E7-18961. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collections; Request for Comment on Two Proposed Information Collection Requests (ICRs)

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that EPA is planning to submit a request to renew two existing approved Information Collection Requests (ICRs) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). These ICRs are schedule to expire January 31, 2008. Before submitting these ICRs to OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described below.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before November 26, 2007.

ADDRESSES:

Submit your comments, identified by the Docket ID numbers provided for each item in the text, by one of the following methods:

• www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
• E-mail: [e-mail]
• Fax: [phone]
• Mail: Air Docket, Environmental Protection Agency, Mailcode: 2822T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.
• Hand Delivery: Docket Center, (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460. Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket's normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information.

Instructions: Direct your comments to the Docket ID Numbers identified for each item in the text. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in the public docket without change and may be made available online at www.regulations.gov,, including any personal information provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through www.regulations.gov or e-mail. The www.regulations.gov Web site is an “anonymous access” system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an e-mail comment directly to EPA without going through www.regulations.gov,, your e-mail address will be automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. For additional information about EPA's public docket visit the EPA Docket Center homepage at http://www.epa.gov/​epahome/​dockets.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Nydia Yanira Reyes-Morales, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Mail Code 6403J, Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: 202-343-9264; fax number: 202-343-2804; e-mail address: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

How Can I Access the Docket and/or Submit Comments?

EPA has established a public docket for each of the ICRs identified in this document (see the Docket ID numbers for each ICR that are provided in the text), which is available for online viewing at www.regulations.gov,, or in person viewing at the Air Docket in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA/DC Public Reading Room is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room is 202-566-1744, and the telephone number for the Air Docket is 202-566-1742.

Use www.regulations.gov to obtain a copy of the draft collection of information, submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Once in the system, select “search,” then key in the Docket ID number identified in this document.

What Information Is EPA Particularly Interested in?

Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, EPA specifically solicits 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. In particular, EPA is requesting comments from very small businesses (those that employ less than 25) on examples of specific additional efforts that EPA could make to reduce the paperwork burden for very small businesses affected by this collection.

What Should I Consider When I Prepare My Comments for EPA?

You may find the following suggestions helpful for preparing your comments:

1. Explain your views as clearly as possible and provide specific examples.

2. Describe any assumptions that you used.

3. Provide copies of any technical information and/or data you used that support your views.

4. If you estimate potential burden or costs, explain how you arrived at the estimate that you provide.

5. Offer alternative ways to improve the collection activity.

6. Make sure to submit your comments by the deadline identified under DATES.

7. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, be sure to identify the docket ID number assigned to this action in the subject line on the first page of your response. You may also provide the name, date, and Federal Register citation.

What Information Collection Activities or ICRs Does This Apply to?

Docket ID Number: EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-0904

Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by these actions are manufacturers of marine spark-ignition engines.

Title: Emission Certification and Compliance Requirements for Marine Spark-ignition Engines.

ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 1722.05, OMB Control No. 2060-0321.

ICR status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on January 31, 2008. 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 in title 40 of the CFR, after appearing in the Federal Register when approved, are listed in 40 CFR part 9, are displayed either by publication in the Federal Register or by other appropriate means, such as on the related collection instrument or form, if applicable. The display of OMB control numbers in certain EPA regulations is consolidated in 40 CFR part 9.

