[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 154 (Thursday, August 11, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46836-46838]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-15919]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OAR-2004-0500, FRL-7950-6]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Information Collection Activities Associated With 
EPA's ENERGY STAR for Homes Program, EPA ICR Number 2193.01

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 a 
proposed Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB). This is a request for a new collection. 
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 October 11, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing docket ID number OAR-2004-
0500, to EPA online using EDOCKET (our preferred method), by email to 
[email protected], or by mail to: EPA Docket Center, Environmental 
Protection Agency, Mailcode: 6102T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Ng, ENERGY STAR Program, 
Mailcode: 6202J, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania 
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 343-9162; fax 
number: (202) 343-2200; e-mail address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA has established a public docket for this 
ICR under Docket ID number OAR-2004-0500, which is available for public 
viewing at the Air and Radiation Docket in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/
DC), EPA West, Room B102, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. 
The EPA Docket Center Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 
4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The 
telephone number for the Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the 
telephone number for the Air and Radiation Docket is (202) 566-1742. An 
electronic version of the public docket is available through EPA 
Dockets (EDOCKET) at http://www.epa.gov/edocket. Use EDOCKET to obtain 
a copy of the draft collection of information, submit or view public 
comments, access the index listing of the contents of the public 
docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are 
available electronically. Once in the system, select ``search,'' then 
key in the docket ID number identified above.
    Any comments related to this ICR should be submitted to EPA within 
60 days of this notice. EPA's policy is that public comments, whether 
submitted electronically or in paper, will be made available for public 
viewing in EDOCKET as EPA receives them and without change, unless the 
comment contains copyrighted material, CBI, or other information whose 
public disclosure is restricted by statute. When EPA identifies a 
comment containing copyrighted material, EPA will provide a reference 
to that material in the version of the comment that is placed in 
EDOCKET. The entire printed comment, including the copyrighted 
material, will be available in the public docket. Although identified 
as an item in the official docket, information claimed as CBI, or whose 
disclosure is otherwise restricted by statute, is not included in the 
official public docket, and will not be available for public viewing in 
EDOCKET. For further information about the electronic docket, see EPA's 
Federal Register notice describing the electronic docket at 67 FR 38102 
(May 31, 2002), or go to http://www.epa.gov./edocket.
    Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are 
home builders, home energy verification organizations, lenders, 
regional energy efficiency programs, home improvement contractors, and 
national, regional, state, or local government entities and other 
organizations that serve the home building or home improvement 
industries.
    Title: Information Collection Activities Associated With EPA'S 
ENERGY STAR Program In The Residential Sector--ICR Number 2193.01.
    Abstract: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced 
ENERGY STAR in 1992 to label energy efficient computers. Since then, 
EPA and the Department of Energy (DOE) have expanded the ENERGY STAR 
Program to promote energy efficiency in over 40 product categories and 
in commercial and residential buildings. Increased energy efficiency 
through ENERGY STAR provides cost savings to businesses and homeowners, 
reduces greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, and increases U.S. 
energy security and reliability.
    EPA announced ENERGY STAR for New Homes in 1995 as part of its 
effort to promote energy efficient construction in the new homes 
market. EPA rolled out its existing homes effort in 2000 to promote 
cost-effective upgrades to the existing homes market. These two efforts 
promote home envelope improvements such as the proper installation of 
adequate insulation, sealing of holes and gaps that allow air into the 
home, and installation of energy efficient windows. In addition to the 
home envelope, EPA promotes energy efficient heating and cooling 
equipment, including sealing leaky ducts that distribute conditioned 
air.
    Currently, partners to these two ENERGY STAR efforts are not 
required to report information to EPA, and information received to date 
has been submitted voluntarily to EPA. However, EPA believes that 
partner feedback is essential for EPA to ensure that the current 
programs are meeting both partners' and EPA's expectations. EPA has 
developed this ICR to obtain authorization to collect information from 
the public, including businesses, for the following activities:
    ENERGY STAR Partnership: An organization interested in joining 
ENERGY STAR as a partner is asked to submit a partnership agreement 
establishing their commitment to promoting ENERGY STAR. Partners agree 
to undertake efforts such as educating staff and the public about their 
partnership with ENERGY STAR, developing and implementing a plan to 
improve energy performance in homes, and highlighting achievements 
utilizing the ENERGY STAR logos. Partners are encouraged to undertake 
related activities for added benefit and/or public recognition, such as 
committing to build 100% ENERGY STAR qualified new homes or offering 
homebuyers ENERGY STAR's Advanced Lighting Package. Information 
collected is used to inform the public of organizations that build and 
promote ENERGY STAR qualified homes and make energy-efficient 
improvements to existing homes. Partnership is voluntary and can be 
terminated by partners or EPA at any time. EPA does not expect 
organizations to join the program unless they expect participation to 
be cost-effective and otherwise beneficial for them.
    Outreach Partnership: Partners have the opportunity to participate 
in an

