The synthetic organic chemical manufacturing industry (SOCMI) is regulated by the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) standards. The affected entities are subject to the General Provisions of the NSPS at 40 CFR part 60, subpart A, and any changes or additions to the General Provisions specified at 40 CFR part 60, subparts Ka, Kb, VV, VVa, DDD, III, NNN and RRR. The affected entities are also subject to the General Provisions of the NESHAP at 40 CFR part 63, subpart A, and any changes, or additions to the General Provisions specified at 40 CFR part 63, subparts BB, Y, V, F, G, H and I. As an alternative, SOCMI sources may choose to comply with the above standards under the consolidated air rule (CAR) at 40 CFR Part 65 as promulgated December 14, 2000. Synthetic organic chemical manufacturing facilities subject to NSPS requirements must notify EPA of construction, modification, startups, shutdowns, date and results of initial performance test and excess emissions. Semiannual reports are also required. Synthetic organic chemical manufacturing facilities subject to NESHAP requirements must submit one-time-only reports of any physical or operational changes and the results of initial performance tests. 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. Periodic reports are also required semiannually at a minimum.
There is an increase in the total estimated respondent labor burden and associated labor, capital/startup, and O&M costs. Overall, the change in burden from the most recently approved ICR is due to an increase in the number of sources subject to the standard, and is not due to any program changes. The number of sources has been increased to reflect industry growth, which in turn increased the cost of those subparts where growth is expected.
There is a further overall increase in respondent burden costs from the most recently approved ICR due to the use of updated labor rates. This ICR references labor rates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to calculate respondent burden costs. Note that this ICR also references labor rates from OPM to calculate Agency costs; however, the update did not affect Agency costs since the rates are identical between this and the most recently approved ICR.
Specific changes to the burden tables include:
Table 8: since this is a summary table, the appropriate entries were updated according to changes made in Tables F-1 through F-12 and G-1 through G-13.
Tables F-2 and G-2 (i.e., subpart Kb): the tables were updated to account for industry growth. Also, we have revised the O&M cost to reflect both new and existing sources. The most recently approved ICR erroneously reflected O&M costs for new sources only.
Tables F-4 and G-4 (i.e., subpart VVa): the table was updated to account for industry growth. Also, we have revised the respondent labor burden to reflect both new and existing sources. The most recently approved ICR erroneously reflected the respondent labor burden for new sources only.
Tables F-5 and G-5 (i.e., subpart DDD): the tables were updated to account for industry growth. We also have updated the total O&M cost accordingly. In addition, we have revised Table G-5 to account for the labor burden associated with preparing repeat performance test notifications, and to make it consistent with the related burden presented in Table F-5 for Agency review of these notifications.
Tables F-6 and G-6 (i.e., subpart III): the tables were updated to account for industry growth. We also have updated the total O&M cost accordingly.
Tables F-7 and G-7 (i.e., subpart NNN): the tables were updated to account for industry growth. We also have updated the total O&M cost accordingly.
Tables F-8 and G-8 (i.e., subpart RRR): the tables were updated to account for industry growth. We also have updated the total O&M cost accordingly.
Tables F-11 and G-11 (i.e., subpart V): the tables were updated to account for industry growth.
Tables F-12, G-12, and G-13 (i.e., the HON): the tables were updated to account for industry growth.
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.