2265ss01

Supporting Statement for
EPA Information Collection Request Number 2265.01
“Information Collection Activities Associated with the
SmartWay Transport Partnership”

March 2011

Table of Contents
Title

Page

1.

Identification of the Information Collection
1(a) Title of the Information Collection
1(b) Short Characterization/Abstract

1
1
1

2.

Need for and Use of the Collection
2(a) Need/Authority for the Collection
2(b) Practical Utility/Users of the Data

4
4
4

3.

Non-duplication, Consultations, and Other Collection Criteria
3(a) Non-duplication
3(b) Public Notice Required Prior to ICR Submission to OMB
3(c) Consultations
3(d) Effects of Less Frequent Collection
3(e) General Guidelines
3(f) Confidentiality
3(g) Sensitive Questions

5
5
5
6
6
7
7
7

4.

The Respondents and the Information Requested
4(a) Respondents/NAICS Codes
4(b) Information Requested
(i) Data items, including record keeping requirements
(ii) Respondent activities

8
8
8
9
11

5.

The Information Collected--Agency Activities, Collection Methodology,
and Information Management
5(a) Agency Activities
5(b) Collection Methodology and Management
5(c) Small Entity Flexibility
5(d) Collection Schedule

12
12
13
13
14

Estimating the Burden and Cost of the Collection
6(a) Estimating Respondent Burden
6(b) Estimating Respondent Costs
(i) Estimating Labor Costs
(ii) Estimating Capital and Operations and Maintenance Costs
6(c) Estimating Agency Burden and Cost
6(d) Estimating the Respondent Universe and Total Burden and Costs
6(e) Bottom Line Burden Hours and Cost Tables
(i) Respondent Tally
(ii)Agency Tally
6(f) Reasons for Change in Burden
6(g) Burden Statement

14
14
14
14
14
15
15
19
19
19
20
20

6.

i

List of Tables, Exhibits, and Appendices
Title

Page

Table 3.1
Table 4.1
Table 6.1
Table 6.2

Partners and Contact List
List of NAICS codes for SmartWay Partners
Total Estimated Annual Respondent Burden and Cost
Total Estimated Annual Agency Burden and Cost

6
8
19
19

Exhibit 1
Exhibit 2

Estimated Private Sector Burden
Estimated Agency Burden

21
22

Appendix A

Partner Agreement Forms
- Carrier Partners
- Shipper & Logistic Management Partners
- Affiliate Partners

23

ii

1

Identification of the Information Collection

1(a)

Title of the Information Collection

The Information Collection Request (ICR) is entitled “Information Collection
Activities Associated with SmartWay Transport Partnership,” EPA ICR number 2265.01,
OMB Control Number 2060-NEW.
1(b)

Short Characterization/Abstract

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency created the SmartWay Transport
Partnership to help businesses and individuals protect the environment, improve air
quality and maximize the energy efficiency of their transportation and logistics
management choices. The Partnership focuses on increasing efficiency and lowering the
greenhouse gases and air pollution generated by the transport and movement of goods.
EPA encourages businesses and individuals that transport and move goods to adopt
energy-efficient strategies and technologies that reduce fuel use, air pollution, and energy
costs.
EPA administers a streamlined, online reporting process for organizations that
join the SmartWay Transport Partnership, and has created incentives for improvement
(e.g., SmartWay Excellence Awards Program). EPA also makes tools and other
resources available on the Web to help organizations and individuals evaluate their
environmental performance and the value of investing in transportation management
improvements.
This ICR examines the information collected under the SmartWay Transport
Partnership from organizations active in the transportation sector. Sections 1 through 5
of this supporting statement describe the collections (in terms of the need and utility of
the data collected). These sections also outline respondent and Agency activities. In
Section 6, EPA estimates the annual hour and cost burden to respondents and the Agency
as a result of the data collections.
SMARTWAY TRANSPORT PARTNERSHIP AND THE TRANSPORTATION SECTOR
The SmartWay Transport Partnership consists of the following participant groups:
•

Carrier Partners include businesses that provide freight transport
services, and that own and/or operate vehicles used in goods movement
and related transportation-based assets. These businesses include
trucking, railroad, commercial and retail businesses, independent truck
owners, and similar organizations. SmartWay may in the future expand to
other types of freight modes including air and marine. Carriers that join
SmartWay agree to annually measure their performance using an
environmental measurement and tracking system provided by EPA and
available online. Based on outputs generated by this tracking system,

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SmartWay Transport Carrier Partners commit to improve their fuel
efficiency and environmental performance as a condition for participating
in the partnership.
•

Shipper and Logistics Management Partners consist of manufacturers,
retailers, logistics and supply chain management companies that hire or
contract with fleet owners and operators to move their goods. SmartWay
Shipper and Logistics Management Partners agree to annually assess the
proportion of goods dispatched with SmartWay carriers and also use a
system for tracking their carbon emissions, similar to that used by carriers,
but specifically designed for shippers. Shippers and logistics firms
commit to ship an increasing percentage of their goods with SmartWay
carriers, and to lower carbon emissions from their facility transportation
operations as conditions for participating in SmartWay.

•

Affiliates are both private and non-profit transportation-based
organizations and companies, including trade associations, state and local
governments, leasing companies, retail truck equipment dealers and other
groups that encourage the transportation sector to integrate pollution
controls and energy saving strategies into their business operations.

This ICR covers the reporting activities associated with partner participation in
the SmartWay program, including the following:
SmartWay Partner Agreement
•

An organization voluntarily joins SmartWay when it submits a partner
agreement. SmartWay partners include carriers, shippers, logistics
management companies, retailers, and non-profit groups engaged in
improving the environmental performance of the transportation sector.
Partner agreements identify basic objectives for organizations that join
SmartWay and request contact information. Upon reviewing and
completing the partner agreement, an organization can e-mail, fax or mail
the agreement to EPA SmartWay. Upon receiving the agreement, partner
data is loaded into the SmartWay partner account database, and a new
partner record is created. A Partner Account Manager or “PAM” is
assigned to support the new partner. Copies of partner agreements for
carriers, shippers, logistics management companies and affiliates are
included in Appendix A.

Emissions Measurement
•

Upon joining SmartWay, carriers, shippers and logistics management
companies agree to annually measure emissions generated by their
transportation-related activities. To do so, partners collect data on their
freight management business, such as transportation mode, fleet size, fuel

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use, idle times, number of miles traveled, payload and related items. They
then input this information into the EPA SmartWay online environmental
measurement, assessment and tracking system. When all information has
been entered, it is uploaded by EPA into the SmartWay partner account
database.
EPA’s SmartWay partner account database provides summary information
on a company’s fuel consumption rates and emission outputs (CO2,
nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter). This environmental
measurement, assessment and tracking system serves as the basis for
creating EPA’s database, and a range of tools and utilities. These tools
enable partners to consider technology and modal shift options; project
performance levels; and conduct analyses that will help them optimize the
efficiencies of their transportation management activities through the
SmartWay program.
After initially submitting data into the environmental tracking system,
partners are asked to annually access the system and update their
transportation management activities. These annual updates support
partners in their efforts to track fuel economy improvements and monitor
the effectiveness of their actions to reduce emissions. These annual
updates also are used by EPA to monitor the progress of the SmartWay
program as a whole.
SmartWay Excellence Awards
•

Partners may be considered for a SmartWay Excellence Award and gain
public recognition for their environmental performance and success in
reducing fuel use. Emissions data, including updates that reflect
transportation management improvements, may be used by partners to
demonstrate the progress they are making to reduce fuel use and air
emissions. As part of the award process, SmartWay partners also are
given an opportunity to provide greater detail on specific actions they have
taken to lessen the environmental impacts of their transportation-related
business activities.

