When this ICR is
renewed, EPA should review the respondent burden, universe, and
labor rates, and ensure these estimates have been updated.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
03/31/2016
36 Months From Approved
03/31/2013
218,704
0
46,278
194,509
0
125,023
10,318,180
0
5,965,264
EPA created ENERGY STAR as a voluntary
program to help businesses and individuals protect the environment
through superior energy efficiency. The program focuses on reducing
utility-generated emissions by reducing the demand for energy. In
1991, EPA launched the Green Lights Program to encourage
corporations, State and local governments, colleges and
universities, and other organizations to adopt energy-efficient
lighting as a profitable means of preventing pollution and
improving lighting quality. Since then, EPA has rolled Green Lights
into ENERGY STAR and expanded ENERGY STAR to encompass
organization-wide energy performance improvement, such as building
technology upgrades, product purchasing initiatives, and employee
training. At the same time, EPA has streamlined the reporting
requirements of ENERGY STAR and focused on providing incentives for
improvements (e.g., ENERGY STAR Awards Program). EPA also makes
tools and other resources available over the Web to help the public
overcome the barriers to evaluating their energy performance and
investing in profitable improvements. In addition, EPA is always
looking for ways to simplify its information collections, such as
by giving organizations the option of joining ENERGY STAR by
completing an online partnership letter or agreement instead of
using regular mail. Partnership in ENERGY STAR is voluntary and can
be terminated by Partners or EPA at any time. EPA does not expect
organizations to join the program unless they expect participation
to be cost-effective and otherwise beneficial for them. In
addition, Partners and any other interested party can help EPA
promote energy-efficient technologies by evaluating the efficiency
of their buildings using EPA's on-line tools (e.g., Portfolio
Manager) and applying for recognition. If a claim of confidential
business information (CBI) is asserted, EPA will manage that
information in accordance with EPA's provisions on confidentiality.
For several reasons, there has been a dramatic increase in the
public's participation in ENERGY STAR over the past several years,
and EPA expects their participation to rise even more in the coming
years. President Obama has made energy efficiency an important
component of the Federal government's approach to energy
management. Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of
2009, Congress and the president allocated approximately $20
billion to encourage Federal agencies, States, local governments
and industry to design, improve and use energy efficient buildings
and products. In addition, a growing number of State and local
governments are leveraging ENERGY STAR as a way for the public to
respond to rising energy costs and global warming. Participation in
ENERGY STAR has also risen dramatically because of the efforts of
trade associations, utilities, and third-party providers in
promoting the program to the public. These organizations
voluntarily communicate ENERGY STAR messages and promote the use of
ENERGY STAR tools and strategies in an effort to help companies
reduce their energy consumption and find more environmentally
friendly ways to conduct business.
This ICR includes several
miscellaneous program changes made at the Agency's discretion. For
example, EPA eliminated the ENERGY STAR Challenge, which reduced
hourly burden. EPA also created the National Building Competition,
which increased hourly and O&M burden. The net result of such
changes is an 18-hour decrease in hourly burden and a $14,000
increase in O&M costs in this ICR.
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 5900-20 ENERGY STAR Program in the Commercial and Industrial Sectors - Public Sector Entities
1772ss06.docx
ENERGY STAR Program in the Commercial and Industrial Sectors - Public Sector Entities