EPA's Voluntary Natural Gas STAR Methane Challenge Program (New)

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
Form 5900-412 EPA's Voluntary Natural Gas STAR Methane Challenge Program Form	New
2547ss01(V.2).DOCX Supporting Statement A	2018-08-03

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
231108	EPA's Voluntary Natural Gas STAR Methane Challenge Program Form	New

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 2060-0722	ICR Reference No: 201804-2060-003
Status: Active	Previous ICR Reference No:
Agency/Subagency: EPA/OAR	Agency Tracking No: 2547.01
Title: EPA's Voluntary Natural Gas STAR Methane Challenge Program (New)
Type of Information Collection: New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved with change	Conclusion Date: 08/08/2018
	Date Received in OIRA: 04/17/2018
Terms of Clearance: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for three years. EPA is reminded that the agency is required to have a valid OMB control number before the agency can conduct or sponsor a collection of informaiton.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	08/31/2021	36 Months From Approved
Responses	61	0	0
Time Burden (Hours)	3,184	0	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: 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.

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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:
	81 FR 90355	12/14/2016
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	83 FR 15835	04/17/2018
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? Yes

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
EPA's Voluntary Natural Gas STAR Methane Challenge Program	5900-412, 5900-434, 5900-410, 5900-413, 5900-411	Methane Challenge Program Partnership Agreement - Best Management Practice Commitment ,   Best Management Practice Commitment Reporting Forms ,   Historical Actions Fact Sheet Template ,   Natural Gas STAR Methane Challenge Program Implementation Plan Template ,   Natural Gas STAR Methane Challenge Program: Partnership Agreement for ONE Future Emissions Intensity (ONE Future) Commitment

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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	61	0	0	61	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	3,184	0	0	3,184	0	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: This is a new program and ICR, therefore this is an initial burden estimate. Also, EPA consulted with members of the oil and gas industry and believes that the capital or operations and maintenance costs of this Program are zero.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $19,979

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

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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: 04/17/2018

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