Establishment of the Hydrofluorocarbon Baseline and Initial Allocations under the AIM Act

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
Form 5900-495 Establish the HFC Baseline and Initial Allocations Under the AIM Act Form	New
Emergency ICR-HFC Baseline and Initial Allocations-AIM Act-FINAL-3.23.2021.pdf Supporting Statement A	2021-03-30

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
246468	Establish the HFC Baseline and Initial Allocations Under the AIM Act Form	New

ICR Details

OMB Control No:	ICR Reference No: 202103-2060-005
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No:
Agency/Subagency: EPA/OAR	Agency Tracking No: 2684.01
Title: Establishment of the Hydrofluorocarbon Baseline and Initial Allocations under the AIM Act
Type of Information Collection: New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Emergency	Approval Requested By: 03/30/2021
Date Submitted to OIRA: 03/30/2021

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	6 Months From Approved
Responses	206	0
Time Burden (Hours)	4,308	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

---

Abstract: Pursuant to section 3507(j) of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), as implemented in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5 CFR §1320.13, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is hereby requesting emergency processing of an information collection necessary to establish the hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) baseline and initial allocations under the AIM Act. This Information Collection Request (ICR) is in response to the December 27, 2020, enactment of the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act (AIM) of 2020, included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, of 2021. The AIM Act directs EPA to address HFCs by providing new authorities to establish regulatory programs in three main areas: to phase down the production and consumption of listed HFCs, maximize reclamation and minimize releases of these HFCs and their substitutes in equipment, and facilitate the transition to next-generation technologies by restricting use of these HFCs in the sector or subsectors. This collection supports a rulemaking focusing on the first area – the phasedown of the production and consumption of HFCs.

Emergency Justfication: Pursuant to section 3507(j) of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), as implemented in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5 CFR §1320.13, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is hereby requesting emergency processing of an information collection necessary to establish the hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) baseline and initial allocations under the AIM Act. This Information Collection Request (ICR) is in response to the December 27, 2020, enactment of the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act (AIM) of 2020, included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, of 2021. The AIM Act directs EPA to address HFCs by providing new authorities to establish regulatory programs in three main areas: to phase down the production and consumption of listed HFCs, maximize reclamation and minimize releases of these HFCs and their substitutes in equipment, and facilitate the transition to next-generation technologies by restricting use of these HFCs in the sector or subsectors. This collection supports a rulemaking focusing on the first area – the phasedown of the production and consumption of HFCs.

---

Authorizing Statute(s): PL: Pub.L. 116 - 260 1-9 Name of Law: Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: PL: Pub.L. 116 - 260 1-9 Name of Law: Consolidated Appropriation Act of 2021

---

Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

---

Federal Register Notices & Comments

Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

---

Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Establish the HFC Baseline and Initial Allocations Under the AIM Act	5900-495, 5900-496, 5900-497, 5900-498, 5900-499, 5900-500	Application-Specific HFC Allowances End User Reporting Template_DRAFT ,   Application-Specific HFC Allowances Foam Systems Houses Reporting Template ,   Application-Specific HFC Allowances Suppliers Reporting Template_DRAFT ,   Copy of Application-Specific HFC Allowances Foam Systems Houses Reporting Template_DRAFT ,   Subpart OO Special 2001 - 2014 Backyear Form for Companies that Import or Export ,   Subpart OO Special 2011 - 2014 Backyear Form for Facilities that Produce, Transform or Destroy

---

ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	206	0	0	206	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	4,308	0	0	4,308	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: This ICR will collect data from years 2011-2013 to determine a U.S. production and consumption baseline for HFCs, as well as data from more recent years spanning from 2011-2020 for HFC production and consumption to support development of potential company-specific allowances. In instances where EPA cannot independently verify data reported under the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP) or in response to this collection, EPA will also need to request supporting documentation (e.g., through import records) to inform EPA’s consideration and determination of a company’s eligibility for potential HFC allowances.

---

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $53,628

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

---

Common Form ICR:  No

---

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:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(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;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

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.

Certification Date: 03/30/2021

---