U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Information Collection Request
Title: Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (Renewal)
OMB Control Number: 2060-0629
EPA ICR Number: 2300.20
Abstract: In response to the FY2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 2764; Public Law 110-161) and under authority of the Clean Air Act (CAA), EPA finalized a greenhouse gas reporting rule in October of 2009 (henceforth referred to as the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program or GHGRP) (74 FR 56260; October 30, 2009). The Rule, which became effective on December 29, 2009, requires reporting of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from certain large facilities and suppliers. It does not require control of GHGs. Instead, it requires that sources emitting GHGs, supplying certain products that contain GHGs, or injecting carbon dioxide (CO2) underground in quantities above certain threshold levels of CO2 equivalent (CO2e) monitor and report GHG data and other relevant information. Subsequent rules have promulgated requirements for additional facilities, and suppliers; provided clarification and corrections to existing requirements; and finalized confidential business information (CBI) determinations, amended recordkeeping requirements, and implemented an alternative verification approach.
Applicable facilities and suppliers are required by the GHGRP to follow specific monitoring, QA/QC, and calculation procedures to determine GHG emissions and supplies to the economy. Reporters must electronically report monitored and calculated data to EPA using an interactive, web-based tool called the Electronic Greenhouse Gas Reporting Tool (e-GGRT). EPA conducts electronic and manual verification of the reported data and then publishes all non-CBI data on the internet.
For the three years covered by the ICR, the total respondent burden associated with this information collection will average 705,554 hours per year and the respondent cost will average $95,175,521 per year. This includes $33,282,257 per year for capital investment and operation and maintenance and $61,893,264 per year for labor. Over the same time period, the total estimated cost for EPA of the information collection will average $9,920,813 per year. The total estimated cost for all respondents and EPA will average $105,096,334 per year.
There is a decrease in the average annual respondent burden of 34,458 hours and an increase in average annual cost for all respondents of $7,229,810 compared with the last ICR renewal. These changes reflect an update in the number of respondents, an adjustment of labor rates to 2021 Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) labor rates, and an adjustment of capital and operations and maintenance (O&M) costs to reflect 2021 dollars.
Bottom Line Annual Burden and Cost
Number of Respondents |
12,434 |
|
|
From Exhibit 6.1 |
Total Annual Responses |
10,248,936 |
|
|
From Exhibit 6.1 |
Number of Responses per |
824 |
= |
10,248,936/ |
Total annual responses from above / |
Respondent |
|
|
12,434 |
Total respondents from above |
Total Respondent Hours |
705,554 |
|
|
From Exhibit 6.1 |
Hours per Response |
0.07 |
= |
705,554/ |
Total annual hours from above / |
|
|
10,248,936 |
Total responses from above |
|
Total Respondent Labor Costs |
61,893,264 |
|
|
From Exhibit 6.1 |
Annual Respondent O&M and Capital Cost |
33,282,257 |
|
|
From Exhibit 6.1 |
Total Respondent Cost (labor + O&M and Capital Cost)) |
95,175,521 |
|
|
From Exhibit 6.1 |
Supporting Statement A
Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection.
Signed into law on December 26, 2007, the FY2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act (Public Law 110-161-Dec. 26, 2007, henceforth referred to as the “Appropriations Act”) directed EPA to “develop and publish a draft rule not later than 9 months after the date of enactment of this Act, and a final rule not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, to require mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas emissions above appropriate thresholds in all sectors of the economy of the United States.”
The accompanying explanatory statement further directed EPA to “use its existing authority under the Clean Air Act” to develop a GHG reporting rule. “The Agency is further directed to include in its rule reporting of emissions resulting from upstream production and downstream sources, to the extent that the Administrator deems it appropriate. The Administrator shall determine appropriate thresholds of emissions above which reporting is required, and how frequently reports shall be submitted to EPA. The Administrator shall have discretion to use existing reporting requirements for electric generating units under Section 821” of the 1990 CAA amendments.
Section 114 of the CAA provides EPA authority to require the information mandated by the GHGRP because such data will inform and are relevant to future policy decisions. CAA section 114(a)(1) authorizes the Administrator to require emissions sources, persons subject to the CAA, or persons whom the Administrator believes may have necessary information to monitor and report emissions and provide such other information the Administrator requests for the purposes of carrying out any provision of the CAA. For these reasons, the Administrator may request that a person, on a one-time, periodic, or continuous basis establish and maintain records, make reports, install and operate monitoring equipment and, among other things, provide such information the Administrator may reasonably require.
Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the current collection.
The GHGRP collects information from facilities that directly emit GHGs or inject CO2 underground and from suppliers of certain products that contain GHGs. Reporting entities use uniform methods for calculating emissions, which enables data to be compared and analyzed. The comprehensive GHG data reported directly from large facilities and suppliers across the country are easily accessible to the public via EPA’s online data publication tool, also known as FLIGHT (Facility Level Information on Greenhouse gases Tool) at: http://ghgdata.epa.gov/ghgp/main.do. FLIGHT is designed for the general public and allows users to view and sort GHG data for every data year starting with 2010 from over 8,000 entities in a variety of ways including by location, industrial sector, and type of GHG emitted. To support the needs of data users, all non-confidential data collected through the GHGRP are made available for download through Envirofacts (https://enviro.epa.gov/), a cross-EPA data publication website.
Data collected through the GHGRP complement the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks (Inventory) and are used to significantly improve our understanding of key emissions sources by allowing EPA to better reflect changing technologies and emissions from a wide range of industrial facilities. For example, within the industrial processes and product use sector of the Inventory, EPA directly uses annual GHGRP data in 11 categories to improve the national estimates. The industrial sectors that utilize GHGRP data include, but are not limited to, adipic acid production, aluminum production, cement production, petrochemical production, semiconductor manufacturing, and substitution of ozone depleting substances. The Inventory uses GHGRP data as both updates to activity data and emission factors. For example, GHGRP data are used as activity data within the cement production sector (e.g., utilizing aggregated reported clinker production), as updates to emissions factors for nitric acid production (e.g., nitric acid production data by abatement type used to develop country-specific emission factors), and as direct emissions captured within the lime production sector (e.g., capture of CO2 reported by lime facilities is incorporated directly into emissions calculations). In addition to direct use of GHGRP data as emission factors and activity data, the Inventory also uses GHGRP data as quality assurance and verification for calculated emissions estimates, emission factors, and other assumptions used in the Inventory. EPA continues to assess the GHGRP data for further updates to the Inventory.
The GHGRP has been used to support CAA policy in numerous ways. For example, GHGRP data on Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems (Subpart W) were analyzed to inform targeted improvements to the 2016 New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for the oil and gas industry and to update emission factor and activity data used for that proposal, as updated in the US GHG Inventory (83 FR 52056; October 15, 2018).
