[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 80 (Wednesday, April 24, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18136-18137]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-10093]



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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-5462-7]


Agency Information Collection Activities Under OMB Review; NSPS 
Subpart H, Sulfuric Acid Plants

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 
3507(a)(1)(D).), this notice announces that the following Information 
Collection Request (ICR) has been forwarded to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for review and approval: NSPS Subpart H, Sulfuric Acid 
Plants, OMB number 2060-0041, EPA ICR No. 1057.07 expires 06/31/96. The 
ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected 
burden and cost; where appropriate, it includes the actual data 
collection instrument.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before May 24, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR A COPY CALL: Sandy Farmer at EPA, (202) 260-
2740, and refer to EPA ICR No. 1057.07 and OMB No. 2060-0041.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

    Title: NSPS Subpart H, Sulfuric Acid Plants (OMB Control No. 2060-
0041; EPA ICR No. 1057.07) expiring 06/31/96. This is a request for 
extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: This ICR contains recordkeeping and reporting 
requirements that are mandatory for compliance with 40 CFR Part 60.80, 
Subpart H, New Source Performance Standards for Sulfuric Acid Plants. 
This information notifies the Agency when a source becomes subject to 
the regulations, and informs the Agency that the source is in 
compliance when it begins operation. The Agency is informed of the 
sources' compliance status by semiannual reports. The calibration and 
maintenance requirements aid in a source remaining in compliance.
    In the Administrator's judgment, SO<INF>2 and acid mist emissions 
from the manufacture of sulfuric acid cause or contribute to air 
pollution that may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health 
or welfare. Therefore, New Source Performance Standards have been 
promulgated for this source category as required under Section 111 of 
the Clean Air Act.
    The control of SO<INF>2 and acid mist requires not only the 
installation of properly designed equipment, but also

[[Page 18137]]

the proper operation and maintenance of that equipment. Sulfur dioxide 
and acid mist emissions from sulfuric acid plants result from the 
burning of sulfur or sulfur-bearing feedstocks to form SO<INF>2, 
catalytic oxidation of SO<INF>2 to SO<INF>3, and absorption of SO<INF>2 
in a strong acid stream. These standards rely on the capture of 
SO<INF>2 and acid mist by venting to a control device.
    Owners or operators of Sulfuric Acid Plants subject to NSPS are 
required to make the following one-time-only reports: notification of 
the date of construction or reconstruction; notification of the 
anticipated and actual dates of startup; notification of any physical 
or operational change to an existing facility which may increase the 
regulated pollutant emission rate; notification of demonstration of the 
continuous emission monitoring system (CEMS); notification of the date 
of the initial performance test; and the results of the initial 
performance test. After the initial recordkeeping and reporting 
requirements, semiannual reports are required if there has been an 
exceedance of control device operating parameters.
    Owners or operators 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 notification, reports and 
records are required, in general, of all sources subject to NSPS.
    Four new facilities are estimated to become subject to NSPS Subpart 
H annually.
    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 are listed in 40 CFR Part 9 and 48 CFR Chapter 15. The 
Federal Register Notice required under 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting 
comments on this collection of information was published on 12/08/95 
(60FR63039); no comments were received.
    Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping 
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 
595.80 hours per new facility, and 220 hours per existing facility. 
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 transit or otherwise disclose the information.
    Respondents/Affected Entities: 4 new facilities per year, 100 
existing facilities.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 106.
    Frequency of Response: 2.
    Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 24,823 hours.
    Estimated Total Annualized Cost Burden: $1,094,703.
    Send comments on the Agency's need for this information, the 
accuracy of the provided burden estimates, and any suggested methods 
for minimizing respondent burden, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques to the following addresses. Please 
refer to EPA ICR No. 1057.07 and OMB Control No. 2060-0041 in any 
correspondence.

Ms. Sandy Farmer,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
OPPE Regulatory Information Division (2137),
401 M Street, SW,
Washington, DC 20460
    and
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Office of Management and Budget,
Attention: Desk Officer for EPA
725 17th Street, NW,
Washington, DC 20503

    Dated: April 18, 1996.
Joseph Retzer,
Director, Regulatory Information Division.
[FR Doc. 96-10093 Filed 4-23-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-M