In this
information collection request, the burden calculated is composed
of NOx SIP sources not affected by the CAIR or Acid Rain program.
These units continue to report emissions as part of the state
implementation plans but are not expected henceforth to be subject
to burden associated with participation in the NOx SIP trading
program. The remaining burden estimated is largely the annualized
capital cost for monitoring equipment, the labor cost and hours for
monitoring, and the labor costs and hours for reporting. The Agency
will submit revisions to this ICR if sources are once again
experiencing burden associated with trading activities.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
02/28/2014
36 Months From Approved
02/28/2011
424
0
12,632
57,586
0
471,734
3,777,000
0
28,278,800
The NOX Budget Trading Program is a
market-based cap and trade program created to reduce emissions of
nitrogen oxides (NOX) from power plants and other large combustion
sources in the eastern United States. NOX is a prime ingredient in
the formation of ground-level ozone (smog), a pervasive air
pollution problem in many areas of the eastern United States. The
NOX Budget Trading Program was designed to reduce NOX emissions
during the warm summer months, referred to as the ozone season,
when ground-level ozone concentrations are highest. In 2009 the
program was replaced by the Clean Air Interstate Rule Ozone Season
Trading Program (CAIROS). Although the trading program was replaced
after the 2008 compliance season, this information collection is
being renewed for two reasons. First, some industrial sources in
certain States are still required to monitor and report emissions
data to EPA under these rules, so we will account for their burden.
Second, the Agency may at some future time, reinstitute the NOX
Budget Trading Program. For example, this might happen if both the
CAIR and CAIR replacement rules were vacated by the Court. All data
received by EPA will be treated as public information. 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 in 40 CFR are listed in 40 CFR part 9.
This ICR renewal covers sources
subject to the NOx SIP Call program. Previous iterations of this
ICR included a larger number of affected sources and burdens
associated with program implementation that are now covered under
several different ICR's including the Clean Air Interstate Rule
(CAIR) and the Air Emissions Reporting Rule (AERR). For sources
that report emissions under CAIR and were previously subject to the
NOx SIP Call program, OMB number 2060-0570 CAIR ICR now covers the
costs of allowance allocation, tracking, and transfer, or emissions
monitoring and reporting, that were previously associated with the
NOx Budget Trading Program (NBP). For non-trading sources such as
internal combustion engines and cement kilns, these sources are now
covered under the AERR and the burdens are identified in OMB number
2060-0580 AERR ICR. This ICR renewal retains exhibits and text that
covered the burdens associated with the NBP Emissions Trading
Program, but zeros out those values that are now covered under
other ICRs. This option will facilitate a possible revision to the
ICR to include the costs of the trading process and monitoring
requirements, in case those costs become reassociated with the NOx
SIP Call program in the future.
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.
Form 7620-14 NOX Budget Trading Program to Reduce the Regional Transport of Ozone
1857ss05.doc
NOX Budget Trading Program to Reduce the Regional Transport of Ozone