SUPPORTING STATEMENT

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

NSPS for Sulfuric Acid Plants (40 CFR Part 60, Subpart H) (Renewal)

1. Identification of the Information Collection

1(a) Title of the Information Collection

NSPS for Sulfuric Acid Plants (40 CFR Part 60, Subpart H) (Renewal), 

EPA ICR Number 1057.13, OMB Control Number 2060-0041. 

1(b) Short Characterization/Abstract

The New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for Sulfuric Acid Plants were: proposed 

on August 17, 1971; promulgated on December 23, 1971; and amended on: June 14, 1974 (39 

FR 20794); October 6, 1975 (40 FR 46258); July 25, 1977 (42 FR 37936); May 25, 1983 (48 FR

23611); September 29, 1983 (48 FR 4700); October 20, 1983 (48 FR 48669); February 14, 1989 

(54 FR 6666); October 17, 2000 (65 FR 61753); January 9, 2012 (77 FR 1130); and February 27, 

2014 (79 FR 11250). These regulations apply to existing facilities and new facilities. New 

facilities include those that commenced construction, modification or reconstruction after the 

date of proposal. A sulfuric acid plant is any facility producing sulfuric acid (H2SO4) by the 

contact process by burning elemental sulfur, alkylation acid, hydrogen sulfide, organic sulfides 

and mercaptans, or acid sludge. A sulfuric acid plant does not include facilities where 

conversion to sulfuric acid is used primarily as a means of preventing emissions to the 

atmosphere of sulfur dioxide (SO2) or other sulfur compounds. This information is being 

collected to assure compliance with 40 CFR Part 60, Subpart H.

In general, all NSPS standards require initial notification reports, performance tests, and 

periodic reports by the owners/operators of the affected facilities. They are also required to 

maintain records of the occurrence and duration of any startup, shutdown, or malfunction in the 

operation of an affected facility, or any period during which the monitoring system is 

inoperative. These notifications, reports, and records are essential in determining compliance, 

and are required of all affected facilities subject to NSPS.

Any owner/operator subject to the provisions of this part shall maintain a file of these 

measurements, and retain the file for at least two years following the date of such measurements, 

maintenance reports, and records. All reports are sent to the delegated state or local authority. 

In the event that there is no such delegated authority, the reports are sent directly to the U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regional office.

Over the next three years, an average of 53 respondents per year will be subject to the 

standards, and it is estimated that no additional respondents per year will become subject to the 

standards.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved the currently active ICR 

without any Terms of Clearance.
2

There are approximately 53 sulfuric acid plants in the United States, which are owned 

and operated by the Sulfuric Acid industry (the “Affected Public”). None of the facilities in the 

United States are owned by either state, local, tribal or the Federal government; all are privatelyowned, for-profit businesses. The “burden” to the Affected Public may be found below in Table 

1: Annual Respondent Burden and Cost – NSPS for Sulfuric Acid Plants (40 CFR Part 60, 

Subpart H) (Renewal). The Federal Government “burden” is attributed entirely to work 

performed by either Federal employees or government contractors and may be found below in 

Table 2: Average Annual EPA Burden and Cost – NSPS for Sulfuric Acid Plants (40 CFR Part 

60, Subpart H) (Renewal). 

2. Need for and Use of the Collection

2(a) Need/Authority for the Collection

The EPA is charged under Section 111 of the Clean Air Act (CAA), as amended, to 

establish standards of performance for new stationary sources that reflect: 

. . . application of the best technological system of continuous 

emissions reduction which (taking into consideration the cost of 

achieving such emissions reduction, or any non-air quality health 

and environmental impact and energy requirements) the 

Administrator determines has been adequately demonstrated. 

Section 111(a)(l).

The Agency refers to this charge as selecting the best demonstrated technology (BDT). Section 

111 also requires that the Administrator review and, if appropriate, revise such standards every

four years.

