Document ID: EPA-HQ-OAR-2012-0934-0126
Agency: epa
Document Type: Supporting & Related Material
Title: 
Posted Date: 2013-11-20T05:00Z

ICR Worksheet Change
2013 Revisions to the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule and Confidentiality Determinations for New or Substantially Revised Data Elements: Changes to the Data Reporting Requirements 

1.	Overview

      In October 2009, EPA finalized the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule (74 FR 56260; October 30, 2009) under 40 CFR part 98 ("Part 98").  The 2009 final Part 98, which became effective on December 29, 2009, includes reporting of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from certain facilities and suppliers.  Subsequent rules provide corrections and clarification on existing requirements; include requirements for additional facilities and suppliers; require reporters to provide information about parent companies, NAICS code(s), and whether emissions are from cogeneration; and finalize confidentiality determinations. Specifically, in 2010 and 2011, EPA promulgated requirements for subparts T, FF, II, and TT (75 FR 39736; July 12, 2010); information about parent companies, NAICS codes(s), and cogeneration (75 FR 57669; September 22, 2010); subpart W (75 FR 74458; November 30, 2010); subpart I, L, DD, QQ, and SS (75 FR 74774; December 1, 2010); subpart RR and UU (75 FR 75060; December 1, 2010) and confidentiality determinations (76 FR 30782; May 26, 2011). Collectively, the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule and its associated rulemakings are referred to as the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP). 
      
      In 2013, EPA revised and renewed the GHGRP Information Collection Request (ICR) to update the burdens and costs imposed by all of the current ICRs under the GHGRP (EPA ICR number 2300.10, OMB control number 2060-0629).

      EPA proposed amendments to Part 98 in the "2013 Revisions to the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule and Confidentiality Determinations for New or Substantially Revised Data Elements" (the 2013 Revisions) (78 FR 19802, April 2, 2013). EPA is finalizing the amendments in this rulemaking, including revisions to the Global Warming Potentials (GWPs) in Table A-1 of subpart A to match the GWPs published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in the 2007 Fourth Assessment Report. Additionally, EPA is finalizing technical corrections, clarifying revisions, and other amendments to 33 subparts of the GHGRP.  Finally, EPA is finalizing confidentiality determinations for new or substantially revised data elements included in the amendments in this rulemaking.
      
2.	Technical Corrections, Clarifying, and Other Amendments Affecting the Prior ICR for the GHG Reporting Rule

      Section 2 of this memorandum describes the clarifications, corrections, and modifications to the reporting requirements associated with the ICR for the subparts affected by the 2013 Revisions. Additional minor corrections, including minor edits to Part 98, are presented in the Table of 2013 Revisions (see Docket Id. No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2012-0934), and are not discussed in this memorandum.
      	
      The final amendments do not make any substantive changes to the reporting requirements in any of the subparts for which amendments are being finalized. As discussed in Section 2.1 of this memorandum, the final amendments to subpart A include revisions of the existing GWPs in Table A-1 of subpart A, which will affect the total number of facilities reporting under the GHGRP.  The amendments to the reporting requirements in the source category-specific subparts generally do not change the nature of the data reported and do not result in a significant increase in collection burden for reporters. 

2.1	Subpart A  -  General Provisions

	EPA is amending subpart A by updating the GWP values of certain compounds in Table A-1 of subpart A. These changes affect facilities and suppliers under Part 98 reporting the following GHGs: methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), certain hydrofluorocarbons, certain perfluorocarbons, and certain other fluorinated GHGs. EPA estimates that 184 new reporters will be required to report under the GHGRP due to the revised GWP values with a first year incremental cost of $2,195,400 ($2011) and an incremental annual cost of $1,316,750 per year. The annual costs for the additional reporters is an approximate increase of 1.3 percent above the existing reporters cost of compliance with Part 98. The changes to Table A-1 do not pose an increase in the collection burden for existing reporters, with the exception of some landfills which may exit the program later than expected. Table 2.1-A lists the costs for additional reporters and presents the first year and subsequent year costs for the affected source categories. 
    Table 2.1-A: Cost Impacts of Final Amendments for Additional Reporters
                                    Subpart
               Number of Additional Reporters Due to Revised GWP
  Incremental Cost Impact for All Additional Reporters ($/yr for first year)
Incremental Cost Impact for All Additional Reporters ($/yr for subsequent years)
I  -  Electronics Manufacturing
4
129,500
237,000
W - Petroleum & Natural Gas Systems
99
1,648,000
772,000
HH  -  Municipal Solid Waste Landfills
57
246,000
182,200
II - Industrial Wastewater
2
10,800
10,500
OO - Industrial GHG Suppliers
3
13,100
10,000
TT - Industrial Waste Landfills
19
112,000
98,050
Total
184
2,195,400
1,316,750
           a Subpart HH cost impact includes the reporting costs for 43 closed landfills that will exit the reporting program later than expected. Similarly, subpart TT cost impact includes the cost for 8 closed facilities.

	In addition to the amendments to GWP values in Table A-1, EPA is finalizing corrections and other clarifications to certain provisions of subpart A. EPA is finalizing an amendment to require facilities to report their latitude and longitude if the facility does not have a physical street address and a provision to include instructions for the reporting of a United States parent company legal name and address. EPA is also requiring facilities to indicate if one or more plant-sites have been assigned a "plant code" either by the Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Information Administration (EIA) or by the EPA's Clean Air Markets Divisions (CAMD). Additionally, EPA is amending 40 CFR 98.3(h)(4) to clarify the provisions for requesting an extension of the 45-day period for submission of revised reports in 40 CFR 98.3(h)(1) and (2). EPA is also revising several definitions under subpart A.
	
	Table 2.1-B lists the significant changes to reporting requirements under subpart A and provides an indication of the change in reporting burden for facilities.

