[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 122 (Monday, June 25, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33680-33681]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-15879]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6997-3]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Reporting and Recordkeeping Activities Associated With 
EPA's PFC Emission Reduction Partnership for the Semiconductor Industry

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 proposed Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB): Reporting and Recordkeeping Activities 
Associated with EPA's PFC Emission Reduction Partnership for the 
Semiconductor Industry, EPA ICR No. 1823.02. 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 August 24, 2001.

ADDRESSES: To obtain a free copy of the proposed ICR, contact Scott 
Bartos, U.S. EPA 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., (6205J), Washington, DC 
20460.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Bartos, Program Manager Tel.: 
(202) 564-9167, Fax: (202) 565-2155, 
E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are 
those which produce semiconductor devices in the United States.
    Title: Reporting and Recordkeeping Activities Associated with EPA's 
PFC Emission Reduction Partnership for the Semiconductor Industry (EPA 
ICR No. 1823.02).
    Abstract: Following the 1993 introduction of the Climate Change 
Action Plan, U.S. EPA's Office of Atmospheric Programs launched the PFC 
Emission Reduction Partnership for the Semiconductor Industry. This 
important voluntary program contributes to the country's overall 
reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Like Energy Star Buildings and 
the Voluntary Aluminum Industrial Partnership, the PFC Emission 
Reduction Partnership for the Semiconductor Industry is a voluntary 
effort aimed at preventing pollution before it is generated. These 
voluntary programs all focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and 
tracking progress by collecting information from partners on a periodic 
basis. The PFC Emissions Reduction Partnership for the Semiconductor 
Industry is a voluntary, non-regulatory program that supports the 
industry's efforts to reduce perfluorocompound (PFC) emissions.
    PFCs are the most potent greenhouse gases known with atmospheric 
lifetimes of up to 50,000 years. These unique chemical compounds are 
required during two delicate semiconductor manufacturing steps, plasma 
etching and CVD chamber cleaning. EPA's semiconductor industry partners 
share information on available cost-effective emission reduction 
technologies and EPA tracks successful emission reduction efforts. EPA 
also recognizes companies for their success in reducing PFC emissions 
through certificates, awards, and assistance in communicating their 
achievements with the public.
    All semiconductor manufacturers operating in the U.S. are invited 
to join the partnership. Participation in the program begins by 
completing a Memorandum of Understanding that defines a voluntary 
agreement between the company and EPA. By joining the partnership, a 
company agrees to track and report an estimate of its PFC emissions to 
EPA annually. A designated third party assembles the reported data and 
protects any confidential or sensitive information prior to EPA review. 
The partner companies' annual reports will provide an estimate of total 
PFC emissions and a description of the estimating method. The 
partnership will track progress as a group using the aggregate annual 
PFC emissions estimate.
    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

[[Page 33681]]

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: In estimating the expected burden, EPA assumes 21 
companies will participate in the first year and 2 new companies will 
join in each of the three years covered by this ICR for a total of 27 
in year 3. These values provide an average of 25 partners/year over the 
3 years covered by this proposed ICR.
    Average annual reporting burden hours=6,277.
    Average burden hours/response=251.
    Frequency of response=1/year.
    Estimated number of respondents=25.
    Estimated total annual cost burden=$1,275,143.
    Total capital and start-up costs=$0.
    Total operation and maintenance costs=$138,502.
    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: June 4, 2001.
Jeff Cohen,
Chief, Alternatives and Emissions Reduction Branch.
[FR Doc. 01-15879 Filed 6-22-01; 8:45 am]
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