[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 144 (Wednesday, July 28, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40815-40816]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-19231]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Survey of Pollution Abatement Costs and Expenditures

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork burden, invites the general public and other 
Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the proposed 
and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before September 27, 
1999.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
5033, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or via 
the Internet at LE[email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instruments and instructions 
should be directed to Ron Taylor, Bureau of the Census, Room 2135 FB-4, 
Washington, DC 20233, on (301) 457-4683.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau, prior to 1995, conducted the Survey of Pollution 
Abatement Costs and Expenditures, MA-200. Due to budget limitations the 
survey was suspended. In response to the need for data to assess the 
cost of environmental regulations on private business, the Census 
Bureau, with support from the Environmental Protection Agency, plans to 
reinstate the survey. The survey form will collect, from plants that 
produce goods or provide services classified in manufacturing, mining 
and electric utility industries, data on the operating costs of 
pollution abatement, including hazardous pollutants, payments to 
government agencies for pollution removal and new capital expenditures 
for pollution abatement structures and equipment each by the media: air 
pollution control, water pollution control and solid waste management. 
These data are similar to that collected previously in this survey. The 
survey results will be used to track costs of regulatory programs and 
rules. Results will also be used for monitoring economic impact and 
promoting growth of environmental programs.

II. Method of Collection

    The Census Bureau will use mail out/mail back survey forms to 
collect the data. Companies will be asked to respond to the survey 
within 60 days of the initial mailing. Letters encouraging 
participation will be mailed to companies that have not responded by 
the designated time.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0176.
    Form Number: MA-200.
    Type of Review: Regular.
    Affected Public: Businesses or other for profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 20,000.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 2.5 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 50,000 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $649,000.
    Respondents' Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 USC, Section 182.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
information collection on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.

[[Page 40816]]

    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: July 21, 1999.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information 
Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-19231 Filed 7-27-99; 8:45 a.m.]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P