Document ID: EPA-HQ-OAR-2023-0314-0002
Agency: epa
Document Type: Supporting & Related Material
Title: 
Posted Date: 2023-08-01T04:00Z

SUPPORTING STATEMENT FOR 
     INFORMATION COLLECTION REQUEST NUMBER 2763.01 INDOOR AIRPLUS PROGRAM

1.  Identification of the Information Collection

      1.(a)	Title of the Information Collection

            Indoor airPLUS Program

      1.(b)	Short Characterization

      Indoor airPLUS is aimed at forming public-private partnerships that help prevent various forms of indoor air pollution and their associated health risks. This ICR covers information collection activities under the EPA's upcoming revision of the Indoor airPLUS program. Indoor airPLUS is a voluntary certification labeling program that represents value-added marketability that home builders, Verification Companies, and Oversight Organizations can use to distinguish themselves from competition, while homeowners see increased comfort and a healthier and safer home with improved indoor air quality (IAQ) by requiring construction practices and product specifications that minimize exposure to airborne pollutants and contaminants
      
      2.(a)	Need / Authority for the Collection
      
	Section 103(a) of the Clean Air Act authorizes EPA to establish "a national research and development program for the prevention and control of air pollution." As part of such a program, EPA is to "conduct and promote the coordination and acceleration of research, investigations, experiments, demonstrations, surveys, and studies relating to the causes, effects (including health and welfare effects), extent, prevention and control of air pollution." Section 103(a)(1). 

	In addition, as a component of the program, section 103(g) of the Clean Air Act directs the Administrator to "conduct a basic engineering research and technology program to develop, evaluate, and demonstrate non-regulatory strategies and technologies for air pollution prevention." The section calls on the Administrator to provide opportunities for industry, public interest groups, scientists, and other interested persons to participate in strategy development. Section 103(g) further directs EPA to include as elements in the program "improvements in non-regulatory strategies and technologies for preventing or reducing multiple air pollutants including sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, heavy metals, PM-10 (particulate matter), carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide..." The strategies and technologies are to improve various air pollutant reduction and non-regulatory control strategies, including energy conservation.

 	This new collection ICR covers information collection activities under the Indoor airPLUS Program within the residential sector (newly built or gut rehabilitated).  The Indoor airPLUS Program originally grew from the ENERGY STAR Certified Homes Program, and the first Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications (Oct. 2008) built upon the pre-requisite of ENERGY STAR certification and were applicable to new construction or substantially rehabilitated ("gut rehabilitation") projects in single-family and some multifamily properties (5 stories or below). In December 2020, EPA published a draft of its first major proposed program change since 2008, including advanced IAQ requirements and the opening of eligibility to multifamily buildings of all heights. In February 2022, EPA republished the major proposed program change to include considerations posed during the initial comment period. 

	As the program includes eligibility for both newly built or gut rehabilitated homes, EPA is developing more refined IAQ technical requirements and Indoor airPLUS partnership opportunities independent of the ENERGY STAR program framework. 

Since participation in the Indoor airPLUS program is voluntary, organizations are not required to submit information to EPA. Information received is not of a confidential nature. EPA is developing this ICR to obtain authorization to collect information for the following activities described below:

 Joining the Indoor airPLUS Program and Related Activities
 Verification and Quality Assurance of Indoor airPLUS Requirements
 Quarterly Reporting
 Indoor airPLUS Leader Awards

	The information collection activities described in this ICR are necessary for EPA to track and assess the market for homes with improved indoor air quality. This allows EPA to establish cost-effective, above-code indoor air quality requirements and design public outreach programs and materials to fit the needs of its partners and their customers. It also allows EPA to provide public recognition and market differentiation to participating organizations. Because some of the collection activities involve small businesses, EPA will limit collection activities to a minimum amount of information sufficient for EPA to complete its work. 

	2.(b)	Use / Users of the Data

	EPA will use information from partnering organizations to ascertain basic identification and contact information and to verify their commitment to the program and the proper use of the Indoor airPLUS brand in promotional efforts. For example, Indoor airPLUS uses its Partnership Agreement to establish the partner's commitment to use the program's promotional guidelines which describe how the Indoor airPLUS name and logo can be used by partners in public outreach activities. EPA also includes provisions for the application of the Indoor airPLUS label on homes and apartments if they meet certain construction specifications defined by EPA. To be approved to receive the Indoor airPLUS label, homes/buildings must be inspected by a third-party verifier (a.k.a., "rater"), confirming that program requirements were met.

	In addition, EPA will use information from partnering organizations for program implementation purposes such as maintaining up-to-date public listings of active partners, their program activity, and additional commitments. For example, EPA will display a list of currently active Indoor airPLUS builder and rater partners on its public website (https://www.epa.gov/indoorairplus/find-indoor-airplus-builder-or-rater) in coordination with the ENERGY STAR Residential Programs, as well as a listing of builder partners who have made the "Indoor airPLUS 100% Commitment" and earned that additional designation. 

	Further, EPA intends to use information from organizations involved in constructing, renovating, verifying, and promoting health protections and upgrades to evaluate industry accomplishments, trends, and opportunities in home performance and renovation activities and to assess potential program updates. Lastly, EPA will use information from organizations seeking public recognition for their support of Indoor airPLUS. EPA recognition enhances the image of organizations as national leaders in the effort to promote health and safety in residential housing.
	
	3.	Non-duplication, Consultations, and Other Collection Criteria

      3.(a)	Non-duplication	

	The information collected under this ICR does not duplicate any information that is collected by any other federal agency or otherwise publicly available. Some of the activities listed in this ICR are performed through a collaborative process with the ENERGY STAR Residential Programs. This ICR (No. 2763) does not duplicate burdens estimated in the EPA's ENERGY STAR Program in the Residential Sector ICR (No. 2193). Respondents would only need to respond to one program or the other, not both.

