This request is
approved for three years. Prior to resubmission of this request for
extension, the Agency should reassess estimates of burden taking
into account recent experience with the program.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
11/30/2016
36 Months From Approved
11/30/2013
1,224
0
1,224
207,662
0
207,662
4,073,352
0
4,073,352
The EPA finalized the network design
requirements for the oxides of sulfur (SOX), specifically sulfur
dioxide (SO2), to support the revised National Ambient Air Quality
Standards (NAAQS) for SO2. The requirements to require monitors in
CBSAs where there is an increased coincidence of population and SO2
emissions. The final network design corresponds to the proposal of
the new NAAQS based on peak 1-hour daily maximum concentrations, or
1-hour NAAQS, and the associated level of 75 parts per billion
(ppb). The introduction of the 1-hour NAAQS and the range of levels
are intended to protect against peak, shorter term exposure risks.
In the final SO2 monitoring network design, EPA finalized minimum
SO2 monitoring requirements which call for monitors in CBSA based
on a Population Weighted Emissions Index (PWEI) that uses
population and emissions inventory data at the CBSA level to assign
required monitoring for a given CBSA (population and emissions
being obvious relevant factors in prioritizing numbers of required
monitors). The PWEI for a particular CBSA is calculated by
multiplying the population (using the latest Census Bureau
estimates) of a CBSA by the total amount of SO2 emissions in that
CBSA. The CBSA emission value is in tons per year, and is
calculated by aggregating the county level emissions for each
county in a CBSA as maintained in the latest edition of the
National Emissions Inventory. We then divide the resulting product
of CBSA population and CBSA SO2 emissions by 1,000,000 to provide a
PWEI value, the units of which are millions of people-tons per
year. Those CBSAs with a PWEI value of 1,000,000 or more are
required to operate three monitors within that CBSA. Those CBSAs
with a PWEI value between 1,000,000 and 100,000 are required to
operate two monitors within that CBSA. Those CBSAs with a PWEI
value between 100,000 and 5,000 are required to operate one monitor
within that CBSA. In summary, EPA estimates that this final SO2
network design will require 163 monitoring sites in 131 CBSAs, and
that a large majority of existing SO2 sites will satisfy these
minimum monitoring requirements.
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.