Focus Groups As Used By EPA For Economics Projects (Renewal)

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
2205ssb26.docx Supporting Statement B	2025-10-14
2205ssa26.docx Supporting Statement A	2025-10-14

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 2090-0028	ICR Reference No: 202510-2090-001
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202201-2090-001
Agency/Subagency: EPA/AdmO	Agency Tracking No: 2205.26
Title: Focus Groups As Used By EPA For Economics Projects (Renewal)
Type of Information Collection: Extension without change of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 10/31/2025

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	10/31/2025
Responses	432	1,089
Time Burden (Hours)	864	2,178
Cost Burden (Dollars)	240,000	0

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Abstract: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking approval for a generic information collection request (ICR) for the conduct of focus groups and one-on-one interviews related to economics projects primarily for survey development. Focus groups are groups of individuals brought together for moderated discussions on a specific topic or issue. These groups are typically formed to gain insight and understanding of attitudes and perceptions held by the public surrounding an issue. One-on-one interviews, as the term implies, are individual interviews in which a respondent is generally asked to review materials and provide feedback on their content and design as well as the thought processes that the materials invoke. Focus groups and one-on-one interviews (hereafter referred to collectively as focus groups) used as a qualitative research tool have three major purposes: To better understand respondents attitudes, perceptions and emotions in response to specific topics and concepts; To obtain respondent information useful for better defining variables and measures in later quantitative studies; And to further explore findings obtained from quantitative studies. Through these focus groups, the Agency will be able to gain a more in-depth understanding of the publics attitudes, beliefs, motivations and feelings regarding specific issues and will provide invaluable information regarding the quality of draft survey instruments. Focus group discussions are necessary and important steps in the design of a quality survey. Focus groups and one-on-one interviews (hereafter referred to collectively as focus groups) used as a qualitative research tool have three major purposes: To better understand respondents attitudes, perceptions and emotions in response to specific topics and concepts; To obtain respondent information useful for better defining variables and measures in later quantitative studies; and To further explore findings obtained from quantitative studies. Through these focus groups, the Agency will be able to gain a more in-depth understanding of the publics attitudes, beliefs, motivations and feelings regarding specific issues and will provide invaluable information regarding the quality of draft survey instruments. Focus group discussions are necessary and important steps in the design of a quality survey.

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Authorizing Statute(s): None

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	90 FR 42007	08/28/2025
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	90 FR 48794	10/29/2025
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 0

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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	432	1,089	0	0	-657	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	864	2,178	0	0	-1,314	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	240,000	0	0	0	240,000	0

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

Burden Increase Due to:

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

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: The request for 864 total burden hours represents a decrease of 1,314 hours in the total estimated burden currently identified in the OMB Inventory of Approved ICR Burdens. Burden estimates derived for this (and the previous) renewal are based on projected use estimates for this generic ICR provided by the various program offices at EPA. These projections are based on anticipated, new and continuing projects over the coming three years. A decrease in burden over the previous ICR conveys simply that EPA anticipates less need for the conduct of focus groups under this ICR than in the past.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $100,973

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? Yes Part B of Supporting Statement

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

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Common Form ICR:  No

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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: 10/31/2025

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