Table 2.1-B: Changes to Reporting Requirements under Subpart A  -  General Provisions
                                 Rule Citation
                           Data Element Description
                              Change or Revisions
                               Change in Burden
98.3(c)(1)
If the facility does not have a physical street address, then the facility must provide the latitude and longitude representing the geographic centroid or center point of facility operations in decimal degree format.
Revises reporting element to require facilities without a physical address to report the latitude and longitude.
None  -  change is minor revision to reporting element and requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.3(c)(13)
An indication of whether the facility includes one or more plant-sites that have been assigned a "plant code" (as defined under §98.6) by either the Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Information Administration (EIA) or by the EPA's Clean Air Markets Division (CAMD).
New 
None  -  requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.

      EPA has reviewed the amendments to subpart A and determined that, other than the amendments to the GWP values in Table A-1, the technical corrections, clarifying and other amendments provide either additional clarification regarding the existing regulatory requirements, or minor revisions to the reporting requirements.  These amendments do not change the type of information that must be collected at the facility, nor do they impact the number of respondents.  In addition, the changes do not affect how GHG emissions or quantities are calculated. These changes do not require any additional monitoring, calculation, or data collection above what was already included in Part 98 and, therefore, impose no additional collection burden for facilities. 
      
2.2.  	Subpart C  -  General Stationary Fuel Combustion Sources

      For subpart C, EPA is expanding the use of the Tier 1 methodology to be used for Table C-1 fuels that are combusted in a unit with a maximum rated heat input capacity greater than 250 million British thermal units (mmBTU) per hour, if the fuel provides less than 10 percent of the annual heat input to the unit and the use of Tier 4 is not required. Expanding the use of the Tier 1 methodology will reduce monitoring burden for facilities that are subject to the requirements of subpart C and combust small amounts of secondary fuels. 
      
      EPA is also revising several emission factors and higher heating values (HHVs) for fuels in Table C-1 including, but not limited to, coals and coke, liquefied petroleum gases (e.g. propane, propylene, ethane, etc.), wood and wood residuals, and biogases. Of the changes to emission factors, the change with the largest percent difference (approximately 11 percent) is the emission factor for coke (which is also being revised to read "coal coke"). Approximately 1.6 percent of facilities that reported under subparts C and D for reporting year 2011 indicated using coke as a fuel for combustion in addition to other fuels. The majority of coal coke produced (92 percent) in the United States is used in blast furnaces for the conversion of iron ore into iron (U.S. EPA, 2001).  The emission factor for coal coke is not used in the calculation of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for iron furnaces. Due to the small number of facilities that reported using coke as a fuel, and because facilities do not typically use coke as the primary fuel, no additional facilities will be required to report under subpart C due to an increase in calculated CO2 emissions resulting from the increase to the coke emission factor in Table C-1.

      Table 1.2 lists the significant changes to reporting requirements under subpart C and provides an indication of the change in reporting burden for facilities.

Table 2.2: Changes to Reporting Requirements under Subpart C  -  General Stationary Fuel Combustion Sources
                                 Rule Citation
                           Data Element Description
                              Change or Revisions
                               Change in Burden
98.36(b)(11)
Plant code (as defined in 98.6)
New 
None  -  requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.36(c)(1)(xi)
Plant code (as defined in 98.6)
New 
None  -  requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.36(c)(2)(x)
Plant code (as defined in 98.6)
New 
None  -  requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.36(c)(3)(x)
Plant code (as defined in 98.6)
New 
None  -  requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.36(d)(1)(x)
Plant code (as defined in 98.6)
New 
None  -  requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.36(d)(2)(ii)(J)
Plant code (as defined in 98.6)
New 
None  -  requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.36(d)(2)(iii)(J)
Plant code (as defined in 98.6)
New 
None  -  requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.

      EPA has reviewed the amendments to subpart C and determined that the technical corrections, clarifying and other amendments provide either additional clarification regarding the existing regulatory requirements, or minor revisions to the reporting requirements.  These amendments do not change the type of information that must be collected at the facility, nor do they impact the number of respondents.  These changes do not require any additional monitoring, calculation, or data collection above what was already included in Part 98 and, therefore, impose no additional collection burden for facilities. 

2.3.  	Subpart H  -  Cement Production

      EPA is amending subpart H to require reporting of facility-wide cement production. This change will provide consistency in the reporting requirements for facilities using continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS) and not using CEMS. This amendment does not change the type of information that must be collected at the facility, nor does it impact the number of respondents.  This change does not require any additional monitoring, calculation, or data collection above what was already included in Part 98 and, therefore, imposes no additional collection burden for facilities.
      
      Table 2.3 lists the significant changes to reporting requirements under subpart H and provides an indication of the change in reporting burden for facilities.
      
Table 2.3: Changes to Reporting Requirements under Subpart H  -  Cement Production
                                 Rule Citation
                           Data Element Description
                              Change or Revisions
                               Change in Burden
98.86(a)(2)
Annual facility cement production.
Revised so reporting is on a annual facility wide basis instead of monthly kiln basis
None  -  data element reflects aggregated annual information that is currently gathered by reporters.

2.4.  	Subpart K  -  Ferroalloy Production

	EPA is finalizing two corrections to subpart K. First, EPA is correcting a term in Equation K-3. Second, EPA is adding the reporting requirement listed in Table 2.4.

Table 2.4 Changes to Reporting Requirements under Subpart K  -  Ferroalloy Production
                                 Rule Citation
                           Data Element Description
                              Change or Revisions
                               Change in Burden
98.116(e)
Annual process CH4 emissions (in metric tons) from each EAF used for the production of any ferroalloy listed in Table K - 1 of subpart K of 40 CFR part 98 (metric tons).
New
None  -  data element reflects aggregated annual information that is currently gathered by reporters.