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

	A notice of a new ICR collection request will be published in the Federal Register in July or August of 2023.
      
      3.(c)	Consultations

	Indoor airPLUS emerged in collaboration with the ENERGY STAR program, and many of the programmatic activities outlined are similar in nature or have been coordinated across programs to facilitate industry partner participation. This ICR uses historic EPA program experience and similar ICR burden estimates as a foundation prior to completing the consultations. 

Indoor airPLUS will conduct consultations and will add comments into the final supporting statement.

      3.(d)	Effects of Less Frequent Collection

      EPA has carefully considered the information collection burden imposed by the Indoor airPLUS Program. EPA is confident that those activities requested of respondents are necessary, and to the extent possible, the Agency has attempted to minimize the burden imposed. EPA believes strongly that if the information collections in this ICR are not performed at the requested frequency, EPA's ability to implement the Indoor airPLUS Program and the public's ability to benefit from the program's tools and resources could be hampered significantly.
      
      	3.(e)	General Guidelines
      
	Information collections performed under this clearance will follow all of OMB's General Guidelines regarding federal data collection.

      3.(f-g)	Confidentiality and Sensitive Questions	

	Participation in the Indoor airPLUS Program is voluntary and may be terminated by participants or EPA at any time.  If a claim of confidential business information (CBI) is asserted, EPA will manage that information in accordance with EPA's provisions on confidentiality.  40 CFR Part 2, Subpart B establishes EPA's general policy on the public disclosure of information and procedures for handling CBI claims.

4.  The Respondents and the Information Requested

      4.(a)	Respondents / NAICS Codes

	Respondents for this information collection request include Indoor airPLUS partners, including homebuilders and developers, verification organizations (raters and rating providers), and home certification organizations.  The following is a list of Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes and corresponding North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes for industry segments which may be affected by information collections covered under this ICR for the Indoor airPLUS Program.

Industry Sectors
NAICS Code(s)
Utilities
22
Construction
23
Retail Trade
44-45
Transportation and Warehousing
48-49
Finance and Insurance
52
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing
53
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
54
Public Administration
92

 	4.(b)	This section describes the information collections under this ICR, including data items and respondent activities. 
	
	4.(b)(i)	Joining the Indoor airPLUS Program and Related Activities Information Collection
		
	Information Requested

	Home builders and Verification Organizations

	Organizations in this category include:	

       Home builders, including builders of traditional site-built homes, modular homes, production homes, custom homes, and multifamily buildings.
      
       Verification organizations, including Rating Companies (e.g., home energy raters and rating providers) who are responsible for third-party verification that a home meets the Indoor airPLUS's program requirements.

	These participants prepare and submit an online Partnership Agreement. In addition, when a home builder joins, it can commit to build all of its homes to be Indoor airPLUS certified (i.e., a "100% Commitment"). The Indoor airPLUS 100% Commitment is reviewed and updated on an annual basis. An Indoor airPLUS home builder and/or Rating Company will also have the opportunity to commit to participating in EPA's ENERGY STAR Residential program with the associated online Partnership Agreement. 

	Indoor airPLUS partnership has historically been integrated with the ENERGY STAR partnership process and continues to provide an integrated partner onboarding process for homebuilders and rating companies intending to join both programs at the same time. Indoor airPLUS Version 2 offers the opportunity for new Indoor airPLUS partners to join the program independently without other partnership pre-requisites, if desired. In this ICR, EPA is accounting for the relative proportional burden to add the Indoor airPLUS partnership for those partners submitting an ENERGY STAR partnership application, along with the estimated burden for new partners joining Indoor airPLUS independently. To avoid duplication, this ICR (2763) does not duplicate information collection efforts listed in the EPA's ENERGY STAR Program in the Residential Sector ICR (No. 2193). The respondent would only need to respond to one program or the other, not both.  

	Data Items

        A Partnership Agreement for Homebuilders and Verification Organizations.
       
        For homebuilders, selection of 100% commitment (optional) and annual renewal.
       
        For homebuilders and rating companies, selection to participate in ENERGY STAR Residential (optional).

	Respondent Activities	
      
       To join Indoor airPLUS, organizations are asked to complete and submit the Partnership Agreement online. This process includes the option to select the 100% commitment. 
      
       Builder partners can select choose to renew their 100% commitment option online annually. 
      
      Oversight Organizations
      
      Organizations in this category include:	
      
       Home Certification Organizations (HCO), which oversee the Indoor airPLUS related activities of Indoor airPLUS Rating Companies and their Verifiers in the certification process for Indoor airPLUS labeled homes/apartments. HCOs submit an application to EPA to be recognized and approved to oversee the Indoor airPLUS certification process. 
      
      Oversight organizations do not join as Indoor airPLUS partners, but rather participate in the program by completing and submitting an application to EPA to request to be an EPA-recognized oversight organization. The application must describe the organization's ability to provide independent oversight over the Indoor airPLUS-related activities of participating organizations, including, but not limited to, its criteria for determining whether a participating organization has the necessary training and capabilities, its plan for conducting quality assurance oversight activities of participating organizations, its dispute resolution process, and plans for data management and reporting.
      
      Data Items
      
       An application that includes:
            Organization's ability to provide independent oversight of Indoor airPLUS-related activities of participating organizations.
            	Criteria for determining whether a participating organization has the necessary training and capabilities.
            	Plan for conducting quality assurance oversight activities of participating organizations.
            	Description of dispute resolution process.
            	Plan for data management and periodic reporting.
            	Plan for electronic identification of homes earning the Indoor airPLUS label. 
      
