The information is required to ensure compliance with Environmental Protection Agency noise standards for new locomotives. his information collection submission is a revision resulting from a deregulatory action. FRA is eliminating the requirement that locomotives display a permanent badge or tag to demonstrate they have been certified to comply with noise emission standards. A badge is typically a metal plate installed inside the cab of the locomotive. Most railroads will benefit from this final rule because a badge had been required in all locomotives. Any railroad purchasing new locomotives will not be required to display a badge, therefore saving it money. Also, badges will no longer need to be replaced when locomotives are overhauled. Although railroads no longer need to display a badge or tag in the locomotive cab, the locomotives still need to be tested and certified to comply with the noise emission standards, as required under section 210.27(a) through (c).
The burden for this revised information collection has decreased by 530 hours and 835 responses. The change in burden is due to both program changes and adjustments, which are depicted in the two tables provided in the attached Supporting Justification in the answer to question number 15. The one program change in the provided table decreased the burden by 395 hours and decreased the number of responses by 790. The one adjustment the provided table decreased the burden by 135 hours and decreased the number of responses by 45.
The current OMB inventory for this information collection shows a total burden of 2,767 hours and 1,584 responses, while the present submission reflects a total burden of 2,237 hours and 749 responses. Hence, there is a burden decrease of 530 hours and 835 responses.
Since FRA is effecting a program change by eliminating the requirement that certain locomotives display a badge or tag under section 210.27(d) in this final rule, the cost to respondents of $24 previously accounted for in the last approved submission has now been reduced to zero ($0).
(Note: According to the regulatory impact analysis accompanying this final rule, there is actually a substantial cost savings to railroads. Over a 20-year period, railroads will experience a total of $1,859,500 in cost savings through the elimination of the badge requirement under section 210.27(d), or an annual cost savings of $92,975).
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.