In addition, section 114(a) states that the Administrator may require any owner/operator 

subject to any requirement of this Act to: 

(A) Establish and maintain such records; (B) make such reports; 

(C) install, use, and maintain such monitoring equipment, and use 

such audit procedures, or methods; (D) sample such emissions (in 

accordance with such procedures or methods, at such locations, at 

such intervals, during such periods, and in such manner as the 

Administrator shall prescribe); (E) keep records on control 

equipment parameters, production variables or other indirect data 

when direct monitoring of emissions is impractical; (F) submit 

compliance certifications in accordance with Section 114(a)(3); 

and (G) provide such other information as the Administrator may

reasonably require.

In the Administrator's judgment, SO2 emissions from sulfuric acid plants cause or 
3

contribute to air pollution that may reasonably be anticipated to endanger either public health 

and/or welfare. Therefore, the NSPS were promulgated for this source category at 40 CFR Part 

60, Subpart H.

2(b) Practical Utility/Users of the Data

The recordkeeping and reporting requirements in the standard ensure compliance with the

applicable regulations which were promulgated in accordance with the Clean Air Act. The 

collected information is also used for targeting inspections and as evidence in legal proceedings.

Performance tests are required in order to determine an affected facility’s initial 

capability to comply with the emission standards. Continuous emission monitors are used to 

ensure compliance with the standards at all times. During the performance test a record of the 

operating parameters under which compliance was achieved may be recorded and used to 

determine compliance in place of a continuous emission monitor.

The notifications required in these standards are used to inform the Agency or delegated 

authority when a source becomes subject to the requirements of the regulations. The reviewing 

authority may then inspect the source to check if the pollution control devices are properly 

installed and operated, leaks are being detected and repaired, and that the standard are being met. 

The performance test may also be observed.

The required semiannual reports are used to determine periods of excess emissions, 

identify problems at the facility, verify operation/maintenance procedures and for compliance 

determinations.

3. Non-duplication, Consultations, and Other Collection Criteria

The requested recordkeeping and reporting are required under 40 CFR Part 60, Subpart

H.

3(a) Non-duplication

If the subject standards have not been delegated, the information is sent directly to the 

appropriate EPA regional office. Otherwise, the information is sent directly to the delegated 

state or local agency. If a state or local agency has adopted its own similar standards to 

implement the Federal standards, a copy of the report submitted to the state or local agency can 

be sent to the Administrator in lieu of the report required by the Federal standards. Therefore, 

duplication does not exist.

3(b) Public Notice Required Prior to ICR Submission to OMB

An announcement of a public comment period for the renewal of this ICR was published 

in the Federal Register (79 FR 30117) on May 27, 2014. No comments were received on the 

burden published in the Federal Register.
4

3(c) Consultations

The Agency’s industry experts have been consulted, and the Agency’s internal data 

sources and projections of industry growth over the next three years have been considered. The 

primary source of information as reported by industry, in compliance with the recordkeeping and 

reporting provisions in the standard, is the Online Tracking Information System (OTIS) which is 

operated and maintained by EPA's Office of Compliance. OTIS is EPA’s database for the 

collection, maintenance, and retrieval of all compliance data. The growth rate for the industry is 

based on our consultations with the Agency’s internal industry experts. 

Industry trade associations and other interested parties were provided an opportunity to 

comment on the burden associated with the standard as it was being developed. In developing 

this ICR, we contacted Chemtrade Logistics, at (416) 496-5856, and Southern States Chemical,

at (910) 762-5054. 

It is our policy to respond after a thorough review of comments received since the last 

ICR renewal as well as those submitted in response to the first Federal Register notice. In this 

case, no comments were received. 

3(d) Effects of Less Frequent Collection

Less frequent information collection would decrease the margin of assurance that 

facilities are continuing to meet the standards. Requirements for information gathering and 

recordkeeping are useful techniques to ensure that good operation and maintenance practices are 

applied and emission limitations are met. If the information required by these standards was 

collected less frequently, the proper operation and maintenance of control equipment and the 

possibility of detecting violations would be less likely.

3(e) General Guidelines

These reporting or recordkeeping requirements do not violate any of the regulations 

promulgated by OMB under 5 CFR Part 1320, Section 1320.5.

