[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 38 (Tuesday, February 26, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6143-6144]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-03292]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OAR-2019-0027; FRL-9989-96-OAR]


Proposed Information Collection Request; Comment Request; 
Information Collection Request for the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency is planning to submit an 
Information Collection Request (ICR), ``Information Collection Request 
for the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program'' (EPA ICR No. 2300.18, OMB 
Control No. 2060-0629) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for 
review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. 
Before doing so, EPA is soliciting public comments on specific aspects 
of the proposed information collection request as described below. This 
is a proposed extension of the ICR, which is currently approved through 
September 30, 2019. 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.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 29, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-
2019-0027, online using www.regulations.gov (our preferred method), by 
email to [email protected]; or by mail to EPA Docket Center, 
Environmental Protection Agency, Mail Code 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania 
Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460.
    EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in the 
public docket without change including any personal information 
provided, unless the comment includes profanity, threats, information 
claimed to the Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rachel Schmeltz, Climate Change 
Division, Office of Atmospheric Programs (MC-6207A), Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460; 
telephone number: (202) 343-9124; fax number: (202) 343-2342; email 
address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supporting documents which explain in detail 
the information that the EPA will be collecting are available in the 
public docket for this ICR. The docket can be viewed online at 
www.regulations.gov or in person at the EPA Docket Center, WJC West, 
Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC. The telephone 
number for the Docket Center is 202-566-1744. For additional 
information about EPA's public docket, visit http://www.epa.gov/dockets.
    Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, the EPA is soliciting 
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. 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. At that time, EPA will issue another Federal Register notice 
to announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the opportunity to 
submit additional comments to OMB.
    Abstract: In response to the FY2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act 
(H.R. 2764; Pub. L. 110-161) and under authority of the Clean Air Act, 
the EPA finalized the Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases Rule (GHG 
Reporting Rule) (74 FR 56260; October 30, 2009). The GHG Reporting 
Rule, which became effective on December 29, 2009, establishes 
reporting requirements for certain large facilities and suppliers. It 
does not require control of greenhouse gases. Instead, it requires that 
sources emitting GHGs above certain threshold levels of carbon dioxide 
equivalent (CO2e) monitor and report emissions.
    Subsequent rules have promulgated requirements for additional 
facilities, suppliers, and mobile sources; provided clarification and 
corrections to existing requirements; finalized confidentiality 
business information (CBI) determinations, amended recordkeeping 
requirements, and implemented an alternative verification approach. 
Collectively, the GHG Reporting Rule and its associated rulemakings are 
referred to as the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP).
    The purpose for this ICR is to renew and revise the GHG Reporting 
Rule ICR to update the burdens and costs.
    Form Numbers: None.
    Respondents/affected entities: Entities potentially affected by 
this action are suppliers of certain products that will emit GHG when 
released, combusted, or oxidized; facilities in certain industrial 
categories that emit greenhouse gases; and facilities that emit 25,000 
metric tons or more of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per 
year.
    Respondent's obligation to respond: Mandatory (Section 114 of the 
Clean Air Act provides EPA authority to require the information 
mandated by the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program because such data will 
inform and are relevant to future policy decisions).
    Estimated number of respondents: 13,654 (total).
    Frequency of response: Annual.
    Total estimated burden: 726,577 hours (per year). Burden is defined 
at 5 CFR 1320.03(b).
    Total estimated cost: $86,958,000 (per year), includes $28,802,000 
annualized capital or operation and maintenance costs.

[[Page 6144]]

    Changes in Estimates: There is a decrease of 12,608 hours in total 
estimated respondent burden compared with the ICR currently approved by 
OMB. The decrease reflects an adjustment in the number of respondents 
from the previous ICR, an adjustment of labor rates and capital costs 
to reflect 2017 dollars, and a complete re-evaluation of the activities 
and costs associated with all subparts of the GHGRP. This decrease also 
reflects the removal of burden hours from collection of GHG-related 
data for mobile sources, which are now captured in other EPA ICR 
vehicles including OMB Control Nos. 2060-0287, 2060-0292, 2060-0338, 
2060-0641, 2060-0680, and 2060-0710.

    Dated: February 14, 2019.
Paul M. Gunning,
Director, Climate Change Division, Office of Air and Radiation.
[FR Doc. 2019-03292 Filed 2-25-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P