Program Evaluation
•

Through workshops, webinars, conferences, and other interactive venues,
SmartWay provides opportunities for partners, other industry
representatives and consumers to provide input on their experience with
SmartWay including input on the program’s effectiveness at helping
partners to assess and improve the environmental performance of their
freight transport operations; the usability of SmartWay-provided tools and
information; and their awareness of the SmartWay program.

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2

Need for and Use of the Collection

2(a)

Need/Authority for the Collection

The Office of Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ) established the SmartWay
Transport Partnership under directives outlined in Subtitle D of the Energy Policy Act of
2005 which calls on EPA to assess the energy and air quality impacts of activities within
the freight industry. These activities include long-duration truck idling, the development
and promotion of strategies for reducing idling, fuel consumption, and negative air
quality effects. SmartWay’s objectives also are consistent with the Federal Technology
Transfer Act and other laws that support collaborative partnerships between government
and industry.
SmartWay also supports the mission of EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air
Quality to protect the environment from transportation-based activities through the
advancement of air pollution control equipment and technologies, clean fuels and
innovative mobility and logistics management strategies.
Information collected through SmartWay assists OTAQ in evaluating the
challenges the freight industry is managing as the industry seeks to maintain its economic
viability, conserve fuel, reduce idling activity, lower CO2 outputs, and improve its
overall environmental performance (through the application of technology-based
controls, efficient logistics management strategies and related approaches). SmartWay
also provides opportunities for EPA and industry to cooperate and collectively execute
strategies that can help improve the transportation industry’s financial and environmental
performance, both in the short term and the long term.
Data gathered through SmartWay contribute to OTAQ’s goals to reduce
transportation-based emissions, improve transportation efficiencies and protect human
health and the environment. SmartWay program data also is critical to monitoring and
measuring the success of SmartWay as a public/private partnership, both in terms of
collaboration and as a tool for reducing fuel consumption, and air pollutants, including
CO2, NOx, and particulate matter.
2(b)

Practical Utility/Users of the Data

SmartWay Partner Agreements and Online Environmental Tracking System
Information collected through the SmartWay program has a broad range of
practical and useful applications.
Partner agreements are needed to secure basic contact information and to ensure
an organization’s commitment to SmartWay’s energy and environmental goals.

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Data submitted through the online environmental tracking system assist partners in
quantitatively assessing the fuel consumed and air emissions generated by their
transportation and freight activities. Outputs from the tracking system help organizations
establish benchmarks, identify strategies and set future goals for conserving fuel and
reducing greenhouse gas, nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emissions.
When the environmental tracking system is updated on an annual basis, it can
help partners monitor their progress, determine if their goals are being met, and adjust
their goals if necessary. These updates also can provide partners with valuable
information on the environmental and economic benefits of applying the options
available for modifying their freight transport methods (e.g. purchase idle reduction
equipment, modify pickup and delivery schedules, adopt intermodal options, etc.).
OTAQ uses outputs from the SmartWay tracking system and its partner database
to evaluate progress toward its goals for reducing transportation-based emissions.
Information contained in the SmartWay tracking system and partner account database
also is used to select potential candidates for a SmartWay Excellence Award. The data is
considered by EPA as part of the awards program, in conjunction with other information
that partners may provide to demonstrate the progress they are making to meet the
environmental commitments they made when joining SmartWay. The SmartWay
Excellence awards program provides EPA an important opportunity to publicly recognize
the collective efforts of industry and individual organizations to conserve energy and
improve air quality. This recognition serves as an important incentive, encouraging
continuous improvement among existing partners, highlighting their success within
industry among peers, and helping to strengthen and build the partnership.
Program Evaluation
Periodic feedback and evaluation on the effectiveness of the SmartWay program
and recognition of SmartWay as a brand from program partners, and other representatives
active in the transportation sector will enable EPA to make any program changes as may
be warranted, to continue to ensure the value, usefulness and effectiveness of the
program.
3.

Non-duplication, Consultations, and Other Collection Criteria

3(a)

Non-duplication

The information collected under this ICR is not collected by any other EPA office
or any other federal agency. Therefore, there is not a potential for duplication with other
federal collections.
3(b)

Public Notice Required Prior to ICR Submission to OMB

On April 28, 2009 (Vol. 74, No.80 FR Doc. E9-9652), EPA sought comments on
this ICR pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.8(d). EPA received no comments. Since it was

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published for public comment on April 28, 2009, this ICR has been modified to reflect
growth in the partnership, changes in labor rates and a new name for the SmartWay
environmental tracking system and partner database (formerly known respectively as the
SmartWay Freight Logistics Environmental and Energy Tracking or “FLEET”
performance model and Customer Relations Management or “CRM” database).
3(c)

Consultations

In preparing respondent burden hour and cost estimates in this ICR, EPA
conducted some limited consultation with a small group of companies that participate in
the SmartWay Partnership. These companies and corresponding contacts are identified in
Table 3.1.
While these companies provided some insight, EPA works closely with all
SmartWay participants, ensuring a good understanding of the time needed to carry out its
information collection. Therefore, EPA relied primarily on the expertise of staff assigned
to the SmartWay program to develop the ICR’s hour and cost assumptions. In addition,
the Agency accessed data stored in the SmartWay partner database and supporting
documentation to estimate the number of respondents and activities. The SmartWay
partner database is kept up to date based on participant submittals (e.g., partnership
agreements, initial and updated SmartWay fuel consumption and emissions data) and is
therefore the most reliable source for estimation purposes.
Table 3.1
SmartWay Partners and Contact List
Partner Company
Contact
AFN Logistics
Jared Palmer
Contract Freighters, INC
Bruce Stockton
Davis Cartage
Susan Sanderson
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters
Don Ostler
H.O. Wolding
Arne Nystrom
KBD Transportation
Pam Mullin
Nebraska Truck Association
Larry Johnson
New Jersey Motor Truck Association
Gail Toth
Schneider
Dennis Damman
Sharp
Mark Servidio
Wisconsin Partners for Clean Air
Jessica Lawent
3(d)

Effects of Less Frequent Collection
SmartWay Partner Agreements and Online Environmental Tracking System