Abstract: Under Title II of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7521 et seq.; CAA), EPA is charged with issuing certificates of conformity for certain spark-ignition (SI) engines used to propel marine vessels that comply with applicable emission standards. Such a certificate must be issued before engines may be legally introduced into commerce. To apply for a certificate of conformity, manufacturers are required to submit descriptions of their planned production line, including descriptions of the emission control system, and engine emission test data. This information is organized by “engine family.” An engine family is a group of engines expected to have similar emission characteristics. There are also record-keeping requirements. Under the regulations governing marine SI engines, manufacturers must use the Averaging, Banking and Trading Program (ABT) and must submit information regarding the calculation, actual generation and usage of emission credits in a certification application, an end-of-the-year report, and final report. These reports are used for certification and enforcement purposes. The Act also mandates EPA to verify that manufacturers have successfully translated their certified prototype engines into mass produced engines, and that these engines comply with emission standards throughout their useful lives. Under the Production-line Testing (PLT) Program, manufacturers are required to test a sample of engines as they leave the assembly line. This self-audit program increases efficiency and reduces cost of correcting mis-builts and other errors made in the assembly line. Under the In-use Testing Program (In-use), manufacturers are required to test engines after a number of years of use to verify that they comply with emission standards throughout their useful lives.

Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 4,029 hours per respondent. 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 which have subsequently changed; 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.

The ICR provides a detailed explanation of the Agency's estimate, which is only briefly summarized here:

• Estimated total number of potential respondents: 10.
• Frequency of response: Annual, quarterly and on occasion.
• Estimated total average number of responses for each respondent: 22.
• Estimated total annual burden hours: 40,293.
• Estimated total annual costs: $2,240,870. This includes an estimated burden cost of $200,966 for operation and maintenance costs.

Are There Changes in the Estimates From the Last Approval?

To date, there are no changes in the number of hours in the total estimated respondent burden compared with that identified in the ICR currently approved by OMB. However, EPA is still evaluating information that may lead to a change in the estimates.

Docket ID Number: EPA-HQ-OAR-2004-0058

Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are manufacturers of nonroad compression ignition engines and equipment.

Title: Transition Program for Equipment Manufacturers.

ICR Numbers: EPA ICR No. 1826.04, OMB Control No. 2060-0369.

ICR status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on January 31, 2008. 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 in title 40 of the CFR, after appearing in the Federal Register when approved, are listed in 40 CFR part 9, are displayed either by publication in the Federal Register or by other appropriate means, such as on the related collection instrument or form, if applicable. The display of OMB control numbers in certain EPA regulations is consolidated in 40 CFR part 9.

Abstract: When EPA establishes new regulations with tighter engine emission standards, engine manufacturers often need to change the design of their engines to achieve the emissions reductions required by the new standards. Consequently, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) may also need to redesign their products to accommodate these engine design changes. Sometimes, OEMs have trouble making the necessary adjustments by the effective date of the regulations. In an effort to provide OEMs with some flexibility in complying with the regulations, EPA created the Transition Program for Equipment Manufacturers (TPEM). Under the program, OEMs are allowed to delay compliance with the new standards for up to seven years as long as they comply with certain limitations. Participation in the program is voluntary. Participating OEMs and engine manufacturers who provide the noncompliant engines are required to keep records and submit reports of their activities under the program.

Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 80.5 hours per equipment manufacturer and 74.5 hours per engine manufacturer. 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 which have subsequently changed; 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.

The ICR provides a detailed explanation of the Agency's estimate, which is only briefly summarized here:

• Estimated total number of potential respondents: 213.
• Frequency of response: Annual.
• Estimated total average number of responses for each respondent: 1.
• Estimated total annual burden hours: 17,069.
• Estimated total annual costs: $848,582. This includes an estimated burden cost of $5,829 for operation and maintenance costs.

Are There Changes in the Estimates From the Last Approval?

To date, there are no changes in the number of hours in the total estimated respondent burden compared with that identified in the ICR currently approved by OMB. However, EPA is still evaluating information that may lead to a change in the estimates.

What Is the Next Step in the Process for These ICRs?

EPA will consider the comments received and amend the ICRs as appropriate. The final ICR package will then be submitted to OMB for review and approval pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.12. At that time, EPA will issue another Federal Register notice pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.5(a)(1)(iv) to announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the opportunity to submit additional comments to OMB. If you have any questions about this ICR or the approval process, please contact the technical person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

Dated: September 17, 2007.

Karl Simon,

Director, Compliance and Innovative Solutions Division, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Office of Air and Radiation.