In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for three years. The agency is reminded that it should have in place an internal planning process so such that the submission of non-emergency extension requests are made sufficiently prior to expiration dates to allow for a 60-day period of OMB review. In addition, the agency should ensure that all form revisions have been completed prior to submitting for OMB review.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
10/31/2017
36 Months From Approved
10/31/2014
1,192
0
7,396
15,518
0
58,733
0
0
0
EPA will continue to receive all reports, registrations, initial registrations and updates. We anticipate receiving data in a simplified and secure fashion via the Agency's electronic Central Data Exchange (CDX). Information claimed as CBI will be stored in appropriately controlled areas.To facilitate and track compliance with the RFS, a producer or importer of renewable fuel must generate Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) to represent renewable fuels produced or imported by the entity on or after September 1, 2007, assigned by gallon or batch. Assigned RINs are transferred when ownership of a batch of fuel occurs, but not when fuel only changes custody. A trading program is in place to allow obligated parties to comply with the annual RVO requirements through the purchase of RINs. Obligated parties must register with EPA in order to participate in the trading program. For each calendar year, an obligated party must demonstrate that it has sufficient RINs to cover its RVO. RINs may only be used for compliance purposes in the calendar year they are generated or the following year. Obligated parties must report their ownership of RINs to EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality on a quarterly and annual basis.
There is a sharp decrease of 43,026 hours in the total estimated respondent burden compared to the ICR currently approved by OMB. The total burden hours will decreased from 58,733 to 15,707 and the total number of responses from 7396 to 1192, both notable drops. This decrease was caused by members in the obligated parties once registered not being required to re-register their companies in this renewal. New registrations are required if a company acquires another or when a new company enters into a party. The requirements of the current members in the obligated party are to submit updates and corrections to their current registration when needed in CDX. The number in the respondent universe will decreased in all categories for the obligated parties thus lessening the reporting burden for its members.
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:
(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;
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.