Please update to the standard 18 question SS-A format upon renewal.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
12/31/2024
36 Months From Approved
12/31/2021
140
0
61
4,859
0
3,184
0
0
0
The Natural Gas STAR Methane Challenge Program is a voluntary program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that provides an innovative voluntary mechanism through which oil and natural gas companies can make specific, ambitious commitments to reduce methane emissions. This Program is an integral part of the EPAs ongoing commitment to address methane emissions and global climate change, and was developed through extensive stakeholder engagement and support from companies and trade organizations in the oil and gas industry. Methane is the primary component of natural gas and a potent greenhouse gas. The Program works to encourage oil and natural gas companies to go above and beyond existing regulatory action and make meaningful and transparent commitments to yield significant methane emissions reductions in a quick, flexible, cost-effective way. Transparency in comprehensively tracking company commitments through the non-confidential data reported by Methane Challenge partners is a key feature of the Program, and enables partners to highlight emissions reductions achieved through voluntary action taken. Implementation of the Methane Challenge Programs two commitment options, the Best Management Practice Commitment and the ONE Future Emissions Intensity Commitment, improves operational efficiency, saves partner companies money, and enhances the protection of the environment.
The change (increase) is attributed to several factors: the addition of the Natural Gas STAR program (which was previously included in ICR 1736.08) to this ICR as well as an increase in the number of Methane Challenge partners submitting annual reports as the program fully rolled out following its creation in the previous ICR. Also, the Service Provider Directory was introduced for the first time in the last renewal of the Natural Gas STAR ICR. In merging the two ICRs, this information collection is being added to Methane Challenge. It is worth noting that the burden for this IC has decreased since the last Natural Gas STAR ICR as the Programs expected a large number of vendors to sign up when the directory first launched. Now that the directory is established, EPA anticipates fewer respondents per year.
$31,710
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Andrew Meluch 202 564-4762
No
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.
Service Providers