3(f) Confidentiality

Any information submitted to the Agency for which a claim of confidentiality is made 

will be safeguarded according to the Agency policies set forth in Title 40, chapter 1, part 2, 

subpart B - Confidentiality of Business Information (CBI) (see 40 CFR 2; 41 FR 36902, 

September 1, 1976; amended by 43 FR 40000, September 8, 1978; 43 FR 42251, September 20, 

1978; 44 FR 17674, March 23, 1979).

3(g) Sensitive Questions

The reporting or recordkeeping requirements in the standard do not include sensitive 
5

questions.

4. The Respondents and the Information Requested

4(a) Respondents/SIC Codes

The respondents to the recordkeeping and reporting requirements are sulfuric acid plants. 

The United States Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code for the respondents affected by 

the standards is SIC 2819, which corresponds to the North American Industry Classification 

System (NAICS) code 325188 for Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing. 

4(b) Information Requested

(i) Data Items

In this ICR, all the data that is recorded or reported is required by the NSPS for Sulfuric 

Acid Plants (40 CFR Part 60, Subpart H) (Renewal). 

A source must make the following reports:

Notifications

Notification of construction/reconstruction 60.7(a)(1)

Notification of actual startup 60.7(a)(3)

Notification of physical or operational change 60.7(a)(4)

Notification of continuous monitoring system (CMS) demonstration 60.7(a)(5) 

Initial performance test results 60.8(a)

Initial performance test 60.8(d)

Reference Test Method 9 60.11(b)

Reports

Semiannual report of excess emissions 60.7(c)

A source must keep the following records:

Recordkeeping

Maintain records of startup, shutdown, or malfunction period where 

the continuous monitoring system is inoperative

60.7(b)

Maintain records for two years 60.7(f)
6

Recordkeeping

Maintain annual performance test, as required 60.7(f)

Electronic Reporting

Some of the respondents are using monitoring equipment that automatically records 

parameter data. Although personnel at the affected facility must still evaluate the data, internal 

automation has significantly reduced the burden associated with monitoring and recordkeeping at 

a plant site. 

Also, regulatory agencies in cooperation with the respondents continue to create reporting 

systems to transmit data electronically. However, electronic reporting systems are still not 

widely used. At this time, it is estimated that approximately 20 percent of the respondents use 

electronic reporting.

(ii) Respondent Activities

Respondent Activities

Read instructions.

Perform initial performance test, Reference Method 9 test, and repeat performance tests if 

necessary.

Write the notifications and reports listed above.

Enter information required to be recorded above.

Submit the required reports developing, acquiring, installing, and utilizing technology and 

systems for the purpose of collecting, validating, and verifying information.

Develop, acquire, install, and utilize technology and systems for the purpose of processing and 

maintaining information.

Develop, acquire, install, and utilize technology and systems for the purpose of disclosing and 

providing information.

Adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable instructions and 

requirements.

Train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information.

Transmit, or otherwise disclose the information.
7

Currently sources are using monitoring and reporting equipment that provide parameter 

data in an automated way e.g., continuous parameter monitoring system. Although personnel at 

the source still need to evaluate the data, this type of monitoring equipment has significantly

reduced the burden associated with monitoring and recordkeeping. 

5. The Information Collected: Agency Activities, Collection Methodology, and 

Information Management

5(a) Agency Activities

EPA conducts the following activities in connection with the acquisition, analysis, 

storage, and distribution of the required information.

Agency Activities

Observe initial performance tests and repeat performance tests if necessary.

Review notifications and reports, including performance test reports, and excess emissions 

reports, required to be submitted by industry.

Audit facility records.

Input, analyze, and maintain data in the Online Tracking Information System (OTIS). 

5(b) Collection Methodology and Management

Following notification of startup, the reviewing authority could inspect the source 

to determine whether the pollution control devices are properly installed and operated. 

Performance test reports are used by the Agency to discern a source’s initial capability to comply 

with the emission standard. Data and records maintained by the respondents are tabulated and 

published for use in compliance and enforcement programs. The semiannual reports are used for 

problem identification, as a check on source operation and maintenance, and for compliance 

determinations.