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outreach partnership with EPA to develop public education campaigns 
featuring the benefits of ENERGY STAR qualified homes. Partners 
interested in participating in the outreach program are asked to submit 
a form detailing their level of participation.
    ENERGY STAR Awards: Each year partners are eligible for an ENERGY 
STAR award, which recognizes organizations demonstrating outstanding 
support in promoting ENERGY STAR. This award program provides partners 
with public recognition and market differentiation. There is an 
application form that is submitted to EPA by partners interested in 
being eligible for an award.
    Quarterly Reporting: Partners are asked to submit information each 
calendar quarter to assist EPA in tracking and measuring progress and 
program implementation. This includes submitting quarterly updates on 
partners' level of activity in qualifying new homes for the ENERGY STAR 
label and activity in improving the energy efficiency of existing 
homes. This information is used by EPA to determine ENERGY STAR's 
impact on the market for energy efficient new and existing homes, its 
impact on residential energy demand and air pollution, and to recognize 
partners for promoting energy efficient homes.
    Evaluation: Partners and other program participants are asked to 
periodically submit information to EPA as needed to assist in 
evaluating ENERGY STAR's effectiveness in helping organizations promote 
energy efficiency in homes, to assess partners' level of interest and 
ability in promoting ENERGY STAR in the residential sector, and to 
determine the impact that ENERGY STAR has on the supply and demand for 
energy-efficient homes and home improvement products and services. For 
example, EPA periodically contacts a subset of partners about their 
participation in the ENERGY STAR Program to determine how it has 
impacted their organization and areas for improvement. This information 
is used by EPA to make changes to ENERGY STAR's outreach efforts to 
better serve the needs of partners.
    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 in 40 CFR are listed in 40 CFR part 9.
    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 terms of hours, the total annual respondent 
burden for this three (3) year collection of information is estimated 
to be 5,092 hours. The average hours per year per respondent varies 
depending on the type of respondent, the specific collection activity, 
and other factors. The following is the estimated annual burden for 
each activity:
    ENERGY STAR Partnership: The total annual burden for joining ENERGY 
STAR as a partner and related activities is estimated to be 2,761 hours 
for all respondents. The annual burden for joining as a partner is 
estimated to range from 1 to 2.5 hours per respondent. An additional 
annual burden of 40 hours per respondent is estimated for a 
manufactured housing partner to certify their plant as ready to produce 
homes eligible for ENERGY STAR qualification. The additional annual 
burden of 86 hours per respondent is estimated for each Home 
Performance with ENERGY STAR partner for implementation and reporting 
activities.
    Outreach Partnership: The total annual burden for the outreach 
partnership is estimated to be 782 hours for all respondents. The 
annual burden is estimated to be 43 hours per respondent, which 
includes time for completing and submitting the commitment form as well 
as coordinating with other participants and EPA to develop and 
distribute the outreach campaign.
    ENERGY STAR Awards: The total annual burden for applying for an 
ENERGY STAR award is estimated to be 410 hours for all respondents. The 
annual burden is estimated to be 10.5 hours per respondent, which 
includes time for preparing and submitting the awards application and 
supporting materials to EPA.
    Quarterly Reporting: The total annual burden for providing 
quarterly updates on the number of ENERGY STAR qualified homes built 
and on market indicators for energy-efficient home improvement projects 
is estimated to be 321 hours for all respondents. The annual burden is 
estimated to be about 3.5 hours per respondent, which includes time for 
logging into EPA's Web-based reporting form (HOST) or using other 
electronic means to provide the specified information. It also includes 
the manual submittal of information (in 2006 only) on the number of new 
homes built with EPA's new Indoor Air Package.
    Evaluation: The total annual burden for providing information that 
evaluates ENERGY STAR's value in the marketplace and its impact on 
residential energy use is estimated to be 818 hours for all 
respondents. The annual burden is estimated to range from 45 minutes to 
4 hours per respondent, which includes time providing feedback on 
ENERGY STAR's outreach programs and materials, ENERGY STAR's impact on 
the supply and demand for energy efficient homes, home improvement 
market metrics such as the number of verified HVAC system installations 
and home sealing jobs performed, and time spent on the phone with 
ENERGY STAR account managers or responding to requests in writing.
    In terms of costs, the total annual cost to respondents 
collectively is estimated to be $361,390. This includes an estimated 
total annual operation and maintenance cost of $281 for all 
respondents, which includes postage costs (i.e., $0.37) for each 
submittal of a partnership agreement to EPA by postal mail and a cost 
for a long distance call (i.e., $0.10) for each submittal of a 
partnership agreement to EPA by fax. This also includes costs for a 
long distance call for each submittal of an application for the 
outreach partnership via fax and costs of distributing print materials 
for the outreach campaign.
    This ICR also includes an estimated annual capital cost of $35,000 
for all respondents. This includes an estimated one-time cost of $3,500 
per manufactured housing plant to modify its production and quality 
control processes to produce homes that are ready for ENERGY STAR 
qualification.
    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

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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: Home Builders, Home Energy 
Verification Organizations, Lenders, Regional Energy Efficiency 
Programs/Utilities, Home Improvement Contractors, Product Retailers, 
Manufactured Home Retailers, Realtors, Architects.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 2,782.
    Frequency of Response: One-time, annually, quarterly, and/or as-
needed, depending on respondent type and collection activity.
    Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 5,092 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Capital, Operation/Maintenance Cost Burden: 
$35,281.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost Burden: $361,390.

    Dated: August 3, 2005.
Kathleen Hogan,
Director, Climate Protection Partnerships Division.
[FR Doc. 05-15919 Filed 8-10-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P