[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 251 (Friday, December 29, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 83004-83005]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-33357]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6926-2]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Transition Program for Equipment Manufacturers

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 document announces that EPA is planning to submit the 
following continuing Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB): Transition Program for Equipment 
Manufacturers, EPA ICR Number 1826.02, OMB Control Number 2060-0369, 
expiration date: April 30, 2001, renewal. 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 February 27, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Certification and 
Compliance Division, Engine Compliance Programs Group, Ariel Rios 
Building, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Mail Code 6403J, Washington, DC 
20460. Interested persons may request a copy of the ICRs without charge 
from the contact person below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nydia Y. Reyes-Morales, tel.: (202) 
564-9264; fax: (202) 565-2057; e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are 
original nonroad equipment manufacturers and nonroad engine 
manufacturers.
    Title: Transition Program for Equipment Manufacturers (OMB Control 
No. 2060-0369; EPA ICR No. 1826.02) expiring on April 30, 2001, 
renewal.
    Abstract: In August 1998, EPA promulgated new regulations for 
nonroad compression-ignited engines which established emission 
standards (Tier I standards) for engines under 37 kW, and tightened 
existing standards (Tier II standards) for engines above 37 kW. These 
regulations are likely to cause some engine design changes. During the 
rulemaking process, some equipment manufacturers expressed concerns 
about delays in notification from engine manufacturers about engine 
design changes. These design changes can create problems in fitting the 
engine to the equipment. Subsequently, equipment manufacturers would be 
unable to sell the volume of equipment they planned for, since they 
would need to redesign their equipment before any products could be 
sold. In response to these concerns, EPA created a Transition Program 
for Equipment Manufacturers (TPEM) in an effort to provide original 
equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with some flexibility in complying with 
the regulations. Under the program, OEMs are allowed to use a number of 
noncompliant engines (uncertified engines rated below 37 kW or Tier I 
engines rated at or above 37 kW) in their equipment for up to seven 
years.
    Participation in the program is voluntary. Participating OEMs and 
engine manufacturers who provide the noncompliant engines to the OEMs 
are required to keep records and submit reports of their activities 
under the program. The information is collected by the Engine Programs 
Group, Certification and Compliance Division, Office of Transportation 
and Air Quality, Office of Air and Radiation. Confidentiality to 
proprietary information is granted in accordance with the Freedom of 
Information Act, EPA regulations at 40 CFR part 2, and class 
determinations issued by EPA's Office of General Counsel. 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

[[Page 83005]]

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 this information collection 
will have 233 respondents. Each respondent will spent approximately 40 
hours, once a year, to respond to this information collection. The 
total cost to each respondent is estimated at $2,006.87 per year plus 
$15 for annual operational and maintenance expenses. Respondents are 
expected to incur no capital, start up or purchase of service expenses. 
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: December 21, 2000.
Robert Perciasepe,
Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation.
[FR Doc. 00-33357 Filed 12-28-00; 8:45 am]
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