83 FR 45126 - Proposed Information Collection Request; Renewal; EPA's Natural Gas STAR Program

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 172 (September 5, 2018)

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to submit a renewal information collection request (ICR), ``EPA's Natural Gas STAR Program'' (EPA-HQ-OAR-2004-0082, OMB Control No. 2060-0328) 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. Specifically, EPA is proposing to replace the current Program's Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a Partnership Agreement (PA), update the calculations used to estimate methane reductions, and create a vendor service provider directory. This is a renewal with modification of the existing ICR which expires on March 31, 2019. 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.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 5, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45126-45127]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-19254]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OAR-2004-0082; FRL-9983-36-OAR]


Proposed Information Collection Request; Renewal; EPA's Natural 
Gas STAR Program

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to 
submit a renewal information collection request (ICR), ``EPA's Natural 
Gas STAR Program'' (EPA-HQ-OAR-2004-0082, OMB Control No. 2060-0328) 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. 
Specifically, EPA is proposing to replace the current Program's 
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a Partnership Agreement (PA), 
update the calculations used to estimate methane reductions, and create 
a vendor service provider directory. This is a renewal with 
modification of the existing ICR which expires on March 31, 2019. 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 November 5, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-
2004-0082 online using www.regulations.gov (our preferred method), by 
email to [email protected], 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: Jerome Blackman, Office of Atmospheric 
Programs, Climate Change Division, (6207A), Environmental Protection 
Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460; telephone 
number: 202-343-9630; fax number: 202-343-2342; email address: 
[email protected].

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.

[[Page 45127]]

    Abstract: Natural Gas STAR is a voluntary program sponsored by the 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that encourages oil and 
natural gas companies to adopt cost effective technologies and practice 
that improve operational efficiency and reduce methane emissions. 
Methane is the primary component of natural gas and a potent greenhouse 
gas. The Program works with oil and natural gas companies in the 
production, gathering & processing, transmission, and distribution 
sectors to remove barriers that inhibit the implementation of 
technologies and practices that reduce methane emissions. The Program 
effectively promotes the adoption of emission reduction technologies 
and practices by helping Natural Gas Star partners evaluate Best 
Management Practices (BMPs) and Partner Reported Opportunities (PROs) 
in the context of their current operations, and implement them where 
cost effective. Implementation of the Program's BMPs and PROs saves 
participants money, improves operational efficiency, and enhances the 
protection of the environment.
    Form Numbers: Companies that wish to become Natural Gas STAR 
partners sign and submit an one-page Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 
to EPA that describes the terms of participation in the Program. The 
MOU forms covered under this ICR include:

 Production Partners: EPA Form No. 5900-105
 Transmission Partners: EPA Form No. 5900-96
 Distribution Partners: EPA Form No. 5900-98
 Gathering and Processing Partners: EPA Form No. 5900-101

    Partners agree to complete and submit a Natural Gas STAR 
Implementation Plan within six to twelve months of signing the MOU. The 
Implementation Plan forms covered under this ICR include:

 Production Partners: EPA Form No. 5900-103
 Transmission Partners: EPA Form No. 5900-109
 Distribution Partners: EPA Form No. 5900-97
 Gathering and Processing Partners: EPA Form No. 5900-100

    After one full year of participation in the Program, partners 
submit an annual report documenting the previous year's methane 
emission reduction activities. The annual reporting forms covered under 
this ICR include:

 Production Partners: EPA Form No. 5900-104
 Transmission Partners: EPA Form No. 5900-95
 Distribution Partners: EPA Form No. 5900-99
 Gathering and Processing Partners: EPA Form No. 5900-102

    Respondents/affected entities: The gathering and processing, 
production, transmission, and distribution sectors of the natural gas 
industry.
    Respondent's obligation to respond: Voluntary.
    Estimated number of respondents: 92 (total).
    Frequency of response: Annual and semi-annual.
    Total estimated burden: 1,991 hours (per year). Burden is defined 
at 5 CFR 1320.03(b).
    Total estimated cost: $184,242 (per year), there are no capital/
start-up costs or O&M costs associated with this information 
collection.
    Changes in Estimates: EPA expects that the burden associated with 
the final ICR submission will decrease slightly due to the Program's 
maturity and participation of companies in the new Methane Challenge 
Program.

    Dated: August 29, 2018.
Paul M. Gunning,
Director, Climate Change Division.
[FR Doc. 2018-19254 Filed 9-4-18; 8:45 am]
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