As part of the final New Source Performance Standard (81 FR 59332; August 29, 2016) and Emissions Guidelines (81 FR 59276; August 29, 2016) revisions for municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills, a database was developed to calculate the cost and emission impacts associated with varying certain control parameters and applying these parameters to a dataset of existing and model future landfills. Information collected through MSW Landfills (Subpart HH) of the GHGRP about the landfill itself (e.g.., landfill open and closure year, landfill design capacity, landfill design area, and landfill depth), current and historical annual waste acceptance rates, as well as gas collection and control system data, as applicable, were incorporated into the database. These annual historical waste rate data serve as a significant improvement to the data input file used to generate emission estimates. Of the 1,988 landfills in the dataset, 1,240 were from GHGRP Subpart HH data. In addition, in support of the recent review of the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for MSW landfills, GHGRP data were reviewed for changes in technologies and practices that could lead to further reductions in HAP emissions from MSW landfills.
GHGRP data have also been used to support voluntary programs. For example, GHGRP data are used by the Natural Gas STAR Methane Challenge Program, which leverages GHGRP reporting to track partner petroleum and natural gas company activities related to their Methane Challenge commitments. In addition, GHGRP data are used by the Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) to supplement the LMOP Landfill and Landfill Gas Energy Project Database which includes data collected from LMOP Partners about landfill gas energy projects or potential for project development. LMOP has an approved ICR (OMB Control # 2060-0446) that allows for collection of these data. When the requested data are similar between GHGRP and LMOP, LMOP does not request the data from LMOP Partners; rather, the data collected by GHGRP are used.
Several states also use GHGRP data to inform their own policymaking. For example, the state of Hawaii is using GHGRP data to establish an emissions baseline for each facility subject to their GHG Reduction Plan and to assess whether facilities meet their targets in future years. The state of Iowa uses annual GHGRP data to support their annual report to the governor and general assembly on GHG emissions in the state. The state of Oregon uses EPA’s GHGRP data to support verification of data collected under the state’s own GHG reporting requirements. In addition, to meet requirements for reporting oil and gas activities to EPA under the National Emissions Inventory, states without their own data collection programs can leverage GHGRP data collected via Subpart W.
The standardization of GHG data provides businesses with the necessary information to benchmark themselves against similar facilities, better understand their relative standing within their industry, and achieve and disseminate their environmental achievements. Businesses and other innovators can use the data to determine and track their GHG footprints, find cost- and fuel-saving efficiencies that reduce GHG emissions (e.g., through energy audits or other forms of assistance), and foster technologies to protect public health and the environment. In addition, transparent, public data on emissions allow for accountability of polluters to the public who bear the cost of the pollution. This powerful data resource provides a critical tool for communities to identify nearby sources of GHGs and provide information to state and local governments. One example of this type of practical utility of GHGRP data was outlined in a paper on Electrical Transmission and Distribution Equipment Use (Subpart DD) and Electrical Equipment Manufacture or Refurbishment (Subpart SS) authored by EPA staff and contractors (see Docket EPA-HQ-OAR-2012-0333). The paper explains that fluorinated GHG emissions from these industries decreased significantly between 2011 and 2013, and that possible explanations for these reductions include increased awareness by facilities of the magnitude of their emissions (both in absolute terms and relative to the emissions of similar facilities) and/or concerns regarding public perception of those emissions.
GHGRP data are also being used to improve estimates of GHG emissions internationally. Specifically, GHGRP data are informing several of the updates to emission estimation methods included in the 2019 Refinement of the 2006 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Guidelines for National GHG Inventories (the Refinement). These data include emission factor measurements submitted to support GHGRP reporting by the semiconductor industry, which reflect recent technological changes in that industry and are therefore being used to update the default emission factors for semiconductor manufacturing in the Refinement. It also includes emissions and production data reported by fluorinated gas producers under the GHGRP, which are also being used to update a default emission factor for that industry in the Refinement.
Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden.
EPA has established a central repository of data for all respondents, the web-based Electronic Greenhouse Gas Reporting Tool (e-GGRT). Respondents report data electronically, and EPA stores the data in the database. Facilities and suppliers subject to the GHGRP register online through the e-GGRT system (https://ghgreporting.epa.gov/ghg/login.do).
All data are submitted to EPA electronically in e-GGRT except the one-time Electronic Signature Agreement (ESA) for new users. In most cases, the ESA is also submitted electronically; however, it is possible for users to opt out of submitting the ESA electronically and for those cases, the ESA must be submitted on paper. e-GGRT has an XML reporting schema that allows facilities to upload GHG data directly in lieu of using the guided web forms provided through e-GGRT. The XML reporting schema contains all data elements needed to comply with the GHGRP. The electronic reports submitted under the GHGRP are subject to the provisions of 40 CFR Part 3, specifying EPA systems to which electronic submissions must be made and the requirements for valid electronic signatures. Additionally, e-GGRT is designed to collect and store CBI.
The system follows Agency standards for design, security, data element and reporting format conformance, and accessibility. EPA designed the database to minimize respondents’ burden by integrating with existing data collection and data management systems, when feasible.
All facilities or suppliers must assign a Designated Representative (DR) in order to report. The DR may appoint an Alternative Designated Representative (ADR) and multiple agents. The DR, ADR, and agents are all able to enter data and submit the electronic report on behalf of the regulated facility. Before submitting a report, the DR (or ADR) must certify the annual report. An electronic signature device (e.g., a PIN or password) is required to submit a report.
EPA ensures data quality by conducting robust verification checks using both electronic software and manual review. EPA contacts facilities when annual reports contain potential errors, and the statute requires that the facilities either resolve the error or explain that it is not an error in a timely manner. EPA makes all emissions data accessible to the public on a web-based, user-friendly publication tool called FLIGHT, as detailed in question 2 of this document. EPA also makes other non-CBI data available to the public, such as facility names and addresses.
Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes described in Item 2 above.
EPA evaluated existing GHG programs and the GHG data currently available to determine whether this request duplicates other information collections. In developing the GHGRP, EPA reviewed monitoring methods including:
Federal programs within the United States, such as the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks; the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Energy Information Administration’s (EIA’s) 1605b program; the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s Gulf-wide Offshore Activity Data System; the EPA’s Acid Rain Program, Natural Gas STAR Program, and voluntary GHG partnership programs;
State and regional GHG reporting programs, such as The Climate Registry, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, the Western Regional Air Partnership, and programs in several states including California, New Mexico, Connecticut, and New Jersey;
Reporting protocols developed by nongovernmental organizations, such as the World Resources Institute/World Business Council for Sustainable Development; and
Programs from industrial trade organizations, such as the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America’s GHG Emission Estimation Guidelines, the American Petroleum Institute’s Compendium of GHG Estimation Methodologies for the Oil and Gas Industry, and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s Cement Sustainability Initiative’s CO2 Accounting and Reporting Standard for the Cement Industry.
