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.
table that charts list comparision
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