      EPA has reviewed the amendments to subpart K and determined that the technical and added reporting requirement does not change the type of information that must be collected at the facility, nor do they impact the number of respondents.  These changes do not require any additional monitoring, calculation, or data collection above what was already included in Part 98 and, therefore, impose no additional collection burden for facilities.

2.5.  	Subpart L  -  Fluorinated Gas Production

	EPA is amending subpart L to extend temporary, less detailed reporting requirements for fluorinated gas producers for an additional year. The extension requires the same less detailed reporting for reporting year 2013 as for reporting years 2011 and 2012. The extension allows the EPA, as well as stakeholders, to consider the various options for reporting emissions under subpart L in conjunction with EPA's proposed changes regarding reporting inputs to emission equations for subpart L. These amendments represent an extension of a temporary reduction in reporting requirements and, therefore, impose no additional collection burden for facilities. 

2.6	Subpart N  -  Glass Production

	In addition to clarify several requirements and equations terms, EPA is revising the monitoring methods used to measure carbonate-based mineral mass-fractions to allow for more accurate measurement methods and provide flexibility for reporters. EPA is requiring that facilities use consensus standards that specify X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Based on the similarity in cost of the current standards (ASTM D-4326 and D-6349) and XRF, the revised measurement methods do not impose any additional collection burden on facilities subject to subpart N.

2.7	Subpart O  -  HFC-22 Production and HFC-23 Destruction

	EPA is adding a sentence to 40 CFR 98.156(c) to clarify how to report the HFC-23 concentration at the outlet of the destruction device in the event the concentration falls below the detection limit of the measuring device. This amendment is a minor revision to the reporting requirement and does not change the type of information that must be collected at the facility. The change does not require any additional monitoring, calculation, or data collection above what was already included in Part 98 and, therefore, imposes no additional burden for facilities.

2.8	Subpart P  -  Hydrogen Production

	EPA is finalizing several corrections and clarifications to subpart P to clarify the fuel and feedstock material balance approach and to provide additional flexibility for reporters using Equations P-1 and P-2, and chromatographic analysis. EPA is also removing the requirement to report hydrogen and ammonia production for all units combined. EPA has reviewed the amendments to subpart P and determined that these changes do not require any additional monitoring, calculation, or data collection above what was already included in Part 98 and, therefore, impose no additional collection burden for facilities.
      
2.9	Subpart Q  -  Iron and Steel Production

	EPA is finalizing multiple amendments to subpart Q to clarify certain provisions and calculation methods. First, EPA is including direct reduction furnaces not co-located with an integrated iron and steel manufacturing process, as these furnaces were inadvertently excluded from the original rulemaking. Because this change only impacts one facility that is already reporting under subpart Q, this change does not impose any additional collection burden on reporters. 

      Second, EPA is amending Equation Q-5 in subpart Q to account for the use of gaseous fuels in EAFs. Because facilities currently determine the mass rate of fuels using the procedures in subpart C and must report the annual volume of gaseous fuels, reporters will not need to collect or record any additional information to account for the use of gaseous fuels in equation Q-5 in subpart Q. Therefore, this change imposes no additional collection burden on reporters subject to subpart Q.
      
2.10.  	Subpart X  -  Petrochemical Production

      EPA is finalizing several substantial changes to subpart X. EPA is requiring reporters using CEMS to determine CO2 emissions to use Equation C-10 of subpart C to Part 98 to calculate CH4 and N2O emissions from burning process off-gas. Because Tier 4 units can use best available information to estimate fuel use (see 40 CFR 98.22(c)(4)(i) and 40 CFR 98.33(c)(4)(ii)(C)), this change imposes no additional collection burden on reporters subject to subpart Q. 
      
      EPA is also finalizing several changes for those reporters that use the mass balance calculation method. First, EPA is allowing flexibility for the source of the carbon measurements for feedstocks and products. Next, EPA is allowing the alternative sampling requirements for feedstocks and products when the composition is greater than 99.5 percent of a single compound to be used during all times that the average monthly concentration is above 99.5 percent. Additionally, EPA is allowing the inputs for gaseous feedstock and products to be measured on either a mass basis or on a volume basis in Equation X-1. EPA is also allowing facilities to use industry standard practices for the analysis of carbon black feedstock oils and carbon black products, instead of a specified list of standards currently provided in 40 CFR 98.244(b)(4). There is no additional collection burden as a result of these changes since they allow additional flexibility for reporters.  
      
      EPA is clarifying the requirements for flares to specify that facilities must conduct monitoring and quality assurance in accordance with 40 CFR 98.254(b) through (e) for each flare gas flow meter, gas composition meter, and/or heating value monitor that is used to comply with 40 CFR 98.253(b)(1) through (3), which was EPA's original intent. We are specifying in the final amendments that reporters must implement the applicable QA/QC requirements by January 1, 2015. Since the change is a clarification, no additional collection burden is imposed on reporters subject to subpart X. 
      
      EPA is clarifying the missing data procedures for missing feedstock and product flow rates, missing feedstock and product carbon contents, and missing molecular weights for gaseous feedstocks and products. EPA is also adding missing data requirements for flares. Because these amendments only clarify the existing missing data procedures for subpart X facilities, these amendments do not impose any additional collection burden on reporters. 
      
      Amendments to reporting requirements under subpart X are presented in Table 2.10. These changes are minor revisions and clarifications to the existing reporting requirements and do not require facilities to install any additional monitoring equipment or develop any additional monitoring and record keeping procedures; therefore, these reporting requirements result in an insignificant increase in collection burden for facilities reporting under subpart X.
      