Information contained in the reports is entered into OTIS which is operated and 

maintained by EPA's Office of Compliance. OTIS is EPA’s database for the collection, 

maintenance, and retrieval of compliance data for approximately 125,000 industrial and 

government-owned facilities. EPA uses the OTIS for tracking air pollution compliance and 

enforcement by local and state regulatory agencies, EPA regional offices and EPA headquarters. 

EPA and its delegated Authorities can edit, store, retrieve and analyze the data.

The records required by this regulation must be retained by the owner/operator for two 

years.

5(c) Small Entity Flexibility
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The majority of the respondents are large entities (i.e., large businesses). However, the 

impact on small entities (i.e., small businesses) was taken into consideration during the 

development of the regulation. Due to technical considerations involving the process operations 

and the types of control equipment employed, the recordkeeping and reporting requirements are 

the same for both small and large entities. The Agency considers these to be the minimum 

requirements needed to ensure compliance and, therefore, cannot reduce them further for small 

entities. To the extent that larger businesses can use economies of scale to reduce their burden, 

the overall burden will be reduced. 

5(d) Collection Schedule

The specific frequency for each information collection activity within this request is 

shown below in Table 1: Annual Respondent Burden and Cost – NSPS for Sulfuric Acid Plants 

(40 CFR Part 60, Subpart H) (Renewal).

6. Estimating the Burden and Cost of the Collection

Table 1 documents the computation of individual burdens for the recordkeeping and 

reporting requirements applicable to the industry for the subpart included in this ICR. The 

individual burdens are expressed under standardized headings believed to be consistent with the 

concept of burden under the Paperwork Reduction Act. Where appropriate, specific tasks and 

major assumptions have been identified. Responses to this information collection are mandatory.

The Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a

collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB Control Number.

6(a) Estimating Respondent Burden

The average annual burden to industry over the next three years from these recordkeeping 

and reporting requirements is estimated to be 13,409 hours (Total Labor Hours from Table 1). 

These hours are based on Agency studies and background documents from the development of 

the regulation, Agency knowledge and experience with the NSPS program, the previouslyapproved ICR, and any comments received.

6(b) Estimating Respondent Costs

(i) Estimating Labor Costs

This ICR uses the following labor rates: 

Managerial $128.02 ($60.98 + 110%) 

Technical $101.05 ($48.12 + 110%)
9

Clerical $51.37 ($24.46 + 110%)

These rates are from the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, March 

2014, “Table 2. Civilian Workers, by occupational and industry group.” The rates are from 

column 1, “Total compensation.” The rates have been increased by 110 percent to account for 

the benefit packages available to those employed by private industry.

(ii) Estimating Capital/Startup and Operation and Maintenance Costs

The type of industry costs associated with the information collection activities in the 

subject standard(s) are both labor costs which are addressed elsewhere in this ICR and the costs 

associated with continuous monitoring. The capital/startup costs are one-time costs when a 

facility becomes subject to the regulation. The annual operation and maintenance costs are the 

ongoing costs to maintain the monitor and other costs such as photocopying and postage.

(iii) Capital/Startup vs. Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Costs

Capital/Startup vs. Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Costs

(A)

Continuous 

Monitoring 

Device

(B)

Capital/Startup 

Cost for One 

Respondent

(C)

Number of 

New

Respondents

(D)

Total 

Capital/Startup 

Cost, (B X C)

(E)

Annual O&M 

Costs for One 

Respondent

(F)

Number of 

Respondents 

with O&M

(G)

Total O&M,

(E X F)

CMS $120,000 0 $0 $4,500 53 $238,500

Total $0 $238,500

The total capital/startup costs for this ICR are $0. This is the total of column D in the 

above table. 

The total operation and maintenance (O&M) costs for this ICR are $238,500. This is 

the total of column G. 

The average annual cost for capital/startup and operation and maintenance costs 

to industry over the next three years of the ICR is estimated to be $238,500. These are 

recordkeeping costs.