      Respondent Activities
      
       Complete and submit application materials to EPA.
      
      4.(b)(ii)	  Verification of Indoor airPLUS Requirements Information Collection

	Verification Organizations (Rating Companies) 
	
	Indoor airPLUS Rating Companies and their Verifiers (e.g., home energy raters and rating providers) perform verification services in the process of Indoor airPLUS certification. These services consist of onsite diagnostic tests and visual verification to ensure the program specifications have been met. Home energy ratings are also often performed as a part of the Rating Company's normal business process and are integral to the ENERGY STAR certification process. For homes undergoing an energy rating and earning the ENERGY STAR label, Verifiers must check inspect additional IAQ features during construction to verify that the homes meet Indoor airPLUS requirements documented on the Indoor airPLUS checklist by the Verifier. The checklist is not submitted to EPA but is retained by the Verifier and is subject to routine quality control measures outlined by the Verifier's Oversight Organization. 

	Data Items

       Indoor airPLUS Verification Checklist

	Respondent Activities

       Complete the Indoor airPLUS Verification Checklist

	Indoor airPLUS verification has historically been integrated with the ENERGY STAR verification process. In this ICR, EPA is accounting for the relative proportional burden to include Indoor airPLUS verification for those partners submitting and ENERGY STAR verification, along with the estimated burden for verification that is independent from ENERGY STAR. To avoid duplication, this ICR (2763) does not duplicate information collection efforts listed in the EPA's ENERGY STAR Program in the Residential Sector ICR (No. 2193). The respondent would only need to respond to one program or the other, not both.  

	Oversight Organizations

	Home Certification Organizations (HCOs)

	As part of their quality assurance oversight responsibilities, HCOs must maintain an electronic method of identifying homes earning the Indoor airPLUS label. HCOs also conduct periodic reviews of a sample of Indoor airPLUS-related documentation. HCOs must also provide information to EPA, upon request, about quality assurance issues related to Indoor airPLUS.

	Data Items

       Electronic identification of homes earning the Indoor airPLUS label.
      
       Documents from Indoor airPLUS certification activities.
      
       Information about quality assurance issues and actions taken to resolve issues.

	Respondent Activities

       Enter information into electronic database to designate homes that have earned the Indoor airPLUS label. 
      
       Perform periodic review of a sample of Indoor airPLUS certification documentation; and
      
       Submit quality assurance-related information to EPA, upon request.

	4.(b)(iii) Periodic Reporting Information Collection

	EPA asks partners to provide periodic updates, usually quarterly, on activities and accomplishments under the program. EPA will use this information to ensure that partners are meeting their program commitments. For example, EPA collects basic information each calendar quarter about the number of Indoor airPLUS certified homes that have been built by home builders and reported by HCOs overseeing their Verifier network. EPA also uses this information to keep the public informed about partners' participation and program activity. 

      Data Items

       A quarterly report aggregating the number of: 
           Indoor airPLUS certified homes (Rating Providers).

      Respondent Activities

       Rating Providers electronically prepare and submit quarterly reports to EPA. 

	Indoor airPLUS periodic reporting has historically been integrated with the ENERGY STAR verification process. In this ICR, EPA is accounting for the relative proportional burden to include Indoor airPLUS reporting for those partners submitting and ENERGY STAR verification, along with the estimated burden for reporting that is independent from ENERGY STAR. To avoid duplication, this ICR (2763) does not duplicate information collection efforts listed in the EPA's ENERGY STAR Program in the Residential Sector ICR (No. 2193). The respondent would only need to respond to one program or the other, not both.  

	4.(b)(iv) Indoor airPLUS Leader Awards Information Collection

	Organizations interested in receiving recognition for their efforts in building and certifying Indoor airPLUS homes may submit an application for the annual Indoor airPLUS Leader Award. EPA currently awards only home builders and raters. 

      Data Items

       Information provided electronically by home builders: 
           General information (e.g., company address, contact information, signed/dated). 
           Description of the following:
                  Outreach activities (e.g., promoting Indoor airPLUS on website).
                  Training activities (e.g., training construction staff on Indoor airPLUS construction features).
                  Use of innovative technology (e.g., use of IAQ monitors).
           Supplemental documentation (optional) to accompany the application. This may include, but is not limited to, examples of sales and marketing collateral, copies of sales training materials, screen captures of the company website, etc.

        Information provided electronically by raters: 
            General information (e.g., company address, contact information, signed/dated).
            Description of the following:
               Recruitment activities (e.g., recruitment of new builders).
               Technical support (e.g., providing technical assistance to builders).
               Innovation (e.g., improvements to verification process); and
               Outreach activities (e.g., educating real estate professionals about Indoor airPLUS).
       
	Respondent Activities

        Organizations complete and submit the application online, including supplemental materials.

	5.	Agency Activities, Methods, and Information Management

	This section describes EPA's activities associated with the information collections described in this ICR. Where possible, EPA activities that apply across different partner categories (e.g., homebuilders, verification organizations) have been grouped together and described as one activity.

      5.(a)(i)	Agency Activities Related to Joining the Indoor airPLUS Program

        EPA will perform the following for organizations applying for partnership or participation in Indoor airPLUS: 
            Review and approve Partner Agreements and related materials electronically (e.g., builders making the 100% commitment). 
            Review and approve applications from oversight organizations. 
            Send a welcome email to new partners. 
            Send confirmation email with username and password information to partners for online access to My ENERGY STAR Account (MESA).
            Maintain partner contact and program participation information in an electronic database. 
            Display a public list of active partners. 
           Note: Some of these activities are performed through a collaborative process with the ENERGY STAR Residential Programs' partnership process. Indoor airPLUS partnership has historically been integrated with the ENERGY STAR partnership process and continues to provide an integrated partner onboarding process for homebuilders and rating companies intending to join both programs at the same time. Indoor airPLUS Version 2 offers the opportunity for new Indoor airPLUS partners to join the program independently without other partnership pre-requisites, if desired. In this ICR, EPA is accounting for the relative proportional burden to review and approve Indoor airPLUS partnership agreements for those partners submitting an ENERGY STAR partnership application, along with the estimated burden for reviewing applications from new partners joining Indoor airPLUS independently.