These are important programs that not only led the way in reporting of GHG emissions before the Federal Government acted, but also assisted in quantifying the GHG reductions achieved by various policies. Many of these programs collect different or additional data as compared to the GHGRP. For example, state programs may establish lower thresholds for reporting, request information on areas not addressed in the GHGRP, or include different data elements to support other programs (e.g., offsets). While some programs collect similar information on GHG emissions, the Agency has determined that the GHGRP supplements and complements, rather than duplicates, existing programs’ data. Further, EPA has made significant efforts over the past several years to facilitate reporting in the event a single entity has to report both the federal and state level. For example, EPA supported efforts by the California Air Resources Board to develop the California Electronic Greenhouse Gas Reporting Tool, or Cal e-GGRT. In addition, Washington State has harmonized its GHG reporting requirements with GHGRP, and EPA has established a workflow that allows Washington State facilities to use EPA’s Electronic Greenhouse Gas Reporting Tool (e-GGRT) as a single, common reporting form, to satisfy requirements for both federal and state programs.
Documentation of EPA’s review of GHG monitoring protocols used by federal and state voluntary and mandatory GHG programs as well as GHG reporting rules can be found in the docket at EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-0508-056. For further discussion on the relationship of the GHGRP to other programs, please refer to the preambles of each of the GHGRP rulemakings, the June 6, 2008 memorandum entitled “Review of Existing Programs” (which can be found in the docket at EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-0508-0052), and the January 27, 2009 memorandum entitled “Review of Existing State Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rules” (which can be found in the docket at EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-0508-0054). Some GHG programs are described below:
EPA considered CO2 data currently collected under Section 821 of the 1990 CAA Amendments (i.e., the Acid Rain program). To avoid duplication and because the Acid Rain program already requires reporting of CO2 data from electrical generating units (EGUs), the GHGRP allows for use of the same CO2 data. However, facilities must report the emissions of GHGs that are not included under Section 821, such as methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). EPA recently facilitated the automatic carryover of data reported to the Acid Rain program into e-GGRT to avoid duplication completely.
EPA reviewed the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks, which is an annual comprehensive top-down assessment of national GHG emissions. This Inventory assesses GHG emissions from all sectors: energy, industry, waste, agriculture, and forestry. While the Inventory is generally compiled from national surveys (i.e., not broken down at the geographic or facility level), the GHGRP focuses on bottom-up data from individual facilities that exceed appropriate thresholds. The bottom-up approach to data collection in the GHGRP can help reduce uncertainty in emissions estimates for specific industries, and as applicable, GHGRP information serves to complement and inform the Inventory. For example, GHGRP data are applied to assess the quality of the top-down data, update activity data, and improve upon methodological approaches in the GHG inventory, such as in the development of country-specific emission factors.
EPA published the “Federal Requirements Under the Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program for Carbon Dioxide Geologic Sequestration (GS) Wells Final Rule” (henceforth referred to as the “GS Rule”) (75 FR 77230; December 10, 2010). EPA determined that the GHGRP data are complementary to and build upon EPA’s UIC permit requirements. Requirements under the UIC program are focused on demonstrating that underground sources of drinking water are not endangered because of CO2 injection into the subsurface, while requirements under the GHGRP through Geological Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide (Subpart RR) enable reporters to quantify the amount of CO2 that is geologically sequestered. For example, the UIC Class VI permit (including the Testing and Monitoring Plan) and Subpart RR’s monitoring, reporting, and verification plan have separate monitoring objectives.
A number of programs at the state, tribal, territorial, and local level require emission sources in their respective jurisdictions to monitor and report GHG emissions (e.g., California, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and New Jersey). To reduce burden on reporters and program agencies, the Agency publishes and shares emissions data with the exception of any CBI as appropriate.
MINIMIZING BURDEN ON SMALL BUSINESSES AND SMALL ENTITIES
If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe any methods used to minimize burden.
EPA took several steps to minimize the impacts on small entities. The Agency met several times with industry trade associations to discuss the reporting options considered and their possible impacts on small entities. EPA further minimized impacts on small entities by not requiring facilities below a certain emissions threshold to report their emissions.
Where feasible, EPA also uses existing GHG emissions estimation and reporting methodologies and provides simplified methodological options to reduce reporting burden. According to the Agency’s analysis, a facility with stationary combustion units that have a maximum rated heat input capacity of less than 30 mmBtu/hr, operating full time with any type of fossil fuel, would not exceed 25,000 metric tons CO2e/year. Exempting facilities based on combustion unit capacity has allowed for small entities to perform a simple calculation to determine if they are even required to estimate emissions for applicability purposes.
Additionally, EPA minimized the impact on small entities in the Suppliers of Natural Gas and Natural Gas Liquids sector (Subpart NN) by previously amending the reporting threshold from an all-in threshold to a capacity-based threshold. EPA revised the applicability threshold so that only local distribution companies that deliver 460,000 thousand standard cubic feet (scf) or more of natural gas per year are subject to the GHGRP (75 FR 79092; December 17, 2010).
The rule includes a mechanism in 40 CFR 98.2 to allow facilities and suppliers that report less than 25,000 metric tons of CO2e/year for five consecutive years or less than 15,000 metric tons CO2e/year for three consecutive years to cease annual reporting to EPA.
Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.
Annual reporting of the data is necessary to ensure that the Agency’s objectives for the GHGRP are met. Annual reporting is critical for assessing year-to-year variations in emissions both at the facility and sector level. With less frequent reporting, the EPA would be unable to discern multi-year trends. As the Agency evaluates potential GHG emission reduction opportunities, it is critical to be able to analyze up-to-date, multi-year data for all sectors covered by the Program. For example, GHGRP collects critical information necessary to evaluate potential GHG reduction approaches, such as the number of facilities in a sector, production or capacity of each facility, abatement technologies used across a sector, number of facilities using continuous emission monitoring systems, and chemical-specific GHG emission information. These data are essential for understanding the sources that would be impacted by potential regulations, emissions monitoring approaches and abatement technologies currently employed within a sector, and the general emissions profile of the industry. Furthermore, an annual collection frequency supports the critical linkage (described in question 2) between the GHGRP and its data sharing with the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks, an annual reporting requirement of the U.S. Government and led by EPA to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
With annual data, stakeholders can monitor changes in facility emissions over time with respect to comparable facilities in the industry. Annual reporting also lines up with the reporting frequency of all existing State GHG reporting programs as well as other Agency and State programs that require reporting of environmental data.
The frequency with which facilities and suppliers subject to the GHGRP monitor, sample, or measure data varies across the 41 subparts, from weekly to annually. These collection frequencies are necessary to ensure adequate data quality and were designed to match the variability of activities conducted by the source category.
Explain any special circumstances that require the collection to be conducted in a manner inconsistent with OMB guidelines.
Generally, the GHGRP has a three-year requirement for record retention consistent with the retention period specified in the general information collection guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.5(f) of the OMB regulations implementing the Paperwork Reduction Act. However, for 23 subparts, some data used to calculate GHG emissions, such as process or production data specific to each facility’s operation, are not reported to EPA because of disclosure concerns (79 FR 63750, October 24, 2014). Reporters instead enter those data into a web-based verification tool called the Inputs Verification Tool (IVT) housed within e-GGRT. IVT does not retain the entered inputs; instead, it calculates emissions using “inputs to equations” and conducts verification checks at the time of data entry. Facilities using IVT for any subpart are required to retain all records for five years.
