[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 242 (Monday, December 18, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75750-75751]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-21501]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OECA-2006-0421; FRL-8258-2]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to OMB for 
Review and Approval; Comment Request; NESHAP for Mercury Cell Chlor-
Alkali Plants (Renewal), EPA ICR Number 2046.03, OMB Control Number 
2060-0542

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

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 an Information Collection 
Request (ICR) has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) for review and approval. This is a request to renew an existing 
approved collection. The ICR which is abstracted below describes the 
nature of the collection and the estimated burden and cost.

DATES: Additional comments may be submitted on or before January 17, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing docket ID number EPA-HQ-
OECA-2006-0421, to (1) EPA online using http://www.regulations.gov (our 
preferred method), or by e-mail to [email protected], or by mail to: 
EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), Environmental Protection Agency, 
Enforcement and Compliance Docket and Information Center, mail code 
2201T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460, and (2) OMB 
at: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB), Attention: Desk Officer for EPA, 725 17th Street, 
NW., Washington, DC 20503.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert C. Marshall, Jr., Office of 
Compliance, 2223A, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania 
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 564-7021; 
fax number: (202) 564-0050; e-mail address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA has submitted the following ICR to OMB 
for review and approval according to the procedures prescribed in 5 CFR 
1320.12. On June 21, 2006 (71 FR 35652), EPA sought comments on this 
ICR pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.8(d). EPA received no comments. Any 
additional comments on this ICR should be submitted to EPA and OMB 
within 30 days of this notice.
    EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under docket ID 
number EPA-HQ-OECA-2006-0421, which is available for public viewing 
online at http://www.regulations.gov, or in person viewing at the 
Enforcement and Compliance Docket in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), 
EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue, 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 Enforcement and Compliance Docket is (202) 566-1927.
    Use EPA's electronic docket and comment system at http://www.regulations.gov, to submit or view public comments, access the 
index listing of the contents of the docket, and to access those 
documents in the docket that are available electronically. Once in the 
system, select ``docket search,'' then key in the docket ID number 
identified above. Please note that EPA's policy is that public 
comments, whether submitted electronically or in paper, will be made 
available for public viewing at http://www.regulations.gov, as EPA 
receives them and without change, unless the comment contains 
copyrighted material, CBI, or other information whose public disclosure 
is restricted by statute. For further information about the electronic 
docket, go to www.regulations.gov.
    Title: NESHAP for Mercury Cell Chlor-Alkali Plants (Renewal).
    ICR Numbers: EPA ICR Number 2046.03, OMB Control Number 2060-0542.
    ICR Status: This ICR is scheduled to expire on January 31, 2007. 
Under OMB regulations, the Agency may continue to conduct or sponsor 
the collection of information while this submission is pending at OMB. 
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 title 40 of the CFR, after appearing in the Federal Register when 
approved, are listed in 40 CFR part 9, and displayed either by 
publication in the Federal Register or by other appropriate means, such 
as on the related collection instrument or form, if applicable. The 
display of OMB control numbers in certain EPA regulations is 
consolidated in 40 CFR part 9.
    Abstract: The National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air 
Pollutants (NESHAP) for Mercury Emissions from Mercury Cell Chlor-
Alkali plants were promulgated on December 19, 2003. These standards 
apply to existing facilities and new facilities that are part

[[Page 75751]]

of major source of hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions or a part of 
an area source of HAP emissions.
    In general, all NESHAP standards require initial notifications, 
performance tests, and periodic reports by the owners/operators of the 
affected facilities. They are also required to maintain records of the 
occurrence and duration of any startup, shutdown, or malfunction in the 
operation of an affected facility, or any period during which the 
monitoring system is inoperative. These notifications, reports, and 
records are essential in determining compliance, and are required of 
all affected facilities.
    Any owner/operator subject to the provisions of this part shall 
maintain a file of these measurements, and retain the file for at least 
five years following the date of such measurements, maintenance reports 
and records. All reports are sent to the delegated state or local 
authority. In the event that there is no such delegated authority, the 
reports are sent directly to the United States Environmental Protection 
Agency (EPA) regional office.
    Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping 
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 809 
hours per response. 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 which have subsequently changed; 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: Mercury cell chlor-alkali plants.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 9.
    Frequency of Response: Semiannually.
    Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 14,558.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $1,351,382 which is comprised of zero 
annualized Capital Start Up costs, $74,000 annualized Operating and 
Maintenance (O&M), and $1,277,382 annual Labor Costs.
    Changes in the Estimates: The number of respondents has not changed 
and there are no program changes. However, there are adjustments for an 
increase in labor hours and a decrease in costs as compared to the 
currently ``active'' ICR.
    The adjustments result from the transition by the respondents from 
initial compliance with the standard to continuing compliance with the 
standard. The respondents achieved compliance over the past three years 
by conducting performance tests and purchasing pollution monitors which 
resulted in a small number of labor hours, but a relatively high 
capital/startup cost. After achieving compliance, performance tests are 
not required and capital/startup costs are low because pollution 
monitors are a one-time, initial expense. However, the cost to maintain 
the monitors is increased. The overall labor costs are higher because 
the pollution levels must be recorded and compliance reports sent to 
the appropriate regulatory authority.

    Dated: December 8, 2006.
Richard T. Westlund,
Acting Director, Collection Strategies Division.
 [FR Doc. E6-21501 Filed 12-15-06; 8:45 am]
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