This information
collection request, which covers only the first phase of focus
groups EPA is planning on fuel economy labeling, is approved on an
emergency basis for 3 months. It is OMBs understanding that these
approved focus groups are intended solely to provide EPA a
qualitative exploration of issues related to the presentation of
fuel economy information to consumers, and that EPA does not intend
to use results from these focus groups to base decisions or develop
regulatory analysis, reports to Congress, or public statements. For
future rounds of focus groups and/or surveys related to fuel
economy labeling, OMB anticipates that EPA will seek public comment
and consult with and coordinate its research activities with DOT,
DOE, and FTC.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
05/31/2010
6 Months From Approved
96
0
0
456
0
0
0
0
0
This is a request to conduct focus
group research for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As
required under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), EPA
has promulgated regulations which specify the design and content of
fuel economy labels that are affixed on the windows of all cars and
light trucks sold in the U.S. EPA is responsible for developing the
fuel economy labels that are posted on window stickers of all new
light duty cars and trucks sold in the U.S. and, beginning with the
2011 model year, on all new medium-duty passenger vehicles (a
category that includes large sport-utility vehicles and passenger
vans). In 2006 EPA updated how the window sticker fuel economy
values are calculated to better reflect typical real-world driving
patterns and provide more realistic fuel economy estimates. Since
then, increasing market penetration of advanced technology
vehicles, in particular plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and
electric vehicles, will require new label metrics and presentation
to effectively convey information to consumers. EPA has initiated a
rulemaking action that will amend the way in which fuel economy
estimates are calculated and/or displayed, for both conventionally
fueled vehicles and advanced technology vehicles. EPA plans to
conduct a limited set of voluntary focus groups over the course of
the rulemaking to solicit information from a diverse group of
consumers regarding what information displayed on the fuel economy
label will best serve the intended purpose of providing consumers
with useful and meaningful information about the fuel efficiency of
the vehicles they are considering purchasing. EPA is planning on
three "phases" of focus groups. Each phase will have a different
focus but together we will be testing consumer comprehension and
reaction to different fuel and environmental information and label
displays. The result of these combined groups will increase EPA
understanding of which potential label metrics, information and
overall label displays present information in a more understandable
and compelling manner. The first phase will test consumer
understanding and use of the current fuel economy label and the
importance of various information elements on today's label. This
phase will also obtain consumer reaction to including new
information on future labels for conventionally fueled vehicles.
Specifically, consumers will consider various ways of presenting
fuel economy and fuel consumption, fuel cost, environmental
performance, and other factors. The second phase will focus on
determining the best information and presentation approaches for
labels designed for advanced technology vehicles. The third phase
will ask consumers to assist in developing the most effective and
compelling presentation for the overall label.
Request for Emergency
ICR Approval EPA ICR 2343.01 Focus Group Research for Improving
Fuel Economy Label Design and Content Background EPA has started a
new rulemaking action that will amend the way in which fuel economy
estimates are displayed, particularly for advanced technology
vehicles. EPA is focusing on additional metrics beyond MPG,
including fuel consumption metrics (gallons/100 miles, kW-hr/100
miles), Cost metrics ($/mi, $/100 miles, monthly fuel cost, annual
fuel cost, or 5-year fuel cost) and greenhouse gas metrics. Before
defining label options to propose, EPA will conduct three phases of
focus groups to gain information regarding what information
displayed on the fuel economy label will best serve the purpose of
providing consumers with useful, meaningful, and compelling
information. The focus groups must be conducted prior to EPA's
completion of the proposed rule. Phase 1 focus groups will test
consumer use of the current label information, their understanding
of proposed new information, and identify which information best
assists consumers in purchasing fuel efficient and environmentally
friendly vehicles. Phase 2 focus groups will cover EV and PHEV
label information and metrics and review the gasoline engine label
designs. Phase 3 will test both conventional fueled vehicle and
PHEV/EV label designs and potential consumer education messages
that should accompany the introduction of the new label to
consumers. The scope of these focus groups is limited, involving
less than 200 people. Detailed burden estimates are presented in
the Supporting Statement. Need for emergency approval: During a
meeting with OMB in January 5th of this year to discuss the
development of EPA's fuel economy label rulemaking, EPA noted the
desire to conduct focus groups prior to issuing a proposed rule to
ensure that the contents and design are understood and allow
consumers to effectively compare the relative energy consumption
and environmental benefits of conventional gasoline, hybrid
vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles. To do this
within the time that EPA has proposed, all three phases of the
focus groups will need to be completed by no later than early
April, 2010. EPA's timing is important for two key reasons: First,
manufacturers are developing advanced technology vehicles that are
expected to be available in limited numbers within the next 6- 12
months. Although EPA can provide these vehicles with fuel economy
labels without rulemaking, it is EPA's goal to be as far along as
possible in the rulemaking process - if not completed - by the time
these vehicles reach the general consumer market. Second, EPA's
proposed greenhouse gas regulations for light-duty vehicles will be
going into effect starting with the 2012 model year, and EPA would
like to have a new label design finalized so that 2012 model year
vehicles can be equipped with a new label. This may be especially
important given the increased focus on greenhouse gas emissions and
the likelihood that the new label will have an indication of each
vehicle's greenhouse gas emissions performance. EPA has already
issued a formal notice for this ICR and the comment period closed
on February 1, 2010 (no substantive comments were received), but
the normal ICR process does not allow enough time for EPA to plan
for and conduct these focus groups. The current schedule calls for
the first focus groups to be conducted in the last week of
February, 2010. There is no statutory deadline for the fuel economy
rule, but EPA believes it is important to consumers and to the
Agency to complete a rulemaking in time to cover 2012 model year
vehicles. To do this, the final rule must be done by the end of the
2010 calendar year. The normal time needed for ICR approval would
not provide enough time for EPA to conduct the focus groups prior
to its need to propose the fuel economy rule.
US Code:
49
USC 32908 Name of Law: Fuel economy information
EPA has started a new
rulemaking action that will amend the way in which fuel economy
estimates are displayed, particularly for advanced technology
vehicles. EPA is focusing on additional metrics beyond MPG,
including fuel consumption metrics (gallons/100 miles, kW-hr/100
miles), Cost metrics ($/mi, $/100 miles, monthly fuel cost, annual
fuel cost, or 5-year fuel cost) and greenhouse gas metrics. Before
defining label options to propose, EPA will conduct three phases of
focus groups to gain information regarding what information
displayed on the fuel economy label will best serve the purpose of
providing consumers with useful, meaningful, and compelling
information. The focus groups must be conducted prior to EPA's
completion of the proposed rule. Phase 1 focus groups will test
consumer use of the current label information, their understanding
of proposed new information, and identify which information best
assists consumers in purchasing fuel efficient and environmentally
friendly vehicles. Phase 2 focus groups will cover EV and PHEV
label information and metrics and review the gasoline engine label
designs. Phase 3 will test both conventional fueled vehicle and
PHEV/EV label designs and potential consumer education messages
that should accompany the introduction of the new label to
consumers. The scope of these focus groups is limited, involving
less than 200 people. Detailed burden estimates are presented in
the Supporting Statement.
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.
2343ss01-Part B 2-25-10.doc
Focus Group Research for Improving Fuel Economy Label Design and Content