[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 181 (Friday, September 18, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49909-49910]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25086]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6162-8]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Reporting Under EPA's Voluntary Aluminum Industrial 
Partnership--EPA ICR No. 1867.01

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 proposed Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB): Reporting Requirements Under EPA's 
Voluntary Aluminum Industrial Partnership--EPA ICR No. 1867.01. Before 
submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting

[[Page 49910]]

comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection as 
described below.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before November 17, 1998.

ADDRESSES: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Atmospheric Pollution 
Prevention Division, 401 M. St. SW (6202J), Washington, D.C. 20460.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Jay Dolin, Telephone No. (202) 
564-9044, Facsimile No. (202) 565-2083; E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are 
those which operate primary aluminum smelters.
    Title: Reporting Requirements Under EPA's Voluntary Aluminum 
Industrial Partnership--EPA ICR No. 1867.01.
    Abstract: In April 1993, President Clinton issued the Climate 
Change Action Plan, which establishes the nation's commitment to 
returning U.S. greenhouse gas emissions to their 1990 levels by the 
year 2000. EPA's Voluntary Aluminum Industrial Partnership (VAIP) is an 
important voluntary program contributing to the overall reduction in 
greenhouse gas emissions. This program focuses on reducing 
perfluorocarbon (PFC) emissions from aluminum smelting operations. The 
twelve companies that have joined the VAIP have cumulatively committed 
to reduce their PFC emissions 45 percent from 1990 levels by the year 
2000. PFCs are very potent greenhouse gases that are persistent in the 
atmosphere and have a high global warming potential. The VAIP, along 
with ENERGY STAR Buildings and Green Lights, ENERGY STAR Labeling, and 
other EPA Programs is a voluntary program aimed at preventing pollution 
rather than controlling it after its creation. All of these programs 
focus on greenhouse gas emissions.
    EPA has developed this ICR to obtain authorization to collect 
information from compa-nies participating in the VAIP. Companies that 
join the VAIP voluntarily agree to the following: designating a VAIP 
liaison; undertaking technically feasible and cost-effective actions to 
reduce PFC emissions; and reporting to EPA, on an annual basis, the 
success of such actions. The information contained in the annual 
reports of the companies that join the VAIP may be considered 
confidential business information and is maintained as such. EPA uses 
the data obtained from the companies to assess the success of the 
program in achieving its goals.
    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: The projected hour burden for this collection of 
information is as follows:

Average annual reporting burden = 321.13 hours
Average annual recordkeeping burden: 0 hours
Average burden hours/response: 248.5 hours for an MOU (one-time 
burden); 56.5 hours for the annual Tracking Report; and 16.13 hours 
associated with additional activities.
Frequency of response = One per respondent per year
Estimated number of respondents = 12
Cost burden to respondents:

Estimated total annualized cost burden: $226,398
Total labor cost: $142,347
Total capital and start-up costs: $0
Estimated total operation and maintenance costs: $0
Purchase of services cost: $84,051

    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: September 4, 1998.
Jeanne Briskin,
Branch Chief, Energy Star Programs.
[FR Doc. 98-25086 Filed 9-17-98; 8:45 am]
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