Agency Information Collection Activities; National Emission Standards for Benzene Emissions From Coke By-Product Recovery Plants (Subpart L), EPA ICR No. 1080-10, OMB Control No. 2060-0185

An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's regulations are displayed in 40 CFR part 9. The EPA would like to solicit comments 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; (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 automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. 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 requirement; search data sources; complete and review the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise disclose the information.

ICR

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that EPA is planning to submit the following continuing Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Title: The National Emission Standards for Benzene Emissions from Coke By-Product Recovery Plants (Subpart L), EPA ICR No 1080-10, OMB Control No. 2060-0185; expiration date is July 31, 1999. Affected Entities: These standards apply to sources at furnace and foundry coke by-product recovery plants that store benzene having a specific gravity within the range of specific gravities specified in ASTM D 836-84 for Industrial Grade Benzene, and ASTM D 835-85 for Refined Benzene-535 and ASTM D 4734-87 for Refined Benzene-545, which are codified as separate subparts under 40 CFR part 61. Abstract: The National Emissions Standards for Benzene Emissions form Coke By-product Recovery Plants were proposed by EPA on June 6, 1984. Subsequently, the coke by-product recovery plants rule was promulgated September 14, 1989 and amended September 19, 1991. This rule relies on the capture of benzene emissions by installing closed systems, barrier fluid degassing systems, closed-vent systems to a control device, closed purge systems to a control device, seal systems, and by monitoring equipment to repair leaks as soon as practical. It requires that owners or operators of furnace and foundry coke by- product recovery plants to comply with the following monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting requirements: Monitoring requirements include: (1) Semiannual inspections and annual maintenance inspections. (2) Checks for equipment leaks according to test methods and procedures specified in section 61.245. (3) Monitor organic compound concentration levels that are reasonable indicators of benzene concentration; and (4) Control equipment operation and maintenance. Recordkeeping requirements include: (1) A startup, shutdown, and malfunction plan. (2) A coke oven emission control work practice plan. (3) Maintain records of design control device and plan operation and corrective action; compliance test, reference values for monitored parameters, monitoring results and exceedances (alternative control options). (4) Maintain records according to section 60.246 for equipment leaks. (5) Records of monitoring and recordings should be maintained for two years. (6) Records of equipment and process design are kept permanently. Reporting requirements include: (1) Submit one-time notifications of:

--Initial compliance certification and election to meet a specific emission limitation; --Construct a new, brownfield, or padup rebuild by-product coke oven, battery using a new recovery technology; --Restart a cold-idle battery shutdown prior to November 15, 1990; --Obtain an exemption from control requirements for bypass/bleeder stacks by committing to permanent closure of a battery or using an equivalent alternative control system for the stacks; and --Obtain an alternative standard for coke oven doors on a battery equipped with a shed.

(2) Semiannual compliance certifications. (3) Report for the venting of coke oven gas other than through a flare system. (4) Semiannual reports of exceedances of an applicable visible emission limitation for a regulated emission point. (5) Quarterly reports of excess emissions (for alternative control options) (6) Performance tests. (7) Reporting requirements of an owner or operator of any piece of equipment subject to subpart V. Records and reports are necessary to enable the Administrator to identify new, modified, or reconstructed sources to ensure that the emission limitations, work practice requirements, and other provisions of the national emission standards are being implemented and achieved. Based on recorded and reported information, EPA and states can identify compliance problems and what records or processes should be inspected at the plant. The records the plants maintain help indicate whether plants are in compliance with the standard, reveal misunderstanding about how the standard is to be implemented, and indicate to EPA whether plant personnel are operating and maintaining their process equipment properly. Specifically, the information and data will be used by EPA and states to monitor fugitive benzene emissions, and to ensure effective operation of a vapor-collection system and control device, thus ensuring continuous compliance. Reporting and recordkeeping requirements on the part of the respondent are mandatory, under sections 112 and 114 of the Clean Air Act as amended. All information submitted to the Agency for which a claim of confidentiality is made will be safeguarded according to the Agency policies set forth in Title 40, Chapter 1, part 2, subpart B-- Confidentiality of Business Information (see 40 CFR part 2; 41 FR 36902, September 1, 1976; amended by 43 FR 39999, September 8, 1978; 43 FR 42251, September 28, 1978; 44 FR 17674, March 23, 1979).

Industry Burden Statement

In the previously approved ICR, the total annual hours were estimated to be 7,083 and the recordkeeping and reporting burden was estimated to average 196.8 hours per respondent per year. The total annual cost was estimated to average $339,984 based on 36 respondents. Costs were based on an hourly rate of $22.86 plus 110% overhead costs which equals $48.00. There were no capital and start-up cost, or operation and maintenance cost documented since no new sources were estimated to become subject to these standards. The following activities were considered in calculating the respondent burden: annual maintenance inspection; Method 21 performance evaluations; notifications and written reports required; and information gathering and recording. This analysis presents a highest cost scenario by assuming that all plants are complying with the leak detection and repair program for fugitive emissions, which require more stringent recordkeeping and reporting than the alternative options. This burden estimate considered 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.

Dated: June 30, 1999. Mamie R. Miller, Acting Director, Manufacturing, Energy and Transportation Division, Office of Compliance. [FR Doc. 99-17631 Filed 7-9-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-U