Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements Under EPA's AgSTAR Program

Title: ``Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements under EPA's AgSTAR Program.'' (OMB Control No. 2090-0329; EPA ICR No. 1735.02) expiring 6/30/98. This is a request for extension of a currently approved collection. Abstract: AgSTAR is an EPA-sponsored, voluntary program that encourages livestock producers to implement methane recovery technologies to increase livestock production profit margins and reduce emissions from manure methane, a greenhouse gas. AgSTAR further encourages utilities, regulatory agencies and universities to support and promote the use of methane recovery technologies. The program organization consists of two types of AgSTAR participants: ``Partners'' and ``Allies.'' AgSTAR Partners, who are primarily livestock producers, agree to survey and install methane recovery technologies, if profitable. AgSTAR Allies, which are primarily utilities and marketers of methane recovery systems or members of related associations, work with EPA to increase awareness of methane reduction technologies and provide information on products and services. For AgSTAR Partners, participation in the AgSTAR program begins with completion and submittal to EPA of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which provides information on the AgSTAR Partner and its operations and outlines the responsibilities of the AgSTAR Partner and EPA. The MOU commits an AgSTAR Partner to survey all of its facilities and consider the full set of technical, operational, and procedural options that maximize on-farm profits and minimize methane emissions. The Partner further agrees to consider installing methane recovery technologies within three years of signing the MOU, if such technologies are expected to be profitable. As a program participant, the Partner submits an Annual Report describing improvements made to demonstrate the benefits of methane recovery systems. In addition, the AgSTAR Partner agrees to make appropriate use of EPA-developed materials and inform EPA of any changes or problems with the program. As mentioned above, agricultural and energy industries, energy regulatory offices, universities, and electric utilities may choose to become Allies of the AgSTAR program. Ally participation also begins with completion and submittal of an MOU. The MOU commits the Ally to providing information for the development of AgSTAR methane recovery systems. In addition, Allies work with EPA to increase awareness of methane emissions recovery systems and to promote and provide technical support to Partners. Specifically, Allies agree to provide case studies of successful methane emissions reduction systems. Allies also agree to consider developing promotional and educational documents for Partners. Allies must also obtain EPA approval for the use of EPA-developed materials or reproduction of materials bearing the AgSTAR logo. EPA needs to collect information to establish program participation and to obtain general information on AgSTAR participants. EPA also uses the information collection to evaluate a Partner's progress and performance, and assess overall program results. Participation in the AgSTAR program is voluntary. AgSTAR Partners may designate information submitted under this ICR as confidential business information. EPA will treat all such information as confidential business information and will not make the company or agency-specific information collected under this ICR available to the general public. 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 are listed in 40 CFR part 9 and 48 CFR Chapter 15. The Federal Register Notice required under 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on this collection of information was published on 12/20/97; No comments were received. Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 2.3 hours per AgSTAR Partner and 2.2 hours per AgSTAR Ally. 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; 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. Respondents/Affected Entities: Livestock Producers ( Partners) and Utilities/Marketers of Methane Recovery Systems or related association members (Allies). Estimated Number of Respondents: 75 Partners and 86 Allies. Frequency of Response: varies. Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 181 for Partners and 194 for Allies. Estimated Total Annualized Cost Burden: $500 for Partners and Allies combined. Send comments on the Agency's need for this information, the accuracy of the provided burden estimates, and any suggested methods for minimizing respondent burden, including through the use of automated collection techniques to the following addresses. Please refer to EPA ICR No. 1735.02 and OMB Control No. 2060-0329 in any correspondence.

Ms. Sandy Farmer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, OPPE Regulatory Information Division (2137), 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460; and Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Attention: Desk Officer for EPA, 725 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20503.

Dated: April 14, 1998. Joseph Retzer, Director, Regulatory Information Division. [FR Doc. 98-10396 Filed 4-17-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P