The SmartWay Partner Agreement is a one-time information submittal. The
agreement documents an organization’s decision to join SmartWay, and provides basic
contact information for a partner organization. It is not possible to collect the basic
information given in the agreement less frequently.
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A partner provides inputs into the SmartWay environmental tracking system upon
joining SmartWay and updates the system on an annual basis thereafter, for as long as an
organization remains a SmartWay partner. First-year system outputs are used by partners
as a baseline for establishing energy and emission reduction goals in the future.
Updating the system annually in subsequent years is necessary for SmartWay participants
to determine the effectiveness of their actions to reduce emissions and energy use.
Likewise, for EPA, collecting and storing the inputs annually ensures that the Agency is
able to establish quantitative information on the program’s progress in reaching
SmartWay’s emissions and fuel reduction goals.
Running the environmental tracking system and providing the results to EPA less
frequently would prevent EPA and its SmartWay partners from tracking and assessing the
progress of individual organizations, and the program as a whole. It also would make it
difficult for participant organizations to modify their strategies to reduce energy use and
emissions, as needed, to meet their goals. Annual system updates and outputs are
necessary for EPA and its SmartWay partners to effectively work toward their shared
energy and environmental goals.
The updated data also are important to EPA when assessing partner performance
as part of the SmartWay Excellence Awards program. The excellence awards are an
important incentive and encourage partners to implement effective emission-reduction
strategies that help conserve energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air
quality.
Program Evaluation
Providing sufficient opportunities for partners, and transportation industry
professionals to provide input to EPA on the effectiveness of SmartWay is necessary to
monitor and implement program changes, as needed, in a timely manner.
3(e)

General Guidelines

Information collections performed under this clearance will follow all of OMB’s
General Guidelines regarding federal data collection.
3(f)

Confidentiality

Participation in SmartWay is voluntary and may be terminated by participants or
EPA at any time. If a claim of confidential business information (CBI) is asserted, EPA
will manage that information in accordance with EPA’s provisions on confidentiality. 40
CFR Part 2, Subpart B establishes EPA’s general policy on the public disclosure of
information and procedures for handling CBI claims.
3(g)

Sensitive Questions

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No questions of a sensitive nature are asked of SmartWay participants.
4

The Respondents and the Information Requested

4(a)

Respondents and NAICS Codes

Below in Table 4.1 is a list of selected North American Industrial Classification System
(NAICS) codes and the primary industry sectors associated with those codes. These
industry sectors may be affected by information collections covered under this ICR for
the SmartWay Transport Partnership.
Table 4.1
List of NAICS codes for SmartWay Partners
NAICS Code
421
422
4211
42111
42112
423
44-45
48-49
481
4811
481112
4812
48121
481212
481219
482
4821
48211
482111
482112
483
4831
48311
483111
483113
4832
48321
483211
484
4841
48411
48412
484121
484122
4842

Industry
Wholesale Trade, Durable Goods
Wholesale Trade, Nondurable Goods
Motor Vehicle and Motor Vehicle Part and Supplies
Automobile and Other Motor Vehicle Wholesalers
Motor Vehicle Supplies and New Part Wholesalers
Wholesale Trade, Nondurable Goods
Retail Trade
Transportation and Warehousing
Air Transportation
Scheduled Air Transportation
Scheduled Freight Air Transportation
Nonscheduled Air Transportation
Nonscheduled Air Transportation
Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation
Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation
Rail Transportation
Rail Transportation
Rail Transportation
Line-Haul Railroads
Short-Line Railroads
Water Transportation
Deep Sea, Coastal and Great Lakes Water Transportation
Deep Sea, Coastal and Great Lakes Water Transportation
Deep Sea Freight Transportation
Coastal and Great Lakes Freight Transportation
Inland Water Transportation
Inland Water Transportation
Inland Water Freight Transportation
Truck Transportation
General Freight Trucking
General Freight Trucking, Local
General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance
General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance, Truckload
General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance, LTL
Specialized Freight Trucking

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488
4881
48811
488119
48819
4882
48821
4883
48831
48832
48833
48839
4884
4885
48851
4889
48899
488991
488999
4931
49311
49312
49319

4(b)

Support Activities for Transportation
Support Activities for Air Transportation
Airport Operations
Other Airport Operations
Other Support Activities for Air Transportation
Support Activities for Rail Transportation
Support Activities for Rail Transportation
Support Activities for Water Transportation
Port and Harbor Operations
Marine Cargo Handling
Navigational Services to Shipping
Other Support Activities for Water Transportation
Support Activities for Road Transportation
Freight Transportation Arrangement
Freight Transportation Arrangement
Other Support Activities for Transportation
Other Support Activities for Transportation
Packing and Crating
All Other Support Activities for Transportation
Warehousing and Storage Facilities
General Warehousing and Storage Facilities
Refrigerated Warehousing and Storage Facilities
Other Warehousing and Storage Facilities

Information Requested

Organizations interested in joining SmartWay are asked to submit a partnership
agreement describing their commitment to conserve energy and emissions when they join
the program. They also are asked to provide other related information, as described
below.
4(b)(i) Data Items
Partnership Agreement
•

An organization completes a partnership agreement when it joins
SmartWay; the form may be completed online or on paper. A completed
partnership agreement confirms that an organization has joined the
program. It also lists the commitments that both EPA and the joining
organization assume by working together through the SmartWay
Partnership. Copies of the SmartWay partnership agreement forms are
provided in Appendix A. On average, EPA estimates that 0.82 hours are
needed to thoroughly review, comprehend and submit the partnership
agreement. This includes some legal review, especially in larger
companies.
The partnership agreement includes the following information:

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9 Organization’s name,
9 Contact information on organization’s Partner Official,
9 Contact information on organization’s Designated Partner
Representative, and
9 General terms of the SmartWay Partnership.
SmartWay Environmental Tracking System
•

The SmartWay tracking system is a tool that helps organizations quantify
the environmental performance of their transportation-based operations.
Organizations access the system and provide information on their
transportation activities upon joining SmartWay. The system consists of
two modules, one for SmartWay carriers, and a second module for
SmartWay shippers and logistics management companies; both modules
are available online (www.epa.gov/smartway).
On average, EPA estimates that partners will take 5.16 hours to gather,
input and review the data needed to run the environmental tracking system
the first time. Annual updates will take 2.66 hours to complete. These
estimates include the time needed to review system outputs prior to
sending them to EPA.
For carrier partners the system requests the following information:
9 Contact information, including a responsible agent for the
company, or an alternate; street and electronic addresses,
9 Information about the company, including data about its existing
transportation equipment, such as the number of trucks
employed; gallons of fuel used and miles traveled annually;
payload; pollution control equipment deployed and idling
activity, and
9 Actions the organization plans to take to conserve energy and
strengthen its environmental performance in future years.
For shipper and logistics management partners, the system requests the
following information:
9 Contact information, including a responsible agent for the
company, or an alternate; street and electronic addresses,
9 Information about the company’s transportation activities,
including carriers hired to transport goods; mode/s used to
transport products; and freight facility operations, and
9 Actions the organization plans to take to increase the amount of
freight shipped with SmartWay carriers and to conserve energy
and reduce emissions from its freight facility and transportation
operations in future years.

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Annual SmartWay Excellence Awards
•

The Annual SmartWay Excellence Awards recognize outstanding
achievements by partners in the program. Data from the tracking system
and the progress a company is making to improve its environmental
performance provide the basis for an award. Partners also have the option
of providing additional information, as listed below, to be considered for
an award. On average EPA estimates that organizations that choose to
provide this information take an estimated 3.25 hours to do so.
9 Efforts undertaken to educate its staff, customers and public about
its participation in SmartWay, and
9 Other activities supporting its participation as a SmartWay partner
(e.g., a shipper may offer special assistance or incentives that help
and/or encourage carriers to join SmartWay).

