[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 76 (Friday, April 20, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19925-19927]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-7542]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-0286; FRL-8302-2]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; EPA's In-Use Vehicle Testing Programs; EPA ICR No. 
0222.08, OMB Control No. 2060-0086

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that EPA is planning to 
submit a request to renew an existing approved Information Collection 
Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This ICR is 
scheduled to expire on September 30, 2007. 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 June 19, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OAR-2007-0286, by one of the following methods:
     www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for 
submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 566-1741
     Mail: EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-0286, Environmental Protection 
Agency, Mailcode: 6102T, Docket1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, 
DC 20460.
     Hand Delivery: Docket Center, (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room 
B102, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. 20460. Such 
deliveries are only accepted during the Docket's normal hours of 
operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of 
boxed information.
    Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-
2007-0286. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included 
in the public docket without change and may be made available online at 
www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, 
unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential 
Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is 
restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to 
be CBI or otherwise protected through www.regulations.gov or e-mail. 
The www.regulations.gov Web site is an ``anonymous access'' system, 
which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information 
unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an e-
mail comment directly to EPA without going through www.regulations.gov 
your e-mail address will be automatically captured and included as part 
of the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available 
on the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends 
that you include your name and other contact information in the body of 
your comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read 
your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for 
clarification,

[[Page 19926]]

EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic files should 
avoid the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be 
free of any defects or viruses. For additional information about EPA's 
public docket visit the EPA Docket Center homepage at http://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynn Sohacki, Compliance and 
Innovative Strategies Division, Office of Transportation and Air 
Quality, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2000 Traverwood, Ann 
Arbor, Michigan 48105; telephone number: 734-214-4851; fax number: 734-
214-4869; e-mail address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

How Can I Access the Docket and/or Submit Comments?

    EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID 
No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-0286, which is available for online viewing at 
www.regulations.gov, or in person viewing at the Air Docket in the EPA 
Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., 
NW., Washington, DC. The EPA/DC Public Reading Room is open from 8 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 Docket is 202-566-1742.
    Use www.regulations.gov to obtain a copy of the draft collection of 
information, submit or view public comments, access the index listing 
of the contents of the 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 in this 
document.

What Information Is EPA Particularly Interested in?

    Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, EPA specifically 
solicits comments and information to enable it 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. In particular, EPA is requesting comments from 
very small businesses (those that employ less than 25) on examples of 
specific additional efforts that EPA could make to reduce the paperwork 
burden for very small businesses affected by this collection.

What Should I Consider When I Prepare My Comments for EPA?

    You may find the following suggestions helpful for preparing your 
comments:
    1. Explain your views as clearly as possible and provide specific 
examples.
    2. Describe any assumptions that you used.
    3. Provide copies of any technical information and/or data you used 
that support your views.
    4. If you estimate potential burden or costs, explain how you 
arrived at the estimate that you provide.
    5. Offer alternative ways to improve the collection activity.
    6. Make sure to submit your comments by the deadline identified 
under DATES.
    7. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, be sure to identify the docket 
ID number assigned to this action in the subject line on the first page 
of your response. You may also provide the name, date, and Federal 
Register citation.

What Information Collection Activity or ICR Does This Apply to?

    Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are 
owners of motor vehicles.
    Title: EPA's In-Use Vehicle and Engine Testing Programs.
    ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 0222.08, OMB Control No. 2060-0086.
    ICR status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on September 
30, 2007. 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, are 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: EPA has ongoing programs to evaluate the emission 
performance of in-use light-duty (passenger car and light truck) motor 
vehicles, heavy-duty trucks, and nonroad vehicles and engines. These 
are referred to collectively as EPA's in-use vehicle testing programs. 
They operate in conjunction with testing of prototype vehicles prior to 
use (manufacturer and EPA confirmatory testing for certification) and 
the mandatory manufacturer's in-use testing program (IUVP) for light-
duty vehicles. They derive from the Clean Air Act's charge that EPA 
insure that motor vehicles comply with emissions requirements 
throughout their useful lives. The primary purpose of the program is 
information gathering. Nevertheless, EPA can require a recall if it 
receives information, from whatever source, including in-use testing, 
that a ``substantial number'' of any class or category of vehicles or 
engines, although properly maintained and used, do not conform to the 
emission standards, when in actual use throughout their useful life.
    The program has two components: Light-duty, and heavy-duty and 
nonroad. The light-duty component can be broken down into three 
closely-related headings. The first is a surveillance program that 
selects approximately 50 classes of passenger cars and light trucks for 
in-use testing, at EPA's testing facility, of approximately 150 
vehicles (three in each class on average). In rare cases surveillance 
testing may be followed by compliance testing (only one such class in 
the last five years).The purpose of a compliance phase is to develop 
additional information related to test failures observed in a class 
during surveillance testing. The second heading is testing of a subset 
of approximately 35 vehicles from the surveillance recruitment for 
operation of on-board diagnostics (OBD) systems. The third category is 
special investigations involving testing of vehicles to address 
specific issues. The number of vehicles procured under this category 
varies widely from year to year, but this request asks for approval of 
the information burden corresponding to 25 such vehicles per year for 
the next three years.
    Participation in the light-duty surveys, as well as the vehicle 
testing, is strictly voluntary. A group of 25 to 50 potential 
participants is identified from state vehicle registration records. 
They are asked to return a postcard indicating their willingness to 
participate and if so,

