--67 new Partners and 74 
existing Partners.

[[Page 67863]]

    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 6,300 hours.
    Frequency of Collection: As needed.

II. Requests for Comments

    The Agency will begin an effort to examine the information 
requested and consider options for reducing their burden and increasing 
the usefulness of the information collected by these forms. The Agency 
would appreciate any information on the users of this information, how 
they use this information, how the information could be improved, and 
how the burden for these forms can be reduced. In addition, the Agency 
is also soliciting comments that:
    (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.

III. Public Docket

    A record has been established for this action under docket number 
97-62. A public version of this record, including printed, paper 
versions of electronic comments, which does not include any information 
claimed as CBI, is available for inspection from USEPA's Office of Air 
& Radiation. The public record is located at the Air Docket, USEPA, MC 
6102, 401 M Street., SW., room M 1500, Washington, DC 20460.
    Send comments regarding the burden estimate, or any other aspect of 
this information collection, including suggestions for reducing the 
burden, to: Rhone Resch, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 
Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Division (6202J), 401 M Street, SW, 
Washington, D.C. 20460, or call (202) 564-9793.

    Dated: December 18, 1997.
Paul Stolpman,
Director, Office of Air and Radiation.
[FR Doc. 97-33961 Filed 12-29-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P