[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 7 (Tuesday, January 12, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2452-2455]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-00382]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

[OMB Control Number 1010-0057; Docket ID: BOEM-2017-0016]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Pollution Prevention 
and Control

AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) proposes to renew its 
information collection control number 1010-0057 through the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB).

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
February 11, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed 
information collection request (ICR) should be sent to OMB's Desk 
Officer for the Department of the Interior at www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain within 30 days of publication of this notice. Find this ICR 
by selecting ``Department of the Interior'' in the ``Select Agency'' 
pulldown menu under ``Currently under Review'', clicking the box marked 
``Only Show ICR For Public Comment'' near the top left-hand side of the 
resulting web page, and scrolling down to OMB Control Number 1010-0057. 
Alternatively, the search function may be used. Please provide a copy 
of your comments to the BOEM Information Collection Clearance Officer, 
Anna Atkinson, by mail service addressed to her at Bureau of Ocean 
Energy Management, 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, Virginia, 20166; or 
by email to [email protected]. Please reference OMB Control Number 
1010-0057 in the subject line of your comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information 
about this ICR, contact Anna Atkinson by email or by telephone at 703-
787-1025. You may also view the ICR at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, BOEM provides the general public and other Federal 
agencies with an opportunity to comment on new, proposed, revised, and 
continuing collections of information. This helps BOEM assess the 
impact of the information collection requirements and minimize the 
public's reporting burden. It also helps the public understand BOEM's 
information collection requirements and provide the requested data in 
the desired format.
    Abstract: Section 5(a) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act 
(OCSLA), as amended (43 U.S.C. 1334(a)), authorizes the Secretary of 
the Interior (Secretary) to prescribe rules and regulations to manage 
the mineral resources of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Such rules 
and regulations apply to all operations conducted under a lease, right-
of-use and easement, and pipeline right-of-way.
    Section 5(a)(8) of OCSLA requires that regulations prescribed by 
the Secretary include provisions ``for compliance with the national 
ambient air quality standards pursuant to the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 
7401 et seq.), to the extent that activities authorized under this 
subchapter significantly affect the air quality of any State.'' This 
information collection renewal concerns information that is submitted 
to BOEM under 30 CFR part 550, subpart C, ``Pollution Prevention and 
Control,'' which implements section 5(a)(8), and related notices to 
lessees and operators (NTLs), which clarify and provide additional, 
nonbinding guidance on aspects of the regulations. BOEM uses this 
information to inform its decisions on plan approval, to ensure 
operations are conducted according to all applicable regulations and 
plan conditions of approval, and to inform State and regional planning 
organizations' modeling efforts.
    BOEM prepares an emissions inventory every three years to help 
ensure that its regulations comply with section 5(a)(8) of OCSLA and to 
implement the requirements at 30 CFR 550.303(k) and 550.304(g). These 
emission inventories provide the essential input that BOEM needs to 
assess the impacts of OCS oil and gas activity on the States as 
mandated by the OCSLA. Also, these inventories provide the States with 
essential information needed to perform their implementation plan 
demonstrations to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and 
the operators with essential data for their mandatory reporting of 
greenhouse gases to the USEPA.
    BOEM began planning for the next emissions inventory, scheduled for 
calendar year 2021, by issuing NTL No. 2020-N03, 2021 OCS Emissions 
Inventory--Western Gulf of Mexico (GOM) and Adjacent to the North Slope 
Borough of the State of Alaska, on October 1, 2020. The NTL instructed 
lessees and operators on submitting information about their facility 
operations, as required by OCSLA and BOEM's regulations, through BOEM's 
new, web-based emissions reporting tool, the OCS Air Quality System 
(OCS AQS). OCS AQS allows operators to submit their facility activity 
data electronically into the system, instantaneously calculates monthly 
and annual emissions, assures and controls data quality, generates 
reports, such as emission inventory reports, and creates data graphics 
including geographic

