EPA's Natural Gas STAR Program (Renewal)

OMB Control No: 2060-0328	ICR Reference No: 201902-2060-022
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201507-2060-004
Agency/Subagency: EPA/OAR	Agency Tracking No: 1736.08
Title: EPA's Natural Gas STAR Program (Renewal)
Type of Information Collection: Extension without change of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 04/15/2019
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 02/22/2019
Terms of Clearance: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for three years.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	04/30/2022	36 Months From Approved	04/30/2019
Responses	147	0	124
Time Burden (Hours)	2,761	0	6,995
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: Natural Gas STAR is a voluntary program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that encourages oil and natural gas companies to adopt cost effective technologies and practice that improve operational efficiency and reduce methane emissions. Methane is the primary component of natural gas and a potent greenhouse gas. The Program works with oil and natural gas companies in the production, gathering & processing, transmission, and distribution sectors to remove barriers that inhibit the implementation of technologies and practices that reduce methane emissions. The Program effectively promotes the adoption of emission reduction technologies and practices by helping Natural Gas Star partners evaluate Best Management Practices (BMPs) in the context of their current operations, and implement them where cost effective. Implementation of the Programs BMPs saves participants money, improves operational efficiency, and enhances the protection of the environment.

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Authorizing Statute(s): None

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
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	83 FR 172	09/05/2018
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	84 FR 5676	02/22/2019
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 2

IC Title Form No. Form Name EPA's Natural Gas STAR Program (Service Provider Directory) TBD Service Provider Directory EPA's Natural Gas STAR Program (Renewal) 5900-105, 5900-104 , 5900-97, 5900-102, 5900-103, 5900-95, 5900-99, 5900-100 Partnership Agreement ,   Implementation Plan - Production ,   Production Partners ,   Transmission Partners ,   Distribution Partners ,   Implementation Plan - Processing ,   Implementation Plan - Distribution

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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	147	124	0	50	-27	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	2,761	6,995	0	13	-4,247	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: The overall annual reporting burden for Partner respondents decreased from 6,995 hours in the previous ICR to 2,834 hours in the current ICR. This change is attributed to several factors including a decrease in the estimated number of partners submitting reports annually, and the streamlining of the Partnership Agreement and annual reporting forms. Specifically, updates to the annual report forms reduced burden through: Simplifying instructions for completing the forms; Streamlining forms to remove unnecessary fields; only key data is being requested from Partners; Consolidating forms/activities into segment-specific spreadsheets that allow partners to complete only one spreadsheet; and Updating submission method (i.e., to emailing Excel forms) so Partners no longer need to log into an online system.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $25,448

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

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

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: Jerome Blackman 202 343-9630 [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: 02/22/2019

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