Agency information collection activities: Submission for OMB review; comment request,

[Federal Register: April 17, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 74)]

[Notices]

[Page 19252]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr17ap98-37]

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-5998-9]

Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements Under EPA's Natural Gas STAR Program

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that the following Information Collection Request (ICR) has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval: ``Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements under EPA's Natural Gas STAR Program,'' OMB Control Number 2060-0328, and expiration date 6/30/98. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden and cost; where appropriate, it includes the actual data collection instrument.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before May 18, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sandy Farmer at EPA by phone at (202) 260-2740, by email at farmer.sandy@epamail.epa.gov, or download off the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/icr and refer to EPA ICR No. 1736.02.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: ``Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements under EPA's Natural Gas STAR Program''. (OMB Control No. 2060-0328; EPA ICR No. 1736.02) expiring 6/30/98. This is a request for extension of a currently approved collection.

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 Best Management Practices (BMPs), which will both save participants money and improve the protection of the environment. 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, and assess overall program results. Participation in the Natural Gas STAR program 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. The Federal Register document required under 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on this collection of information was published on 12/20/97; No comments were received.

Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 39 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; 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.

Respondents/Affected Entities: Natural Gas Companies.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 78.

Frequency of Response: On occasion.

Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 3,692 hours.

Estimated Total Annualized Cost Burden: 0.

Send comments on the Agency's need for this information, the accuracy of the provided burden estimates, and any suggested methods for minimizing respondent burden, including through the use of automated collection techniques to the following addresses. Please refer to EPA ICR No. 1736.02 and OMB Control No. 2060-0328 in any correspondence.

Ms. Sandy Farmer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, OPPE Regulatory Information Division (2137), 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460; and Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Attention: Desk Officer for EPA, 725 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20503.

Dated: April 13, 1998. Joseph Retzer, Director, Regulatory Information Division.

[FR Doc. 98-10225Filed4-16-98; 8:45 am]

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