Partner Evaluation
● SmartWay may request feedback on the program and the tools it provides,
which would be expected to require no more than 15 minutes of a
respondent’s time.
4(b)(ii) Respondent Activities
Partnership Agreement
To join the EPA SmartWay Transport Partnership, organizations are asked to:
9 Review the partnership agreement, and
9 Sign and return the agreement to EPA electronically, by fax or U.S. mail.
SmartWay Environmental Tracking System
Upon completing their partnership agreement, companies are asked to complete
the online environmental tracking system, and on an annual basis thereafter, to
update the system. These activities involve the following:
9 Gather information needed to provide relevant inputs for the
environmental tracking system,
9 Go online and enter information and relevant data into the system,
9 Run the system,
9 Review system reports and data outputs,
9 Choose options to reduce fuel use and emissions, and
9 Update the system and review data outputs annually.

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Annual SmartWay Partner Award Materials and Information
In addition to reporting their environmental performance data, SmartWay partners
have the option to submit information on their actions to reduce fuel use, save
energy and publicly promote their participation in the SmartWay program. When
a partner chooses to submit this information, it will:
9 Gather and compile information on its activities, including samples of
promotional materials and in-house tools developed to highlight their
involvement in SmartWay, and
9 Send these materials to EPA, electronically, by fax, or U.S. mail.
Program Evaluation
EPA may seek feedback on the SmartWay program on a random and voluntary
basis and partners may be asked to respond to a range of questions, such as the
usability of the tracking tool and the program’s value to their organization, among
others.
5

Information Collection: Agency Activities, Collection Methodology, and
Information Management

5(a)

Agency Activities

EPA SmartWay managers, staff and Partner Account Managers (PAMs) will
perform certain activities associated with information collections described in this ICR.
These activities serve to develop, evaluate and support the SmartWay Transport
Partnership program.
Partnership Agreement
SmartWay will perform the following activities related to the partnership
agreement:
9 Review partner agreements,
9 Upload information from the partner agreement to the SmartWay partner
database,
9 Assign a PAM,
9 Send a welcome letter to the new partner,
9 Update and maintain SmartWay website, and
9 Monitor the use of SmartWay logos.
SmartWay Environmental Tracking System

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SmartWay will perform the following activities related to the environmental
performance tracking system:
9 Process and upload new and updated partner performance data in the
SmartWay partner account database,
9 Request updates of information annually,
9 Review partner activities undertaken to cooperatively promote SmartWay,
9 Record partner progress in the database, and
9 Update and maintain SmartWay website.
Annual SmartWay Partner Award Program
SmartWay will review environmental performance data and any additional data
partners provide to highlight their progress and achievements in conserving fuel and
reducing emissions:
9 Review and rank environmental performance data that is submitted,
9 Review and assess other partner information submitted for award
consideration, and
9 Summarize and describe partner accomplishments and achievements that
warrant recognition.
Program Evaluation
SmartWay will review input from its partners, and industry representatives on the
program and use it to adjust and improve the program.
5(b)

Collection Methodology and Management

In collecting and analyzing the information received through this ICR, EPA will
use a telephone system, personal computers, and applicable software. EPA will ensure
the accuracy and completeness of collected information by reviewing each submittal.
EPA will enter the information obtained into a database and will aggregate data obtained
to monitor the progress of participants in reducing fuel consumption and air emissions.
These efforts will help to ensure the proper use and processing of the information being
collected to enhance the value of the information to EPA and the public.
5(c)

Small Entity Flexibility

EPA expects that some independent truck owners, small fleet operators and other
small businesses will participate in SmartWay. EPA has designed its information
collections to minimize respondent burden while obtaining sufficient and accurate
information. For example, EPA has tailored its partner environmental tracking system
for small entities so that it requests only the minimum amount of information needed to
work effectively with small businesses.

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5(d)

Collection Schedule

SmartWay collects partnership agreements from partners only once, when they
enter into the program. Environmental performance data is submitted upon joining the
partnership and updated annually thereafter. Additional information that is submitted for
the purposes of being considered for an award is optional, as environmental performance
data serve as the primary basis for an award.
EPA will request data related to program evaluation no more than once a year.
6

Estimating the Burden and Cost of the Collection

6(a)

Estimating Respondent Burden

Exhibit 1 presents the annual respondent burden hours for information collection
activities associated with the SmartWay Transport Partnership program. Exhibit 1 also
includes the total annual hours devoted by respondents to conduct all activities.
6(b)

Estimating Respondent Costs

Exhibit 1 estimates respondent costs associated with each information collection
activity. Exhibit 1 also presents the total annual respondent costs under all activities.
Specific cost assumptions are discussed below.
6(b)(i) Estimating Labor Costs
The labor rates used to estimate costs to respondents are consistent with hourly
wage rates published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics publications on employment and
earnings. Based on its review of this data, EPA has developed labor cost estimates. EPA
estimates an average hourly respondent labor cost (hourly plus overhead and fringe) of
$109.08 for legal staff, $79.47 for managerial staff, $67.73 for technical staff, and $33.58
for clerical and/or administrative staff.
6(b)(ii) Estimating Capital and Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Costs
Operations and maintenance (O&M) costs are those costs associated with a
paperwork requirement incurred continually over the life of the ICR. They are defined
by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 as the “recurring dollar amount of costs
associated with O&M or purchasing service.” This ICR includes O&M costs for postage
(i.e., $0.50) for each submittal to EPA by postal mail. Although most submittals are
electronically provided, EPA recognizes that postal mail may be used by some of our
partners. In addition, for the collection of optional items, specifically hard copies of
materials submitted for consideration of a SmartWay Excellence Award, EPA estimates
an average cost of $15.00 per submittal

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6(c)

Estimating Agency Burden and Costs.

As shown in Exhibit 2, SmartWay estimates the annual Agency burden costs for
the information collection activities associated with SmartWay. EPA conducted
consultation with staff members of SmartWay to obtain estimates of the hours to
complete each information collection activity. These estimates are summarized in
Exhibit 2.
The hourly labor rates used in this ICR were obtained from the 2010 GS pay
schedule available from the Office of Personnel Management. EPA estimates an average
hourly labor cost (including overhead) of $86.56 for legal staff, $73.58 for managerial
staff, $52.64 for technical staff, and $23.84 for clerical staff. For the Senior
Environmental Employees (SEE) who support SmartWay, EPA estimates a labor rate of
$20 per hour. The labor rates for EPA employees are based on the following GS levels
and steps: GS level 15 - step 5 for legal staff; GS level 14 - step 5 for managerial staff;
GS level 12 – step 5 for technical staff; and GS level 5 - step 5 for clerical staff. To
derive the hourly labor rates, EPA first used the corresponding hourly basic labor rates
from the 2010 General Schedule and multiplied these rates by 1.6, the standard
government multiplier. Labor rates for SEE employees are based on standard rates
applied by Senior Service America, Inc., the administrator of a grant program that makes
SEE employees available to the EPA.
6(d)

Estimating the Respondent Universe and Total Respondent Burden and Cost
Respondent Universe

In this section, EPA describes its estimates of the number of respondents carrying
out the information collections under the SmartWay Transport Partnership program. In
developing its estimates, EPA referred to its databases and related documentation to
identify trends in the number of existing and new respondents. Based on this
understanding, EPA has estimated the average number of respondents associated with
each of the information collections under the program. These averages and an
explanation of how they were derived follows for each collection activity.
Partnership Agreement – New Partners
EPA estimates that based on program growth and development, on average, 450
organizations, representing shipper, carrier (truck, rail), logistics management, public and
private affiliate groups will submit a partnership agreement to EPA each year. Each of
these 450 new partners is expected to complete and submit the agreement on a one-time
basis. In estimating the annual respondent hour and cost burden over the three-year
period covered by this ICR, EPA annualized the hour and cost burden of this one-time
activity by dividing the number of respondents by three. Thus EPA estimates that 450
partners will complete and submit a partnership agreement each year, taking 0.82 hours
on average to do so.