The EPA has determined that five years is a reasonable time period given the large number of reporters and the likely increase in follow-up activities due to IVT. It is important that relevant records are available to the EPA for follow-up activities with facilities, including on-site audits if necessary, regarding potential errors, discrepancies, or questions. Should an EPA inspector visit a facility, it is important to be able to examine not only the current year’s records but those from previous years as well. Employing year-to-year comparisons are useful for verifying the current year’s data. A 5-year record retention period ensures the availability of relevant records for the follow-up activities described above. EPA proposed the change from three to five years for record retention for some facilities through a rulemaking process and took all comments received into consideration upon promulgating the final action.
Aside from the special circumstance stated above (IVT), this collection of information is consistent with all other OMB Guidelines under 5 CFR 1320.5.
If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the Agency's notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public comments received in response to that notice and describe actions taken by the Agency in response to these comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour burden.
EPA published a first notice in the FR on May 4, 2023, announcing plans to submit this ICR renewal request to OMB. The public comment period for that notice was 60 days. Once EPA receives comments from the public from the 30-day comment period, and the second FR notice and Supporting Statement are reviewed by OMB, EPA will make edits to the FR notice and Supporting Statement, and, if necessary, resubmit these documents to OMB for a final review. After incorporating final edits, as per OMB’s final review, then the final FR notice will be published, and will be available, along with the final Supporting Statement in the docket for this ICR (Docket number EPA-HQ-OAR-2022-0883).
During the 60-day comment period, EPA received one comment from a Mr. Carl Adkins, in which he states that he wants the public to know how much greenhouse gases are being emitted from businesses and institutions. EPA agrees with his comment. EPA did not receive any more comments.
8b. Consultations
Describe efforts to consult with persons outside the Agency to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported. Consultation with representatives of those from whom information is to be obtained or those who must compile records should occur at least once every 3 years - even if the collection of information activity is the same as in prior periods. There may be circumstances that may preclude consultation in a specific situation. These circumstances should be explained.
To learn of ways to minimize burden on reporters, EPA engages in consultations with reporters on a regular basis. Since the GHGRP’s inception, EPA has conducted over 140 training webinars reaching over 17,000 people and has responded to approximately 40,000 questions received by our help desk. EPA also communicates with GHGRP reporters directly after every data submission deadline during the annual verification period. The program maintains an open-door policy and has consulted on numerous occasions with trade associations as well as individual companies with issues or concerns. As a result of these consultations, EPA has identified specific sections of the rule language that could be clarified or did not have the intended effect. EPA has promulgated amendments to the rule to resolve these issues and to correct technical and editorial errors that have been identified.
For example, in October 2018, EPA held a stakeholder workshop on the GHG data for petroleum and natural gas systems. Stakeholders participated in person and via webinar. A session of this workshop was used to garner feedback on potential burden reduction opportunities for the GHGRP. The session included EPA and stakeholder presentations, as well as an open stakeholder discussion.
To monitor the usefulness of this data collection, GHGRP staff are in regular communication with other EPA programs that use the data, such as voluntary and mandatory GHG reduction programs within the Office of Air and Radiation. EPA also consults regularly with state, local, and tribal environmental control agencies, environmental groups, research entities, and other nongovernmental organizations.
In addition, EPA contacted designated representatives from eight randomly selected companies that report to the GHGRP to request voluntary consultation about the GHGRP reporting burden values that were revised in this ICR renewal. These eight companies and the subparts for which their facilities report are shown in Exhibit 3.1. EPA sent e-mails to these eight companies on May 24, 2023, and gave them two weeks (until June 7, 2023) to respond. EPA did not receive any comments from any of these companies.
Exhibit 3.1 Consultations
|
Parent Company |
Applicable Subparts* |
(1) |
Smith Generating Facility |
C, D |
(2) |
Ardagh Glass, Inc. (Port Allegany) |
C, N |
(3) |
Berry Petroleum Company – Uinta Basin 575 |
W |
(4) |
Seward County Landfill |
C, HH |
(5) |
San Juan Mine |
C, FF |
(6) |
Tennessee Alloys Corporation |
C, K |
(7) |
Solvay Fluorides, LLC |
OO |
(8) |
El Dorado Nitrogen, LLC |
V |
*Subpart C – General Stationary Fuel Combustion Sources
Subpart D – Electricity Generation
Subpart K – Ferroalloy Production
Subpart N – Glass Production
Subpart V – Nitric Acid Production
Subpart W – Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems
Subpart FF – Underground Coal Mines
Subpart HH – Municipal Solid Waste Landfills
Subpart OO – Suppliers of Industrial Greenhouse Gases
Explain any decisions to provide payments or gifts to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.
The GHGRP does not provide any type of payment or gift to respondents.
ASSURANCE OF CONFIDENTIALITY
Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or Agency policy. If the collection requires a systems of records notice (SORN) or privacy impact assessment (PIA), those should be cited and described here.
Data collected under the GHGRP must be made available to the public unless the data qualify for CBI treatment under the CAA and EPA regulations. EPA typically makes CBI determinations under the CAA on a case-by-case basis under 40 CFR 2.301. Due to the large numbers of entities reporting under the GHGRP and the large number of data reporting elements, EPA concluded that case-by-case determinations would not result in a timely release of emission data and other non-CBI data (75 FR 39094; July 7, 2010). Therefore, the EPA has published confidentiality determinations for most information reported under the GHGRP (76 FR 30782; May 26, 2011, 77 FR 48072; August 13, 2012, 77 FR 51477; August 24, 2012, 78 FR 68162; November 13, 2013, 78 FR 71904; November 29, 2013, 79 FR 3507; January 22, 2014, 79 FR 63750; October 24, 2014, 79 FR 70352; November 25, 2014, 79 FR 73750; December 11, 2014, 80 FR 64262; October 22, 2015, 81 FR 86490; November 30, 2016, and 81 FR 89188; December 9, 2016). These confidentiality determinations specify which data reporting elements in Part 98: (1) are CBI, (2) are non-CBI, and (3) are emission data (i.e., ineligible for CBI protection). All data determined by the EPA to be CBI are safeguarded in accordance with regulations in 40 CFR Chapter 1, Part 2, Subpart B.
Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private. This justification should include the reasons why the Agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.
This information collection does not ask any questions concerning sexual behavior or attitudes, religious beliefs, or other matters usually considered private.
The respondents in this information collection include owners and operators of facilities that must report their GHG emissions to EPA to comply with the GHGRP rule. To facilitate the analysis, EPA has divided respondents into groups that align with the source categories identified in the rule.
This section lists the industry sectors (i.e., GHG source categories) that must report to the GHGRP, the data items required of program participants, and the activities in which participants must engage to collect, assess, and in some cases submit the required data items.
Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. The statement should:
Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. Generally, estimates should not include burden hours for customary and usual business practices.
