Agency Information Collection Activities: Continuing Collection; Comment Request; Detergent Gasoline

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that EPA is planning to submit the following continuing Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Detergent Gasoline (EPA ICR Number 1655.04, OMB Control Number 2060-0275, expiration date: 4-30-00). Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described below.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before July 10, 2000.

ADDRESSES:

Transportation and Regional Programs Division, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Office of Air and Radiation, Mail Code 6406J, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460. A paper or electronic copy of the draft ICR may be obtained without charge by contacting the person listed below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

James W. Caldwell, (202) 564-9303, fax:(202) 565-2085, caldwell.jim@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are those who (1) manufacture gasoline, post-refinery component, or detergent additives, (2) blend detergent additives into gasoline or post-refinery component, or (3) transport or receive a detergent additive, gasoline, or post-refinery component.

Title: Detergent Gasoline: Certification Requirements for Manufacturers of Detergent Additives; Requirements for Transferors and Transferees of Detergent Additives; Requirements for Blenders of Detergents into Gasoline or Post-refinery Component; Requirements for Manufacturers, Transferors, and Transferees of Gasoline or Post-refinery Component (40 CFR 80—Subpart G), EPA ICR Number 1655.04, OMB Control Number 2060-0275, expiration date: 4-30-00.

Abstract: Gasoline combustion results in the formation of engine deposits that contribute to increased emissions. Detergent additives deter deposit formation. The Clean Air Act requires gasoline to contain a detergent additive. The regulations at 40 CFR 80 subpart G specify certification requirements for manufacturers of detergent additives, recordkeeping or reporting requirements for blenders of detergents into gasoline or post-refinery component (any gasoline blending stock or any oxygenate which is blended with gasoline subsequent to the gasoline refining process), and reporting or recordkeeping requirements for manufacturers, transferors, or transferees of detergents, gasoline, or post-refinery component (PRC). These requirements ensure that (1) a detergent is effective before it is certified by EPA, (2) a certified detergent, at the minimum concentration necessary to be effective (known as the lowest additive concentration (LAC), is blended into gasoline, and (3) only gasoline which contains a certified detergent at its LAC is delivered to the consumer. The EPA maintains a list of certified gasoline detergents, which is publicly available. As of March 2000 there were approximately 225 certified detergents and 16 detergent manufacturers.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's regulations are listed at 40 CFR Part 9 and 48 CFR Chapter 15.

The EPA would like to solicit comments to:

(i) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(ii) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(iii) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(iv) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

Burden Statement: EPA estimates that the average burden for detergent certification is 60 hours and $3869, and that there will be approximately 50 applications for detergent certification each year for the next three years. Thus, the annual burden is estimated at 3000 hours and $193,450.

Most of the burden is incurred by the blenders of detergent into gasoline or PRC. The regulations require that they generate and maintain records of the amount of detergent blended and the amount of gasoline into which it is blended. These records are known as volumetric additive reconciliation (VAR) records and must demonstrate that the proper amount of a certified detergent has been used. For blenders with automated equipment, the annual burden is estimated at 150 hours and $8,373. There are approximately 1300 blenders which use automated equipment. Thus the annual burden is 195,000 hours and $10.9 million. For blenders with non-automated equipment, the annual burden is estimated at 500 hours and $27,910. It is estimated that there are 50 blenders in this category, for an annual burden of 25,000 hours and $1,395,500.

The other requirements are customary business practices, and thus do not incur additional burden. For example, the regulations require the generation, transfer, and storage of product transfer documents (PTDs) indicating the detergent status of a shipment of gasoline. PTDs containing a variety of information about the gasoline shipment are a standard business practice. Research, racing, and aviation gasolines are exempt.

There are no capital or start-up costs beyond those incurred by industry at the program's inception in 1995. There are no operating and maintenance costs beyond copying and postage. The total annual estimated burden for industry is 223,000 hours and $12.5 million. Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. This includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and utilize technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements; train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information; search data sources; complete and review the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise disclose the information.