	5.(a)(ii)	  Agency Activities Related to Verification of Indoor airPLUS Requirements

        EPA will collaborate with Verification Organizations and Oversight Organizations to resolve issues related to Indoor airPLUS as needed.

	5.(a)(iii)  Agency Activities Related to Periodic Reporting

        EPA will perform the following: 
           Request, review, and approve quarterly progress reports;
           Maintain a database of partner activity in building and verifying Indoor airPLUS certified homes; and 
           Display current partner activity on a public website. 

	5.(a)(iv)  Agency Activities Related to Indoor airPLUS Leader Award

        EPA will perform the following activities for Indoor airPLUS awards: 
           Contact partners to inform them of the annual award application process. 
           Develop award application and selection criteria. 
           Review award applications and supporting materials. 
           Summarize application information for all applicants.
           Select award winners.
           Notify applicants of their award status.
      
      5.(b)	Collection Methodology and Management

	In collecting and analyzing the information associated with this ICR, EPA will use telephone systems, computers, and applicable database software. All submittals to EPA are conducted electronically. EPA will ensure the accuracy and completeness of collected information by reviewing each submittal. EPA may enter the information into a database and monitor the progress of participants in providing homes with improved indoor air quality. While the database itself is not publicly available, information contained in the database is made publicly available at the stakeholder's choosing at www.energystar.gov/partnerlocator, which is a search tool that allows the general public to search for Indoor airPLUS partners doing business within their geographic area. Please note that program participants can, at any time, opt in or out of having company information displayed publicly.

      5.(c)	Small Entity Flexibility

      EPA expects that small businesses will participate in the Indoor airPLUS Program. EPA has designed its report forms to minimize respondent burden while obtaining sufficient and accurate information. In addition, the initial agreement to participate in the program is voluntary. 
      
      5.(d)	Collection Schedule

	All information collection activities described in this ICR are either a one-time collection, occur annually, quarterly, or on an as-needed basis.	

6.	Estimating the Burden and Cost of Collection

	Cost and burden associated with the information collection for both respondents and Agency. Includes individual costs per respondent and aggregate cost for the entire respondent universe and the Agency on an annual basis and over the entire period covered by the ICR.
      
      6.(a)	Estimating Respondent Burden

	Exhibits 1 through 4 estimate the annual respondent burden hours for information collection activities associated with the Indoor airPLUS program. The burden estimates used in this new ICR were informed by the ENERGY STAR ICR 2193.03, as activities and respondents are very similar, and continued program coordination is intended to streamline collection activities, while also appropriately estimating the associated burden accordingly.	
      
      6.(b)	Estimating Respondent Cost

      Exhibits 1 through 4 present the annual respondent costs for information collection activities associated with the Indoor airPLUS program. Specific cost assumptions are discussed below. 
      
      (i)	Estimating Labor Costs
      
      The labor rates used to estimate costs to respondent were obtained from the U.S. bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Specifically using the BLS "Employment Cost Index: Continuous Dataset". Rates are current as of March 2023 and reflect the cost of overhead and fringe benefits where appropriate. EPA estimates an average responded hourly labor rate (hourly plus overhead and fringe) of $199.58 for legal staff, $144.35 for managerial staff, $99.03 for technical staff, and $49.86 for clerical staff.  
      
      (ii)	Estimating Capital and Operations and Maintenance Costs
      
      Operation and maintenance (O&M) costs are those costs associated with a paperwork requirement incurred continually over the life of the ICR.  They are defined by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 as "the recurring dollar amount of costs associated with O&M or purchasing services."   Because all collections are transacted electronically using standard industry equipment and services, there are no O&M costs associated with the information collection activities described in this ICR.
      
      6.(c)	Estimating Agency Burden and Cost

      Exhibits 5 through 8 present the annual Agency burden and costs for information collection activities associated with the Indoor airPLUS program. The hourly labor rates used in this ICR were obtained from the 2023 GS pay schedule available from the Office of Personnel Management. EPA estimates an average hourly labor cost of $90.10 for legal staff, $84.26 for managerial staff, $61.78 for technical staff, and $24.80 for clerical staff. The labor costs are based on the following GS levels and steps:  legal labor rates were based on GS Level 15, Step 1, managerial labor rates were based on GS Level 14, Step 4, technical labor rates were based on GS Level 12, Step 5, and clerical labor rates were based on GS Level 5, Step 1.  EPA multiplied the hourly rates by the standard government overhead factor of 1.6.  Total annual Agency burden and costs are presented in Table 4.	

      6.(d)	Estimating the Respondent Universe and Total Burden and Costs
      
      In this section, EPA describes its estimates of the number of respondents carrying out the information collections under the Indoor airPLUS Program in the certified homes and existing homes sectors. In developing its estimates, EPA referred to its partnership database (e.g., ESConnect) and other documentation to understand historical trends in the number of new and existing respondents.  Based on its analyses, EPA has estimated the average number of new and active (i.e., existing) respondents for each of the information collections over the next three years.  As shown in Table, 1, EPA estimates 566 new and 2,142 active participants under the program on average annually over the next three years.  These estimates are discussed in the remainder of this section and reflected in Exhibits 1 through 4.
      
