We approve the
request for the non-substantive change (methods in non-reponse bias
portion). As stated in the previous terms of clearnace, the results
of the study, including the nonresponse bias analysis, should be
submitted to OMB as soon as possible.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
07/31/2013
07/31/2013
07/31/2013
2,888
0
2,888
1,194
0
1,194
0
0
0
Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act
(CWA) requires EPA to ensure that the location, design,
construction, and capacity of cooling water intake structures
(CWIS) reflect the best technology available (BTA) to protect
aquatic organisms from being killed or injured by impingement or
entrainment. At question here is the regulation of the existing
steam electric and manufacturing facilities. Under Executive Order
12866, EPA is required to estimate the potential benefits and costs
to society of proposed rule options of significant rules. To assess
the importance of the ecological gains from the section 316(b)
regulation, EPA requests approval from the OMB to conduct a stated
preference survey. Data from the associated stated preference
survey will be used to estimate values (willingness to pay, or WTP)
derived by households for changes related to the reduction of fish
losses at CWIS, and to provide information to assist in the
interpretation and validation of survey responses. EPA has designed
the survey to provide data to support the following specific
objectives: [a] the estimation of the total values that individuals
place on preventing losses of fish and other aquatic organisms
caused by 316(b) facilities; [b] to understand how much individuals
value preventing fish losses, increasing fish populations, and
increasing commercial and recreational catch rates; [c] to
understand how such values depend on the current baseline level of
fish populations and fish losses, the scope of the change in those
measures, and the certainty level of the predictions; and [d] to
understand how such values vary with respect to individuals'
economic and demographic characteristics. The key elicitation
questions ask respondents whether or not they would vote for
policies that would increase their cost of living, in exchange for
specified multi-attribute changes in [a] impingement and
entrainment losses of fish, [b] commercial fish populations, [c]
long-term populations of all fish, and [d] condition of aquatic
ecosystems. The respondents' stated preferences with respect to
levels of environmental goods and cost to households, when used in
conjunction with other information collected in the survey on the
use of the affected aquatic resources, household income, and other
demographics, can be analyzed statistically (using a mixed logit
framework) to estimate total WTP for the quantified environmental
benefits of the 316(b) rulemaking. Data analysis and interpretation
is grounded in a standard random utility model. The welfare values
that can be derived from this stated preference survey along with
those that are estimated apart from the survey effort will offer
insight into the composition of the value people place on the
316(b) environmental impacts. WTP estimates derived from the survey
may overlap - to a potentially substantial extent - with estimates
that can be provided through some other methods. Therefore,
particular care will be given to avoid any possible double counting
of values that might be derived from alternative valuation
methods.
EO: EO
12866 Name/Subject of EO: Regulatory Planning and Review
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.