[Federal Register: December 14, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 239)] [Notices] [Page 69758-69759] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr14de99-67] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL-6508-2] Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request, National Emission Standard for Mercury 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: National Emission Standard for Mercury, OMB 2060-0097, expiration date January 31, 2000. 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 January 13, 2000. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For a copy of the ICR contact Sandy Farmer at EPA by phone at (202) 260-2740, by E-Mail at Farmer.Sandy@epamail.epa.gov or download off the Internet at http:// www.epa.gov/icr and refer to EPA ICR No. 0113.07. For technical questions about the ICR contact Melissa Raack at (202) 564-7039. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: National Emission Standard for Mercury, (OMB Control No. 2060-0097; EPA ICR No. 0113.07) expiring January 31, 2000. This is a request for extension of a currently approved collection. Abstract: Abstract: The National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Mercury emissions (40 CFR part 61, subpart E) were proposed on December 7, 1971, promulgated on April 6, 1973, and amended on October 14, 1975 and March 19, 1987. These standards apply to all stationary sources which process mercury ore to recover mercury, use mercury chlor-alkali cells to produce chlorine gas and alkali metal hydroxide, and incinerate or dry wastewater treatment plant sludge. Approximately 142 sources (133 sludge incineration and drying plants and 12 mercury-cell chlor-alkali plants) are currently subject to the standard; and no additional sources are expected to become subject to the standard in the next three years. Mercury is the pollutant regulated under this standard. Owners or operators of the affected facilities described must make the following one-time-only reports: notification of the date of construction or reconstruction; notification of the anticipated and actual dates of startup; notification of any physical or operational change to an existing facility which may increase the regulated pollutant emission rate; notification of the date of the initial performance test; and the results of the initial performance test. Owners or operators are also required to maintain records of the occurrence and duration of any startup, shutdown, or malfunction in the operation of an affected facility, or any period during which the monitoring system is inoperative. A written report of each period for which hourly monitored parameters fall outside their established limits is required semi- annually for mercury-cell chlor-alkali plants. These notifications, reports and records are required, in general, of all sources subject to NESHAP. In the Administrator's judgment, mercury emissions from mercury ore processing facilities, mercury chlor-alkali plants, including the cell room ventilation system, and sludge incineration and drying plants cause or contribute to air pollution that may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare. In order to ensure compliance with the standards promulgated to protect public health, adequate recordkeeping and reporting is necessary. In the absence of such information enforcement personnel would be unable to determine whether the standards are being met on a continuous basis, as required by the Clean Air Act. Recordkeeping and reporting are mandatory under this regulation. Records of emission test results and other data needed to determine total emissions shall be maintained at the source and made available for inspection for a minimum of two years. 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 June 22, 1999 ( 64 FR 33284); one comment was received; however, there was no comment received on adjusting the burden figures. Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1,104 hours per response. 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: Owners/operators of sources which process mercury. Estimated Number of Respondents: 142. [[Page 69759]] Frequency of Response: semiannual for existing sources (chlor- alkali facilities). Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 26,504 hours. Estimated Total Annualized Capital, O&M Cost Burden: $0. 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. 0113.07 and OMB Control No. 2060-0097 in any correspondence. Ms. Sandy Farmer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Environmental Information, Collection Strategies Division (2822), 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. Oscar Morales, Director, Collection Strategies Division. [FR Doc. 99-32383 Filed 12-13-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P