            Table 1.  Number of New and Active Program Participants
                              Respondent Category
                                      New
                                    Active

                                       
Home Builders

Home Builders
                                      500
                                     1,677

Subtotal
                                      500
                                     1,677

Verification Organizations
                                       
                                       

Raters
                                      50
                                      375

Providers
                                      10
                                      90

Subtotal
                                      60
                                      465

Oversight Organizations
                                       
                                       

Home Certification Organizations (HCOs)
                                       6
                                       0

Subtotal
                                       6
                                       0

Total
                                      566
                                     2,142

      
      JOINING THE INDOOR AIRPLUS PROGRAM and Related Activities (Exhibit 1)
      
      Home Builders and Verification Organizations
      EPA estimates that, during the three-year life of this ICR, on average, 500 home builders will complete and submit the online Partnership Agreement to EPA each year. EPA estimates that 4% of these home builders, or 20 home builders, on average will choose the 100% commitment on their Partnership Agreement each year and that all of these home builders renew their 100% commitment annually. EPA also estimates that 60 verification organizations (Home Energy Raters and Rating Providers) will submit an online Partnership Agreement, on average, each year.
      
      
      VERIFICATION OF INDOOR AIRPLUS REQUIREMENTS (EXHIBIT 2)
      
      Verification Organizations (Home Energy Raters and Rating Providers)
Home Energy Raters 

	EPA estimates that, on average, 20,000 homes will earn Indoor airPLUS certification annually during the three-year life of this ICR. EPA also estimates that 25% of the homes are multifamily and are allowed to be verified by a sampling method.  Of these 5,000 multifamily units, one in seven is individually verified; therefore, 714 of the 5,000 multifamily units (5,000 / 7 = 714) are verified in field. This means that EPA estimates a total of 15,714 (15,000+714) units verified each year. 

	There is one checklist used to certify a home for the Indoor airPLUS label completed by the Rater.

	Refer to Table 2 and the associated text, below, for additional information on these estimates.

      Table 2. Estimated Annual Number of certified Indoor airPLUS Homes
                             Certification Method
                         Annual No. of Homes Certified
                  No. of Indoor airPLUS Checklists Completed
Individually Certified Homes
                                    20,000
                                    15,714
Total
                                    20,000
                                    15,714

      
      Oversight Organizations
Home Certification Organizations (HCOs)

	EPA estimates that, on average, there will be 6 participating HCOs annually during the three-year life of this ICR. EPA estimates that, on average, each HCO conducts one periodic review of Indoor airPLUS-related documentation annually. Each HCO also maintains Indoor airPLUS-related information in a database. EPA also estimates that, on average, each HCO coordinates with EPA four times a year to resolve Indoor airPLUS-related verification issues. 
      
      
      PERIODIC REPORTING (EXHIBIT 3)
Verification Organizations

	EPA estimates that, on average, there will be 90 Providers participating in the Indoor airPLUS  program annually during the three-year life of this ICR, and each Provider will submit four quarterly reports to EPA each year. 
      INDOOR AIRPLUS LEADER AWARDS (EXHIBIT 4)
	Based on previous award applications received, EPA estimates that, on average, 25 home builder partners and 15 verification organizations will apply for an Indoor airPLUS award each year. 
      

Exhibit 1

                                       

Estimated Annual Respondent Burden and Cost
Indoor airPLUS Program: Joining the Indoor airPLUS Program and Related Activities*

                       Hours and Costs Per Respondent**
                             Total Hours and Costs
 
                                     Legal
                                  Managerial
                                   Technical
                                   Clerical
                           Respond. Hours/ Activity
                             Labor Costs/ Activity
                       Capital Startup Costs / Activity
                            O&M Costs/ Activity
                          No. of Respond.  Activities
                               Total Hours/ Year
                                Total Cost/Year
                        Information Collection Activity
                                    $199.58
                                    $144.35
                                    $99.03
                                    $49.86

Home Builders and Verification Organizations
Complete and submit online Partnership Agreement to EPA
                                     0.00
                                     1.00
                                     0.00
                                     0.00
                                     1.00
                                    $144.35
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                      560
                                    560.00
                                  $80,836.00
Select and annually renew 100% commitment online
                                     0.00
                                     0.25
                                     0.00
                                     0.00
                                     0.25
                                    $36.09
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                      67
                                     16.77
                                   $2,420.92
Subtotal
                                     0.00
                                    varies
                                    varies
                                    varies
                                    varies
                                    varies
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                    varies
                                    576.77
                                  $83,256.92
Oversight Organizations
Home Certification Organizations (HCOs)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Complete and submit application to EPA
                                     0.00
                                     2.00
                                     2.00
                                     0.00
                                     4.00
                                    $486.76
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                     6.00
                                     24.00
                                   $2,920.56
Subtotal
                                     0.00
                                    varies
                                    varies
                                    varies
                                    varies
                                    varies
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                    varies
                                     24.00
                                   $2,920.56
TOTAL
                                     0.00
                                    varies
                                    varies
                                    varies
                                    varies
                                    varies
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                    varies
                                    600.77
                                  $86,177.48
                                       

                                       

* Partnership with Indoor airPLUS is completely voluntary and can be terminated for no reason by the respondent.

                                       

** EPA uses the term 'varies' in the subtotal and/or total row of the exhibit if the total hours or costs per respondent under an information collection vary among the respondents. 