[[Page 19927]]

to verify some limited vehicle information. Three of those who return 
the card are called and asked about a half dozen questions concerning 
vehicle condition, and operation and maintenance. Additional groups of 
potential participants may be contacted until a sufficient number of 
vehicles has been obtained. Owners verify the survey information when 
they deliver their vehicles to EPA, voluntarily provide maintenance 
records for copying, and receive a loaner car or a cash incentive.
    Procurement and testing are different for the heavy-duty and 
nonroad in-use testing program. All testing is done by installing 
``Rover'' portable emissions monitoring devices on the vehicle or 
engine during a period of operation. Heavy-duty trucks, those commonly 
referred to as over \3/4\ ton capacity, are usually employed 
commercially; typically they are part of a fleet of identical (or very 
similar) vehicles. Consequently, EPA employs a slightly different 
method to obtain them. Potential owners/lessees can be found in 
registrations lists; engine manufacturers will also supply identities 
of their customers. In addition, EPA has a network of entities who have 
shown a willingness to participate over the years. Once a potential 
source is identified, EPA will make a brief telephone call to the fleet 
manager to ascertain if they wish to participate. If the response is 
positive, EPA's contractors will frequently visit the fleet to install 
the testing instruments at the company's service facility or government 
garage. Otherwise, the lessee will be within driving distance of the 
testing grounds and the devices will be installed there. The procedure 
for nonroad vehicles and engines (e.g., farm tractors, compressors) is 
similar; in some cases the vehicle or engine may be rented for the day. 
Therefore, EPA makes far fewer inquires than with individual owners of 
light vehicles in the process of procuring an estimated 126 vehicles 
and engines a year for this program. As with the light-duty component, 
all participation is strictly voluntary.
    Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping 
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.15 
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.
    The ICR Supporting Statement provides a detailed explanation of the 
Agency's estimate, which is only briefly summarized here:
    Estimated total number of potential respondents: Approximately 
4,411 owners/lessees receive EPA's solicitations to participate and 
approximately 336 do participate.
    Frequency of response: On Occasion.
    Estimated total average number of responses for each respondent: 
One.
    Estimated total annual burden hours: 658.
    Estimated total annual costs: $49,320. This includes an estimated 
burden cost of $49,320 and an estimated cost of $0 for capital 
investment or maintenance and operational costs.

Are There Changes in the Estimates From the Last Approval?

    There is an increase of 58 hours in the total estimated respondent 
burden compared with that identified in the ICR currently approved by 
OMB. This increase reflects EPA's updating of burden estimates based 
upon historical information on the scope of EPA's in-use testing 
programs and the number of vehicles and engines tested. Note: This ICR 
was previously titled, ``Investigation into Possible Noncompliance of 
Motor Vehicles''.

What Is the Next Step in the Process for This ICR?

    EPA will consider the comments received and amend the ICR as 
appropriate. The final ICR package will then be submitted to OMB for 
review and approval pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.12. At that time, EPA will 
issue another Federal Register notice pursuant to 5 CFR 
1320.5(a)(1)(iv) to announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the 
opportunity to submit additional comments to OMB. If you have any 
questions about this ICR or the approval process, please contact the 
technical person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

    Dated: April 16, 2007.
Margo Tsirigotis Oge,
Director, Office of Transportation and Air Quality.
 [FR Doc. E7-7542 Filed 4-19-07; 8:45 am]
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