2015-10123. Proposed Information Collection Request; Comment Request; Recordkeeping and Periodic Reporting of the Production, Import, Export, Recycling, Destruction, Transhipment, and Feedstock Use of Ozone-Depleting Substances (Renewal)

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Environmental Protection Agency is planning to submit an information collection request (ICR), “Recordkeeping and Periodic Reporting of the Production, Import, Export, Recycling, Destruction, Transhipment, and Feedstock Use of Ozone-Depleting Substances (Renewal)” (EPA ICR No. 1432.31, OMB Control No. 2060-0170 to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Before doing so, EPA is soliciting public comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described below. This is a proposed extension of the ICR, which is currently approved through June 30, 2015. 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 submitted on or before June 30, 2015.

ADDRESSES:

Submit your comments, referencing the Docket ID No. listed above, online using www.regulations.gov (our preferred method), 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 be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Staci Gatica, Stratospheric Protection Division, Office of Atmospheric Programs (6205J), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: [phone]; fax number: [phone]; email address: [e-mail].

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, 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: This ICR authorizes the recordkeeping and reporting requirements established in the regulations stated in 40 CFR part 82, subpart A and as required by the United States' commitments under The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (Protocol). This information collection allows EPA to monitor the United States' compliance with the Protocol and Title VI of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (CAA).

Under its Protocol commitments, the United States is obligated to cease production and import of Class I controlled substances excluding chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) that are subject to essential use exemptions, methyl bromide that is subject to critical use exemptions or exemptions for quarantine and preshipment uses, previously used material, and material that will be transformed, destroyed, or exported to developing countries. The Protocol also establishes limits and reduction schedules leading to the eventual phaseout of Class II controlled substances with similar exemptions beyond the phaseout. The CAA has its own limits on production and consumption of controlled substances that EPA must adhere to and enforce.

Under 40 CFR 82.13, producers, importers, exporters, and distributors of Class I ozone-depleting substances (ODS) must meet quarterly, annual, and/or transactional recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

The reporting and recordkeeping requirements for Class I ODS will enable EPA to: (1) Ensure compliance with the restrictions on production, import, and export of Class I controlled substances; (2) allow exempted production and import for certain uses and the consequent tracking of that production and import; (3) address industry and Federal concerns regarding the illegal import of mislabeled used controlled substances; (4) satisfy the United States' obligations to report data under Article 7 of the Montreal Protocol; (5) fulfill statutory obligations under Section 603(b) of the CAA for reporting and monitoring; (6) provide information to report to the U.S. Congress on the production, use, and consumption of Class I controlled substances as statutorily required in Section 603(d) of Title VI of the CAA.

The reported data will enable EPA to maintain compliance with the Protocol requirements for annual data submission on the production of ODS and analyze technical use data to ensure that exemptions are used in accordance with requirements included in the annual authorization rulemakings.

Respondents/affected entities: Chemical Producers, Importers, and Exporters (CFCs); Research and Development (Laboratories); and MeBr Producers, Importers, Exporters, Distributors, and Applicators.

Respondent's obligation to respond: Mandatory.

Estimated number of respondents: 1143 (total).

Frequency of response: Quarterly, annually, occasionally.

Total estimated burden: 2583 hours (per year). Burden is defined at 5 CFR 1320.03(b).

Total estimated cost: $277,085 (per year), includes $5,535 annualized capital or operation & maintenance costs.

Courtney Kerwin,

Acting Director, Collections Strategies Division.