Exhibit 2

                                       

Estimated Annual Respondent Burden and Cost
Indoor airPLUS Program: Verification of Indoor airPLUS Requirements*

                       Hours and Costs Per Respondent**
                             Total Hours and Costs
 
                                     Legal
                                  Managerial
                                   Technical
                                   Clerical
                           Respond. Hours/ Activity
                             Labor Costs/ Activity
                       Capital Startup Costs / Activity
                            O&M Costs/ Activity
                          No. of Respond.  Activities
                               Total Hours/ Year
                             Total Labor Cost/Year
                           Total Annual Capital Cost
                           Total Annual O&M Cost
                                Total Cost/Year
                        Information Collection Activity
                                    $199.58
                                    $144.35
                                    $99.03
                                    $49.86

Verification Organizations
Home Energy Raters 
Site-Built Homes: Individually Rated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Complete Indoor airPLUS Checklist
                                     0.00
                                     0.00
                                     0.50
                                     0.00
                                     0.50
                                    $49.52
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                    15,714
                                   7,857.00
                                  $778,157.28
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                  $778,157.28
Site Built Homes: Sampled
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Complete Indoor airPLUS Checklist
                                     0.00
                                     0.00
                                     0.50
                                     0.00
                                     0.50
                                    $49.52
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                     4,286
                                   2,143.00
                                  $212,242.72
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                  $212,242.72
Subtotal 
                                     0.00
                                     0.00
                                    varies
                                     0.00
                                    varies
                                    varies
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                    varies
                                   10,000.00
                                  $990,400.00
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                  $990,400.00
Oversight Organizations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Home Certification Organizations (HCOs)
Enter Indoor airPLUS information in database
                                     0.00
                                     0.00
                                     0.25
                                     0.00
                                     0.25
                                    $24.76
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                     6.00
                                     1.50
                                    $148.56
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                    $148.56
Perform periodic review of Indoor airPLUS documentation
                                     0.00
                                     0.00
                                     1.00
                                     0.00
                                     1.00
                                    $99.03
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                     6.00
                                     6.00
                                    $594.18
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                    $594.18
Submit QA information to EPA, as needed
                                     0.00
                                     0.00
                                     0.50
                                     0.00
                                     0.50
                                    $49.52
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                     24.00
                                     12.00
                                   $1,188.48
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                   $1,188.48
TOTAL
                                     0.00
                                     0.00
                                    varies
                                    varies
                                    varies
                                    varies
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                    varies
                                   10,019.50
                                  $992,331.22
                                     0.00
                                     0.00
                                  $992,331.22
* Partnership with Indoor airPLUS is completely voluntary and can be terminated for no reason by the respondent.
                                       

** EPA uses the term 'varies' in the subtotal and/or total row of the exhibit if the total hours or costs per respondent under an information collection vary among the respondents. 

Exhibit 3

Estimated Annual Respondent Burden and Cost
Indoor airPLUS Program: Periodic Reporting*

                       Hours and Costs Per Respondent**
                             Total Hours and Costs
 
                                     Legal
                                  Managerial
                                   Technical
                                   Clerical
                           Respond. Hours/ Activity
                             Labor Costs/ Activity
                       Capital Startup Costs / Activity
                            O&M Costs/ Activity
                          No. of Respond.  Activities
                               Total Hours/ Year
                            Total Labor Cost/ Year
                           Total Annual Capital Cost
                           Total Annual O&M Cost
                                Total Cost/Year
                        Information Collection Activity
                                    $199.58
                                    $144.35
                                    $99.03
                                    $49.86

Verification Organizations - Rating Providers
Prepare and submit quarterly reports to EPA
                                     0.00
                                     0.00
                                     1.00
                                     0.00
                                     1.00
                                    $99.03
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                      465
                                    465.00
                                  $46,048.95
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                  $46,048.95
Subtotal
                                     0.00
                                     0.00
                                     1.00
                                     0.00
                                     1.00
                                    $99.03
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                      465
                                    465.00
                                  $46,048.95
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                  $46,048.95
Oversight Organizations
Home Certification Organizations (HCOs)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prepare and submit annual update on program activities to EPA
                                     0.00
                                     1.00
                                     1.00
                                     0.00
                                     2.00
                                    $243.38
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                     1.33
                                     0.00
                                    $323.70
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                    $323.70
Subtotal
                                     0.00
                                     0.00
                                    varies
                                     0.00
                                    varies
                                    varies
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                    varies
                                     0.00
                                    $323.70
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                    $323.70
TOTAL
                                     0.00
                                     0.00
                                    varies
                                     0.00
                                    varies
                                    varies
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                    varies
                                    465.00
                                  $46,372.65
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                  $46,372.65
* Periodic reporting is completely voluntary and can be terminated for no reason by the respondent.

** EPA uses the term 'varies' in the subtotal and/or total row of the exhibit if the total hours or costs per respondent under an information collection vary among the respondents. 

Exhibit 4

Estimated Annual Respondent Burden and Cost
Indoor airPLUS Program: Indoor airPLUS Leader Awards*

                       Hours and Costs Per Respondent**
                             Total Hours and Costs
 
                                     Legal
                                  Managerial
                                   Technical
                                   Clerical
                           Respond. Hours/ Activity
                             Labor Costs/ Activity
                       Capital Startup Costs / Activity
                            O&M Costs/ Activity
                          No. of Respond.  Activities
                               Total Hours/ Year
                                Total Cost/Year
                        Information Collection Activity
                                    $199.58
                                    $144.35
                                    $99.03
                                    $49.86

New Home Builder
Complete and submit application, including any supplemental info. to EPA
                                     0.00
                                     1.00
                                     1.00
                                     1.00
                                     3.00
                                    $293.24
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                      25
                                     75.00
                                   $7,331.00
Subtotal
                                     0.00
                                     1.00
                                     1.00
                                     1.00
                                     3.00
                                    $293.24
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                      25
                                     75.00
                                   $7,331.00
Home Energy Rater and Provider
Complete and submit application, including any supplemental info. to EPA
                                     0.00
                                     1.00
                                     1.00
                                     1.00
                                     3.00
                                    $293.24
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                      15
                                     45.00
                                   $4,398.60
Subtotal
                                     0.00
                                     1.00
                                     1.00
                                     1.00
                                     3.00
                                    $293.24
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                      15
                                     45.00
                                   $4,398.60
TOTAL
                                     0.00
                                    varies
                                    varies
                                    varies
                                    varies
                                    varies
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                    varies
                                    120.00
                                   11,729.60
* Application for the Indoor airPLUS Awards is completely voluntary and is not required for Indoor airPLUS Partnership.