[[Page 2453]]

information system (GIS) maps for operators and BOEM.
    During previous emission inventories, BOEM used the Gulfwide 
Offshore Activity Data System (GOADS) software to collect the necessary 
emissions data from lessees and operators. This software is outdated 
and resides on a platform that BOEM is no longer able to utilize 
satisfactorily. Unlike GOADS, OCS AQS makes it easy for users to enter 
activity data, calculate emissions data in real-time, and leverage 
built-in validation features to quality check calculations prior to 
submission.
    Title of Collection: 30 CFR part 550, subpart C, Pollution 
Prevention and Control.
    OMB Control Number: 1010-0057.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents/Affected Public: Potential respondents comprise Federal 
OCS oil and gas or sulfur lessees and operators and States.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 807.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory or required to obtain or retain 
a benefit.
    Frequency: Every three years.
    Total Estimated Annual Non-hour Burden Cost: None.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: BOEM estimates 
the annual burden for this collection to be 51,080 hours. In view of 
industry comment to the 60-day notice regarding this ICR, BOEM 
recalculated its estimated information collection burden hours per OCS 
facility and concluded that an increase of 20 hours per facility was 
warranted based, in part, on industry feedback to account for reporting 
responsibilities for certain drilling rig and construction vessel 
emissions. This recalculation resulted in an increase of 15,880 burden 
hours over OMB's currently approved 35,200 burden hours for control 
number 1010-0057. The following table details the individual BOEM 
information collections under control number 1010-0057 and respective 
hour burden estimates for this ICR. Any changes to the annual burden 
hours compared with the already-approved IC are bolded.

                                                  Burden Table
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Reporting and                                                   Annual
  Citation 30 CFR 550 subpart C         recordkeeping           Hour burden       Average number of     burden
       and related NTL(s)                requirement                              annual responses      hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Facilities described in new or revised EP or DPP
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
303; 304(a), (f)................  Submit, modify, or         Burden covered under 1010-0151 (30 CFR            0
                                   revise Exploration                 Part 550, Subpart B).
                                   Plans and Development
                                   and Production Plans;
                                   submit information
                                   required under 30 CFR
                                   Part 550, Subpart B.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
303(k); 304(a), (g); NTL........  Collect and report (in    64 hrs per facility  794 facilities....       50,816
                                   manner specified) air
                                   quality emissions
                                   related data (such as
                                   facility, equipment,
                                   fuel usage, and other
                                   activity information)
                                   during each specified
                                   calendar year for input
                                   into BOEM's impacts
                                   assessments, and State
                                   and regional planning
                                   organizations' modeling
                                   through specified
                                   software. (NTL OCS
                                   Emissions Inventory).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
303(l); 304(h)..................  Collect and submit (in    8..................  1 submission......            8
                                   manner specified)
                                   meteorological data
                                   (not routinely
                                   collected); emission
                                   data for existing
                                   facilities to a State..
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal....................  ........................  795 responses......  50,824............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Existing Facilities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
304(a), (f).....................  Affected State may        16.................  5 requests........           80
                                   submit request, with
                                   supporting information
                                   to BOEM, for basic
                                   emission data from
                                   existing facilities to
                                   update State's emission
                                   inventory.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
304(e)(2).......................  Submit compliance         40.................  1 schedule........           40
                                   schedule for
                                   application of best
                                   available control
                                   technology (BACT).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
304(e)(2).......................  Apply for suspension of   Burden covered under BSEE 1014-0022 (30            0
                                   operations.                            CFR 250.174).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
304(f)..........................  Submit information to     16.................  1 submission......           16
                                   demonstrate that exempt
                                   facility is not
                                   significantly affecting
                                   air quality of onshore
                                   area of a State. Submit
                                   additional information
                                   to determine if
                                   controls are required..
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 2454]]

