2014-13625. Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Hazardous Waste Generator Standards

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Environmental Protection Agency is planning to submit an information collection request (ICR), Hazardous Waste Generator Standards (Renewal) (EPA ICR No. 0820.13, OMB Control No. 2050-0035) 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 October 31, 2014. 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 August 11, 2014.

ADDRESSES:

Submit your comments, referencing by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-RCRA-2014-0295, online using www.regulations.gov (our preferred method), by email to [e-mail], 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:

Jim O'Leary, Office of Solid Waste, Mail Code 5304P, U.S. 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, EPA 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: Under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), as amended, Congress directed EPA to implement a comprehensive program for the safe management of hazardous waste. The core of the national waste management program is the regulation of hazardous waste from generation to transport to treatment and eventual disposal, or from “cradle to grave.” Section 3001(d) of RCRA requires EPA to develop standards for small quantity generators. Section 3002 of RCRA states, among other things, that EPA shall establish requirements for hazardous waste generators regarding recordkeeping practices. Section 3002 also requires EPA to establish standards on appropriate use of containers by generators. Finally, Section 3017 of RCRA specifies requirements for individuals exporting hazardous waste from the United States, including a notification of the intent to export, and an annual report summarizing the types, quantities, frequency, and ultimate destination of all exported hazardous waste.

This ICR addresses the following categories of informational requirements in part 262: Pre-transport requirements for both large (LQG) and small (SQG) quantity generators; storage requirements in tanks, containment buildings and drip pads; air emission standards requirements for LQGs (referenced in 40 CFR Part 265, Subparts AA and BB); recordkeeping and reporting requirements for LQGs and SQGs; and export requirements for LQGs and SQGs (i.e., notification of intent to export and annual reporting). This collection of information is necessary to help generators and EPA: (1) Identify and understand the waste streams being generated and the hazards associated with them; (2) determine whether employees have acquired the necessary expertise to perform their jobs; and (3) determine whether LQGs have developed adequate procedures to respond to unplanned sudden or non-sudden releases of hazardous waste or hazardous constituents to air, soil, or surface water. This information is also needed to help EPA determine whether tank systems are operated in a manner that is fully protective of human health and the environment and to ensure that releases to the environment are managed quickly and efficiently. Additionally, this information contributes to EPA's goal of preventing contamination of the environment from hazardous waste accumulation practices, including contamination from equipment leaks and process vents. Export information is needed to ensure that: (1) Foreign governments consent to U.S. exported wastes; (2) exported waste is actually managed at facilities listed in the original notifications; and (3) documents are available for compliance audits and enforcement actions.

Form Numbers: None.

Respondents/affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are private business or other for-profit.

Respondent's obligation to respond: mandatory (40 CFR Part 262 and 265).

Estimated number of respondents: 90,675.

Frequency of response: Occasionally and biennially.

Total estimated burden: 275,842 Burden is defined at 5 CFR 1320.03(b).

Total estimated cost: $15,046,505, which includes $14,991,809 annualized labor costs and $54,696 annualized capital or O&M costs.

Changes in Estimates: The burden hours are likely to stay substantially the same.

Dated: May 2, 2014.

Barnes Johnson,

Director, Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery.