[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 211 (Thursday, November 1, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61875-61877]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-21524]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OAR-2004-0082, FRL-8490-1]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements Under EPA's 
Natural Gas STAR Program; EPA ICR No. 1736.05, OMB Control Number 2060-
0328

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). ICR is 
scheduled to expire on 03/31/2008.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before December 31, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OAR-2004-0082 by one of the following methods:
     http://www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line 
instructions for submitting comments.
     E-mail: [email protected].
     Fax Number: 202-566-9744.
     Phone Number: 202-566-1742.
     Mail: Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2004-0082, Environmental 
Protection Agency, Mailcode: 2822T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460.
     Hand Delivery: EPA Docket Center, 1301 Constitution Ave., 
NW., Room 3334, Washington, DC 20460 (Attention Docket EPA-HQ-OAR-2004-
0082). 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-
2004-0082. 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: Suzie Waltzer, Office of Atmospheric 
Program, Climate Change Division, 6207J, Environmental Protection 
Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone 
number: 202-343-9544; fax number: 202-343-2202; e-mail address: 
[email protected].

[[Page 61876]]


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-2004-0082, which is available for online viewing at 
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 previously approved 
Information Collection Request EPA ICR No. 1736.04, 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-2004-0082
    Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are 
those which produce, process, transport, and distribute natural gas.
    Title: Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements Under EPA's Natural 
Gas STAR Program.
    ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 1736.05, OMB Control number 2060-0328.
    ICR status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on 3/31/2008. 
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: Natural Gas STAR is an EPA-sponsored, voluntary program 
that encourages natural gas companies to adopt cost effective methods 
for reducing methane emissions. Natural Gas STAR Partners agree to 
implement cost-effective technologies and practices to reduce methane 
emissions, which will save participants money and improve environmental 
quality. EPA needs to collect information to establish program 
participation and to obtain general information on new Natural Gas STAR 
Partners. EPA also uses the information collection to evaluate a 
Partner's progress and performance, assess overall program results, and 
develop technical guidance documents for the benefit of the industry. 
Information collection is accomplished through the use of an annual 
reporting process that allows companies to report their accomplishments 
in either a traditional hard-copy format or electronically. 
Participation in Natural Gas STAR is voluntary. Natural Gas STAR 
Partners may designate information submitted under this ICR as 
confidential business information. EPA will treat all such information 
as confidential business information and will not make the company or 
agency-specific information collected under this ICR available to the 
general public. 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 are listed in 40 CFR part 9 and 48 CFR Chapter 
15.
    Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping 
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 41 
hours per facility. 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 provides a detailed explanation of the Agency's estimate, 
which is only briefly summarized here:
    Estimated total number of potential respondents: 130.
    Frequency of response: 130.
    Estimated total average number of responses for each respondent: 
varies.
    Estimated total annual burden hours: 5,348.
    Estimated total annual costs: $482,569.

[[Page 61877]]

Are There Changes in the Estimates From the Last Approval?

    The overall reporting burden for respondents has increased from the 
previous ICR. Burden hours increased from 4,432 to 5,348 hours per year 
and costs increased from $402,141 to $482,569. This change is largely a 
result of an increase in the number of program participants.

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: October 24, 2007.
Gloria DeBolt,
Acting Director, Climate Change Division.
[FR Doc. E7-21524 Filed 10-31-07; 8:45 am]
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