[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 86 (Tuesday, May 5, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 24782]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-11876]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6009-6]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Renewal Comment 
Request; Acid Rain Program

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): Acid Rain Program ICR, EPA ICR Number: 
1633.12, OMB Control Number: 2060-0258, Expiration Date: January 31, 
1999. 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 July 6, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The current ICR is available on the internet at www.epa.gov/
acidrain. For further information contact Kenon Smith (202-564-9164). 
Send written comments (in duplicate) regarding these burden estimates 
or any other aspect of this information collection, including 
suggestions for reducing this burden, to Kenon Smith, 401 M Street, 
SW., 6204J, Washington, DC 20460 using regular or certified mail, or 
Kenon Smith, USEPA (6204J), 501 3rd Street, NW., Washington, DC 20001 
using overnight mail.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Kenon Smith at (202-564-9164) 
or ([email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are 
those which participate in the Acid Rain Program.
    Title: Acid Rain Program ICR; (OMB Control No. 2060-0258; EPA ICR 
No. 1633.12) expiring 1/31/1999.
    Abstract: The Acid Rain Program was established under Title IV of 
the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments. The program calls for major 
reductions of the pollutants that cause acid rain while establishing a 
new approach to environmental management. This information collection 
is necessary to implement the Acid Rain Program. It includes burden 
hours associated with developing and modifying permits, transferring 
allowances, obtaining allowances from the conservation and renewable 
energy reserve and small diesel refinery program, monitoring emissions, 
participating in the annual auctions, completing annual compliance 
certifications, participating in the Opt-in program, and complying with 
Nox permitting requirements. Most of this information collection is 
mandatory under 40 CFR parts 72-78. Some parts of it are voluntary or 
to obtain a benefit, such as participation in the annual auctions under 
40 CFR part 73, subpart E. 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 Ch. 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: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping 
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 273 
hours per response and 3,344 hours per respondent. The annual operation 
and maintenance (O&M) costs are an estimated $61,431 per respondent. 
All the O&M costs and most of the burden hours are associated with the 
collection and reporting of continuous emission data, which is the 
foundation for the allowance trading system. 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.
    Respondents/Affected Entities: 849.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 849.
    Frequency of Response: Varies by task.
    Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 2,839,120 hours.
    Estimated Total Annualized Cost Burden (All O&M): $44,660,000.

    Dated: April 28, 1998.
Brian J. McLean,
Director, Acid Rain Division.
[FR Doc. 98-11876 Filed 5-4-98; 8:45 am]
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