Table 2.10: Changes to Reporting Requirements under Subpart X  -  Petrochemical Production
                                 Rule Citation
                           Data Element Description
                              Change or Revisions
                               Change in Burden
98.246(a)(6)
Name of each method listed in §98.244(b)(4) used to determine carbon content or molecular weight and a description of each type of device (e.g., flow meter, weighing device) and identification of methods (i.e., method number, title, or other description) used to determine flow or mass in accordance with §98.244(b)(1) through (3).
Revised to specify reporting requirements and add requirement to report description of device used to measure flow or mass.
None  -  change is minor revision to reporting element and requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.246(a)(8)
Identification of each combustion unit that burned both process off-gas and supplemental fuel, including combustion units that are not part of the petrochemical process unit.
Revised to clarify reporter must include combustion units that are not part of the petrochemical process unit.
None  -  facility not required to install additional equipment or develop additional procedures.
98.246(b)(4)
For each CEMS monitoring location that meets the conditions in paragraph (b)(2) or (3) of this section, provide an estimate based on engineering judgment of the fraction of the total CO2 emissions that results from CO2 directly emitted by the petrochemical process unit plus CO2 generated by the combustion of off-gas from the petrochemical process unit
Revised to refer to the conditions in (b)(2) and (b)(3) and to specify reporting of  total CO2 emissions attributable to the petrochemical process unit (process and off-gas combustion).
None  -  facility not required to install additional equipment for develop additional procedures.
98.246(b)(5)
For each CEMS monitoring location that meets the conditions in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, report the CH4 and N2O emissions expressed in metric tons of each gas. 
Revised to refer to the conditions in (b)(2), and to clarify emissions of CH4 and N2O be reported for each CEMS monitoring location.
None - change is minor revision to reporting element and requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.246(b)(5)
For each CEMS monitoring location, provide an estimate based on engineering judgment of the fraction of the total CH4 and N2O emissions that is attributable to combustion of off-gas from the petrochemical process unit
Revised to clarify the fraction of CH4 and N2O attributable to combustion of off gas, rather than the fraction of all emissions.
None - change is minor revision to reporting element and requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.

2.11.  	Subpart Y  -  Petroleum Refineries

	EPA is finalizing changes, technical corrections, and clarifying amendments to subpart Y. In addition to clarifying calculation methodologies and revising references, we are clarifying two reporting elements, which are listed in Table 2.11.  Since the changes to the reporting elements in Table 2.11 are clarifications, no additional collection burden is imposed on reporters subject to subpart Y.

Table 2.11: Changes to Reporting Requirements under Subpart Y  -  Petroleum Refineries Production
                                 Rule Citation
                           Data Element Description
                              Change or Revisions
                               Change in Burden
98.256(j)(10)
If you use Equation Y-19 of this subpart, the relevant information required under paragraph (l)(5) of this section.
Clarification of which data elements must be reported.
None  -  clarifies which data elements must be reported.
98.256(k)(6)
If you use Equation Y-19 of this subpart, the relevant information required under paragraph (l)(5) of this section for each set of coke drums or vessels of the same size.
Clarification of which data elements must be reported.
None  -  clarifies which data elements must be reported.

2.12.  	Subpart Z  -  Phosphoric Acid Production

      EPA is finalizing several clarifying amendments to subpart Z. As presented in Table 2.12, EPA is changing the reporting requirement of the annual permitted phosphoric acid production capacity to the annual phosphoric acid production capacity. This change does not impose any additional collection burden on reporters since the information should be readily available in facility records. EPA is also adding a reporting requirement to report the number of times missing data procedures were used to estimate the CO - 2 content of the phosphate rock. This change does not impose any additional collection burden for reporters because facilities are already required to keep records for estimating missing values of CO - 2 content of phosphate rock per 40 CFR 98.265(a), and no new information is collected.

Table 2.12: Changes to Reporting Requirements under Subpart Z  -  Phosphoric Acid Production
                                 Rule Citation
                           Data Element Description
                              Change or Revisions
                               Change in Burden
98.266(b)
Annual phosphoric acid production capacity.
Revised to require production capacity instead of permitted production capacity.
None - change is minor revision to reporting element and requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.266(f)(8)
Number of times missing data procedures were used to estimate CO2 contents of the phosphate rock (months) (if applicable).
New
None  -  requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.

2.13.  	Subpart AA  -  Pulp and Paper Production
      
      EPA is correcting emission factors and clarifying the information that must be reported under subpart AA. First, EPA is removing the references to site-specific emission factors in 40 CFR 98.273(a)(3), 40 CFR 98.276(e), and Equation AA-1. EPA is also correcting printing errors, inadvertent omissions, and inconsistencies from Table AA-1 and AA-2. These changes do not impose any additional collection burden since no additional reporting requirements or monitoring is required. 
      
      EPA is also amending the reporting requirement for the annual pulp and/or paper production information that must be reported. As shown in Table 2.13, EPA is clarifying that the annual production information must consist of the production of unbleached virgin pulp produced onsite during the reporting year, prior to application of any off-machine coatings. EPA clarified the production reporting requirement under 40 CFR 98.276(k) in the "Frequently Asked Questions" section of EPA's supporting website for the GHGRP. EPA specified that facilities should report virgin chemical pulp production at the mill separate from the mass of paper product exiting all of the paper machine(s) at the mill; therefore, EPA is clarifying the reporting requirement and removing the requirement to report paper production. No new reporting or monitoring is required by reporters; therefore, this change does not impose any additional collection burden on reporters subject to subpart AA.
      
Table 2.13: Changes to Reporting Requirements under Subpart AA  -  Pulp and Paper Production
                                 Rule Citation
                           Data Element Description
                              Change or Revisions
                               Change in Burden
98.276(k)

Annual production of unbleached virgin chemical pulp produced onsite during the reporting year.
Revised to specify products reported.
None - change is minor revision to reporting element and requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.