- 15 -

These assumptions are reflected in Exhibit 1.
SmartWay Environmental Tracking System
EPA asks all new organizations that join SmartWay, with the exception of
affiliates, to access its environmental tracking system which is available online, and
submit data upon joining the partnership. After that, partners are asked to update the
system and report on their progress annually.
The environmental tracking system is a web-based tool that enables partners to
establish benchmarks and future goals for conserving energy and reducing greenhouse
gas and nitrogen oxide emissions from their freight operations and transportation-based
activities. To identify a baseline and set these goals, companies gather information about
their transportation activities and enter that data into EPA’s web-based tool, the
SmartWay environmental tracking system. After completing these inputs, the data is sent
electronically to EPA and uploaded into the SmartWay partner database. EPA estimates
that to gather and input information and data into the SmartWay tracking system, and to
send the data to EPA, takes a company, in its first year of joining the program, on average
5.16 hours.
Based on information drawn from the SmartWay partner database, EPA notes that
approximately 20% of its SmartWay’s partnership base is composed of affiliates. These
affiliates do not complete or submit an environmental tracking system. Affiliates join
SmartWay to help promote and support EPA’s goals through marketing and
communications activities, and typically do not engage in a significant amount of freight
activity. Consequently it is not necessary for them to complete or submit a SmartWay
tracking tool.
The other 80% of SmartWay’s partnership base is composed of carrier (truck, rail,
air and marine), shipper, and logistics management firms. These partners do provide data
and run the environmental performance tracking system upon joining the program and
annually thereafter.
Using this program data, EPA calculates that of the 450 new partners projected to
join SmartWay each year, 360 of them will run the tracking system (450 x 0.8 = 360).
The other new participants will be affiliates, and affiliates are not asked to run the system
(450 x 0.2 = 90).
In estimating the annual respondent hour and cost burden over the three-year
period covered by this ICR, EPA annualized the hour and cost burden associated with
operating the tracking system for the first time, by dividing the number of respondents by
three. Thus EPA estimates that 360 new partners will complete and submit
environmental performance data each year, taking 5.16 hours on average to do so. This
work will entail the following:

- 16 -

9 Gather information needed to provide relevant inputs into the tracking
system,
9 Go online and enter information and relevant data into the tracking
system,
9 Run the tracking system,
9 Review system reports and data outputs,
9 Review utility options for reducing fuel use and emissions, and
9 Send EPA new system data outputs.
These assumptions are reflected in Exhibit 1.
SmartWay Environmental Tracking System Updates
Following the initial submittal of environmental performance data, EPA asks that
partners annually update the system and report their progress in meeting their
performance goals. There are currently 2,400 existing organizations participating in
SmartWay. Of these 2,400 organizations, 80% of them – or 1,920 in all, will be asked to
update the environmental tracking system (2,400 x 0.8 = 1,920) on an annual basis.
These 1,920 organizations represent carrier, shipper and logistics management partners.
The remaining 480 organizations are affiliate organizations, and affiliates are not asked to
complete or update the SmartWay tracking system.
In addition to the 1,920 existing partners that will provide annual updates, new
partners that have been in the program for more than a year also will provide updates to
the tracking system that they initially ran when they first joined the program. Again,
EPA projects 360 new partners will join SmartWay and complete the environmental
tracking system for the first time during each year of the 3-year period covered by this
ICR.
To calculate the number of updates EPA will receive from these 360 new partners,
EPA reviewed the SmartWay program’s retention rate among its existing partners. EPA
found that about 75 percent of all partners that initially submit data continue to participate
in the program and submit updated data. Therefore, in addition to the 1,920 existing
partners that provide updated system data, another 270 new partners will provide these
updates for the first time (360 x 0.75).
To develop a complete estimate of the number of annual respondent hours and cost
burden associated with updating the SmartWay environmental tracking system on an
annual basis, EPA factored in this retention rate. Specifically, EPA took into account the
number of existing partners (1,920) and new partners (270) that it expects to remain
active in the program during the three year timeframe covered by this ICR. In summary
EPA expects that 2,190 (1,920 + 270) partners will annually provide updated
environmental performance data to the Agency during this three-year period.
Although the same basic actions are involved in initially running the environmental
tracking system and updating it, EPA estimates that gathering and reviewing the data

- 17 -

needed to update the system, and submitting the updated data will require an average of
2.66 hours. The reduction in this burden hour estimate (as compared to running the
system for the first time) is based on the experience that SmartWay partners have
acquired in managing their fleet, energy and environmental performance. As a result,
EPA estimates that on an annual basis, 2190 partners will provide updated environmental
performance data, taking 2.66 hours on average to do so.
These assumptions are reflected in Exhibit 1.
SmartWay Excellence Awards
As a part of its annual SmartWay Excellence Awards program EPA annually reviews
the baseline systems data and the updates its SmartWay partners submit to identify and
recognize partners that demonstrate a high level of leadership in reducing fuel
consumption and lowering greenhouse gas and other air emissions. All SmartWay
partners have the option of providing EPA with other, relevant information on actions
that may not be captured in their performance data. When a partner chooses to submit
this information, it will:
9 Gather and compile information on its activities, including samples of
promotional materials and in-house tools developed to highlight its
involvement in SmartWay, and
9 Send these materials to EPA, either electronically or by mail.
Based on EPA’s experience in administering the SmartWay Excellence Awards
program it is estimated that 75 partners (about 3.5% of all partners) will provide this
additional information for consideration on an annual basis during the 3-year time period
covered by this ICR. On average these organizations will take 3.25 hours to gather and
submit the award materials that they would like EPA to evaluate.
These assumptions are reflected in Exhibit 1.
Program Evaluation
Over the three year period covered by this ICR, EPA expects that it will ask its
partners and other relevant parties for advice and suggestions on the effectiveness of
SmartWay and how to improve the tools and incentives it provides the transportation
sector. EPA will request this information no more than once a year from no more than
150 individuals and expects that it will require no more than 15 minutes of time from a
respondent.
These assumptions are reflected in Exhibit 1.