6(c) Estimating Agency Burden and Cost

The only costs to the Agency are those costs associated with analysis of the reported 

information. EPA's overall compliance and enforcement program includes activities such as the 

examination of records maintained by the respondents, periodic inspection of sources of 

emissions, and the publication and distribution of collected information. 
10

The average annual Agency cost during the three years of the ICR is estimated to be 

$22,192. 

This cost is based on the average hourly labor rate as follows:

Managerial $62.90 (GS-13, Step 5, $39.31 + 60%) 

Technical $46.67 (GS-12, Step 1, $29.17 + 60%)

Clerical $25.25 (GS-6, Step 3, $15.78 + 60%)

These rates are from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), 2014 General Schedule,

which excludes locality rates of pay. The rates have been increased by 60 percent to account for 

the benefit packages available to government employees. Details upon which this estimate is 

based appear below in Table 2: Average Annual EPA Burden and Cost – NSPS for Sulfuric Acid 

Plants (40 CFR Part 60, Subpart H) (Renewal).

6(d) Estimating the Respondent Universe and Total Burden and Costs

Based on our research for this ICR, on average over the next three years, approximately

53 existing respondents will be subject to the standard. It is estimated that no additional 

respondents per year will become subject. The overall average number of respondents, as shown 

in the table below, is 53 per year.

The number of respondents is calculated using the following table that addresses the three 

years covered by this ICR. 

Number of Respondents

Respondents That Submit Reports Respondents That Do 

Not Submit Any Reports

Year

(A)

Number of New 

Respondents 1

(B)

Number of 

Existing 

Respondents

(C)

Number of Existing 

Respondents that keep 

records but do not 

submit reports

(D)

Number of 

Existing 

Respondents That 

Are Also New

Respondents

(E)

Number of 

Respondents

(E=A+B+C-D)

1 0 53 0 0 53

2 0 53 0 0 53

3 0 53 0 0 53

Average 0 53 0 0 53

1

New respondents include sources with constructed, reconstructed and modified affected facilities.

Column D is subtracted to avoid double-counting respondents. As shown above, the 
11

average Number of Respondents over the three year period of this ICR is 53. 

The total number of annual responses per year is calculated using the following table: 

Total Annual Responses

(A)

Information Collection Activity

(B)

Number of 

Respondents

(C)

Number of 

Responses

(D)

Number of Existing 

Respondents That 

Keep Records But Do 

Not Submit Reports

(E)

Total Annual Responses

E=(BxC)+D

Notification of construction or 

modification 0 1 N/A 0

Notification of actual startup 0 1 N/A 0

Notification of physical or 

operational change 0 1 N/A 0

Notification of demonstration 

of CMS 0 1 N/A 0

Notification of initial 

performance test 0 1 N/A 0

Semiannual report of excess 

emissions 53 2 N/A 106

Total 106

The number of Total Annual Responses is 106.

The total annual labor costs are $1,312,776. Details regarding these estimates may be 

found below in Table 1: Annual Respondent Burden and Cost – NSPS for Sulfuric Acid Plants 

(40 CFR Part 60, Subpart H) (Renewal).

6(e) Bottom Line Burden Hours and Cost Tables

The detailed bottom line burden hours and cost calculations for the respondents and the 

Agency are shown in Tables 1 and 2 below, respectively, and summarized below. 

(i) Respondent Tally

The total annual labor hours are 13,409 hours. Details regarding these estimates may be 

found in Table 1: Annual Respondent Burden and Cost – NSPS for Sulfuric Acid Plants (40 

CFR Part 60, Subpart H) (Renewal).

Furthermore, the annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of 
12

information is estimated to average 127 hours per response.

The total annual capital/startup and O&M costs to the regulated entity are $238,500. The 

cost calculations are detailed in Section 6(b)(iii), Capital/Startup vs. Operation and Maintenance 

(O&M) Costs.

(ii) The Agency Tally

The average annual Agency burden and cost over next three years is estimated to be 488

labor hours at a cost of $22,192. See below Table 2: Average Annual EPA Burden and Cost –

NSPS for Sulfuric Acid Plants (40 CFR Part 63, Subpart H) (Renewal).

6(f) Reasons for Change in Burden

There is an increase in respondent burden in this ICR as compared to the previous ICR. 

