[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 57 (Monday, March 24, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15520-15521]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-5879]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-001; FRL-8545-8]


Protection of Stratospheric Ozone; Launch of Electronic Reporting 
System

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: EPA is prepared to receive, in electronic form, certain 
documents required under the regulations at 40 CFR Part 82 for the 
Stratospheric Ozone Protection Program. EPA is launching an electronic 
reporting system that will allow producers, importers, and exporters of 
Class I ozone-depleting substances (except methyl bromide) and Class II 
ozone-depleting substances to submit quarterly reports electronically. 
EPA believes that, for many users, electronic reporting will allow 
reporting to occur with greater ease, speed, and accuracy than the 
paper-based reporting systems.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Bohman, Stratospheric 
Protection Division, Office of Air and Radiation (6205J), Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460; 
telephone number: (202) 343-9548; fax number: (202) 343-2338; e-mail 
address: [email protected]. Additional information, including the 
electronic reporting forms, training and guidance documents are found 
at http://www.epa.gov/ozone/record/ereport.html.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. What Action is the Agency Taking?

    EPA is launching an electronic reporting system that will allow the 
electronic submission of certain quarterly reports. Over the past year, 
EPA has conducted a pilot effort to use and evaluate an electronic 
reporting system. EPA has refined the system based on recommendations 
from the pilot participants. EPA is now launching the electronic 
reporting system and providing an opportunity for all eligible 
participants to use the system.

B. What Is the Agency's Authority for Taking This Action?

    EPA is establishing this electronic reporting system under section 
603(b) of the Clean Air Act which states that ``on a quarterly basis, 
or such other basis (not less than annually) as determined by the 
Administrator, each person who produced, imported, or exported a class 
I or class II substance shall file a report with the Administrator. * * 
*''
    EPA offers the electronic reporting system as an alternative to the 
existing paper-based reporting system. The electronic reporting system 
does not contain any new or additional requirements. The electronic 
reporting system is compliant with EPA's Cross Media Electronic 
Reporting Rule.

C. What Reports Can Be Submitted Electronically?

    The electronic reporting system currently allows producers, 
importers, and exporters of Class I ozone-depleting substances (except 
methyl bromide) and Class II ozone-depleting substances to submit 
quarterly reports electronically. These quarterly reports, among 
others, are required under our regulations at 40 CFR 82.13 and 82.24. 
In addition to the quarterly report data, participants will also be 
able to submit supporting documents that would have been attached to 
hard copy reports under the previous system.
    EPA anticipates expanding the electronic reporting system to 
include additional reports required by the Stratospheric Ozone 
Protection Program's regulations.

D. Am I Required To Submit Reports Electronically?

    EPA strongly encourages companies to use the electronic reporting 
system.

[[Page 15521]]

EPA believes that electronic submission of data will be easier, faster, 
and more accurate. However, EPA will continue to accept paper reporting 
forms.

E. How Is EPA Protecting Information Submitted Electronically?

    This electronic reporting system is compliant with the Cross Media 
Electronic Reporting Rule, a base standard that ensures the security of 
electronic data submissions. In addition, because reporting companies 
typically claim the quarterly report information as confidential, EPA 
has implemented robust measures to ensure protection of data submitted 
electronically, including digital electronic signatures and an 
encryption and decryption process that meets Agency and industry 
standards for data security.

F. How Will I Know if EPA Received Information Submitted 
Electronically?

    EPA recognizes the importance of a smooth transition from a paper-
based reporting system to an electronic reporting system. Submitters of 
electronic data will receive e-mail confirmation that EPA has received 
an electronic data submission. In addition, to ensure the new 
electronic process is established correctly on users' networks, EPA is 
requiring participants in electronic reporting to continue submitting 
hard-copy forms for the first two quarters they are submitting data 
electronically.

G. How Do I Find Out More About Electronic Reporting?

    EPA is providing a number of training resources to assist companies 
who may wish to transition to the electronic reporting system. 
Interested companies will be able to download electronic reporting 
forms, training and guidance documents from EPA's Stratospheric Ozone 
Protection Program Web site at http://www.epa.gov/ozone/record/ereport.html. EPA will also host online training sessions to provide 
detailed instructions, demonstrations, and an open forum to discuss the 
online reporting system. Information on such outreach will be available 
on EPA's Web site. In addition, EPA will provide help desk assistance 
for companies as they develop and submit electronic reporting packages.

    Dated: March 18, 2008.
Brian J. McLean,
Director, Office of Atmospheric Programs.
[FR Doc. E8-5879 Filed 3-21-08; 8:45 am]
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