- 18 -

6(e)

Bottom Line Burden Hours and Costs

6(e)(i) Respondent Tally
As shown in Table 6.1, EPA estimates the total annual hour and cost burden to
respondents to be 8,301 hours and $531,089.00.
Table 6.1
Total Estimated Annual Respondent Burden and Cost Summary
Information
Collections

Number of
Respondents

Partnership
Agreement
Environmental
Measurement,
Assessment &
Tracking System
(new & updates)
Awards & Recognition
Evaluation
TOTAL

6(e)(i)(i)

Total Hours
per Year

450

369

2,550

7,651

75

Total Labor
Cost Per Year

$

Total
Annual
Capital
Cost

Total
Annual
O&M
Cost

Total Cost Per Year

28,506.00

$0.00

$225.00

$ 28,731.00

$ 481,944.00

$0.00

$00.00

$481,944.00

244

$

16,309.00

$0.00

$1,125.00

$17,434.00

150

37

$

2,980.00

$0.00

$0.00

$ 2,980.00

3,225

8301

$ 529,739.00

$0.00

$1,350.00

$531,089.00

Agency Tally

In table 6.2, EPA presents a summary of the total estimated annual Agency and
contract burden for the SmartWay program.

Table 6.2
Total Estimated Annual Agency Burden and Cost

Respondent Type

Burden
Hours

Agency

3173

6(f)

Total Capital
Cost

Total Labor Costs

$99,504.00

$0.00

Total O&M Cost

Total Cost

$263.00

Reasons for Change in Burden
This is a new information collection, and as such, this section does not apply.

- 19 -

$99,767.00

6(g)

Burden Statement

EPA estimates that for organizations participating in SmartWay, the reporting
burden will be approximately 2.57 hours per respondent per year. EPA notes that this is a
weighted average across all SmartWay partners, regardless of whether they are affiliates,
shippers, carriers, or logistics companies. It is also a weighted average for all partners,
regardless whether they have previously completed partner agreements, submitted
additional information or volunteered work examples for award consideration. This
average also includes 150 respondents who will provide EPA with some data on their
awareness and opinion of SmartWay.
Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by a person
to generate, maintain, retain, disclose or provide information to or for a Federal Agency.
This includes the time needed to: review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and
utilize technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and verifying
information; adjust the existing ways to comply with previously applicable instructions;
search data sources; complete and review the collection of information; transmit or
otherwise disclose the 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.
To comment on the Agency's need for this information, the accuracy of the
provided burden estimates, and any suggested methods for minimizing respondent
burden, including the use of automated collection techniques, EPA has established a
public docket for this ICR under Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-0482, which is
available for online viewing at www.regulations.gov, or in person viewing at the Air
Docket in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution
Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. The EPA Docket Center Public Reading Room is open
from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The
telephone number for the Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number
for the Air Docket is (202) 566-1742. An electronic version of the public docket is
available at www.regulations.gov. This site can be used to submit or view public
comments, access the index listing of the contents of the public docket, and to access
those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. When in the
system, select “search,” then key in the Docket ID Number identified above. Also, you
can send comments to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of
Management and Budget, 725 17th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20503, Attention:
Desk Officer for EPA. Please include the EPA Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-OAR-20070482 and OMB Control Number 2060-NEW in any correspondence.

- 20 -

Exhibit 1
Estimated Annual Respondent Burden and Cost
US EPA SmartWay Program
Hours and Costs per Respondent

Information Collection Activity
Partnership Agreement
Review Partnership Agreement
Return Partnership Agreement to EPA
Subtotal
New SmartWay Carbon Tracking Systems
Gather data & info for tracking system
Input data into Tracking System
Review System Carbon Outputs
Send completed Systems Data to EPA
Subtotal
Update SmartWay Carbon Tracking
System
Gather Data & Info to Update Tracking
System
Input Data into Tracking System
Review System Outputs
Send Updated Outputs to EPA
Subtotal
SmartWay Excellence Awards
Gather information for EPA consideration
Review and Send Information to EPA
Subtotal
Awareness Assessment
Complete and submit online assessment
Subtotal
Total

Total Hours and Cost

Labor
Cost/
Year

Capitol
Startup
Costs

Total
Hours/
Year

Total Cost/ Year

Legal
$109.08/hr

Manager
$79.47/hr

Technical
$67.73/hr

Clerical
$33.58/hr

Response
Hours/Year

0.25
0
0.25

0.25
0
0.25

0.16
0
0.16

0
0.16
0.16

0.66
0.16
0.82

$57.97
$5.37
$63.35

0
0
$0.00

$0.00
$0.50
$225.00

450
450
450

297
72
369

$26,088
$2,418
$28,731

0
0
0
0
0

0.5
0
0.5
0
1

2
1
0.5
0.16
3.66

0
0.5
0
0
0.5

2.5
1.5
1
0.16
5.16

$175.20
$84.52
$73.60
$10.84
$344.15

0
0
0
0
0

$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00

360
360
360
360
360

900
540
360
25.5
1826

$63,070
$30,427
$26,496
$3,901
$123,895

0
0
0
0
0

0
0
0.5
0
0.5

1
0
0.5
0
1.5

0
0.5
0
0.16
0.66

1
0.5
1
0.16
2.66

$67.73
$16.79
$73.60
$5.37
$163.49

0
0
0
0

$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00

2190
2190
2190
2190
2190

2190
1095
2190
350.4
5825

$148,329
$36,770
$161,184
$11,766
$358,049

0
0
0

0
0.5
0.5

2
0.5
2.5

0
0.25
0.25

2
1.25
3.25

$135.46
$82.00
$217.46

0
0
0

$0.00
$15.00
$1,125.00

75
75
75

150
93.75
243.8

$10,160
$6,150
$17,434

0
0
0.25

0.25
0.25
2.5

0
0
7.82

0
0
1.57

0.25
0.25
12.14

$19.87
$19.87
$808.31

0
0
$0.00

$0.00
$0.00
$1,350.00

150
150
3225

37.5
37.5
8301

$2,980
$2,980
531,089

21

O&M
Costs

Number
of
Respondents

$

Exhibit 2
Estimated Annual Agency Burden and Cost
US EPA SmartWay Program
Hours and Costs per Respondent