2.14	Subpart BB  -  Silicon Carbide Production

      For subpart BB, Silicon Carbide Production, EPA is removing the requirement for facilities to report CH4 emissions from silicon carbide process units or furnaces. Additionally, EPA is amending subpart BB such that facilities will calculate and report CO2 emissions for all process units and furnaces combined, instead of each process unit or production furnace. The remaining changes to subpart BB either support these amendments, or provide minor clarifications of the rule text. Both of these major changes reduce the collection burden for facilities subject to subpart BB.

2.15	Subpart DD  -  Electrical Transmission and Distribution Equipment Use 
      
      EPA is finalizing two technical corrections to subpart DD to correct the accuracy and precision requirements for weighing cylinders. Instead of scale accuracies of "2 pounds of the scale's capacity," EPA is revising the rule to be consistent with their original intention of "2 pounds of true weight." This accuracy requirement was noted in the technical support document to subpart DD, EPA's response to public comments for subpart DD, and the preamble to the final Part 98 (74 FR 56260, October 30, 2009). In our response to comments, we noted that a "2 pounds of true weight" requirement would be less burdensome than the 1 percent of true weight requirement originally proposed. Therefore, amending the rule to reflect EPA's original intent imposes no additional collection burden.
      
2.16.  	Subpart FF  -  Underground Coal Mines

      EPA is finalizing numerous amendments to subpart FF. The majority of the changes include terminology revisions that more accurately reflect industry operations, correction of subscript errors, and minor clarifications of rule text. More substantially, EPA is including the reporting of the data elements identified in Table 2.16. All of these data elements are readily available to reporters and do not require additional monitoring equipment or development of additional monitoring and record keeping procedures; therefore, the changes to subpart FF impose an insignificant collection burden to covered facilities.

Table 2.16: Changes to Reporting Requirements under Subpart FF  -  Underground Coal Mines
                                 Rule Citation
                           Data Element Description
                              Change or Revisions
                               Change in Burden
98.326(i)
If the quarterly CH4 concentration is based on CEMS or weekly sampling.
New 
None  -  requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.326(o)
The moisture correction factor (if applicable) used in Equation FF - 1 and FF - 3.
New
None  -  requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.326(r)(2)
Start date of each well, shaft, and vent hole.
New
None  -  requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.326(r)(2)
Close date of each well, shaft, and vent hole.
New
None  -  requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.326(r)(3)
Number of days each well, shaft, or vent hole was in operation during the reporting year.
New
None  -  requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.326(t)
Quarterly CH4 routed to each destruction device or offsite transfer point.
New
None  -  requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.326(u)
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) identification.
New
None  -  requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.

2.17.  	Subpart HH  -  Municipal Solid Waste Landfills

      For subpart HH, EPA is removing the option to used measured values for the degradable organic carbon content in Equation HH-1. EPA is also clarifying that the fraction by volume of CH4 in the landfill gas, used in Equation HH-1, should be corrected to zero percent oxygen. Additionally, EPA is reducing the measurement frequency for sampling CH4 concentrations from weekly to monthly for the parameter "N" in Equation HH-4. To clarify how to calculate CH4 emissions at landfills with gas collection systems that have multiple measurement locations and/or multiple destruction devices, EPA is amending Equations HH-6, HH-7, and HH-8 and surrounding text to generalize these equations and to refer to oxidation fractions in Table HH-4. EPA is finalizing the oxidation fraction values in Table HH-4 as proposed, with the exception that we are limiting the landfills that can use these new CH4 flux-dependent oxidation fractions to those that have cover soils of 24 inches or more over a majority of the landfill area containing waste.

      EPA is also making several more minor clarifications and amendments including removing duplicative reporting requirements. We are finalizing amendments that CH4 recovery calculated using Equation HH-4 and the annual operating hours of the gas collection systems are to be reported separately for each measurement location. Because 40 CFR 98.343(b)(1) and (2) require use of Equation HH-4 separately for each monitoring location, it is clear that the CH4 recovery and the fraction of hours the recovery system operated needs to be determined separately for each measurement location as these are separate inputs for Equations HH-6 and HH-8 when multiple measurement locations are used. Since this change is a clarification, no additional collection burden is imposed on reporters subject to subpart HH.

      We are also providing a very limited exclusion within 40 CFR 98.340 for certain closed landfills that have not previously had to report under subpart HH, but would newly be required to report starting in reporting year 2014 because the amended CH4 GWP causes them to exceed the 25,000 metric tons CO2e emissions threshold for the first time. We have added this exclusion to remove the burden for these closed landfills, who would otherwise be required to estimate historical waste quantities and develop their first annual report.

      Amendments to reporting requirements under subpart HH are presented in Table 2.17. Although 40 CFR 98.346(h), (i)(5), (i)(8), (i)(10), and (i)(11) include new reporting requirements, facilities are not required to install any additional monitoring equipment or develop any additional monitoring and record keeping procedures; therefore, these additional reporting requirements have no significant impact on the collection burden for facilities reporting under subpart HH.

Table 2.17: Changes to Reporting Requirements under Subpart HH  -  Municipal Solid Waste Landfills
                                 Rule Citation
                           Data Element Description
                              Change or Revisions
                               Change in Burden
98.346(h)
Oxidation fraction used in the calculation for CH4 generation for landfills without gas collection systems
New
None  -  requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.346(i)(5)
For each measurement location the number of destruction devices associated with that measurement location
New
None  -  requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.346(i)(6)
For each measurement location, the annual quantity of recovered CH4 calculated using Equation HH - 4 
Revised to specify for each measurement location.
None - change is minor revision to reporting element and requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.346(i)(7)
For each measurement location, annual operating hours of the gas collection system 
Revised to specify for each measurement location.
None - change is minor revision to reporting element and requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.346(i)(8)
Oxidation fraction used in Equation HH-5 for landfills with gas collection systems.
New
None  -  requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.346(i)(10)
Oxidation fraction used in Equation HH-7 for landfills with gas collection systems.
New
None  -  requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.346(i)(11)
Oxidation fraction used in Equation HH-6 for landfills with gas collection systems.
New
None  -  requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.

