Document ID: EPA-HQ-OAR-2010-0690-0017
Agency: epa
Document Type: Notice
Title: Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: Light-Duty In-Use Vehicle Testing Program
Posted Date: 2017-12-08T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 235 (Friday, December 8, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57975-57976]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-26527]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OAR-2010-0690; FRL_9971-48-OAR)]

Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; EPA's Light-Duty In-Use Vehicle Testing Program 
(Renewal); EPA ICR No. 0222.11, OMB Control No. 2060-0086.

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that EPA is planning to 
submit a request to renew an existing approved Information Collection 
Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This ICR is 
scheduled to expire on May 31, 2018. Before submitting the ICR to OMB 
for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects 
of the proposed information collection as described below.

DATES:  Comments must be submitted on or before February 6, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments referencing Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-
2010-0690 online using www.regulations.gov (our preferred method), by 
email to [email protected] or by mail to: EPA Docket Center, 
Environmental Protection Agency, Mailcode 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania 
Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460.
    EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in the 
public docket without change including any personal information 
provided, unless the comment includes profanity, threats, information 
claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynn Sohacki, Compliance Division, 
Office of Transportation and Air Quality, U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency, 2000 Traverwood, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105; telephone number: 
734-214-4851; fax number: 734-214-4869; email address: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supporting documents which explain in detail 
the information that the EPA will be collecting are available in the 
public docket for this ICR. The docket can be viewed online at 
www.regulations.gov or in person at the EPA Docket Center, WJC West, 
Room 3334, 1301

[[Page 57976]]

Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC. The telephone number for the 
Docket Center is 202-566-1744. For additional information about EPA's 
public docket, visit http://www.epa.gov/dockets.
    Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, EPA is soliciting 
comments and information to enable it to: (i) Evaluate whether the 
proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper 
performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the 
information will have practical utility; (ii) evaluate the accuracy of 
the Agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (iii) enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (iv) minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on those who are to respond, including 
through the use of appropriate automated electronic, mechanical, or 
other technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. 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. At that time, EPA will issue another Federal Register notice 
to announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the opportunity to 
submit additional comments to OMB.
    Abstract: EPA has an ongoing program to evaluate the emissions 
performance of light-duty motor vehicles (i.e., passenger cars and 
light trucks) after they have been introduced into commerce. This 
program, known as EPA's ``in-use'' program, operates in conjunction 
with other motor vehicle emissions testing programs conducted by the 
Agency and the light-duty motor vehicle manufacturers. These other test 
programs include confirmatory certification testing of prototype 
vehicles by manufacturers and EPA and the mandatory manufacturer in-use 
verification program (IUVP) . The Clean Air Act directs EPA to ensure 
that motor vehicles comply with emissions requirements throughout their 
useful lives. The primary purpose of EPA's in-use program is 
information gathering. Nevertheless, EPA can require a recall if it 
receives information, from whatever source, including in-use testing, 
that a ``substantial number'' of any class or category of vehicles or 
engines, although properly maintained and used, do not conform to the 
emission standards, when in actual use throughout their useful life.
    The EPA in-use program can be broken down into three closely-
related components. The first component involves the selection of 
approximately 40 classes of passenger cars and light trucks, totaling 
approximately 125 vehicles, for surveillance testing at EPA's National 
Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL.) In some cases, 
surveillance testing may be followed by confirmatory testing to develop 
additional information related to test failures observed in a class 
during surveillance testing. Confirmatory testing involves the 
selection of approximately one or two classes of 10 passenger cars and 
light trucks, averaging approximately 14 vehicles, for further testing, 
at EPA's NVFE. Confirmatory testing differs from surveillance testing 
in that the vehicles must meet stricter maintenance and use criteria. 
However, the emissions tests that are conducted are the same for 
surveillance and confirmatory testing. The second program component 
involves the testing of a subset of vehicles from the surveillance 
recruitment for operation of on-board diagnostics (OBD) systems. EPA 
does not currently recruit vehicles for OBD testing but includes the 
testing in this ICR in the event that OBD testing is resumed. The third 
component involves the special investigation of vehicles to address 
specific issues. The number of vehicles procured under this category 
varies widely from year to year. However, this information request does 
not ask for approval of the information burden corresponding to such 
vehicles because the vehicles for this program have not been procured 
from the public recently and, therefore, there is no information 
collection burden associated with this testing. Participation in the 
telephone screenings to identify qualifying light-duty vehicles, as 
well as the vehicle testing, is strictly voluntary. A group of 25 to 50 
potential participants is identified from state vehicle registration 
records. These potential participants are asked to return a form 
indicating their willingness to participate and if so, to verify some 
limited vehicle information. Three of those who return the form are 
called and asked several screening questions concerning vehicle 
condition, operation and maintenance. Additional groups of potential 
participants may be contacted until a sufficient number of vehicles has 
been obtained. Owners verify the vehicle screening information when 
they deliver their vehicles to EPA or release the vehicle to EPA, 
voluntarily provide maintenance records for copying, receive a cash 
incentive and, if requested, a loaner car, and finally receive their 
vehicle from EPA at the conclusion of the testing.
    Form Numbers: 5900-304, 5900-305, 5900-306, 5900-307, 5900-308, 
5900-309.
    Frequency of response: On Occasion.
    Respondents/affected entities: A group of 25 to 50 potential 
participants is identified from state vehicle registration records. 
These potential participants are asked to return a form indicating 
their willingness to participate and if so, to verify some limited 
vehicle information. Three of those who return the form are called and 
asked several questions concerning vehicle condition, operation and 
maintenance. Additional groups of potential participants may be 
contacted until a sufficient number of vehicles have been obtained.
    Respondent's obligation to respond: Voluntary.
    Estimated number of respondents: Approximately 1627 vehicle owners/
lessees returned EPA's forms indicating interest in participating in 
the program and approximately 140 ultimately participated.
    Total estimated burden: 302 hours (per year). Burden is defined at 
5 CFR 1320.03(b)
    Total estimated cost: $7,206. This includes an estimated burden 
cost of $7,206 and an estimated cost of $0 for capital investment or 
maintenance and operational costs.
    Changes in Estimates: There is a decrease of 2291 responses and 204 
hours, corresponding to a decrease in cost of $4,071, in the total 
estimated respondent burden compared with that identified in the ICR 
currently approved by OMB. This change is due to a decrease in the 
number of responses returned to EPA by potential participants and the 
associated burden.

    Dated: November 27, 2017.
Byron J. Bunker,
Director, Compliance Division, Office of Transportation and Air 
Quality.
[FR Doc. 2017-26527 Filed 12-7-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P