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)
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 172 (September 5, 2018)
| Page Range | 45126-45127 | |
| FR Document | 2018-19254 |
[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] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 a-and-r-Docket@epa.gov, 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: Blackman.Jerome@epa.gov. 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] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
![45126 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 172 / Wednesday, September 5, 2018 / Notices
Dated: August 13, 2018. requesting information under docket epa.gov, or by mail to: EPA Docket
Delores Barber, EPA–HQ–OAR–2004–0075. The docket Center, Environmental Protection
Director, Information Technology and office can be reached by email at: a-and- Agency, Mail Code 28221T, 1200
Resources Management Division, Office of r-Docket@epa.gov or FAX: 202–566– Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC
Pesticide Programs. 9744. 20460.
[FR Doc. 2018–19261 Filed 9–4–18; 8:45 am] For information on access or services EPA’s policy is that all comments
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P for individuals with disabilities, please received will be included in the public
contact Lorraine Reddick at docket without change including any
reddick.lorraine@epa.gov, preferably at personal information provided, unless
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION least 10 days prior to the meeting to give the comment includes profanity, threats,
AGENCY EPA as much time as possible to process information claimed to be Confidential
[EPA–HQ–OAR–2004–0075; FRL–9983–24–
your request. Business Information (CBI) or other
OAR] Dated: August 21, 2018. information whose disclosure is
John Shoaff,
restricted by statute.
Clean Air Act Advisory Committee Director, Office of Air Policy and Program FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
(CAAAC): Notice of Meeting Support. Jerome Blackman, Office of
[FR Doc. 2018–19253 Filed 9–4–18; 8:45 am]
Atmospheric Programs, Climate Change
AGENCY: Environmental Protection
Division, (6207A), Environmental
Agency (EPA). BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania
ACTION: Notice of meeting. Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460;
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION telephone number: 202–343–9630; fax
Agency (EPA) announces an upcoming AGENCY number: 202–343–2342; email address:
meeting for the Clean Air Act Advisory Blackman.Jerome@epa.gov.
[EPA–HQ–OAR–2004–0082; FRL–9983–36–
Committee (CAAAC). The EPA SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
OAR]
established the CAAAC on November Supporting documents which explain in
19, 1990, to provide independent advice Proposed Information Collection detail the information that the EPA will
and counsel to EPA on policy issues Request; Renewal; EPA’s Natural Gas be collecting are available in the public
associated with implementation of the STAR Program docket for this ICR. The docket can be
Clean Air Act of 1990. The Committee viewed online at www.regulations.gov
advises EPA on economic, AGENCY: Environmental Protection or in person at the EPA Docket Center,
environmental, technical, scientific and Agency (EPA). WJC West, Room 3334, 1301
enforcement policy issues. ACTION: Notice. Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC.
DATES: Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. App. 2 The telephone number for the Docket
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Center is 202–566–1744. For additional
Section 10(a)(2), notice is hereby given Agency (EPA) is planning to submit a
that the CAAAC will hold its next face- information about EPA’s public docket,
renewal information collection request visit http://www.epa.gov/dockets.
