[Federal Register: August 12, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 155)] [Notices] [Page 44007-44008] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr12au99-58] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL-6419-2] Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Information Collection Activities Associated With EPA's Energy Star Buildings Program AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that the following Information Collection Request (ICR) has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval: Information Collection Activities Associated with EPA's Energy Star Buildings Program, OMB# 2060-0347, expires September 30, 1999. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden and cost; where appropriate, it includes the actual data collection instrument. DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before Sepember 13, 1999. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sandy Farmer at EPA by phone at (202) 260-2740, by email at farmer.sandy@epamail.epa.gov, or download a copy of the ICR off the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/icr and refer to EPA ICR No. 1772.02. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Information Collection Activities Associated with EPA's Energy Star Buildings Program, OMB# 2060-0347, ICR# 1772.02, expires September 30, 1999. This is a request for an [[Page 44008]] extension of a currently approved collection. Abstract: The Energy Star Buildings and Green Lights programs are voluntary programs aimed at preventing pollution. These programs focus on reducing utility-generated emissions by reducing the demand for energy. EPA first created the Green Lights program to encourage corporations, state and local governments, colleges and universities, and other organizations to adopt energy efficient lighting as a profitable means of preventing pollution and improving lighting quality. With the success of the Green Lights program, EPA developed the Energy Star Buildings program to encourage business of all sizes, state and local governments, Federal Agencies, academic and other non- profit organizations to make more comprehensive energy efficiency improvements in their buildings. In designing the Energy Star Buildings program, EPA made the energy efficient lighting upgrades of the Green Lights program the first stage of the Energy Star Buildings' five-stage upgrade program. Both of these programs need to collect initial information to establish participation in them, monitor progress in completing energy efficiency upgrades, and measuring reductions in energy usage. EPA will use information requested from participants to further evaluate the overall results of the program and make adjustments, if necessary. Participation in the Energy Star Buildings and Green Lights programs is voluntary and may be terminated by Partners, Allies, Endorsers or EPA at any time. EPA does not expect that organizations will deem any information collected under the program to be confidential. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's regulations are listed in 40 CFR part 9 and 48 CFR Chapter 15. The Federal Register document required under 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on this collection of information was published on 4/19/99 (FR Vol 64., No. 74); no comments were received. Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information will vary depending on the type of participant, and the specific collection activity. For example: the total estimated respondent burden for completing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is 5.1 hour per respondent. The burden for collection requirements associated with applying for the Energy Star label is estimated to be 3.8 hours per respondent. 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. Respondents/Affected Entities: Participants in EPA' Energy Star Buildings (Green Lights, Energy Small Business) voluntary program. Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,318. Frequency of Response: One-time, annually, and/or periodically, dependent upon type of respondent. Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 217,714 hours. Estimated Total Annualized Capital, Operating/Maintenance Cost Burden: $14,716. Send comments on the Agency's need for this information, the accuracy of the provided burden estimates, and any suggested methods for minimizing respondent burden, including through the use of automated collection techniques to the following addresses. Please refer to EPA ICR No. 1772.02 and OMB Control No. 2060-0347 in any correspondence. Ms. Sandy Farmer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Policy, Regulatory Information Division (2137), 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460; and Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Attention: Desk Officer for EPA, 725 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20503. Dated: August 6, 1999. Richard T. Westlund, Acting Director, Regulatory Information Division. [FR Doc. 99-20867 Filed 8-11-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P