If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour burden estimates for each form and the aggregate the hour burdens.
Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories. The cost of contracting out or paying outside parties for information collection activities should not be included here. Instead, this cost should be included as O&M costs under non-labor costs covered under question 13.
Reporting facilities include, but are not limited to, those operating one or more units that exceed the CO2e threshold for the industry sectors listed below or those in the categories in which all must report, such as petroleum refining facilities and all other large emitters listed in Table A-3 of 40 CFR 98.2(a)(1).
Industry sectors are listed below by their corresponding subpart of the rule and their NAICS code for reference.
Subpart |
NAICS code(s) |
C. General Stationary Fuel Combustion Sources |
Facilities operating boilers, process heaters, incinerators, turbines, and internal combustion engines: 211 Extractors of crude petroleum and natural gas; 321 Manufacturers of lumber and wood products; 322 Pulp and paper mills; 325 Chemical manufacturers; 324 Petroleum refineries, and manufacturers of coal products; 316, 326, 339 Manufacturers of rubber and miscellaneous plastic products; 331 Steel works, blast furnaces; 332 Electroplating, plating, polishing, anodizing, and coloring; 336 Manufacturers of motor vehicle parts and accessories1; 221 Electric, gas, and sanitary services; 622 Health services; 611 Educational services |
D. Electricity Generation |
221112 Fossil-fuel fired electric generating units, including units owned by federal and municipal governments and units located in Indian Country |
E. Adipic Acid Production |
325199 Adipic acid manufacturing facilities |
F. Aluminum Production |
331313 Primary Aluminum production facilities |
G. Ammonia Manufacturing |
325311 Anhydrous and aqueous ammonia manufacturing facilities |
H. Cement Production |
327310 Portland Cement manufacturing plants |
I. Electronics Manufacturing
|
334111 Microcomputers manufacturing facilities; 334413 Semiconductor, photovoltaic cells (PV) (solid-state) device manufacturing facilities; 334419 Liquid crystal display (LCD) unit screens manufacturing facilities; 334419 Micro-electro-mechanical devices (MEMS) manufacturing facilities |
K. Ferroalloy Production |
331110 Ferroalloys manufacturing facilities |
L. Fluorinated GHG Production |
325120 Industrial gases manufacturing facilities |
N. Glass Production |
327211 Flat glass manufacturing facilities; 327213 Glass container manufacturing facilities; 327212 Other pressed and blown glass and glassware manufacturing facilities |
O. HCFC-22 Production and HFC-23 Destruction |
325120 Chlorodifluoromethane manufacturing facilities |
P. Hydrogen Production |
325120 Hydrogen manufacturing facilities |
Q. Iron and Steel Production |
331110 Integrated iron and steel mills, steel companies, sinter plants, blast furnaces, basic oxygen process furnace (BOPF) shops |
R. Lead Production |
331419 Primary lead smelting and refining facilities; 331492 Secondary lead smelting and refining facilities |
S. Lime Manufacturing |
327410 Calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, dolomitic hydrates manufacturing facilities |
T. Magnesium Production |
331419 Primary refiners of nonferrous metals by electrolytic methods; 331492 Secondary magnesium processing plants |
U. Miscellaneous Uses of Carbonate |
Facilities included elsewhere |
V. Nitric Acid Production |
325311 Nitric acid manufacturing facilities |
W. Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems |
486210 Pipeline transportation of natural gas; 221210 Natural gas distribution facilities; 21112 Crude petroleum extraction; 21113 Natural gas extraction |
X. Petrochemical Production |
32511 Ethylene dichloride manufacturing facilities; 325199 Acrylonitrile, ethylene oxide, methanol manufacturing facilities; 325110 Ethylene manufacturing facilities; 325180 Carbon black manufacturing facilities |
Y. Petroleum Refineries |
324110 Petroleum refineries |
Z. Phosphoric Acid Production |
325312 Phosphoric acid manufacturing facilities |
AA. Pulp and Paper Manufacturing |
322110 Pulp mills; 322121 Paper mills; 322130 Paperboard mills |
BB. Silicon Carbide Production |
327910 Silicon carbide abrasives manufacturing facilities |
CC. Soda Ash Manufacturing |
325180 Alkalis and chlorine manufacturing facilities, 212391 Soda ash, natural, mining and/or beneficiation |
DD. Electrical Equipment Use |
221121 Electric bulk power transmission and control facilities |
EE. Titanium Dioxide Production |
325180 Titanium dioxide manufacturing facilities |
FF. Underground Coal Mines |
212113 Underground anthracite coal mining operations; 212112 Underground bituminous coal mining operations |
GG. Zinc Production |
331410 Primary zinc refining facilities; 331492 Zinc dust reclaiming facilities, recovering from scrap and/or alloying purchased metals |
HH. Municipal Solid Waste Landfills |
562212 Solid waste landfills; 221320 Sewage Treatment Facilities |
II. Industrial Wastewater Treatment |
322110 Pulp mills; 322121 Paper mills; 322122 Newsprint mills; 322130 Paperboard mills; 311611 Meat processing facilities; 311411 Frozen fruit, juice, and vegetable manufacturing facilities; 311421 Fruit and vegetable canning facilities; 325193 Ethanol manufacturing facilities; 324110 Petroleum refineries |
LL. Suppliers of Coal-based Liquid Fuels |
211130 Coal liquefaction at mine sites |
MM. Suppliers of Petroleum Products |
324110 Petroleum refineries |
NN. Suppliers of Natural Gas and Natural Gas Liquids |
221210 Natural gas distribution facilities; 211112 Natural gas liquid extraction facilities |
OO. Suppliers of Industrial Greenhouse Gases |
325120 Industrial greenhouse gas manufacturing facilities |
PP. Suppliers of Carbon Dioxide |
325120 Industrial greenhouse gas manufacturing facilities |
QQ. Importers and Exporters of Pre-charged Equipment and Closed-Cell Foams |
423730 Air-conditioning equipment (except room units) merchant wholesalers; 333415 Air-conditioning equipment (except motor vehicle) manufacturing; 336391 Motor vehicle air-conditioning manufacturing; 423620 Air-conditioners, room, merchant wholesalers; 443111 Household Appliance Stores; 423730 Automotive air-conditioners merchant wholesalers; 326150 Polyurethane foam products manufacturing; 335313 Circuit breakers, power, manufacturing; 423610 Circuit breakers merchant wholesalers |
RR. Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide |
211 Oil and gas extraction projects using CO2 enhanced oil and gas recovery; 211120 or 211130 Projects that inject acid gas containing CO2 underground; N/A CO2 geologic sequestration projects |
SS. Electrical Equipment Manufacture or Refurbishment |
33531 Power transmission and distribution switchgear and specialty transformers manufacturing facilities |
TT. Industrial Waste Landfills |
562212 Solid waste landfills; 322110 Pulp mills; 322121 Paper mills; 322122 Newsprint mills; 322130 Paperboard mills; 311611 Meat processing facilities; 311411 Frozen fruit, juice, and vegetable manufacturing facilities; 311421 Fruit and vegetable canning facilities; 221320 Sewage treatment facilities |
UU. Injection of Carbon Dioxide |
211 Oil and gas extraction projects using CO2 enhanced oil and gas recovery; 211120 or 211130 Projects that inject acid gas containing CO2 underground |
The GHGRP applies to certain facilities that directly emit GHGs or inject CO2 underground and to certain suppliers of products that contain GHGs. Applicability depends on the source categories located at the facility and, for some source categories, the emission level or production capacity. Fossil fuel and industrial GHG suppliers, and facilities that emit 25,000 metric tons or more of CO2e/year report GHG data to EPA annually.
