ENERGY STAR is a voluntary program
helping businesses and individuals protect the environment through
superior energy efficiency. The Program focuses on reducing
utility-generated emissions by reducing the demand for energy. In
1991, EPA launched the Green Lights program to encourage
corporations, State and local governments, colleges and
universities, and other organizations to adopt energy-efficient
lighting as a profitable means of preventing pollution and
improving lighting quality. Since then, EPA has rolled Green Lights
into ENERGY STAR and expanded ENERGY STAR to encompass
organization-wide energy performance improvement, such as building
technology upgrades, product purchasing initiatives, and employee
training. At the same time, EPA has streamlined the reporting
requirements of ENERGY STAR and focused on providing incentives for
improvements (e.g., ENERGY STAR Awards Program). EPA also makes
tools and other resources available over the web to help the public
overcome the barriers to evaluating their energy performance and
investing in profitable improvements.
There is an overall decrease of
28,843 hours in the total estimated annual burden hours currently
identified in the OMB Inventory of Approved ICR Burdens. This
includes a decrease of 234 hours from Agency program changes and a
decrease of 28,609 hours from Agency adjustments in its estimates.
The 28,609-hour decrease occurred because EPA adjusted the number
of respondents and the burden for some activities based on improved
and updated data and analysis. The burden estimates in ICR 1772.04
reflect EPAs program experience gained over the past three years.
The 234-hour decrease resulted from EPAs modifications to some of
its information collections to address Agency and stakeholder
needs.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.