[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 249 (Tuesday, December 30, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67863-67864]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-33962]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-5940-5]


Agency Information Collection Activities Under OMB Review

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces that EPA is planning to submit an 
Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) to allow the Agency to continue collecting data for the 
AgSTAR Program. Information is required from participants (``Partners'' 
and ``Allies'') in the AgSTAR Program. Partners, primarily livestock 
producers, complete a Memorandum of Understanding, develop an 
implementation plan, and report to EPA annually on progress towards 
meeting the goals identified in the implementation plan. Allies, 
primarily utilities and marketers of methane recovery technologies or 
related associations, complete a Memorandum of Understanding and obtain 
EPA approval to use EPA-developed materials or reproduction of 
materials bearing the AgSTAR logo. This ICR is a reinstatement of a 
previously approved information collection. Before submitting the ICR 
to OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific 
aspects of the proposed information collection described below.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before March 2, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to the Docket Clerk (Docket No. 97-
61), located in the USEPA. Office of Air & Radiation. One original and 
two copies of each comment should be submitted. Hand delivery of 
comments should be made to: Air Docket, USEPA, MC 6102, 401 M Street., 
SW., room M 1500, Washington, DC 20460.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kurt Roos, U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Division (6202J), 
401 M Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20460, or call (202) 564-9041.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Information Collection Requests

    EPA is seeking comment on the ICR for the AgSTAR Program (EPA ICR 
1735.02). This ICR requests approval for renewal of an existing 
collection.
    Affected Entities: Entities affected by this action are livestock 
producers, utilities, vendors and universities.
    Abstract: AgSTAR is an EPA-sponsored, voluntary program that 
encourages livestock producers to implement methane recovery 
technologies to increase livestock production profit margins and reduce 
emissions from manure methane, a greenhouse gas. AgSTAR further 
encourages utilities, regulatory agencies and universities to support 
and promote the use of methane recovery technologies. The AgSTAR 
program consists of two types of participants: ``Partners'' and 
``Allies.'' Partners, who are primarily livestock producers, complete a 
Memorandum of Understanding, develop an implementation plan, and report 
to EPA annually on progress towards meeting the goals identified in the 
implementation plan. Allies, primarily utilities and marketers of 
methane recovery technologies or related associations, complete a 
Memorandum of Understanding and obtain EPA approval to use EPA-
developed materials or reproduction of materials bearing the AgSTAR 
logo.
    Burden Statement: The estimated average public burden per 
respondent for new Partners and Allies is five hours per Partner 
response and nine hours per Ally, including time for reviewing 
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering the data 
needed, and completing the collection of information.
    Respondents: Livestock producers, utilities, vendors and 
universities.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 625.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 3,500 hours.
    Frequency of Collection: As needed.

II. Requests for Comments

    The Agency will begin an effort to examine the information 
requested and consider options for reducing their burden and increasing 
the usefulness of the information collected by these forms. The Agency 
would appreciate any information on the users of this information, how 
they use this information, how the information could be improved, and 
how the burden for these forms can be reduced. In addition, the Agency 
is also soliciting comments that:
    (i) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    (ii) Evaluate the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden 
of the proposed collection of information,

[[Page 67864]]

including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
    (iii) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information 
to be collected; and
    (iv) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond including through the use of appropriate automated 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic 
submission of responses.

III. Public Docket

    A record has been established for this action under docket number 
97-61. A public version of this record, including printed, paper 
versions of electronic comments, which does not include any information 
claimed as CBI, is available for inspection from USEPA, Office of Air & 
Radiation. The public record is located at the Air Docket, USEPA, MC 
6102, 401 M Street., SW., room M 1500, Washington, DC 20460.
    Send comments regarding the burden estimate, or any other aspect of 
this information collection, including suggestions for reducing the 
burden, to: Kurt Roos, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 
Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Division (6202J), 401 M Street, SW, 
Washington, D.C. 20460, or call (202) 564-9041.

    Dated: December 18, 1997.
Paul Stolpman,
Director, Office of Air and Radiation.
[FR Doc. 97-33962 Filed 12-29-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P