Specifically, the facilities in the source list of Table A-3 of 40 CFR 98.2(a)(1) are subject to an all-in threshold, in which they report emissions regardless of a CO2e/year emissions threshold. EPA established the all-in source categories for simplification because all or almost all the sources in these subparts have emissions well over the 25,000 CO2e/year threshold. These emitters report all emissions from all-in emission source categories as well as threshold source categories (Table A-4 of 40 CFR 98.2(a)(2) source list), stationary fuel combustion sources (Subpart C), and miscellaneous use of carbonates (Subpart U). Suppliers in the source list of Table A-5 of 40 CFR 98.2(a)(4) report all applicable products in Table A-5.
In addition, facilities that do not contain sources listed in Table A-3 of 40 CFR 98.2(a)(1), but that emit at least 25,000 metric tons CO2e/year in combined emissions from stationary combustion sources and other sources listed in Table A-4 of 40 CFR 98.2(a)(2) report emissions from Subpart C, Subpart U, and all applicable source categories listed in Table A-4 of 40 CFR 98.2(a)(2). Facilities with only combustion emissions that emit at least 25,000 metric tons CO2e/year are only required to report emissions from combustion sources.
Respondents comply with the following categories of requirements (if applicable): the General Provisions applicable to all sources; stationary combustion; and requirements applicable to other specific source categories identified in Subparts D through UU of the rule.
Appendix B contains a list of the reporting requirements applicable to all facilities as well as those specific to each source category. Appendix C contains a similar list for recordkeeping requirements.
The owner or operator of a facility or supplier that is subject to the GHGRP’s reporting requirements reports total annual GHG emissions in metric tons of CO2e, as applicable. The primary tasks that respondents perform include:
Implementing and updating, as necessary, appropriate monitoring plans for each affected source and each affected unit at a source, as applicable;
Monitoring activities, where required;
Conducting operation and maintenance activities associated with monitoring, including quality assurance activities;
Ensuring data quality, preparing annual reports for submission to EPA, and submitting these reports to EPA;
Potentially responding to questions or error messages from EPA; and
Maintaining records for a period of three years or five years, as specified by the GHGRP.
Respondents that use a continuous emissions monitoring system (CEMS) also conduct tests to certify the operations of monitors, submit the results of these tests, and record emissions data (this activity is generally performed electronically).
Reports present the annual mass of GHG emissions from each source category separately. The calculations used to determine GHG emissions, the frequency at which those calculations are required, the methods used to estimate missing data, and the QA/QC requirements depend on the specific source category.
For each reporting year, facilities collect data and calculate emissions at varying frequencies, as described in the GHGRP, and summarized in Appendices B and C of this document. Facilities then submit GHG reports on March 31 of each calendar year for GHG emissions that occurred in the previous calendar year. EPA conducts a verification process of the data typically from April 1 through the end of September of each calendar year and publishes the data in FLIGHT in October. During the verification period, EPA notifies facilities if their report contains potential errors. The regulation requires that these facilities resubmit their reports with corrected data or respond to the notification with an explanation of why it is not an error within 45 days of receiving the notification. Facilities may request a 30-day extension, if necessary, which is automatically granted by EPA.
Facilities or suppliers that cease annual reporting as described in question 5 of this document must first submit a notification to discontinue reporting to the Administrator no later than March 31 of the year immediately following the fifth (or third) consecutive year of emissions less than 25,000 (or 15,000) metric tons CO2e/year. Likewise, facilities or suppliers that change operations such that all applicable GHG-emitting processes and operations cease to operate are exempt from reporting in the years following the year in which cessation of such operations occurs, provided that the owner or operator submits a notification to the Administrator no later than March 31 of the year immediately following the operation cessation.
12d. Respondent Burden Hours and Labor Costs
Respondent burden estimates are presented in Exhibit 6.1. EPA estimates that the total annual burden to all affected entities is 705,554 hours per year over the three years covered by this information collection. EPA also estimated the number of responses, or actions taken as a result of the rule, per respondent (facility) per year.
Exhibit 6.1 of this document presents aggregate burden by subpart only. Note that the total cost numbers in Exhibit 6.1 may not add up due to rounding of the labor hours to the nearest tenth of an hour and rounding of costs to the nearest dollar. For further details of burden calculations, please see Exhibit 6.1-b to the supporting statement (in a separate spreadsheet), which contains the subpart specific costs that are expected to be associated with this information collection.
To calculate labor costs, EPA used an approach consistent with the ICR associated with the GHGRP currently approved by OMB, updated to incorporate the 2021 BLS labor rates. For all but two subparts the labor rates are: $73.83 for technical workers, $91.33 for managers, $34.09 for clerical support, and $114.80 for legal support. Sector-specific labor rates are used for two subparts in the oil and gas industry (Subpart W and Subpart RR): $132.31 for senior managers, $123.46 for middle managers, $110.17 for engineers, and $77.99 for technicians.
Appendix D of this Supporting Statement shows all calculations for 2021 labor costs. Labor and non-labor costs (capital and O&M) for individual subparts are summarized in Exhibit 6-1. . Exhibit 6.1-b contains calculations for labor and O&M costs for each of the 41 industrial sectors that submit emissions data to the GHGRP.