2.18.  	Subpart LL  -  Suppliers of Coal-Based Liquid Fuels

      EPA is finalizing several amendments to subpart LL. In addition to providing minor clarification for reporting requirements, EPA is removing the requirements at 40 CFR 98.386(a)(1), (a)(5), (a)(13), (b)(1) and (c)(1) for each facility, importer, and exporter to report the annual quantity of each product or natural gas liquid on the basis of the measurement standards method or industry standard practice used. Removing these requirements results in a net decrease in the collection burden for reporters subject to subpart LL since this requires less detailed reporting under subpart L than would have otherwise been required by the December 2010 subpart L final rule.

2.19	Subpart MM  -  Suppliers of Petroleum Products

      In addition to several minor correction and clarifications, EPA is finalizing several technical corrections for subpart MM. First, EPA is amending the equipment calibration requirements for petroleum products suppliers to be consistent with other Part 98 calibration requirements to allow for postponement of calibrations for units and processes that operate continuously with infrequent outages and provide flexibility for reporters meeting the equipment calibration requirements. Next, EPA is removing the requirements of 40 CFR 98.396(a)(1), (a)(5), (a)(13), (b)(1) and (c)(1) for each facility, importer, and exporter to report the annual quantity of each petroleum product or natural gas liquid on the basis of the measurement standard method or industry standard practice used. EPA is also removing the requirements of 40 CFR 98.396(a)(4), (a)(8), (a)(15), (b)(4), and (c)(4) for each facility, importer, and exporter to report a complete list of methods used to measure the annual quantities reported for each product or natural gas liquid. In another step to reduce recordkeeping and reporting burden, the reporting requirements for crude oil at 40 CFR 98.396(a)(20) are changed to require only the annual quantity of crude oil. EPA is also eliminating the requirement to measure the API gravity of each batch of crude oil at 40 CFR 98.394(d). EPA is adding and revising several definitions and revising the default density and emission factors in Table MM-1 in subpart MM. The changes to subpart MM provide additional flexibility for reporters and reduce the information collection burden for those facilities required to report under subpart MM.
      
2.20.  	Subpart NN  -  Suppliers of Natural Gas and Natural Gas Liquids

      EPA is finalizing several technical corrections to subpart NN. First, EPA is amending the definition of Local Distribution Companies (LDC) to clarify that for LDCs that operate in multiple states, the operations in each state are considered a separated LDC. EPA is also clarifying that interstate and intrastate pipelines delivering natural gas either directly to major industrial users or to farm taps upstream of the LDC inlet are not included in the definition of an LDC. These clarifications do not impose any additional burden on reporters. In "Q286" of the "Frequently Asked Questions" section of EPA's supporting website for the GHGRP, EPA initially clarified its intent that the owner/operator of each LDC that is regulated as a separate operating company by State public utility commissions or that operate as independent municipally - owned distribution systems must submit an annual report. Therefore, the clarifications are a follow-up to previous guidance and no additional owners/operators are required to report as a result of the change. 
      
      EPA is also changing the calculation and reporting requirements that require LDCs to report the annual volume of natural gas delivered to each meter registering supply equal to or greater than 460,000 million standard cubic feet (Mscf). EPA is finalizing a requirement that if the LDC knows, based on readily available information, that multiple meters serve one large end user facility (defined in the final rule as a facility receiving a total of greater than 460,000 Mscf during the year), the LDC is required to report these deliveries per facility rather than per meter. If the LDC does not know if the series of meters serve an individual end user or multiple facilities, the LDC may continue to report deliveries to individual meters. Because LDCs are able to report on a per facility, rather than per meter basis, the collection burden is reduced. 
      
      EPA is amending part of the calculation methodology in subpart NN. Subpart NN currently requires the use of a single emission factor for all types of gas streams accounted for in Equation NN-5. Because the characteristics of these streams may differ, EPA is replacing equation NN-5 with two equations, NN-5a and NN-5b. The greenhouse gas quantity associated with the net amount of natural gas that is placed into or removed from storage during the year is to be calculated using equation NN-5a. Emissions that would result from the combustion or oxidation of natural gas received by the LDC that bypassed the city gate are calculated using Equation NN-5b, which allows the use of different emission factors for different streams of gas. Additionally, EPA is changing Equation NN-6 to incorporate the two NN-5 equations.  Reporters are only required to modify their calculation methodology and are not be required to install any additional monitoring equipment. Therefore, no additional collection burden is imposed on facilities required to report under subpart NN because of these changes.
      
      As presented in Table 2.20, EPA is also requiring the reporting of the quantity of o-grade, y-grade, and other types of bulk natural gas liquids (NGLs) received, and the quantity not fractionated, but supplied downstream. Reporters are not required to purchase or install any new monitoring equipment as a result of these reporting requirements since (per 40 CFR 98.404(a)(1)) fractionators and LDCs are required to determine quantities using methods in common use in the industry for billing purposes as audited under existing Sarbanes Oxley regulation. Therefore, these changes do not present an additional collection burden on facilities subject to subpart NN.
      
