In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for three years. In addition, the Agency is reminded to submit a revision to this ICR if and when it revises the information collection through upcoming rulemaking.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
04/30/2023
36 Months From Approved
04/30/2020
100
0
25
10,825
0
1,500
14,500,000
0
3,005,000
The collection of information is necessary to receive applications for credit assistance pursuant to section 5024 of the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) of 2014, 33 USC 3903. The purpose of the WIFIA program is to provide Federal credit assistance in the form of direct loans and loan guarantees to eligible clean water and drinking water projects. In addition, American's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 passed on October 10, 2018 reauthorized the WIFIA program and created a separate loan program. Therefore, the collection of information is necessary to receive applications for the SRF WIFIA (SWIFIA) program currently under development, pending appropriation.
There is an increase of 9,325 hours in the total estimated respondent burden compared with the ICR currently approved by OMB. This increase is due to EPA receiving more Letters of Interest and applications than it originally estimated during program inception. Initially, EPA estimated the program would receive 20 LOIs and 5 applications. This was based on the amount of budget authority initially authorized for WIFIA. However, in 2017, the program received 43 LOIs and invited 12 prospective borrowers to apply. In 2018, the program received 62 LOIs and invited 39 prospective borrowers to apply. In addition, EPA is including the newly authorized State Revolving Fund WIFIA (SWIFIA) program as part of this ICR renewal. EPA estimates that WIFIA will receive 5 LOIs and 5 applications through SWIFIA.
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.