The data
gathered under this collection represents estimates of emissions
reductions associated with activities reported by participants in
the Natural Gas STAR Program. 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 continue to 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
09/30/2015
36 Months From Approved
09/30/2012
224
0
232
5,201
0
5,610
0
0
696
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.