OMB files this comment in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.11( c ). This OMB action is not
an approval to conduct or sponsor an information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This action has no effect on any current approvals. If OMB has assigned this ICR a new OMB Control Number, the OMB Control Number will not appear in the active inventory. For future submissions of this information collection, reference the OMB Control Number provided. OMB is withholding approval at this time. Prior to publication of the final rule, the agency should provide a summary of any comments related to the information collection and their response, including any changes made to the ICR as a result of comments. In addition, the agency must enter the correct burden estimates. This action has no effect on any current approvals.
table that charts list comparision
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
36 Months From Approved
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
This ICR covers information collection requirements in the proposed rule, New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for new residential hydronic heaters and forced-air furnaces (40 CFR part 60, subpart QQQQ). The information collected will be used by the EPA and delegated state and local agencies to determine the compliance status of sources subject to the rule. A residential hydronic heater is defined as a fuel burning device designed to burn wood or biomass fuel for the purpose of heating building space and/or water through the distribution, typically through pipes, of a fluid heated in the device, typically water or a water and antifreeze mixture. Residential hydronic heaters typically have a maximum rated thermal output of 350,000 Btu/hr. A residential forced-air furnace is defined as a fuel burning device designed to be located outside of ordinary living areas and that warms spaces other than the space where the furnace is located, by the distribution through ducts of air heated by the furnace. Residential forced-air furnaces also typically have a maximum rated thermal output of 350,000 Btu/hr.
The residential hydronic heater and forced-air furnace NSPS is based on similar design principles as the NSPS for new residential wood heaters (40 CFR part 60, subpart AAA). These NSPS establish a certification program instead of the usual NSPS requirement that each affected facility demonstrate compliance through performance testing. Under this certification program, a single wood-heating appliance is tested to demonstrate compliance for an entire model line which could consist of thousands of appliances. The certification approach significantly reduces the compliance burden, including information collection, for the manufacturers of wood heating appliances. Because of the potential risks to the environment from the intentional or accidental misuse of the certification approach, there are several safeguards included, some of which entail reporting and recordkeeping. Under this proposed regulation, hydronic heater and forced-air furnace manufacturers and testing laboratories are required to submit reports to the EPA and/or to maintain records for demonstrating compliance with the NSPS. The manufacturers also must contract with third party certification entities to develop and implement quality control plans.
The information supplied by the manufacturer to the agency is used: (1) to ensure that the best system of emission reduction is being applied to reduce emissions from hydronic heaters and forced-air furnaces; (2) to ensure that the appliance tested for certification purposes is in compliance with the applicable emission standards; (3) to provide assurance that non-tested production model appliances have emission performance characteristics similar to tested models; and (4) to provide an indicator of continued compliance. Information supplied to the agency by testing laboratories is used to grant or deny laboratory accreditation and to assist in enforcement and compliance activities.
We believe that 30 hydronic heater manufacturers, 7 forced-air furnace manufacturers and 4 certification laboratories would be subject to the revised NSPS.
Program Change increase attributed to new collection for entitites subject to new subpart QQQQ, New Source Performance Standards for New Residential Hydronic Heaters and Forced-Air Furnaces.
$23,847
No
No
No
No
No
Uncollected
Gilbert Wood 919 541-5578
Reginfo record details
No
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.
2442ss01.docx
NSPS for New Residential Hydronic Heaters and Forced-Air Furnaces (40 CFR Part 60, Subpart QQQQ)