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).
US Code:
42
USC 4916 Name of Law: Noise Control Act
US Code: 42
USC 4905 Name of Law: Noise Control Act
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.