 
Subtotal........................  ........................  7 responses........  136...............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              General
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
303-304.........................  Departure and             24.................  5 requests........          120
                                   alternative compliance
                                   (as cited in 550.142)
                                   requests from 303 and
                                   304 not specifically
                                   covered elsewhere in
                                   subpart C regulations.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal....................  ........................  5 responses........  120...............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total Burden............  ........................  ...................  807 responses.....       51,080
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    BOEM issued a Federal Register notice with a 60-day public comment 
period soliciting comments on this proposed ICR, which was published on 
August 10, 2020 (85 FR 48261). The Offshore Operators Committee (OOC) 
submitted the only comments. This organization commented on the burden 
estimates and OCS AQS functionality. Based on OOC's input, BOEM updated 
OCS AQS to address the system's technical issues and modified the 
burden estimates.
    The OOC comments and BOEM's responses are summarized below. For 
additional details, please review the comment and responses by 
searching for OMB Control Number 1010-0057 on regsinfo.gov.
    Comment: Regarding the reporting of non-platform data, OOC stated, 
``Historically, collection of non-platform air emission data was the 
responsibility of BOEM. By shifting the responsibility of collecting 
and reporting non-platform source data to operators, BOEM is increasing 
the burden of reporting. For example, the Burden Table included in the 
Notice of Information Collection estimates 44 hours per facility to 
collect and report emissions data. As described in the attached 
comments, we estimate that for drilling rigs alone (exclusive of 
platforms and other support vessels) the estimated reporting burden is 
117 hours per facility.''
    BOEM Response: BOEM requires emissions reporting from 
``facilities,'' as defined in its regulations implementing its OCSLA 
authority. The projected emissions from these sources are reported in 
the plans review process and documented in the air quality spreadsheets 
(BOEM-0138 and BOEM-0139), which fall under OMB Control Number 1010-
0151.
    BOEM would require the operator to submit activity or emissions 
data for all facilities corresponding to the definition of facility in 
BOEM's regulation and the recently updated plan review process, which 
includes drilling rig emissions when the rig is attached to the seabed 
and construction vessel emissions when the vessel is engaged in 
construction.
    Upon further review, BOEM acknowledges that there will be 
additional burden hours for reporting emissions from these drilling 
rigs and construction vessels. BOEM will simplify the reporting of 
drilling rig data in OCS AQS by including a look up table for 
horsepower ratings, so that the operator needs to input only fuel 
throughput and total hours of drilling. Moreover, BOEM notes that 
reporting information on construction vessels will not be an altogether 
new burden because, during the plan review process, some construction 
vessels are subject to a standard condition of approval that requires 
submission of fuel throughput compliance verification to BSEE. This 
current burden is included in OMB Control Number 1010-0151.
    The current emissions collection and reporting burden is 44 hours 
per facility for platform sources. This burden will remain the same for 
the first year for these sources (with a chance of decreasing in three 
years due to the learning curve of a new reporting tool). Assuming one 
drilling rig and one construction vessel per facility, BOEM believes 
that an additional 20 hours per facility (10 hours per emission source) 
should be added to the current 44 burden hours to reflect the new 
reporting responsibilities. Therefore, BOEM is increasing the burdens 
to 64 hours per facility.
    Comment: It appeared to OOC that BOEM is requiring the reporting of 
data from drilling rigs and construction vessels underway within 25 
miles of a facility. OOC indicated that drilling rigs and vessels 
underway do not meet the definition of ``facility'' in 30 CFR 550.302 
because, when underway, the rig or vessel is not attached to the 
seabed. Therefore, according to OOC, the rig or vessel does not fall 
under BOEM's OCSLA authority.
    BOEM Response: BOEM requires the reporting of data from facilities 
as defined in its regulations, which includes drilling rigs attached to 
the seabed and construction vessels engaged in construction. BOEM will 
not require the reporting of emissions when these sources are otherwise 
underway within 25 miles of a facility.
    Comment: Regarding potential changes to reporting frequencies, OOC 
stated, ``It is unclear if the 3-year reporting frequency will change 
with the implementation of AQS. For example, will operators be required 
to submit monthly data on an ongoing basis? If that is the case, then 
the estimated burden will increase substantially, at least by a factor 
of 3 because reporting will no longer be required every 3 years. If 
this is the intent of the agency, then a new burden estimate must be 
completed prior to implementation of the new system.''
    BOEM Response: BOEM intends to collect emissions data roughly every 
three years. However, because of the delay in development of OCS AQS, 
BOEM is off-cycle; its last emissions inventory was in 2017. BOEM is 
planning for the next inventory in 2021 followed by another one in 2023 
in order to align with USEPA's emissions reporting cycle.
    Comment: Regarding complexities of reporting flare information, OOC 
stated that the complexity of how flare emissions data is constructed 
in OCS AQS raises concerns.
    BOEM's Response: Operators should report one flare source per flare 
using their flare design specifications from the manufacturer for the 
smoke condition

[[Page 2455]]