** EPA uses the term 'varies' in the subtotal and/or total row of the exhibit if the total hours or costs per respondent under an information collection vary among the respondents. 

Exhibit 5

Estimated Annual EPA Burden and Cost
Indoor airPLUS Program: Joining the Indoor airPLUS Program and Related Activities

                     Agency Hours and Costs Per Activity*
                             Total Hours and Costs
 
                                     Legal
                                  Managerial
                                   Technical
                                   Clerical
                            Agency Hours/ Activity
                             Labor Costs/ Activity
                       Capital Startup Costs / Activity
                           O&M Costs / Activity
                               No. of Activities
                               Total Hours/Year
                             Total Labor Cost/Year
                           Total Annual Capital Cost
                           Total Annual O&M Cost
                                Total Cost/Year
                        Information Collection Activity
                                    $90.10
                                    $84.26
                                    $61.78
                                    $24.80

ENERGY STAR New Homes Partners
Electronically review and approve Partner Agreements and related materials and display partner contact information on public web site
                                     0.00
                                     0.00
                                     0.16
                                     0.00
                                     0.16
                                     $9.88
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                      560
                                     89.60
                                   $5,532.80
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                   $5,532.80
Review and approve applications from oversight organizations
                                     0.00
                                     0.00
                                     4.00
                                     0.00
                                     4.00
                                    $247.12
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                     6.00
                                     24.00
                                   $1,482.72
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                   $1,482.72
Send a welcome email to new partners
                                     0.00
                                     0.00
                                     0.00
                                     0.10
                                     0.10
                                     $2.48
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                      560
                                     56.00
                                   $1,388.80
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                   $1,388.80
Send confirmation email to new partners with MESA username and password information
                                     0.00
                                     0.00
                                     0.00
                                     0.10
                                     0.10
                                     $2.48
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                      560
                                     56.00
                                   $1,388.80
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                   $1,388.80
Maintain database of partner information
                                     0.00
                                     0.00
                                     8.00
                                     4.00
                                     12.00
                                    $593.44
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                       1
                                     12.00
                                    $593.44
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                    $593.44
Display public list of active partners
                                     0.00
                                     0.00
                                     4.00
                                     2.00
                                     6.00
                                    $296.72
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                       1
                                     6.00
                                    $296.72
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                    $296.72
TOTAL
                                     0.00
                                     0.00
                                    varies
                                    varies
                                    varies
                                    varies
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                    varies
                                    243.60
                                  $10,683.28
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                  $10,683.28
* EPA uses the term 'varies' in the subtotal and/or total row of the exhibit if the total hours or costs vary depending on the number of Agency activities performed.

Exhibit 6

Estimated Annual EPA Burden and Cost
Indoor airPLUS Program: Verification of Indoor airPLUS Requirements

                     Agency Hours and Costs Per Activity*
                             Total Hours and Costs
 
                                     Legal
                                  Managerial
                                   Technical
                                   Clerical
                            Agency Hours/ Activity
                             Labor Costs/ Activity
                       Capital Startup Costs / Activity
                           O&M Costs / Activity
                               No. of Activities
                               Total Hours/Year
                                Total Cost/Year
                        Information Collection Activity
                                    $90.10
                                    $84.26
                                    $61.78
                                    $24.80

Oversight Organizations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                       
Collaborate with oversight organizations to resolve issues related to Indoor airPLUS requirements, as needed
                                     0.00
                                     1.00
                                     1.00
                                     0.00
                                     2.00
                                    $146.04
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                       4
                                     8.00
                                    $584.16
TOTAL
                                     0.00
                                     1.00
                                     1.00
                                     0.00
                                     2.00
                                    $146.04
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                       4
                                     8.00
                                    $584.16
* EPA uses the term 'varies' in the subtotal and/or total row of the exhibit if the total hours or costs vary depending on the number of Agency activities performed.

Exhibit 7

Estimated Annual EPA Burden and Cost
Indoor airPLUS Program: Periodic Reporting

                     Agency Hours and Costs Per Activity*
                             Total Hours and Costs
 
                                     Legal
                                  Managerial
                                   Technical
                                   Clerical
                            Agency Hours/ Activity
                             Labor Costs/ Activity
                       Capital Startup Costs / Activity
                           O&M Costs / Activity
                               No. of Activities
                               Total Hours/ Year
                                Total Cost/Year
                        Information Collection Activity
                                    $90.10
                                    $84.26
                                    $61.78
                                    $24.80

Electronically request, review and approve quarterly reports from Rating Providers and oversight orgs., maintain database and display partner activity on public web site
                                     0.00
                                     0.00
                                     2.00
                                     0.00
                                     2.00
                                    $123.56
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                       4
                                     8.00
                                    $494.24
TOTAL
                                     0.00
                                     0.00
                                    varies
                                     0.00
                                    varies
                                    varies
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                    varies
                                     8.00
                                    $494.24
* EPA uses the term 'varies' in the subtotal and/or total row of the exhibit if the total hours or costs vary depending on the number of Agency activities performed. 

