E7-15917. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements Under the Responsible Appliance Disposal Program; EPA ICR No. 2254.01; OMB Control No. 2060-NEW

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 for a new Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Before submitting the ICR 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 October 15, 2007.

ADDRESSES:

Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-0358, by one of the following methods:

• http://www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
• E-mail: [e-mail].
• Fax: [phone].
• Mail: Attention Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-0358, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA West (Air Docket), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Mailcode: 2822T, Washington, DC 20460.
• Hand Delivery: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA West (Air Docket), 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room 3334, Washington, DC 20004, Attention Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0358. Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket's normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information.

Note:

The EPA Docket Center suffered damage due to flooding during the last week of June 2006. The Docket Center is continuing to operate. However, during the cleanup, there will be temporary changes to Docket Center telephone numbers, addresses, and hours of operation for people who wish to make hand deliveries or visit the Public Reading Room to view documents. Consult EPA's Federal Register notice at 71 FR 38147 (July 5, 2006) or the EPA Web site at http://www.epa.gov/​epahome/​dockets.htm for current information on docket operations, locations and telephone numbers. The Docket Center's mailing address for U.S. mail and the procedure for submitting comments to http://www.regulations.gov are not affected by the flooding and will remain the same.

Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-0358. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in the public docket without change and may be made available online at http://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 http://www.regulations.gov or e-mail. The http://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 http://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:

Evelyn Swain, Stratospheric Protection Division, Office of Atmospheric Programs, Office of Air and Radiation, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., (6205J), Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: [phone]; facsimile number: [phone]; e-mail address: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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

The EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-0358, which is available for online viewing at http://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 Docket is 202-566-1752.

Use http://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.

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 Activity or ICR Does This Apply to?

Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are electric utilities, appliance retailers, appliance manufacturers, local governments, and universities.

Title: Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements Under the Responsible Appliance Disposal Program.

ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 2254.01, OMB Control No. 2060-NEW.

ICR status: This ICR is for a new information collection activity. 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 for certain EPA regulations is consolidated in 40 CFR part 9.

Abstract: The Paperwork Reduction Act requires the information found in this Information Collection Request (ICR) number 2254.01, to assess the burden (in hours and dollars) of the reporting and record keeping necessary to maintain the Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) Program. The RAD Program, developed in 2006, is a voluntary, non-regulatory program that promotes the proper handling of refrigerated household appliances at the time of their disposal. EPA is partnering with utilities, municipalities, retailers, manufacturers, and universities to promote the proper disposal of older household appliances, namely refrigerators, freezers, window air conditioning units, and dehumidifiers, in order to prevent emissions of refrigerants and foam-blowing agents that are ozone depleting substances and/or greenhouse gases. The Program is also expected to save landfill space, save energy used by older appliances, lead to the recovery of valuable materials for use in making new products (e.g., metals, plastics, glass), and prevent the release of hazardous substances—including PCBs, mercury, and used oil.

Utilities, municipalities, retailers, manufacturers, and universities can participate in the program for guidance on proper appliance disposal practices and recognition of their efforts. Participation in the program begins with completion of a Partnership Agreement that outlines responsibilities of the RAD Program. This Partnership Agreement reflects a voluntary agreement between a utility, municipality, retailer, manufacturer, or university and EPA. By joining the program, a Partner agrees to complete an annual reporting form identifying the appliances handled and the fates of their components. If the reporting form is completed electronically, it provides feedback for the user on the gross impact of their program on the environment, energy savings, and consumer savings. This agreement can be terminated by either Party 20 days after the receipt of written notice by the other Party with no penalties or continuing obligations.

The time period covered in this ICR is a three-year period from June 1, 2007 through May 30, 2010.

Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 6 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: 50.

Frequency of response: Annual.

Estimated total average number of responses for each respondent: 3.

Estimated total annual burden hours per respondent: 6 hours.

Estimated total average annual costs per respondent: $526. This includes an estimated burden cost of $526 and an estimated cost of $0 for capital investment or maintenance and operational costs.

What Is the Next Step in the Process for This ICR?

The EPA will consider the comments received under this notice and amend the ICR 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: August 8, 2007.

Druscilla Hufford,

Acting Director, Office of Atmospheric Programs.