Exhibit 6.1 Annual Average Respondent Burden and Cost For the GHG Reporting Program |
||||||||
Source Category |
Annual Average |
|||||||
Number of Respondentsc |
Responses/ Respondenta |
Total Responsesb |
Total Burden (hrs) |
Total Labor Cost |
Capital Costd |
O&M Cost |
Total Cost |
|
C. General Stationary Fuel Combustion Sources (reporters with only Subpart) |
1,793 |
111 |
199,023 |
75,177 |
$5,490,481 |
$0 |
$1,892,086 |
$$7,382,567 |
C. General Stationary Fuel Combustion Sources (reporters with Subpart C plus one or more subparts) |
3,519 |
111 |
390,609 |
142,387 |
$11,170,106 |
$0 |
$3,383,470 |
$14,553,577 |
D. Electricity Generation |
1,096 |
61 |
66,856 |
5,042 |
$352,721 |
$0 |
$60,280 |
$413,001 |
E. Adipic Acid Production |
2 |
31 |
62 |
33 |
$3,270 |
$0 |
$6,118 |
$9,388 |
F. Aluminum Production |
7 |
23 |
161 |
446 |
$33,536 |
$0 |
$4,471 |
$38,007 |
G. Ammonia Manufacturing |
29 |
134 |
3,886 |
1,235 |
$91,292 |
$0 |
$143,035 |
$234,327 |
H. Cement Production |
92 |
112 |
10,304 |
2,231 |
$156,886 |
$0 |
$5,060 |
$161,946 |
I. Electronics Manufacturing |
51 |
379 |
19,329 |
12,160 |
$893,876 |
$0 |
$288,776 |
$1,182,652 |
K. Ferroalloy Production |
8 |
179 |
1,432 |
316 |
$23,716 |
$0 |
$440 |
$24,156 |
L. Fluorinated Gas Production |
14 |
363 |
5,082 |
11,754
|
$842,032 |
$0 |
$770 |
$842,802 |
N. Glass Production c,g |
101 |
60 |
6,060 |
4,851 |
$357,928 |
$0 |
$11,385 |
$369,313 |
O. HCFC-22 Production and HFC-23 Destruction |
4 |
32 |
128 |
456 |
$32,939 |
$0 |
$220 |
$33,159 |
P. Hydrogen Production |
111 |
137 |
15,207 |
4,606 |
$335,441 |
$0 |
$47,998 |
$383,439 |
Q. Iron and Steel Production |
122 |
61 |
7,442 |
2,938 |
$219,123 |
$0 |
$128,260 |
$347,383 |
R. Lead Production |
11 |
79 |
869 |
273 |
$20,644 |
$0 |
$12,760 |
$33,404 |
S. Lime Manufacturing |
68 |
268 |
18,224 |
1,870 |
$140,834 |
$0 |
$3,740 |
$144,574 |
T. Magnesium Production |
10 |
83 |
830 |
181 |
$13,332 |
$0 |
$550 |
$13,882 |
U. Miscellaneous Uses of Carbonate |
5 |
7 |
35 |
45 |
$3,156 |
$0 |
$275 |
$3,431 |
V. Nitric Acid Production |
31 |
23 |
713 |
1,099 |
$81,234.59 |
$0 |
$265,306 |
$346,541 |
W. Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems |
2,338 |
3,294 |
7,701,372 |
273,653 |
$30,223,171 |
$0 |
$24,410,343 |
$54,633,514 |
X. Petrochemical Production |
85 |
672 |
57,120 |
12,696 |
$915,952 |
$0 |
$148,847 |
$1,064,799 |
Y. Petroleum Refineries |
134 |
173 |
23,182 |
7,463 |
$548,630 |
$0 |
$7,370 |
$556,000 |
Z. Phosphoric Acid Production |
9 |
100 |
900 |
90 |
$6,713 |
$0 |
$495 |
$7,208 |
AA. Pulp and Paper Manufacturing |
103 |
105 |
10,815 |
2,925 |
$218,017 |
$0 |
$27,501 |
|
BB. Silicon Carbide Production |
1 |
10 |
10 |
15 |
$1,041 |
$0 |
$253 |
$1,294 |
CC. Soda Ash Manufacturing |
4 |
28 |
112 |
37 |
$2,577 |
$0 |
$2,228 |
$4,805 |
DD. Electrical Transmission and Distribution Equipment Use |
90 |
206 |
18,540 |
3,780 |
$270,181 |
$0 |
$124,290 |
$394,471 |
EE. Titanium Dioxide Production |
6 |
76 |
456 |
92 |
$6,245 |
$0 |
$2,706 |
$8,951 |
FF. Underground Coal Mines |
78 |
1,614 |
125,892 |
5,410 |
$396,467 |
$0 |
$66,285 |
$462,752 |
GG. Zinc Production |
5 |
44 |
220 |
159 |
$11,924 |
$0 |
$7,735 |
$19,659 |
HH. Municipal Solid Waste Landfills |
1,127 |
514 |
579,278 |
72,331 |
$5,216,262 |
$0 |
$1,987,691 |
$7,203,953 |
II. Industrial Wastewater Treatment |
114 |
437 |
49,818 |
3,580 |
$268,632 |
$0 |
$154,698 |
$423,330 |
LL. Suppliers of Coal-based Liquid Fuels |
1 |
2 |
2 |
22 |
$1,618 |
$0 |
$55 |
$1,673 |
MM. Suppliers of Petroleum Products |
238 |
149 |
35,462 |
9,187 |
$677,875 |
$0 |
$13,090 |
$690,965 |
NN. Supplies of Natural Gas and Natural Gas Liquids |
484 |
64 |
30,976 |
8,146 |
$609,221 |
$0 |
$26,620 |
$635,841 |
OO. Suppliers of Industrial GHG |
103 |
3,635 |
374,405 |
9,733 |
$723,699 |
$0 |
$5,665 |
$729,364 |
PP. Suppliers of Carbon Dioxide c,g |
128 |
94 |
12,032 |
1,664 |
$120,823 |
$0 |
$7,040 |
$127,863 |
QQ. Importers and Exporters of Fluorinated GHGs Contained in Pre-Charged Equipment or Closed-Cell Foams |
44 |
4,092 |
180,048 |
2,816 |
$205,096 |
$0 |
$2420 |
$207,516 |
RR. Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide |
9 |
1,882 |
16,938 |
3,704 |
$450,258 |
$0 |
$17,680 |
$467,938 |
SS. Electrical Equipment Manufacture or Refurbishment |
5 |
465 |
2,325 |
235 |
$17,198 |
$0 |
$275 |
$17,473 |
TT. Industrial Waste Landfills |
167 |
1,661 |
277,387 |
9,018 |
$656,993 |
$0 |
$9,185 |
$666,178 |
UU. Injection of Carbon Dioxide |
87 |
62 |
5,394 |
1,131 |
$82,122 |
$0 |
$4,785 |
$86,907 |
TOTALS |
12,434 |
824 |
10,248,936 |
705,554 |
$61,893,264 |
$0.00 |
$33,282,257 |
$95,175,521 |
a The number of responses per respondent are rounded. b Total Responses is the number of respondents multiplied by the number of responses per respondent. Because the number of responses per respondent are rounded, the calculated total responses may differ slightly from the numbers shown in Exhibit 6.1-b. c Number of respondents based on RY2021 data as of October 2022. d It is assumed that there are no capital costs because reporting facilities will have paid off any remaining annualized capital costs associated with equipment that was purchased during initial compliance prior to the three years covered by this ICR (e.g., installation of a Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS)).
|
||||||||
Provide an estimate for the total annual cost burden to respondents or record keepers resulting from the collection of information. (Do not include the cost of any hour burden already reflected on the burden worksheet).
The cost estimate should be split into two components: (a) a total capital and start-up cost
component (annualized over its expected useful life) and (b) a total operation and maintenance and purchase of services component. The estimates should consider costs associated with generating, maintaining, and disclosing or providing the information. Include descriptions of methods used to estimate major cost factors including system and technology acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, the discount rate(s), and the period over which costs will be incurred. Capital and start-up costs include, among other items, preparations for collecting information such as purchasing computers and software; monitoring, sampling, drilling, and testing equipment; and record storage facilities.
