SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This is a proposed extension of the ICR, which is currently approved through December 31, 2026. 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.

This notice allows 60 days for public comments. Supporting documents, which explain in detail the information that 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 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 ( printed page 54327) 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 forms of information technology. 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: EPA developed the Underground Injection Control Program under the authority of the Safe Drinking Water Act to establish a Federal-State regulatory system to protect underground sources of drinking water (USDWs) from injection fluids and injection-related activities. Injected fluids can include hazardous waste; produced oil field brines or fluids used to enhance oil recovery; mineral processing fluids; various types of industrial fluids; automotive, sanitary, and other wastes; and carbon dioxide injected for geologic sequestration. Owners or operators of injection wells must obtain permits, conduct environmental monitoring, maintain records, and report results to EPA or—if the State in which the well is operated has been granted primary enforcement authority by EPA—the State agency. States must report to EPA on permitting activities, permittee compliance, and related information. This mandatory information is reported using standardized forms, online tools, and annual reports. Reporting data are used by UIC authorities to ensure the protection of USDWs.

Form Numbers: 7520-1, 7520-2A, 7520-2B, 7520-3, 7520-4, 7520-6, 7520-7, 7520-8, 7520-11, 7520-16, 7520-17, 7520-18, and 7520-19.

Respondents/affected entities: Owners or operators of underground injection wells and State UIC primacy agencies.

Respondent's obligation to respond: mandatory (40 CFR parts 144 through 148).

Estimated number of respondents: 37,143 (total).

Frequency of response: annual, semi-annual, and quarterly.

Total estimated burden: 1,689,674 hours (per year). Burden is defined at 5 CFR 1320.03(b).

Total estimated cost: $948,837,355 (per year), which includes $829,055,263 annualized capital or operation & maintenance costs.

Changes in the Estimates: There is an increase of 58,313 hours in the total estimated respondent burden compared with the ICR currently approved by OMB. This increase is due to adjustments that include an increase in the number of Class I, Class III, and Class VI permit applications expected to be prepared and reviewed. This is offset by a decrease in the number of Class II permit applications expected to be submitted and the number of Class II and Class III owners or operators who will be performing monitoring and reporting activities (associated with decreases in the injection well inventory). The unit burden for completing a permit application has not changed but the number of permit applications, and therefore the number of entities performing these activities has. EPA is implementing electronic reporting options, which will reduce the burden to operators and primacy agencies. Programmatic changes that result in changes to the burden estimate include anticipated approval of Class VI UIC Program primacy for several states, which will increase state burden (by shifting burden from EPA to the approved States).

91 FR 54326