This is not due to any program changes; rather, it is due to the correction of a mathematical error. 

We assume that 0.25 hours per occurrence over 350 occurrences per year is required to enter 

records of operating parameters. The previous ICR calculated 8 hours per respondent for this 

burden item (instead of 87.5 hours per respondent), which grossly underestimated recordkeeping 

burden. This correction changes the total respondent burden from 8,594 hours to 13,409 hours 

and the estimated burden cost from $822,650 to $1,312,776. There is also an increase in the 

estimated Agency costs due to the use of more updated labor rates.

6(g) Burden Statement

The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information 

is estimated to average 127 hours per response. Burden means the total time, effort, or financial 

resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide information 

to or for a Federal agency. This includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, 

acquire, install, and utilize technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and 

verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing 

information; adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable instructions and 

requirements; train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information; search data 

sources; complete and review the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise disclose 

the information.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a 

collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control 

Numbers for EPA regulations are listed at 40 CFR Part 9 and 48 CFR Chapter 15.

To comment on the Agency's need for this information, the accuracy of the provided 

burden estimates, and any suggested methods for minimizing respondent burden, including the 

use of automated collection techniques, EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under 

Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-OECA-2014-0035. An electronic version of the public docket is 

available at http://www.regulations.gov/ which may be used to obtain a copy of the draft 
13

collection of information, submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the 

contents of the docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available 

electronically. When in the system, select “search,” then key in the docket ID number identified 

in this document. The documents are also available for public viewing at the Enforcement and 

Compliance Docket and Information Center in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, 

Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC. The EPA Docket Center Public 

Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal 

holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone 

number for the docket center is (202) 566-1927. Also, you can send comments to the Office of 

Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street, NW, 

Washington, DC 20503, Attention: Desk Officer for EPA. Please include the EPA Docket ID 

Number EPA-HQ-OECA-2014-0035 and OMB Control Number 2060-0041 in any

correspondence. 

Part B of the Supporting Statement

This part is not applicable because no statistical methods were used in collecting this 

information.
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Table 1: Annual Respondent Burden and Cost – NSPS for Sulfuric Acid Plants (40 CFR Part 60, Subpart H) (Renewal)

Burden item

(A)

Person 

hours per 

occurrence

(B)

No. of 

occurrences 

per 

respondent 

per year

(C)

Person 

hours per 

respondent 

per year

(C=AxB)

(D)

Respondents 

per year 

a

(E)

Technical 

personhours per 

year

(E=CxD)

(F)

Management 

person hours 

per year

(Ex0.05)

(G)

Clerical 

person 

hours 

per year

(Ex0.1)

(H)

Total Cost 

Per year b

1. Applications N/A

2. Survey and Studies N/A

3. Reporting requirements

 A. Read instructions c1 1 1 0 0 0 0 $0

 B. Required activities

 Initial performance tests d300 1 300 0 0 0 0 $0

 Reference Method 9 test e4 1 4 0 0 0 0 $0

 Repeat of performance tests f300 1 300 0 0 0 0 $0

 C. Create information See 3B 

 D. Gather existing information See 3B 

 E. Write Report

 Application of construction or modification 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 $0

 Notification of actual startup 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 $0

 Notification of physical or operational 

change

2 1 2 0 0 0 0 $0

 Notification of demonstration of CMS 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 $0

 Notification of initial performance test 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 $0

 Semiannual report of excess emissions g40 2 80 53 4,240 212 424 $477,373.12

Subtotal for Reporting Requirements 4,876 $477,373

4. Recordkeeping requirements

 A. Read instructions See 3A

 B. Plan activities See 3A

 C. Implement Activities See 3A

 D. Develop record system N/A

 E. Time to enter information

 Records of operating parameters h0.25 350 87.5 53 4637.5 231.88 463.75 $522,126.85

 Record of conversion factors/calculation i0.05 1,050 52.5 53 2,782.5 139.13 278.25 $313,276.11

 F. Time to train personnel N/A

 G. Time for audits N/A
15

Burden item

(A)

