[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 35 (Wednesday, February 21, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11020-11021]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-4270]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6946-9]


Agency Information Collection: Activities Up for Renewal; 
Regulations for A Voluntary Emissions Standards Program Applicable to 
Manufacturers of Light-Duty Vehicles and Trucks Beginning in Model Year 
1997

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): Regulations for a Voluntary: Emissions 
Standards Program Applicable to Manufacturers of Light-Duty Vehicles 
and Trucks Beginning in Model Year 1997 (OMB #2060-0345, approved

[[Page 11021]]

through 04/30/01). Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and 
approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the 
collections as described below.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before April 23, 2001.

ADDRESSES: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of 
Transportation and Air Quality, Certification and Compliance Division, 
Outreach and Planning Group, Ariel Rios Building, 1200 Pennsylvania 
Avenue, NW., Mail Code 6405J, Washington, D.C. 20460. Interested 
persons may request a copy of the ICR without charge from the contact 
person below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chestine Payton, tel.: (202) 564-9328, 
fax (202) 565-2057. E-mail address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:   
    Affected Entities: Parties potentially affected by this action are 
manufacturers of light duty vehicles and light duty trucks.
    Title: Regulations for A Voluntary Emissions Standards Program 
Applicable to Manufacturers of Light-Duty Vehicles and Trucks Beginning 
in Model Year 1997, OMB 2060-0345, Expiration date 01/31/01.
    Abstract: The information collection will be conducted to support 
averaging, banking, and trading provisions included in the National Low 
Emission Vehicle (NLEV) program. These averaging, banking, and trading 
provisions will give the automobile manufacturers a measure of 
flexibility in meeting the fleet average non-methane organic gas (NMOG) 
standards and the five-percent cap on Tier 1 vehicles and transitional 
low emission vehicles (TLEVs) in the ozone transport region (OTR). EPA 
will use the reported data to calculate credits and debits and 
otherwise ensure compliance with the applicable production levels and 
emissions standards. When a manufacturer has opted into the Voluntary 
National LEV program, reporting will be mandatory.
    Manufacturers would submit information regarding the annual sales, 
calculation, generation, and usage of emission credits in an annual 
report. In addition, upon transferring credits to another manufacturer, 
the manufacturer would submit this information along with their annual 
report. This information will be submitted to EPA in annual reports and 
will involve approximately 25 respondents at a total annual cost of 
about $318,995.
    EPA currently has in place an ICR and clearance for annual sales/
production reporting for light-duty vehicles and trucks. This ICR 
reflects additional requirements (beyond the annual sales/production 
reporting requirement) to collate the annual sales/production data, and 
implement the credit calculation program. In the future, this ICR will 
be integrated with ICR 783.39, (Reporting and Recordingkeeping 
Requirements for Motor Vehicle Certification under the Proposed Tier 2 
Rule), as part of the consolidation under the certification and fuel 
program reporting requirements.
    The information collection activity complies with the guidelines in 
5 CFR 1320.6 except for the following:
    First, to provide EPA with a mechanism for auditing the accuracy of 
these required reports, EPA will require pertinent production 
information to be maintained and kept for eight model years. The eight-
year requirement arises from the phase-in periods and the fact that 
credits have a four-model year lifetime. EPA enforcement action 
regarding the credit program could require documentation justifying 
credit or debit generation from the beginning of the phase-in and/or 
four-year credit lifetime period. Pertinent production information 
includes, but is not limited to, the number of vehicles or trucks sold 
in each averaging set, the EPA engine family, assembly plant, VIN 
number, and the NMOG standard to which the vehicle or truck is 
certified. Pertinent information, whether kept by the manufacturer or 
by a contractor, is subject to auditing by EPA. Consequently, EPA 
officials will require voluntary entry and access to facilities.
    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;
    (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 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., 
permitting electronic submission of responses.
    Burden Statement: The estimated annual burden attributed to the 
collection in this ICR is 241.3 hours for each of the 25 potential 
respondents. 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 purpose 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: Parties potentially affected by this 
action are manufacturers of light-duty vehicles and light-duty trucks.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 25.
    Frequency of Response: Annually.
    Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden Per Respondent: 241.3.
    Estimated Total Annualized Cost Burden Per Respondent: $12,759.80.
    Send comments on the Agency's need for this information, the 
accuracy of the provided burden estimates, and any suggested methods 
for minimizing respondent burden, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques to the addresses listed above. Please 
refer to EPA ICR No. 1761.02 and OMB Control No. 2060-0345 in any 
correspondence.

    Dated: February 14, 2001.
Robert D. Brenner,
Acting Assistant Administrator.
[FR Doc. 01-4270 Filed 2-20-01; 8:45 am]
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