and total volume flared (including pilot light). BOEM will clarify this 
in the updated OCS AQS user's manual. This guidance is consistent with 
the 2017 emissions inventory collection and does not affect the burden 
hours.
    Comment: Regarding Oil and Gas Operations Report reconciliation, 
OOC stated that those reports should not be utilized for emissions 
calculations or emissions data quality assurance or control because the 
accounting standards and requirements applicable to the reports do not 
yield technically correct emissions estimates.
    BOEM's Response: Oil and Gas Operations Reports were mentioned in 
the OCS AQS training guide, while the tool was under development, 
because BOEM is uploading these reports into OCS AQS to reconcile 
volumes vented and flared. It was a reminder to operators to ensure 
consistency in reporting, not an indication that report data was to be 
used in calculating or reporting emissions in OCS AQS.
    Comment: Regarding OCS AQS's quality assurance and control (QA/QC) 
functionality, OOC indicated that the functionality could be 
streamlined to improve system effectiveness and reduce burden.
    BOEM's Response: BOEM has updated OCS AQS's QA/QC functionality to 
support the requested performance improvements. Specifically, when a 
user selects the option to submit an emissions inventory, a QA/QC check 
is automatically executed against that inventory. If any QA/QC issues 
are detected, the user is notified and provided with a spreadsheet 
detailing the specific issues that were identified by the check. This 
spreadsheet can be downloaded from OCS AQS. The user's manual is being 
updated to reflect this change.
    Comment: Regarding confidentiality of data and defined user roles, 
OOC indicated that BOEM should clarify and ensure controls are 
integrated into OCS AQS so that data remains confidential and available 
only to the organization reporting the data.
    BOEM's Response: BOEM agrees that only an operator's designated 
representatives or agent should be able to access data for an assigned 
facility during the inventory reporting year. Operators and the public 
will be able to access the results of the final, historical inventory 
for all facilities as BOEM has always made this data publicly available 
and plans to continue doing so. The publicly available results of the 
inventory will not include any confidential business information.
    Comment: Regarding file naming conventions associated with OCS 
AQS's import and export functions, OOC suggested enhancements to OCS 
AQS to allow users to define file names during data import and export 
to reduce burden and improve system functionality.
    BOEM's Response: All supported browsers (Firefox, Chrome, Edge) 
provide this option for the user. By default, this option is usually 
set to the Downloads folder. However, there is an option to have the 
application ask where to save the file, which then allows the user to 
rename the file during the operation. The browser options are beyond 
the control of the OCS AQS software. The updated user's manual will 
provide additional guidance.
    Comment: Regarding the 2021 initial inventory using OCS AQS and the 
transfer of GOADS data, OOC said it is unclear what GOADS data from the 
2017 inventory (the last reporting year using GOADS) will be 
transferred for the initial OCS AQS inventory in 2021. Historical 
activity data does not need to be included, but all historical 
descriptive, static data should be transferred to minimize company 
burden to populate.
    BOEM's Response: As with GOADS, operators will receive all static 
data for platform sources from the past inventory (in this case, 2017), 
including complex and structure identification and emission sources 
data. As commented, activity data such as throughput and hours of 
operation are not carried forward as this information is expected to 
change year to year. Operators should review the static data to ensure 
its accuracy before entering any activity data.
    Comment: Regarding clarification on reporting storage tank 
emissions, OOC stated, ``Reporting of data to estimate storage tank 
emissions is appropriate and necessary. However, changes to the types 
of storage data and the calculations within AQS would reduce burden.''
    BOEM's Response: As with GOADS, BOEM will continue to require the 
reporting of crude oil storage tanks, but not other types of storage 
tanks. This is consistent with the reporting requirements in the plan 
review process on the air quality spreadsheets.
    In addition to these comments, OOC pointed out several technical 
errors with OCS AQS and other issues needing further clarification. 
BOEM appreciates the technical comments and observations, and is 
working with its contractors to update OCS AQS and the user's manual, 
as necessary.
    Under OMB's governing regulations, BOEM seeks public comments on 
this proposed ICR. BOEM is especially interested in comment addressing 
the following issues: (1) Is the collection necessary to the proper 
functions of BOEM; (2) what can BOEM do to ensure this information will 
be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden 
accurate; (4) how might BOEM enhance the quality, utility, and clarity 
of the information to be collected; and (5) how might BOEM minimize the 
burden of this collection on the respondents, including minimizing the 
burden through the use of information technology?
    Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. BOEM will include or summarize each comment in its 
request to OMB for approval of this ICR. You should be aware that your 
entire comment--including your address, phone number, email address, or 
other personally identifying information--may be made publicly 
available at any time. In order for BOEM to withhold your personally 
identifiable information from disclosure, you must identify any 
information contained in your comment that, if released, would clearly 
constitute an unwarranted invasion of your personal privacy. You must 
also briefly describe any possible harmful consequences that disclosure 
of your information would cause, such as embarrassment, injury, or 
other harm. While you can ask BOEM in your comment to withhold your 
personally identifiable information from public review, BOEM cannot 
guarantee that it will be able to do so.
    BOEM protects proprietary information in accordance with the 
Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552), the Department of the 
Interior's implementing regulations (43 CFR part 2), and BOEM's 
regulations at 30 CFR 550.197.
    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 authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

Deanna Meyer-Pietruszka,
Chief, Office of Policy, Regulation, and Analysis.
[FR Doc. 2021-00382 Filed 1-11-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P