Person 

hours per 

occurrence

(B)

No. of 

occurrences 

per 

respondent 

per year

(C)

Person 

hours per 

respondent 

per year

(C=AxB)

(D)

Respondents 

per year 

a

(E)

Technical 

personhours per 

year

(E=CxD)

(F)

Management 

person hours 

per year

(Ex0.05)

(G)

Clerical 

person 

hours 

per year

(Ex0.1)

(H)

Total Cost 

Per year b

Subtotal for Recordkeeping Requirements 8,533 $835,403

TOTAL LABOR BURDEN AND COST (rounded) 13,409 $1,312,776

Assumptions:

 a We have assumed that there are approximately 53 respondents, with no additional new or reconstructed sources becoming subject to the rule over the next 

three years.

 b

 This ICR uses the following labor rates: $128.02 per hour for Executive, Administrative, and Managerial labor; $101.05 per hour for Technical labor, and 

$51.37 per hour for Clerical labor. These rates are from the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, March 2014, Table 2. Civilian 

Workers, by Occupational and Industry groups. The rates are from column 1, Total Compensation. The rates have been increased by 110 percent to account for 

the benefit packages available to those employed by private industry.

c

 We have assumed that it will take one hour for each respondent to read instructions.

d

 We have assumed that it will take 300 hours for each respondent to complete an initial performance test.

e

 We have assumed that it will take four hours for each respondent to complete a reference Method 9 test.

f

 We have assumed that it will take 300 hours to repeat performance test due to failures.

g

 We have assumed that it will take 40 hours, twice a year, for each respondent to write an excess emission report.

h We have assumed that each respondent will enter information on records of operating parameters 350 times per year.

i 

 We have assumed that all information is entered on a weekly basis.

j 

 We have assumed that records of conversion factors will be recorded three times daily, at 350 days per year, for a total of 3x350=1,050 times per year.
16

Table 2: Average Annual EPA Burden and Cost – NSPS for Sulfuric Acid Plants (40 CFR Part 60, Subpart H) (Renewal)

Activity

(A)

EPA 

personhours per 

occurrence

(B)

No. of 

occurrence

s per plant 

per year

(C)

EPA 

personhours per 

plant per 

year

(C=AxB)

(D)

Plants 

per 

year 

a

(E)

Technical 

personhours per 

year

(E=CxD)

(F)

Management 

person-hours 

per year

(Ex0.05)

(G)

Clerical 

personhours 

per year

(Ex0.1)

(H)

Cost, $ b

New facility

 Initial performance test c50 1 50 0 0 0 0 $0

 Repeat performance test/observed d24 1 24 0 0 0 0 $0

Review reports

 Notification of construction 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 $0

 Notification of actual startup 0.5 1 0.5 0 0 0 0 $0

 Notification of initial test 0.5 1.2 0.6 0 0 0 0 $0

 Review test results 8 1.2 9.6 0 0 0 0 $0

 Notification of CMS demonstration 0.5 1 0.5 0 0 0 0 $0

 Existing facility 0.5 1 0.5 0 0 0 0 $0

 Excess emission reports e4 2 8 53 424 21.2 42.4 $22,192.16

TOTAL ANNUAL BURDEN AND COST (rounded) 488 $22,192

Assumptions:

 a

 We have assumed that there are approximately 53 respondents, with no additional new or reconstructed sources becoming subject to the rule over the next

 three years. 

b

 This ICR uses the following rates: $62.90 for Managerial (GS-13, Step 5, $39.31 + 60%), $46.67 for Technical (GS-12, Step 1, $29.17 + 60%) and $25.25 

Clerical (GS-6, Step 3, $15.78 + 60%). These rates are from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) 2014 General Schedule which excludes locality rates of 

pay. The rates have been increased by 60 percent to account for the benefit packages available to government employees.

c

 We have assumed that it will take fifty hours for each respondent to perform the initial performance test.

d

 We have assumed that it will take twenty-four hours for each respondent to repeat the performance test due to failure.

e

 We have assumed that it will take four hours, twice per year, for each respondent to review the excess emission reports.