[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 134 (Friday, July 13, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38573-38575]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-13623]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-0529 FRL-8439-4]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Information Collection Activities Associated with 
EPA's ENERGY STAR[supreg] Product Labeling; EPA ICR No. 2078.02, OMB 
Control No. 2060-0528

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

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 December 31, 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 September 11, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OAR-2007-0529 by one of the following methods:
     www.regulations.gov: Follow the online instructions for 
submitting comments.
     E-mail: [email protected].
     Fax: 202-566-9744.
     Mail: Air and Radiation Docket Environmental Protection 
Agency, Mailcode: 2822T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 
20460. Hand Delivery: 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room 3334, 
Washington, DC 20004. 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-
2007-0529. 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, 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: Ann Bailey, Climate Protection 
Partnerships Division, Office of Air and Radiation, Mailcode 6202J, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: 202-343-9023; fax number: 202-
343-2200, e-mail address: [email protected].

[[Page 38574]]


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-2007-0529, which is available for online viewing at 
http://www.regulations.gov, or in person viewing at the Air and 
Radiation 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 and Radiation 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?

    Docket ID No.: EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-0529.
    Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are 
product manufacturers which are Partners in EPA's ENERGY STAR program.
    Title: Information Collection Activities Associated with EPA's 
ENERGY STAR[supreg] Product Labeling.
    ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 2078.02, OMB Control No. 2060-0528.
    ICR status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on December 
31, 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: ENERGY STAR is a voluntary program developed in 
collaboration with industry to create a self-sustaining market for 
energy efficient products. The center piece of the program is the 
ENERGY STAR label, a registered certification label that helps 
consumers identify products that save energy, save money, and help 
protect the environment without sacrificing quality or performance. In 
order to protect the integrity of the label and enhance its 
effectiveness in the marketplace, EPA must ensure that products 
carrying the label meet appropriate program requirements. Since ENERGY 
STAR is a self-certification program, it is important that program 
participants submit signed Partnership Agreements indicating that they 
will adhere to logo-use guidelines and that participating products meet 
specified energy performance criteria based on a standard test method.
    As part of our contribution to the overall success of the program, 
EPA has agreed to facilitate the sale of qualifying products by 
providing consumers with easy-to-use information about the products. To 
be effective, EPA must receive qualifying product information from 
participating manufacturers. Partners are requested to submit updates 
to qualifying information on an annual basis, at minimum, so as to 
ensure that EPA information is recent and accurate. The information 
will be compiled into a complete qualifying products list per product 
category, posted on the ENERGY STAR Web site, and supplied to those 
purchasers who request it via phone, fax, or e-mail. In addition, 
because of the nature of these products, manufacturers of roof products 
and residential light fixtures are requested to submit testing reports 
in order to verify qualification.
    In order to monitor progress and support the best allocation of 
resources, EPA also asks manufacturers to submit annual shipment data 
for their ENERGY STAR qualifying products. EPA is flexible as to the 
methods by which manufacturers may submit unit shipment data. For 
example, if manufacturers already submit this type of information to a 
third party, such as a trade association, they are given the option of 
arranging for shipment data to be sent to EPA via this third party to 
avoid duplication of efforts and to ensure confidentiality. In using 
any shipment data received directly from a partner, EPA will mask the 
source of the data so as to protect confidentiality.
    Finally, Partners that wish to receive recognition for their 
efforts in ENERGY STAR may submit an application for the Partner of the 
Year Award.
    Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping 
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 89.33 
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;

[[Page 38575]]