to-face meeting on Wednesday, (ICR), ‘‘EPA’s Natural Gas STAR
September 26th, 2018 from 1:00 p.m. Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of
Program’’ (EPA–HQ–OAR–2004–0082, the PRA, EPA is soliciting comments
until 5:30 p.m., continuing Thursday OMB Control No. 2060–0328) to the
September 27th, 2018 from 8:30 a.m. to and information to enable it to: (i)
Office of Management and Budget Evaluate whether the proposed
12 noon. (OMB) for review and approval in collection of information is necessary
ADDRESSES: The meeting will take place accordance with the Paperwork for the proper performance of the
at the Holiday Inn Arlington at Ballston, Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). functions of the Agency, including
4610 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA Before doing so, EPA is soliciting public whether the information will have
22203. comments on specific aspects of the practical utility; (ii) evaluate the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: proposed information collection as accuracy of the Agency’s estimate of the
Larry Weinstock, Designated Federal described below. Specifically, EPA is burden of the proposed collection of
Official, Clean Air Act Advisory proposing to replace the current information, including the validity of
Committee (6103A), Environmental Program’s Memorandum of the methodology and assumptions used;
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Understanding (MOU) with a (iii) enhance the quality, utility, and
Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460; Partnership Agreement (PA), update the clarity of the information to be
telephone number: 202–564–9226; calculations used to estimate methane collected; and (iv) minimize the burden
email address: weinstock.larry@epa.gov. reductions, and create a vendor service of the collection of information on those
Additional information about this provider directory. This is a renewal who are to respond, including through
meeting, the CAAAC, and its with modification of the existing ICR the use of appropriate automated
subcommittees and workgroups can be which expires on March 31, 2019. An electronic, mechanical, or other
found on the CAAAC website: http:// Agency may not conduct or sponsor, technological collection techniques or
www.epa.gov/oar/caaac/. and a person is not required to respond other forms of information technology,
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The to, a collection of information unless it e.g., permitting electronic submission of
committee agenda and any documents displays a currently valid OMB control responses. EPA will consider the
prepared for the meeting will be number. comments received and amend the ICR
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
publicly available on the CAAAC DATES: Comments must be submitted on as appropriate. The final ICR package
website at http://www.epa.gov/oar/ or before November 5, 2018. will then be submitted to OMB for
caaac/ prior to the meeting. Thereafter, ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, review and approval. At that time, EPA
these documents, together with CAAAC referencing Docket ID No. EPA–HQ– will issue another Federal Register
meeting minutes, will be available on OAR–2004–0082 online using notice to announce the submission of
the CAAAC website or by contacting the www.regulations.gov (our preferred the ICR to OMB and the opportunity to
Office of Air and Radiation Docket and method), by email to a-and-r-Docket@ submit additional comments to OMB.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 172 / Wednesday, September 5, 2018 / Notices 45127
Abstract: Natural Gas STAR is a • Transmission Partners: EPA Form No. following the date of publication of this
voluntary program sponsored by the 5900–95 notice, the Agency will receive written
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency • Distribution Partners: EPA Form No. comments relating to the settlement for
(EPA) that encourages oil and natural 5900–99 recovery of response costs. The Agency
gas companies to adopt cost effective • Gathering and Processing Partners: will consider all comments received and
technologies and practice that improve EPA Form No. 5900–102 may modify or withdraw its consent to
operational efficiency and reduce Respondents/affected entities: The this cost recovery settlement if
methane emissions. Methane is the gathering and processing, production, comments received disclose facts or
primary component of natural gas and a transmission, and distribution sectors of considerations which indicate that the
potent greenhouse gas. The Program the natural gas industry. settlement is inappropriate, improper,
works with oil and natural gas Respondent’s obligation to respond: or inadequate. The Agency’s response to
companies in the production, gathering Voluntary. any comments received will be available
& processing, transmission, and Estimated number of respondents: 92 for public inspection at the
distribution sectors to remove barriers (total). Environmental Protection Agency—
that inhibit the implementation of Frequency of response: Annual and Region I, 5 Post Office Square, Suite
technologies and practices that reduce semi-annual. 100, Boston, MA 02109–3912.
methane emissions. The Program Total estimated burden: 1,991 hours DATES: Comments must be submitted by
effectively promotes the adoption of (per year). Burden is defined at 5 CFR October 5, 2018.
emission reduction technologies and 1320.03(b). ADDRESSES: Comments should be
practices by helping Natural Gas Star Total estimated cost: $184,242 (per addressed to Man Chak Ng, Senior
partners evaluate Best Management year), there are no capital/start-up costs Enforcement Counsel, U.S.