      Table 2.20: Changes to Reporting Requirements under Subpart NN  -  Suppliers of Natural Gas and Natural Gas Liquids
                                 Rule Citation
                           Data Element Description
                              Change or Revisions
                               Change in Burden
98.406(a)(4)(i)
NGL Fractionator: Annual quantity (in barrels) of y-grade, o-grade, or other bulk NGLs received.
Revised to specify quantity and materials received.
None - change is minor revision to reporting element and requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.406(a)(4)(ii)
NGL Fractionator: Annual quantity (in barrels) of y-grade, o-grade, or other bulk NGLs supplied to downstream users that are not fractionated by the reporter.
Revised to specify quantity and materials supplied downstream.
None - change is minor revision to reporting element and requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.406(b)(2)
LCDs: Annual volume in Mscf of natural gas placed into storage or liquefied and stored (Fuel 1 in Equation NN-5a).
Revised to harmonize reporting requirements with calculation changes.
None - change is minor revision to reporting element and requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.406(b)(3)
LCDs: Annual volume in Mscf of vaporized liquefied natural gas (LNG) produced at on-system vaporization facilities for delivery on the distribution system (Fuel2 in Equation NN-5a).
Revised to harmonize reporting requirements with calculation changes.
None - change is minor revision to reporting element and requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.406(b)(3)
LCDs: Annual volume in Mscf of natural gas withdrawn from on-system storage for delivery on the distribution system (Fuel2 in Equation NN-5a).
New
None  -  requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.406(b)(5)
LCDs: Annual volume in Mscf of natural gas that bypassed the city gates and was supplied through the LDC distribution system.  This includes natural gas from producers and natural gas processing plants from local production, or natural gas that was vaporized upon receipt and delivered, and any other source that bypassed the city gate (Fuelz in Equation NN-5b).
Revised to harmonize reporting requirements with calculation changes.
None - change is minor revision to reporting element and requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.406(b)(7)
LCDs: Annual volume in Mscf of natural gas delivered by the LDC to each large end-user as defined in §98.403(b)(2)(i). 
Revised to clarify amount delivered to each sales or transportation customer's facility.
None - change is minor revision to reporting element and requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.406(b)(12)
LCDs: Meter number for each large end-user reported in paragraph (b)(7).
Revised to specify end-user instead of meter reading.
None - change is minor revision to reporting element and requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.406(b)(12)
LCDs: Whether the quantity of natural gas reported in paragraph (b)(7) is the total quantity delivered or the quantity delivered to a large end-user's facility, or the quantity delivered to a specific meter located at the facility.
New
None - requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.

2.21.  	Subpart QQ  -  Importers and Exporters of Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Contained in Pre-Charged Equipment or Closed-Cell Foams

      EPA is finalizing multiple revisions to subpart QQ. In addition to minor corrections and clarifications, EPA is removing the following reporting requirements: 40 CFR 98.436(a)(5), (a)(6)(iv), (b)(5), and (b)(6)(iv). EPA is also revising the reporting requirements presented in Table 2.21. The removal of reporting requirements reduce the collection burden for facilities required to report under subpart QQ.

Table 2.21: Changes to Reporting Requirements under Subpart QQ  -  Importers and Exporters of Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Contained in Pre-Charged Equipment or Closed-Cell Foams
                                 Rule Citation
                           Data Element Description
                              Change or Revisions
                               Change in Burden
98.436(a)(6)(iii)
If the reporter does not know the identity and the mass of the F-GHGs within the closed cell foam: For closed cell foams that are not imported inside of equipment, the density in CO2e of the F-GHGs in the foam.
Revised to change mass to density.
None - change is minor revision and technical clarification to reporting element.
98.436(b)(6)(iii)
If the reporter does not know the identity and the mass of the F-GHGs within the closed cell foam: For closed cell foams that are not exported inside of equipment, the density in CO2e of the F-GHGs in the foam.
Revised to change mass to density.
None - change is minor revision and technical clarification to reporting element.

2.22.  	Subpart RR  -  Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide

      In addition to minor corrections and clarifications to subpart RR, EPA is adding a reporting requirement, presented in Table 2.22, for facilities to report the standard or method used to calculate the mass or volume of contents in containers that is redelivered to another facility without being injected into the well. The data element does not require additional data collection or monitoring from reporters and is not a significant change. Therefore, this amendment does not add any collection burden for reporting entities.

Table 2.22: Changes to Reporting Requirements under Subpart RR  -  Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide
                                 Rule Citation
                           Data Element Description
                              Change or Revisions
                               Change in Burden
98.446(b)(5)
The standard or method used to calculate each value in paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(2), and (b)(3) of 40 CFR 98.446.
Revised to include paragraph (b)(3).
None - change is minor revision to reporting element and requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.

2.23.  	Subpart TT  -  Industrial Waste Landfills

      EPA is finalizing multiple changes to subpart TT. EPA is revising definitions in Equation TT-1 and TT-7 and correcting Equation TT-7 by deleting an erroneous term. EPA is also making a change to clarify that the number of waste streams for which Equation TT-1 is used includes the number of "inert" waste streams disposed of in the landfill. Additionally, EPA is expanding the provisions to determine volatile solids concentration for historically managed waste streams so that they may also be used for determining a site-specific DOC value for historically managed waste streams. EPA is also eliminating duplicative reporting requirements and to clarify the requirements for reporters when using Equations TT-4a or TT-4b. EPA is finalizing amendments to revise the oxidation fraction default value ("OX") in Equation TT-6 to reference the new default oxidation factors in Table HH-4; however, we have revised the amendments to limit the new oxidation factors to landfills with soil covers of at least 24 inches for a majority of the landfill area containing waste, and to allow the continued use of the 0.10 default oxidation factor for facilities that do not meet these requirements. EPA is also making changes to Table TT-1 to include the DOC default value of 0.09 for "Industrial Sludge," and the corresponding k-values. None of the changes to subpart TT require any additional monitoring or recordkeeping and reporting by facilities, therefore these changes do not impose any additional collection burden. Amendments to the reporting requirements under subpart TT are presented in Table 2.23. 
      
