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

[Federal Register: October 26, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 206)]

[Notices]

[Page 57638]

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

[DOCID:fr26oc99-56]

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6463-4]

Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; ENERGY STAR Labeling Program Evaluation

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: Collection of Information for the ENERGY STAR Labeling Program Evaluation, EPA ICR No.1861.02. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden and cost and includes the actual data collection instruments.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before November 26, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sandy Farmer at EPA by phone at (202) 260-2740, by email at farmer.sandy@epamail.epa.gov, or download a copy of the ICR off the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/icr and refer to EPA ICR No.1861.02.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Collection of Information for the ENERGY STAR Labeling Program Evaluation, EPA ICR No.1861.02. This is a new collection.

Abstract: This information collection is designed to evaluate the efficacy of the Energy Star Labeling Program as a nonregulatory strategy for preventing air pollution, per section 103 of the Clean Air Act. The Energy Star Labeling Program was designed to create self- sustaining markets for energy efficient products and services via a common labeling strategy and awareness campaign and through strategic education for key market segments.

EPA plans to evaluate the program using ten voluntary data collection instruments targeted to key market segments. Nine of the data collection instruments will consist of telephone interviews that last between 12 to 15 minutes. One survey of household consumers will be mailed to respondents. In general all data collection instruments are designed to ascertain the respondents familiarity with the Energy Star label and to assess the degree to which long-term market effects or behavioral changes have occurred. The agency will use the information collected to evaluate program strategies, assess the overall efficacy of the labeling strategy and awareness campaign, and inform future program direction.

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 9/22/98; no comments were received.

Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.24 hours (14.4 minutes) per response. 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: consumers, information system managers, office managers, heating and cooling equipment professionals, computer/office equipment vendors.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,016.

Frequency of Response: one time data collection.

Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 475 hours.

Estimated Total Annualized Capital, Operating/ Maintenance Cost Burden: none.

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. 1861.02 in any correspondence.

Ms. Sandy Farmer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Policy, 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: October 20, 1999. Richard T. Westlund, Acting Director, Regulatory Information Division.

[FR Doc. 99-27934Filed10-25-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-P