This Collection
of Information is approved for renewal. The data gathered under
this collection represents estimates of emissions reductions
associated with activities reported by participants in the Natural
Gas STAR Program. EPA acknowledges that some of the activities and
emissions reductions may have been achieved in the absence of the
Natural Gas STAR program. For this reason, the data is not
appropriate for use as an aggregate summary of emissions reductions
resulting from the program, but is instead correctly characterized
as activities and reductions associated with Program partners'
reported activities. The Agency should exercise care to ensure that
the data not be characterized inappropriately in program
effectiveness measures, on the Program website, or in other
communications. When this ICR is resubmitted for renewal, EPA
should address the extent to which the partners would have reduced
their emissions in the absence of this program.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
07/31/2011
36 Months From Approved
06/30/2008
232
0
146
5,610
0
4,705
696
0
0
Natural Gas STAR is an EPA-sponsored,
voluntary program that encourages natural gas companies to adopt
cost effective methods for reducing methane emissions. Natural Gas
STAR Partners agree to implement cost-effective technologies and
practices to reduce methane emissions, which will save participants
money and improve environmental quality. EPA needs to collect
information to establish program participation and to obtain
general information on new Natural Gas STAR Partners. EPA also uses
the information collection to evaluate a Partner's progress and
performance, assess overall program results, and develop technical
guidance documents for the benefit of the industry. Information
collection is accomplished through the use of an annual reporting
process that allows companies to report their accomplishments in
either a traditional hard-copy format or electronically.
Participation in Natural Gas STAR is voluntary. Natural Gas STAR
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.
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.