Table 2.23: Changes to Reporting Requirements under Subpart TT  -  Industrial Waste Landfills
                                 Rule Citation
                           Data Element Description
                              Change or Revisions
                               Change in Burden
98.466(b)(1)
The number of waste steams (including "Other Industrial Solid Waste (not otherwise listed)" and "Inerts ") for which Equation TT - 1 of this subpart is used to calculate modeled CH4 generation.
Revised to include inert waste streams.
None - change is minor revision to reporting element and requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.466(c)(5)(i)
WIP at start of reporting year , or design capacity for closed landfills
New
None  -  requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.466(c)(5)(ii)
The cumulative quantity of waste placed in the landfill
New
None  -  requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.466(c)(5)(iii)
If Equation TT-4b is used, the value of the term "YrLast."
New
None  -  requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.466(c)(5)(iv)
If Equation TT-4b is used, the value of the term "YrOpen."
New
None  -  requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.466(c)(5)(v)
If Equation TT-4b is used, the value of the term "NYrData."
New
None  -  requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.466(d)(3)
For each waste stream, indication as to whether the DOCx was a default value from Table TT-1 or a value determined through measurement.
Revised to clarify that the data element must be reported for each waste stream.
None - change is minor revision to reporting element and requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.466(h)(1)
For landfills with gas collection systems, CH4 generation, adjusted for oxidation, calculated using equation TT-6
Revised to clarify this requirement should be calculated using Equation TT-6.
None - change is minor revision to reporting element and requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.466(h)(2)
For landfills with gas collection systems, oxidation factor used in Equation TT-6.
New
None  -  requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.

2.24.  	Subpart UU  -  Injection of Carbon Dioxide

      EPA is finalizing technical amendments to subpart UU. As presented in Table 2.24, EPA is adding a requirement to subpart UU for facilities to report the purpose of CO2 injection (i.e., Research and Development project exemption from subpart RR, enhanced oil or gas recovery, acid gas disposal, or some other reason). EPA is also adding a requirement for facilities to report the standard or method used to calculate the parameters for CO - 2 received in containers. None of these reporting requirements require facilities to collect any additional data or install and operate any additional monitoring equipment. As a result, the changes impose no significant collection burden on facilities required to report under subpart UU.
      
Table 2.24: Changes to Reporting Requirements under Subpart UU  -  Injection of Carbon Dioxide
                                 Rule Citation
                           Data Element Description
                              Change or Revisions
                               Change in Burden
98.476(b)(5)
The standard or method used to calculate each value in paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(2), and (b)(3) of 40 CFR 98.476.
Revised to include paragraph (b)(3).
None - change is minor revision to reporting element and requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.476(e)(1)
Whether the facility received a Research and Development project exemption from reporting under 40 CFR Part 98 subpart RR for the reporting year.
New
None  -  requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.476(e)(1)
If the facility received a Research and Development project exemption from reporting under 40 CFR Part 98 subpart RR for the reporting year, the start date of the exemption.
New
None  -  requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.476(e)(1)
If the facility received a Research and Development project exemption from reporting under 40 CFR Part 98 subpart RR for the reporting year, the end date of the exemption.
New
None  -  requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.476(e)(2)
Whether the facility includes a well or group of wells where a CO2 stream was injected into subsurface geologic formations to enhance the recovery of oil during the reporting year.
New
None  -  requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.476(e)(3)
Whether the facility includes a well or group of wells where a CO2 stream was injected into subsurface geologic formations to enhance the recovery of natural gas during the reporting year.
New
None  -  requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.476(e)(4)
Whether the facility includes a well or group of wells where a CO2 stream was injected into subsurface geologic formations for acid gas disposal during the reporting year.
New
None  -  requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.476(e)(5)
Whether the facility includes a well or group of wells where a CO2 stream was injected for a purpose other than those listed in (e)(1)through (4) of 40 CFR 98.476.
New
None  -  requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.
98.476(e)(5)
The purpose of the injection, if the facility injected CO2 for a purpose of than those listed in paragraph (e)(1) through (4) of 40 CFR 98.476.
New
None  -  requires reporting of information that facilities are expected to have readily available.

3.	Final Confidentiality Determinations Affecting the Prior ICR for the GHG Reporting Rule

      EPA is finalizing confidentiality determinations for all newly finalized or substantially revised (i.e., requiring additional or different data to be reported) data elements in subparts A, H, K, X, Y, Z, AA, FF, HH, NN, QQ, RR, TT, and UU. We are assigning each of the newly finalized or substantially revised data elements in these subparts to one of the direct emitter or supplier data categories created in the 2011 Final CBI Rule (76 FR 30782, May 26, 2011). EPA is not making final confidentiality determinations for data elements assigned to the inputs to emission equations category in the 2013 Revisions.
      
      EPA has reviewed the confidentiality determinations and concluded that final determinations do not change the type of information that must be collected at the facility, nor do they impact the number of respondents.  In addition, the confidentiality determinations do not affect how GHG emissions or quantities are calculated. The determinations do not require any additional monitoring, calculation, or data collection above what was already included in Part 98 and, therefore, impose no additional collection burden for facilities. 
      
      Please see the memorandum titled "Final data category assignments and confidentiality determinations for new and substantially revised data elements in the final `2013 Revisions to the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule and Confidentiality Determinations for New or Substantially Revised Data Elements'" ("Confidentiality Determinations Memorandum") in Docket Id. No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2012-0934 for a list of the new or substantially revised data elements, their final category assignments, and their confidentiality determinations (whether categorical or individual) except for those assigned to the inputs to equations category.