OMB requests
that EPA resubmit this ICR as a revision request, not an extension
request. If this ICR is connected to a rule-making, please make
that connection clear when resubmitting or otherwise justify why
the agency is calculating -$4.5M in program change due to agency
discretion.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
09/30/2019
36 Months From Approved
01/31/2021
1,799
0
1,799
110,543
0
110,543
14,990,537
0
14,990,537
This ICR addresses reporting and
recordkeeping activity defined by the final Data Requirements for
the 2010 1-Hour Sulfur dioxide (SO2) Primary National Ambient Air
Quality Standards rule (SO2 Data Requirements Rule) (See 80 FR
51052, August 21, 2015). Through the SO2 Data Requirements Rule and
the initial ICR, EPA required states to characterize ambient air
quality around SO2 sources with emissions that were greater than
2,000 tons per year (tpy) or that were otherwise included as a
listed source. In this ICR, EPA addresses ongoing requirements that
apply to listed sources for which air agencies chose the monitoring
pathway as well as sources for which air agencies chose the
modeling pathway. The number of listed sources for which air
agencies chose the monitoring pathway, and thus are required to
submit ongoing monitoring information, are 73 sources in 24 states
(77 monitors total). The number of listed sources for which air
agencies chose the modeling pathway that are required to submit
ongoing data reports, and, potentially, updated modeling, are 170
sources in 43 states. Air quality management agencies that elected
to conduct ambient monitoring for listed DRR sources are
responsible for reporting ambient air quality data information and
retaining quality assurance/quality control records and monitoring
network documentation. Where possible these activities are
carried-out electronically using EPAs Air Quality System (AQS). Air
quality management agencies that elected to conduct air quality
modeling of the areas containing listed DRR sources to provide the
necessary air quality data to EPA are responsible for submitting
ongoing data reports. If EPA requires that the air agency conduct
updated air quality modeling for the area, the air agency has 12
months to submit the updated modeling to EPA.
The adjustments in burden
requested result, in large part, from EPA having resolved much of
the uncertainty that resulted in inflated calculations in the
previous ICR issued to support the SO2 Data Requirements Rule. The
final rule gave the air monitoring agencies the flexibility to
characterize air quality using either appropriately sited ambient
air quality monitors or modeling of source emissions. The previous
ICR calculated burden for both the monitoring and the modeling
scenarios assuming each one would be used by all possible sources.
The agencies have now submitted their selected approach and this
ICR revises the burden estimates to accurately reflect agencies
having chosen to conduct either ambient air monitoring or air
quality monitoring. As a result of agencies having now positively
affirmed their selections, EPA has also gained a more refined
understanding of the total number of sources that must be included
in this information collection. Further adjustments to this ICRs
burden estimates result for EPA having more accurately expressed
the split between labor and non-labor costs used for the modeling
scenario.
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.