Total Hours and Cost

Resp.
Hours/
Year

Labor
Costs/
Year

Annual
Capitol
Startup
Costs

Annual
O&M
Costs

Number
of
Respond.
Activities

Total
Hours/
Year

Total Cost/
Year

Legal
$86.56/hr

Manager
$73.58/hr

Technical
$52.64/hr

Clerical
$23.84/hr

SEE
$20.00/hr

0

0.03

0

0

0.08

0.11

$3.81

0

$0.00

450

49.5

$1,713

0
0

0
0
0.03

0
0
0

0
0
0

0.08
0.08
0.24

0.08
0.08
0.27

$1.60
$1.60
$7.01

0
0
0

$0.50
$0.00
225

450
450
450

36
36
121.5

$945
$720
$3,378

0

0.08

0.25

0

1.5

1.83

$49.05

0

$0.00

360

658.8

$17,657

0
0
0

0
0
0.08

0
0
0.25

0
0
0

0.5
0
2

0.5
0
2.33

$10.00
$0.00
$59.05

0
0
0

$0.00
$0.00
0

360
360
360

180
0
838.8

$3,600
$0
$21,257

0

0.08

0.08

0

0.5

0.66

$20.10

0

$0.00

2190

1445.4

$44,014

0
0

0
0.08

0.08
0.16

0
0

0.08
0.58

0.16
0.82

$5.81
$25.91

0
0

$0.00
$0.00

2190
2190

350.4
1795.8

$12,727
$56,740

0
0

0.08
0

0.5
0.5

0
0

0
1

0.58
1.5

$32.21
$46.32

0
0

$0.00
$0.00

75
75

43.5
112.5

$2,415
$3,474

0
0
0

0
0
0.08

1
0.08
2.08

0
0.08
0.08

0.5
0.16
1.66

1.5
0.32
3.9

$62.64
$9.32
$150.48

0
0
0

$0.00
$0.50
$37.50

75
75
75

112.5
24
292.5

$4,698
$736
$11,324

Review assessment, research focus and
questions

0

0.08

0.5

0

0

0.58

$32.21

0

$0.00

150

87

$4,831

Process assessment and present results to
internal audiences
Subtotal
Total

0
0
0

0
0.08
0.35

0.25
0.75
3.24

0
0
0.08

0
0
4.48

0.25
0.83
8.15

$13.16
$45.37
$287.81

0
0
0

$0.00
$0.00
$262.50

150
300
3375

37.5
124.5
3173.1

$1,974
$6,805
$99,767

Information Collection Activity
Partnership Agreement
Review & Process submitted SmartWay
Partnership Agreements
Send a Letter Welcoming Partner to
SmartWay Program
Update EPA/SmartWay Website
Subtotal
New SmartWay Carbon Tracking Systems
Review and Evaluate System Outputs
Update SmartWay partner database with
tracking system outputs
Update EPA/SmartWay Website
Subtotal
Update SmartWay Carbon Tracking
System
Review and Evaluate Updated System
Outputs
Update SmartWay Partner Acct Mgmt Dbase with Updated System Outputs
Subtotal
SmartWay Excellence Awards
Develop Awards Criteria
Review Tracking System Inputs/Outputs
Receive and review other information
submitted
Notify partners that will receive award
Subtotal
Awareness Assessment

22

OMB Control No. 20XX-XXXX
Approval Expires XX/XX/XX

Join
the ASmartWay
APPENDIX
TransportAgreement:
PartnershipCarriers
TODAY!
Partnership
EPA’s SmartWaySM Transport Partnership is a voluntary program that recognizes Partners
for setting and achieving greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals in freight transport.

With this agreement,
Partnership and commits to:
•
•
•

, joins EPA’s SmartWay Transport

Measure the environmental performance of our fleet using EPA’s online environmental measurement, assessment and
tracking system, available at www.epa.gov/smartway.
Identify a goal to improve the environmental performance of our fleet.
Establish a plan for how this goal will be achieved and report our progress toward meeting that goal by annually updating our
performance in EPA’s online environmental measurement, assessment and tracking system.

In return, EPA commits to:
•

•
•

Increase public awareness of Partner participation in the SmartWay Transport Partnership by listing Partners on the EPA
SmartWay Transport Partnership Web site and in related educational, promotional, and media materials. EPA will obtain
express written consent from the Partner before publishing the Partner’s name other than in the context of increasing public
awareness of its participation as described here.
Publicize the actual performance data of Partners only with a Partner’s express permission, except as otherwise required
by law.
Assist Partners in achieving goals by working to address challenges, create incentives, and provide technical assistance and
support (subject to appropriations).

General terms:
•
•
•
•

•

If the Partner or EPA defaults upon this agreement at any point, the agreement shall be considered null and void.
Either party can terminate the agreement at any time without prior notification or penalties or any further obligation.
EPA agrees not to comment publicly regarding the withdrawal of Partners.
EPA reserves the right to suspend or revoke Partner status for any Partner that fails to accomplish the specific actions to
which it committed in the SmartWay Transport Partnership Agreement and subsequent Agreements.
The Partner agrees that it will not claim or imply that its participation in the SmartWay Transport Partnership constitutes
EPA approval or endorsement of anything other than the Partner’s commitment to the program. The Partner will not make
statements or imply that EPA endorses the purchase or sale of the Partner’s products and services or the views of
the organization.
The Partner understands that it bears its own costs for participation in this program, and agrees not to submit a claim for
compensation to EPA or any other Federal agency on the basis of this agreement.

Authorized Partner Official:
The undersigned, on behalf of
understands and agrees to the terms of the EPA SmartWay Transport Partnership.
SIGNATURE

TITLE

PRINT NAME

DATE

,

Designated Partner Representative:
NAME

TITLE

ADDRESS
CITY

STATE

ZIP

E-MAIL

PHONE

FAX

EPA Form Number XXXX-XX

•

•

•

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Transportation and Air Quality 2000 Traverwood, Ann Arbor, MI 48105 734-214-4767

• fax 734-214-4052 • www.epa.gov/smartway

OMB Control No. 20XX-XXXX
Approval Expires XX/XX/XX

Join the
the SmartWay
SmartWay
Join
Transport Partnership
Partnership TODAY!
TODAY!
Transport
Becoming a SmartWay Transport Carrier Makes Good Business Sense
•

Cost Savings:
The Partnership promotes new technologies and management practices to save fuel, which saves you money, period.

•

Business-to-Business Advantage:
SmartWay Transport Carriers are preferred by SmartWay Transport Shippers, and they want to ship their goods with
you. Shipper Partners are already giving priority contracts to SmartWay Transport Carriers.

•

Freight Management Tools:
EPA’s online environmental measurement, assessment and tracking system allows you to track and manage fuel use,
evaluate fuel savings and environmental benefits of a variety of fuel efficiency strategies, and create a custom-fit
plan for achieving greater fuel efficiency gains in the future.

•

Technical Support:
EPA will assist you in using its environmental tracking system and meeting your goals.

•

Recognition for Your Existing Environmental Improvements:
Your fleet’s existing fuel efficiency strategies, coupled with continued improvements, determine your status in the
Partnership. You get full credit for improvements made thus far.

•

Promotional opportunities and public recognition:
The SmartWay Transport Partner brand of excellence is
awarded to qualifying Partners as a visible cue to your business
customers, clients, and consumers to use in their advertising and
other promotional media. It tells them that you are a champion
of environmental stewardship and helps them to make educated
choices about SmartWay Transport(ed) products. Visible
exposure through national and regional events, advertisements,
articles, and special recognition are just a few ways that EPA
commits to recognize your achievements.

Becoming a Partner is Easy
When you join the SmartWay Transport Partnership, you commit to:
•
•
•

Assess your fleet’s environmental performance using using EPA’s
tracking tools;
Identify a goal to improve your environmental performance;
Develop a plan and annually report your progress to EPA.

Simply e-mail, fax or mail the completed Partnership Agreement to:
e-mail:

[email protected]

mail:

SmartWay Transport Partnership
U.S. EPA Office of Transportation and Air Quality
2000 Traverwood
Ann Arbor, MI 48105

fax:

Fax: (734) 214-4052

The public reporting and recordkeeping
burden for this collection of information
is estimated to average 2.57 hours
per response. Send comments on the
Agency’s need for this information,
the accuracy of the provided burden
estimates, and any suggested
methods for minimizing respondent
burden, including through the use
of automated collection techniques
to the Director, Collection Strategies
Division, U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (2822T), 1200 Pennsylvania
Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20460.
Include the OMB control number in
any correspondence. Do not send the
completed [form or survey] to this
address.