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 estimated total cost for respondents is $7,056,533 and the 
hourly burden is approximately 89,150 hours. This cost includes an 
estimated burden cost of $6,817,702 and an estimated cost of $238,831 
for capital investment or maintenance and operational costs. The 
estimated total cost for the Agency is $468,724 and the hourly burden 
is approximately 11,932 hours. This cost includes an estimated burden 
cost of $467,508 and an estimated cost of $1,216 for capital investment 
or maintenance and operational costs. A grand total of $7,525,257 and 
an hourly burden of approximately 101,082 hours are expected for all 
information collection activities under ENERGY STAR product labeling.
    EPA collects initial information in the Partnership Agreement (PA), 
which is completed and submitted by every Partner participating in 
ENERGY STAR. One overarching PA has been developed by EPA for ENERGY 
STAR product labeling. It is expected that 292 new Partners will join 
each year for the three years of this ICR. The reporting burden for 
information collection requirements associated with completing the PA 
for each respondent is estimated to be 4.20 hours. This estimate 
includes time for reviewing the instructions on the PA, completing and 
reviewing the information requested by the PA, and submitting the PA.
    Every manufacturing Partner is required to submit information on 
each of their qualifying products. Annual updates, at minimum, 
notifying EPA of any changes in qualifying product information, are 
required as well. Thirty-three different product categories are covered 
by EPA under ENERGY STAR. Each product category has specific qualifying 
product information that must be submitted by each Partner for at least 
one qualifying product. Qualifying product information is expected for 
9,986 new qualifying products each year for the three years of this 
ICR. The qualifying product list for each product category is updated 
by the Agency once each month, for a total of 396 times annually (32 
qualifying product lists multiplied by 12 months in a year). 
Approximately twice each month the Agency receives a request for 
qualifying product information that cannot be fulfilled by the ENERGY 
STAR Web site, for a total of 792 requests. The reporting burden for 
information collection requirements associated with completing 
qualifying product information for each qualifying product submitted by 
a respondent is estimated to be 4.85 hours. This estimate includes time 
for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the information 
requested, and submitting the information.
    ENERGY STAR Partners for residential light fixtures and roof 
products are required to submit testing reports for each product 
determined to be ENERGY STAR qualified. It is anticipated that 
qualifying product information for 4,464 new roof and residential light 
fixture products will be received by EPA each year for the three years 
of this ICR. The reporting burden for information collection 
requirements associated with testing reports by roof product and 
residential light fixture Partners for each qualifying product 
submitted by a respondent is estimated to be 14.30 hours. This estimate 
includes performing testing in-house or by a Third Party, assembling 
the data into a report format, reviewing it, and submitting it.
    Each year, ENERGY STAR Partners are required to submit unit 
shipment data for their ENERGY STAR qualified products. There will be 
an average of 692 total Partners each year for the three years of this 
ICR. Therefore, 692 reports of unit shipment data are expected each 
year for the three years of this ICR. Unit shipment data will be 
aggregated for each of the 33 product categories covered by EPA under 
ENERGY STAR. The reporting burden for information collection 
requirements associated with unit shipment data for each respondent is 
estimated to be 6.69 hours. This estimate includes reviewing 
instructions, gathering unit shipment data, compiling and reviewing it 
by category, and submitting it.
    Partners interested in receiving recognition for their efforts on 
ENERGY STAR are required to submit a Partner of the Year application. 
One set of Partner of the Year award criteria are developed by the 
Agency each year and posted on the ENERGY STAR Web site. An average of 
17 award applications are expected each year for the three years of 
this ICR. The reporting burden for information collection requirements 
associated with the Partner of the Year application for each respondent 
is estimated to be 59.29 hours. This estimate includes reviewing 
instructions on the application, gathering data and information for 
submission, completing the application, reviewing the information and 
narrative description required, and submitting the application to EPA.

Are There Changes in the Estimates from the Last Approval?

    There is an increase of approximately 18,483 hours in the total 
estimated respondent burden compared with that identified in the ICR 
currently approved by OMB. Although the estimated burden hours for each 
individual collection activity decreased, the overall increase in 
burden hours reflects the increased number of roof products and 
residential light fixture Partners that are required to submit testing 
reports along with qualifying product information. The currently 
approved ICR estimated 654 respondents, whereas this ICR estimates 
4,464 respondents for this activity. This change is an adjustment.

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: June 29, 2007.
Kathleen Hogan,
Director, Climate Protection Partnerships Division.
 [FR Doc. E7-13623 Filed 7-12-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P