[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 91 (Wednesday, May 10, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30109-30110]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-11675]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6604-6]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Continuing Collection; 
Comment Request; Detergent Gasoline

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): Detergent Gasoline (EPA ICR Number 
1655.04, OMB Control Number 2060-0275, expiration date: 4-30-00). 
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 10, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Transportation and Regional Programs Division, Office of 
Transportation and Air Quality, Office of Air and Radiation, Mail Code 
6406J, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, 
NW., Washington, DC 20460. A paper or electronic copy of the draft ICR 
may be obtained without charge by contacting the person listed below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James W. Caldwell, (202) 564-9303, 
fax:(202) 565-2085, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:   
    Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are 
those who (1) manufacture gasoline, post-refinery component, or 
detergent additives, (2) blend detergent additives into gasoline or 
post-refinery component, or (3) transport or receive a detergent 
additive, gasoline, or post-refinery component.
    Title: Detergent Gasoline: Certification Requirements for 
Manufacturers of Detergent Additives; Requirements for Transferors and 
Transferees of Detergent Additives; Requirements for Blenders of 
Detergents into Gasoline or Post-refinery Component; Requirements for 
Manufacturers, Transferors, and Transferees of Gasoline or Post-
refinery Component (40 CFR 80--Subpart G), EPA ICR Number 1655.04, OMB 
Control Number 2060-0275, expiration date: 4-30-00.
    Abstract: Gasoline combustion results in the formation of engine 
deposits that contribute to increased emissions. Detergent additives 
deter deposit formation. The Clean Air Act requires gasoline to contain 
a detergent additive. The regulations at 40 CFR 80 subpart G specify 
certification requirements for manufacturers of detergent additives, 
recordkeeping or reporting requirements for blenders of detergents into 
gasoline or post-refinery component (any gasoline blending stock or any 
oxygenate which is blended with gasoline subsequent to the gasoline 
refining process), and reporting or recordkeeping requirements for 
manufacturers, transferors, or transferees of detergents, gasoline, or 
post-refinery component (PRC). These requirements ensure that (1) a 
detergent is effective before it is certified by EPA, (2) a certified 
detergent, at the minimum concentration necessary to be effective 
(known as the lowest additive concentration (LAC), is blended into 
gasoline, and (3) only gasoline which

[[Page 30110]]

contains a certified detergent at its LAC is delivered to the consumer. 
The EPA maintains a list of certified gasoline detergents, which is 
publicly available. As of March 2000 there were approximately 225 
certified detergents and 16 detergent manufacturers.
    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 at 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: EPA estimates that the average burden for 
detergent certification is 60 hours and $3869, and that there will be 
approximately 50 applications for detergent certification each year for 
the next three years. Thus, the annual burden is estimated at 3000 
hours and $193,450.
    Most of the burden is incurred by the blenders of detergent into 
gasoline or PRC. The regulations require that they generate and 
maintain records of the amount of detergent blended and the amount of 
gasoline into which it is blended. These records are known as 
volumetric additive reconciliation (VAR) records and must demonstrate 
that the proper amount of a certified detergent has been used. For 
blenders with automated equipment, the annual burden is estimated at 
150 hours and $8,373. There are approximately 1300 blenders which use 
automated equipment. Thus the annual burden is 195,000 hours and $10.9 
million. For blenders with non-automated equipment, the annual burden 
is estimated at 500 hours and $27,910. It is estimated that there are 
50 blenders in this category, for an annual burden of 25,000 hours and 
$1,395,500.
    The other requirements are customary business practices, and thus 
do not incur additional burden. For example, the regulations require 
the generation, transfer, and storage of product transfer documents 
(PTDs) indicating the detergent status of a shipment of gasoline. PTDs 
containing a variety of information about the gasoline shipment are a 
standard business practice. Research, racing, and aviation gasolines 
are exempt.
    There are no capital or start-up costs beyond those incurred by 
industry at the program's inception in 1995. There are no operating and 
maintenance costs beyond copying and postage. The total annual 
estimated burden for industry is 223,000 hours and $12.5 million. 
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: May 3, 2000.
Merrylin Zaw-Mon,
Director, Transportation and Regional Programs Division.
[FR Doc. 00-11675 Filed 5-9-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P