Exhibit 8

Estimated Annual EPA Burden and Cost
Indoor airPLUS Program: Indoor airPLUS Leader Awards*

                     Agency Hours and Costs Per Activity*
                             Total Hours and Costs
 
                                     Legal
                                  Managerial
                                   Technical
                                   Clerical
                            Agency Hours/ Activity
                             Labor Costs/ Activity
                       Capital Startup Costs / Activity
                           O&M Costs / Activity
                               No. of Activities
                               Total Hours/ Year
                                Total Cost/Year
                        Information Collection Activity
                                    $90.10
                                    $84.26
                                    $61.78
                                    $24.80

Contact partners to inform them of the annual award application process
                                     0.00
                                     0.00
                                     0.25
                                     0.00
                                     0.25
                                    $15.45
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                       1
                                     0.25
                                    $15.45
Develop award winner evaluation and selection criteria for applications
                                     0.00
                                     1.00
                                     8.00
                                     0.00
                                     9.00
                                    $578.50
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                       1
                                     9.00
                                    $578.50
Collect and review award applications and supporting materials
                                     0.00
                                     4.00
                                     24.00
                                     0.00
                                     28.00
                                   $1,819.76
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                       1
                                     28.00
                                   $1,819.76
Summarize application information for awards outreach efforts
                                     0.00
                                     0.00
                                     10.00
                                     0.00
                                     10.00
                                    $617.80
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                       1
                                     10.00
                                    $617.80
Select award winners
                                     0.00
                                     1.00
                                     8.00
                                     0.00
                                     9.00
                                    $578.50
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                       1
                                     9.00
                                    $578.50
Notify winners and non-winners
                                     0.00
                                     0.00
                                     4.00
                                     0.00
                                     4.00
                                    $247.12
                                     $0.00
                                     $0.00
                                       1
                                     4.00
                                    $247.12
TOTAL
                                     0.00
                                     0.00
                                    varies
                                     0.00
                                    varies
                                    varies
                                     $0.00
                                    varies
                                    varies
                                     60.25
                                   $3,857.13
* EPA uses the term 'varies' in the subtotal and/or total row of the exhibit if the total hours or costs vary depending on the number of Agency activities performed. 

      
      6(e) Bottom Line Burden Hours and Cost Tables
           Respondent Tally
      	
      	As shown in Table 3, EPA estimates the total annual burden to respondent to be 11,205 hours and $1,136,611. The total bottom-line burden to respondents over three years is estimated to be 33,616 hours and $3,409,833.
      
                                    TABLE 3
        TOTAL ESTIMATED ANNUAL RESPONDENT BURDEN HOUR AND COST SUMMARY*
                                       

                                   Activity
                             Total Hours Per Year
                          Total Labor Costs Per Year
                         Total Capital Costs Per Year
                         Total O&M Costs Per Year
                              Total Cost Per Year
Joining the Indoor airPLUS Program and Related Activities
                                      601
                                    $86,177
                                      $0
                                      $0
                                    $86,177
Verification of Indoor airPLUS Requirements
                                    10,020
                                   $992,331
                                      $0
                                      $0
                                   $992,331
Periodic Reporting
                                      465
                                    $46,373
                                      $0
                                      $0
                                    $46,373
Indoor airPLUS Leader Awards
                                      120
                                    $11,730
                                      $0
                                      $0
                                    $11,730
Total
                                    11,205
                                  $1,136,611
                                      $0
                                      $0
                                  $1,136,611
*Table contains rounding 

        The Agency Tally
		
		As shown in Table 4, EPA estimates the total annual burden to the Agency to be 320 hours and $15,619. The bottom-line burden to the Agency over three years is estimated to be 960 hours and $46,856.
                                       
                                       
                                    TABLE 4
           TOTAL ESTIMATED ANNUAL EPA BURDEN HOUR AND COST SUMMARY*
                                       

                                   Activity
                             Total Hours Per Year
                          Total Labor Costs Per Year
                         Total Capital Costs Per Year
                         Total O&M Costs Per Year
                              Total Cost Per Year
Joining the Indoor airPLUS Program and Related Activities
                                      244
                                    $10,683
                                      $0
                                      $0
                                    $20,683
Verification of Indoor airPLUS Requirements
                                       8
                                     $584
                                      $0
                                      $0
                                     $584
Periodic Reporting
                                       8
                                     $494
                                      $0
                                      $0
                                     $494
Awards
                                      60
                                    $3,857
                                      $0
                                      $0
                                    $3,857
Total
                                      320
                                    $15,619
                                      $0
                                      $0
                                    $15,619
       

      6.(f)	Reasons for Change in Burden

      This is a new ICR, no changes in burden currently applicable. 
      
      6.(g)	Burden Statement

      For the private sector, the annual reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 35 minutes per response. 

      There is no reporting or recordkeeping for state and locals. 

      There is no reporting or recordkeeping for homeowners. 

      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.   
      
      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 No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2023-0314, which is available for online viewing at www.regulations.gov, or in person viewing at the Office of Air and Radiation Docket in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC. The EPA/DC Public Reading Room is open from 8 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 Office of Air and Radiation Docket is 202-566-1742. Use EPA's electronic docket and comment system at www.regulations.gov, to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the docket, and to access those documents in the docket that are available electronically. Once in the system, select "docket search," then key in the docket ID number identified above. Please note that EPA's policy is that public comments, whether submitted electronically or in paper, will be made available for public viewing at www.regulations.gov as EPA receives them and without change, unless the comment contains copyrighted material, CBI, or other information whose public disclosure is restricted by statute. For further information about the electronic docket, go to www.regulations.gov.