In accordance
with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for three
years.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
04/30/2022
36 Months From Approved
04/30/2019
147
0
124
2,761
0
6,995
0
0
0
Natural Gas STAR is a voluntary
program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
that encourages oil and natural gas companies to adopt cost
effective technologies and practice that improve operational
efficiency and reduce methane emissions. Methane is the primary
component of natural gas and a potent greenhouse gas. The Program
works with oil and natural gas companies in the production,
gathering & processing, transmission, and distribution sectors
to remove barriers that inhibit the implementation of technologies
and practices that reduce methane emissions. The Program
effectively promotes the adoption of emission reduction
technologies and practices by helping Natural Gas Star partners
evaluate Best Management Practices (BMPs) in the context of their
current operations, and implement them where cost effective.
Implementation of the Programs BMPs saves participants money,
improves operational efficiency, and enhances the protection of the
environment.
The overall annual reporting
burden for Partner respondents decreased from 6,995 hours in the
previous ICR to 2,834 hours in the current ICR. This change is
attributed to several factors including a decrease in the estimated
number of partners submitting reports annually, and the
streamlining of the Partnership Agreement and annual reporting
forms. Specifically, updates to the annual report forms reduced
burden through: Simplifying instructions for completing the forms;
Streamlining forms to remove unnecessary fields; only key data is
being requested from Partners; Consolidating forms/activities into
segment-specific spreadsheets that allow partners to complete only
one spreadsheet; and Updating submission method (i.e., to emailing
Excel forms) so Partners no longer need to log into an online
system.
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.