Green Technology Pilot Program

OMB Control No: 0651-0062	ICR Reference No: 200910-0651-003
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No:
Agency/Subagency: DOC/PTO	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Green Technology Pilot Program
Type of Information Collection: New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Emergency	Approval Requested By: 11/27/2009
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 11/25/2009
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 11/19/2009
Terms of Clearance: Approved on a pilot basis. PTO should resubmit for regular review if the need for this form continues beyond 6 months.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	05/31/2010	6 Months From Approved
Responses	5,000	0	0
Time Burden (Hours)	5,500	0	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is implementing a streamlined examination pilot program for patent applications pertaining to green technologies, including greenhouse gas reduction. The green technology pilot program will permit patent applications pertaining to green technology, i.e. environmental quality, energy conservation, development of renewable energy, or greenhouse gas emission reduction, to be accorded special status for examination using an expedited procedure that is similar to the existing first action interview pilot and accelerated examination program. The first action interview pilot and accelerated examination prgrams are both covered under OMB Control Number 0651-0031

Emergency Justfication: The collection of information is needed prior to the expiration of the time period established by 5 C.F.R. §1320. The importance of green initiatives to the Obama Administration is well known. The President seeks to “protect our nation from the serious economic and strategic risks associated with our reliance on foreign oil and the destabilizing effects of a changing climate.” (White House Fact Sheet: President Obama Highlights Vision for Clean Energy Economy, April 22, 2009). As an international leader in promoting innovation, the USPTO’s pilot program will advance the green technology agenda by streamlining the processing of certain patent applications relating to environmental quality, energy conservation, development of renewable energy, and greenhouse gas emission reduction. To delay implementation of the pilot while standard Paperwork Reduction Act clearances are obtained would cause undue public harm.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 35 USC 2(b)2 Name of Law: null

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments

Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title Form No. Form Name Request for Green Technolgy Pilot Program PTO/SB/420 Request For Green Technology Pilot Program

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	5,000	0	0	5,000	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	5,500	0	0	5,500	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: This is a new pilot program, so there was no previous reporting of this burden. In order to implement the pilot, the agency must increase the burden on the public.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government:

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Is the Supporting Statement intended to be a Privacy Impact Assessment required by the E-Government Act of 2002? No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? Uncollected

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? Uncollected

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

Agency Contact: Susan Brown 571-272-5429 [email protected]

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
		(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;
		(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;
		(c) It reduces burden on small entities;
		(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;
		(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;
		(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;
		(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:
			(i) Why the information is being collected;
			(ii) Use of information;
			(iii) Burden estimate;
			(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
			(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
			(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
		(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.
		(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and
		(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Certification Date: 11/19/2009

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