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.

Abstract: The Acid Rain Program was established under Title IV of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments to address acid deposition by reducing emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NO_X). This information collection extension is necessary to continue implementation of the Acid Rain Program. It includes burden and costs associated with developing and modifying permits, complying with NO_X permitting requirements, monitoring emissions, transferring allowances, participating in the annual allowance auctions, and participating in the program as an opt-in source.

Form Numbers: Agent Notice of Delegation #5900-172, Certificate of Representation #7610-1, General Account Form #7610-5, Allowance Transfer Form #7610-6, Retired Unit Exemption #7610-20, Allowance Deduction #7620-4, Acid Rain Permit Application #7610-16, Acid Rain NO_X Compliance Plan #7610-28, Acid Rain NO_X Averaging Plan #7610-29, New Unit Exemption #7610-19, Opt-In Permit Application #7610-26, Opt-In Utilization Report #7620-9. Respondents/affected entities: Electricity generating plants, industrial sources, and other persons.

Respondents' obligation to respond: Voluntary and mandatory (Clean Air Act sections 403, 407, 408, 410, 412, and 416).

Estimated number of respondents: 1,219 (total); includes 1,169 sources and 50 non-source entities participating in allowance trading activities.

Frequency of response: On occasion, quarterly, and annually.

Total estimated burden: 1,826,133 hours (per year). Burden is defined at 5 CFR 1320.03(b).

Total estimated cost: $276,811,849 (per year); includes $129,450,755 annualized capital or operation & maintenance costs.

Changes in Estimates: There is a decrease of 47,747 hours in the total estimated respondent burden compared with the ICR currently approved by OMB. The decrease is principally due to source retirements, which have both reduced the estimated overall number of affected sources and shifted the estimated mix of monitoring methodologies used. The other factors contributing to the decrease in burden are reductions in the estimated numbers of allowance transfer and deduction submissions, expected opt-in sources, and allowance auction bids.

86 FR 17381