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###### Environmental Protection Agency

          - [EPA-HQ-OPPT-2017-0647; FRL-9243-01-OCSPP]

# AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

# ACTION:

Notice.

# SUMMARY:

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), this document announces the availability of and solicits public comment on an Information Collection Request (ICR) that EPA is planning to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The ICR, entitled: “PCBs, Consolidated Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements” and identified by EPA ICR No. 1446.14 and OMB Control No. 2070-0112, represents the renewal of an existing ICR that is scheduled to expire on November 30, 2022. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval under the PRA, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection summarized in this document. The ICR and accompanying material are available in the docket for public review and comment.

# DATES:

Comments must be received on or before June 6, 2022.

# ADDRESSES:

                        Submit your comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2017-0647, using the Federal eRulemaking Portal at                         *https://www.regulations.gov.*                         Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Additional instructions on commenting or visiting the docket, along with more information about dockets generally, is available at                         *https://www.epa.gov/​dockets.*

                        Due to the public health concerns related to COVID-19, the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC) is by appointment only. For the latest status information on EPA/DC and docket access, visit                         *https://www.epa.gov/​dockets.*

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

                        Katherine Sleasman, Regulatory Support Branch (7101M), Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (202) 420-0580; email address:                         *sleasman.katherine@epa.gov.*

*For general information contact:*                         The TSCA-Hotline, ABVI-Goodwill, 422 South Clinton Ave., Rochester, NY 14620; telephone number: (202) 554-1404; email address:                         *TSCA-Hotline@epa.gov.*

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

## I. What information is EPA particularly interested in?

Pursuant to PRA section 3506(c)(2)(A), 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A), EPA specifically solicits comments and information to enable it to:

1. 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.

2. Evaluate the accuracy of the Agency's estimates of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used.

3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected.

                    4. 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. In particular, EPA is requesting comments from very small businesses (those that employ less than 25) on examples of specific additional efforts that EPA could make to reduce the paperwork burden for very small businesses affected by this collection.                

## II. What information collection activity or ICR does this action apply to?

*Title:*                     PCBs, Consolidated Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements.                

*ICR numbers:*                     EPA ICR No. 1446.14; OMB control number: 2070-0112.                

*ICR status:*                     The existing ICR is currently scheduled to expire on November 30, 2022. An 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. The OMB control numbers for EPA's regulations in title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), after appearing in the                     **Federal Register**                     when approved, are listed in 40 CFR part 9, are displayed either by publication in the                     **Federal Register**                     or by other appropriate means, such as on the related collection instrument or form, if applicable. The display of OMB control numbers for certain EPA regulations is consolidated in 40 CFR part 9.                

*Abstract:*                     Section 6(e)(1) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), 15 U.S.C. 2605(e), directs EPA to regulate the marking and disposal of PCBs. Section 6(e)(2) bans the manufacturing, processing, distribution in commerce, and use of PCBs in other than a totally enclosed manner. TSCA section 6(e)(3) establishes a process for obtaining exemptions from the prohibitions on the manufacture, processing, and distribution in commerce of PCBs. Since 1978, EPA has promulgated numerous rules addressing all aspects of the life cycle of PCBs as required by the statute. The regulations are intended to prevent the improper handling and disposal of PCBs and to minimize the exposure of human beings or the environment to PCBs. These regulations have been codified in the various subparts of 40 CFR 761. There are approximately 100 specific reporting, third-party reporting, and recordkeeping requirements covered by 40 CFR 761. To meet its                           ( print page 20403)                        statutory obligations to regulate PCBs, EPA must obtain sufficient information to conclude that specified activities do not result in an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment. EPA uses the information collected under the 40 CFR 761 requirements to ensure that PCBs are managed in an environmentally safe manner and that activities are being conducted in compliance with the PCB regulations. The information collected by these requirements will update the Agency's knowledge of ongoing PCB activities, ensure that individuals using or disposing of PCBs are held accountable for their activities, and demonstrate compliance with the PCB regulations. Specific uses of the information collected include determining the efficacy of a disposal technology; evaluating exemption requests and exclusion notices; targeting compliance inspections; and ensuring adequate storage capacity for PCB waste. This collection addresses the several information reporting requirements found in the PCB regulations.                

The ICR, which is available in the docket along with other related materials, provides a detailed explanation of the collection activities and the burden estimate that is only briefly summarized here.

*Burden statement:*                     The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is 7.28 hours. Burden is defined in 5 CFR 1320.3(b).                

*Respondents/affected entities:*                     Entities potentially affected by this ICR are persons who currently possess PCB items, PCB-contaminated equipment, or other PCB waste.                

*Respondent's obligation to respond:*                     Mandatory, per 40 CFR 761 and TSCA section 6(e).                

*Estimated total number of potential respondents:*                     76,258.                

*Frequency of response:*                     On occasion.                

*Estimated total average number of responses for each respondent:*                     1.                

*Estimated total annual burden hours:*                     678,043 hours.                

*Estimated total annual costs:*                     $31,818,441, which includes an estimated burden cost of $31,815,826 and an estimated cost of $2,615 for capital investment or maintenance and operational costs.                

## III. Are there changes in the estimates from the last approval?

This ICR reflects a decrease of 3,364 hours (from 681,407 hours to 675,043 hours) in the total estimated respondent burden from that currently in the OMB inventory. This change is due to updates to the most current wage rate data and to revisions to the total number of respondents. The revisions to total number of respondents are the result of new data gathered for this ICR effort, updated Agency data regarding total numbers of regulated entities, and the overlapping coverage of the recently revised ICR for Universal Hazardous Waste Manifest, identified as EPA ICR No. 0801.25 and approved under OMB Control No. 2050-0039 through January 31, 2025.

In addition, OMB has requested that EPA move towards using the 18-question format for ICR Supporting Statements used by other federal agencies and departments and that is based on the submission instructions established by OMB in 1995, replacing the alternate format developed by EPA and OMB prior to 1995. The Agency does not expect this change in format to result in substantive changes to the information collection activities or related estimated burden and costs.

## IV. What is the next step in the process for this ICR?

                    EPA will consider the comments received and amend the ICR as appropriate. The final ICR package will then be submitted to OMB for review and approval pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.12. EPA will issue another                     **Federal Register**                     document pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.5(a)(1)(iv) to announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the opportunity to submit additional comments to OMB. If you have any questions about this ICR or the approval process, please contact the person listed under                     **FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT**                    .                

*Authority:*44 U.S.C. 3501*et seq.*

Dated: April 1, 2022.

Michal Freedhoff,

Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention.

[FR Doc. 2022-07442 Filed 4-6-22; 8:45 am]

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