If cost estimates are expected to vary widely, agencies should present ranges of cost burdens and explain the reasons for the variance. The cost of purchasing or contracting out information collections services should be a part of this cost burden estimate.
Generally, estimates should not include purchases of equipment or services, or portions thereof, made: (1) prior to October 1, 1995, (2) to achieve regulatory compliance with requirements not associated with the information collection, (3) for reasons other than to provide information or keep records for the government, or (4) as part of customary and usual business or private practices.
It is assumed that there are no capital costs for the period covered by this ICR because reporting facilities will have paid off any remaining annualized capital costs associated with equipment that was purchased during initial compliance prior to the three years covered by this ICR (e.g., installation of a Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS)).
EPA estimates that the total annual cost to all affected non-federal entities is $95,175,521 over the three years covered by this information collection. Exhibit 6.1 presents aggregate costs by sector.
Provide estimates of annualized costs to the Federal government. Also, provide a description of the method used to estimate cost, which should include quantification of hours, operational expenses (such as equipment, overhead, printing, and support staff), and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information.
Information Collection Activity |
Annual Responses |
Total Annual Burden (hrs)1 |
Labor Cost2 |
Non-Labor Cost3 |
Total Annual Cost4 |
Developing Guidance, Conducting Training, Audits, and General Oversight |
1 |
24,960
|
$1,520,813
|
$8,400,000
|
$9,920,813
|
124,960 hours is calculated based on 12 Full Time Employees (FTEs) working 80 hours per two-week pay period, for 26 pay periods per year (12 x 80 x 26 = 24,960).
2The labor cost is based on the hour compensation at GS-13 step 1 on the 2021 pay scale: $38.08 x1.6 to account for overhead and benefits = $60.93. 24,960 x $60.93 = $1,520,813.
3Non-labor costs cover the development of guidance, training, responding to stakeholders, communications and outreach, database maintenance, and other contractor support.
4Total Annual Cost = Labor Cost + Non-Labor Cost: $1,520,813 + 8,400,000 = $9,920,813.
EPA activities associated with the GHG reporting program include oversight and implementation of the reporting program (e.g., monitoring and verification of emission reports, database and software maintenance, communication and outreach, and program evaluation). EPA estimates that it will devote to these activities up to 12 full time equivalents (FTEs), working 80 hours per pay period, for 26 pay periods per year, or an estimated 24,960 hours per year.
To develop EPA labor costs, EPA estimated the average hourly labor rate for salary and overhead and benefits for Agency staff to be $60.93. To derive this figure, EPA multiplied the hourly compensation at GS-13, Step 1 on the 2021 GS pay scale $38.08 by the standard government benefits multiplication factor of 1.6 to account for overhead and benefits. Appendix D-2 (in Appendix D) shows the EPA labor rates for Technical, Managerial, and Clerical categories.
In addition to the labor cost, EPA will incur a non-labor cost of approximately $8.4 million in each of the three years of the information collection for developing guidance, training, responding to stakeholders, communication and outreach, database maintenance, and other contractor support.
Exhibit 6.2 presents the annual Agency burden and cost.
REASONS FOR CHANGE IN BURDEN
Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in the burden or capital/O&M cost estimates.
This section presents the change in burden compared with the last ICR renewal approved and explains the reasons for the change in burden. Exhibit 6.4 summarizes the adjustments that have affected the overall burden inventory for the final GHGRP ICRs. There is a decrease of 34,458 hours and an increase of $7,229,810 in the total estimated respondent burden compared with that identified in the GHGRP ICR renewed by OMB in 2019. This change reflects several updates in this ICR renewal as compared to the previous ICR renewal. Overall, EPA adjusted labor rates to match the 2021 BLS labor rates; adjusted capital and O&M costs to reflect 2021 dollars, based on the inflation rate between 2017 and 2021 (10.5%, as per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Indices for 2017 and 2021), and adjusted the number of respondents by taking the actual number of respondents for each subpart in reporting year 2021 (RY2021). For the 2019 ICR, EPA did a complete and comprehensive re-evaluation of the activities and costs associated with all subparts of the GHGRP and used a new methodology to determine the number of responses and the number of responses per respondent by subpart and for the Program as a whole. For the 2024 ICR, EPA continued using this same process.
Exhibit 6.4 Summary of Changes in Annual Burden
Title |
Current OMB Control Number |
Agency Tracking Number |
Number of Respondents |
Number of Responses |
Total Burden (hrs.) |
Total Labor Cost ($) |
Capital Cost ($) |
O&M Cost ($) |
Total Cost ($) |
Hours per response |
Information Collection Request for the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program |
||||||||||
Current Inventory |
2060-0629 |
2300.18
|
13,180
|
9,853,129
|
740,012
|
58,419,314
|
412,014
|
29,114,383
|
87,945,711
|
0.08 |
Revised Inventory |
2060-0629 |
2300.20 |
12,434
|
10,248,936
|
705,554
|
61,893,264
|
0
|
33,282,257
|
95,175,521
|
0.07 |
Change |
|
|
-746
|
395,807
|
-34,458
|
3,473,950
|
-412,014 |
4,167,874
|
7,229,810
|
-0.01 |
Reason for Change in Burden
|
||||||||||
For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation and publication. Address any complex analytical techniques that will be used. Provide the time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and ending dates of the collection of information, completion of report, publication dates, and other actions.
On an annual basis, the GHGRP collects greenhouse gas emissions information from facilities in 41 industrial categories. Below is the annual timeline for data collection, verification, and publication:
March 31: Due date when facilities are required to electronically submit their report for GHG emissions that occurred in the previous calendar year.
April 1 – September 30: The GHGRP conducts a data verification process. During this period, EPA notifies facilities if their report contained potential errors.
October: The GHGRP redacts CBI and publishes GHGR facility emissions data in its map-based online data publication tool, also known as FLIGHT (Facility Level Information on Greenhouse Gases Tool) at http://ghgdata.epa.gov/ghgp/main.do. FLIGHT is designed for the general public and allows users to view and sort GHG data for each year starting in 2010 for over 8,000 entities in a variety of ways including by location, industrial sector, and type of GHG emitted. Additional sources on GHGRP’s main web page at https://epa.gov/ghgreporting are also updated in October. These allow users to download pre-packaged data set files, browse summaries on the data, and use interactive visualizations of the data.
DISPLAY OF EXPIRATION DATE
If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.
The GHGRP will display the expiration date of the information collection.
Explain each exception to the topics of the certification statement identified in “Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions.”
The ICR does not claim any exceptions to the Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions.
1 Includes reporting for combustion only and is not representative of the GHG process emissions from the automotive sector as a whole.
| File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
| File Title | 18Q Supporting Statement Instructions_draft |
| Author | McGrath, Daniel |
| File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
| File Created | 2024-07-24 |