Then complete and submit your online assessment and performance objectives using EPA’s tracking tools available at
www.epa.gov/smartway.

Become a SmartWay Transport Carrier TODAY!
For more information about joining the SmartWay Transport Partnership, call us at (734) 214-4767.

EPA Form Number XXXX-XX

•

•

•

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Transportation and Air Quality 2000 Traverwood, Ann Arbor, MI 48105 734-214-4767

• fax 734-214-4052 • www.epa.gov/smartway

OMB Control No. 20XX-XXXX
Approval Expires XX/XX/XX

Partnership Agreement:
Shippers
EPA’s SmartWaySM Transport Partnership is a voluntary program that recognizes Partners
for setting and achieving greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals in freight transport.

With this agreement,
and commits to:
•
•
•
•

, joins EPA’s SmartWay Transport Partnership

Determine the percentage of freight shipped (or received) by SmartWay Transport Partnership carriers.
Measure the greenhouse gas emissions of our freight facility operations using EPA’s online environmental measurement,
assessment and tracking system, available at www.epa..gov/smartway.
Establish goals for reducing the greenhouse gas emissions of our freight facility operations and increasing the amount of
freight shipped with SmartWay Transport carriers.
Establish a plan for how these goals will be achieved and report our progress toward meeting our goals by annually updating
our performance in EPA’s online environmental measurement, assessment and tracking system.

In return, EPA commits to:
•

•
•
•

Increase public awareness of Partner participation in the SmartWay Transport Partnership by listing Partners on the EPA
SmartWay Transport Partnership Web site and in related educational, promotional, and media materials. EPA will obtain
express written consent from the Partner before publishing the Partner’s name other than in the context of increasing public
awareness of its participation as described here.
Publicize the actual performance data of Partners only with a Partner’s express permission, except as otherwise required
by law.
Provide Shippers with the needed information to quantify emissions from their freight facility operations, and to determine
the percentage of freight shipped with SmartWay Transport Partner Carriers.
Assist Partners in achieving goals by working to address challenges, create incentives, and provide technical assistance and
support (subject to appropriations).

General terms:
•
•
•
•

•

If the Partner or EPA defaults upon this agreement at any point, the agreement shall be considered null and void.
Either party can terminate the agreement at any time without prior notification or penalties or any further obligation.
EPA agrees not to comment publicly regarding the withdrawal of Partners.
EPA reserves the right to suspend or revoke Partner status for any Partner that fails to accomplish the specific actions to
which it committed in the SmartWay Transport Partnership Agreement and subsequent Agreements.
The Partner agrees that it will not claim or imply that its participation in the SmartWay Transport Partnership constitutes
EPA approval or endorsement of anything other than the Partner’s commitment to the program. The Partner will not make
statements or imply that EPA endorses the purchase or sale of the Partner’s products and services or the views of
the organization.
The Partner understands that it bears its own costs for participation in this program, and agrees not to submit a claim for
compensation to EPA or any other Federal agency on the basis of this agreement.

Authorized Partner Official:
The undersigned, on behalf of
understands and agrees to the terms of the EPA SmartWay Transport Partnership.
SIGNATURE

TITLE

PRINT NAME

DATE

,

Designated Partner Representative:
NAME

TITLE

ADDRESS
CITY

STATE

ZIP

E-MAIL

PHONE

FAX

EPA Form Number XXXX-XX

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•

•

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Transportation and Air Quality 2000 Traverwood, Ann Arbor, MI 48105 734-214-4767

SWTPshipper_agreement01DK copy.indd 1

• fax 734-214-4052 • www.epa.gov/smartway
3/15/2011 12:54:00 PM

OMB Control No. 20XX-XXXX
Approval Expires XX/XX/XX

Join the SmartWay
Transport Partnership TODAY!
Becoming a SmartWay Transport Shipper Makes Good Business Sense
•

•

•

Improve Your Savings by Improving your Environmental Performance:
SmartWay Transport Partners use freight carriers that are improving
their own fuel efficiency while shippers are improving the efficiency
of shipping and receiving operations. This translates to money saved
“Businesses have an opportunity and
and reduced environmental impacts from your freight shipping. As a
a responsibility to do what they can to
SmartWay Transport Partner, you will have the information necessary
protect the environment. It’s important
to make beneficial decisions regarding carrier selection.
to our customers and it’s important to
Quantify your Environmental Achievements:
healthy communities, so we encourage all
Emission reductions may be valuable on the open market through
companies to join us in this great effort
trading and credit programs already in development nationally
with SmartWay.”
and internationally. EPA’s online environmental measurement,
assessment and tracking system allows you to track and manage your
— Winell Herron, V.P. of Public Affairs and
greenhouse gas emission reductions from freight activities.
Diversity, H-E-B
Promotional Opportunities and Public Recognition:
The SmartWay Transport Partner brand of excellence is awarded to
qualifying Partners as a visible cue to your business customers, clients, and consumers to use in their advertising and other
promotional media. It tells them that you are a champion of environmental stewardship and helps them to make educated
choices about SmartWay Transport(ed) products. Visible exposure through national and regional events, advertisements,
articles and special recognition are just a few ways that EPA commits to recognize your achievements.

Becoming a Partner is Easy
When you join the SmartWay Transport Partnership, you commit to:
•
•
•
•

Increase the percentage of freight shipped by SmartWay Transport
Partnership Carriers;
Measure the greenhouse gas emissions of your operations using
EPA’s tracking tools;
Identify a goal to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from freight
facility operations;
Develop a plan for achieving your goals and annually report your
progress to EPA.

Simply e-mail, fax or mail the signed Partnership Agreement to:
e-mail:
mail:

fax:

[email protected]
SmartWay Transport Partnership
U.S. EPA Office of Transportation and Air Quality
2000 Traverwood
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
(734) 214-4052

Then complete and submit your online assessment and performance
objectives using EPA’s tracking tools available at
www.epa.gov/
smartway. Your Partner Welcome Kit will be mailed to you shortly.

The public reporting and recordkeeping
burden for this collection of information
is estimated to average 2.57 hours
per response. Send comments on the
Agency’s need for this information,
the accuracy of the provided burden
estimates, and any suggested
methods for minimizing respondent
burden, including through the use
of automated collection techniques
to the Director, Collection Strategies
Division, U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (2822T), 1200 Pennsylvania
Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20460.
Include the OMB control number in
any correspondence. Do not send the
completed form to this address.

Become a SmartWay Transport Shipper TODAY!
For more information about joining the SmartWay Transport Partnership, call us at (734) 214-4767.

EPA Form Number XXXX-XX

•

•

•

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Transportation and Air Quality 2000 Traverwood, Ann Arbor, MI 48105 734-214-4767

SWTPshipper_agreement01DK copy.indd 2

• fax 734-214-4052 • www.epa.gov/smartway
3/15/2011 12:54:04 PM

The public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 2.57 hours per response. Send comments on
the Agency's need for this information, the accuracy of the provided burden estimates, and any suggested methods for minimizing respondent burden, including
through the use of automated collection techniques to the Director, Collection Strategies Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2822T), 1200
Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20460. Include the OMB control number in any correspondence. Do not send the completed form to this
address.