Practices (BMPs) and Partner Reported or O&M costs associated with this Environmental Protection Agency, 5
Opportunities (PROs) in the context of information collection. Post Office Square, Suite 100 (OES04–
their current operations, and implement Changes in Estimates: EPA expects 2), Boston, MA 02109–3912 (Telephone
them where cost effective. that the burden associated with the final No. 617–918–1785) and should
Implementation of the Program’s BMPs ICR submission will decrease slightly reference the Former Lawrence Metals
and PROs saves participants money, due to the Program’s maturity and Site, U.S. EPA Docket No: CERCLA 01–
improves operational efficiency, and participation of companies in the new 2018–0047.
enhances the protection of the Methane Challenge Program. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A
environment. Dated: August 29, 2018. copy of the proposed settlement may be
Form Numbers: Companies that wish Paul M. Gunning, obtained from Stacy Greendlinger,
to become Natural Gas STAR partners Director, Climate Change Division. Office of Site Remediation and
sign and submit an one-page Restoration, U.S. Environmental
[FR Doc. 2018–19254 Filed 9–4–18; 8:45 am]
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Protection Agency, Region I, 5 Post
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
to EPA that describes the terms of Office Square, Suite 100 (OSRR02–2),
participation in the Program. The MOU Boston, MA 02109–3912, (617) 918–
forms covered under this ICR include: 1403; greendlinger.stacy@epa.gov.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
• Production Partners: EPA Form No. AGENCY Technical questions can also be directed
5900–105 to Stacy Greendlinger. For legal
• Transmission Partners: EPA Form No. [FRL9982–95—Region 1] questions, Man Chak Ng, Office of
5900–96 Environmental Stewardship, U.S.
Proposed CERCLA Administrative
• Distribution Partners: EPA Form No. Environmental Protection Agency,
Cost Recovery Settlement: Former Region I, 5 Post Office Square, Suite 100
5900–98
Lawrence Metals Site, Chelsea,
• Gathering and Processing Partners: Massachusetts
(OES04–2), Boston, MA 02109–3912,
EPA Form No. 5900–101 (617) 918–1785; ng.manchak@epa.gov.
Partners agree to complete and submit AGENCY: Environmental Protection SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
a Natural Gas STAR Implementation Agency (EPA). proposed administrative settlement for
Plan within six to twelve months of ACTION: Notice of proposed settlement; recovery of past response costs
signing the MOU. The Implementation request for public comments. concerning the Former Lawrence Metals
Plan forms covered under this ICR Site, located in Chelsea, Suffolk County,
include: SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of a Massachusetts, is made in accordance
proposed administrative cost settlement with Section 122(h)(l) of the
• Production Partners: EPA Form No.
for recovery of response costs Comprehensive Environmental
5900–103
concerning the Former Lawrence Metals Response, Compensation, and Liability
• Transmission Partners: EPA Form No. Site, located in Chelsea, Suffolk County, Act (CERCLA). EPA covenants not to
5900–109 Massachusetts, with the Settling Party, sue or take administrative action against
• Distribution Partners: EPA Form No. the Massachusetts Institute of the Settling Party, the Massachusetts
5900–97 Technology. The proposed settlement Institute of Technology, pursuant to
• Gathering and Processing Partners: requires the Settling Party pay EPA Section 107(a) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C.
EPA Form No. 5900–100 $200,000 to settle EPA’s past response 9607(a), for Past Response Costs. In
After one full year of participation in costs, which amount to approximately exchange, the Settling Party agrees to
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
the Program, partners submit an annual $8,235,772. In exchange, EPA will pay EPA $200,000. Payment of such
report documenting the previous year’s provide the Settling Party with a amount shall be due within 10 days
methane emission reduction activities. covenant not to sue for past costs. The after the Effective Date and, if timely
The annual reporting forms covered settlement has been approved by the paid, shall include no interest. If
under this ICR include: Environmental and Natural Resources payment is not paid as stipulated,
• Production Partners: EPA Form No. Division of the United States interest shall accrue beginning as of the
5900–104 Department of Justice. For 30 days Effective Date and shall continue to
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Document Created: 2018-09-05 01:58:57
Document Modified: 2018-09-05 01:58:57
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice. | |
| Dates | Comments must be submitted on or before November 5, 2018. | |
| Contact | Jerome Blackman, Office of Atmospheric Programs, Climate Change Division, (6207A), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460; telephone | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 45126 |
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