Confidentiality Rules (Renewal)

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
1665letters12.docx Supplementary Document	2013-12-17
1665ss12.docx Supporting Statement A	2013-12-17

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
23487	Confidentiality Rules	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 2020-0003	ICR Reference No: 201312-2020-002
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201101-2020-002
Agency/Subagency: EPA/OECA	Agency Tracking No: 1665.12
Title: Confidentiality Rules (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: 02/25/2014
	Date Received in OIRA: 12/26/2013
Terms of Clearance:

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	02/28/2017	36 Months From Approved	02/28/2014
Responses	228	0	1,320
Time Burden (Hours)	1,533	0	1,992
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: In the course of administering environmental protection statutes, EPA collects data from thousands of facilities in many sectors of the U.S. economy. In many cases, industry marks the data it submits to EPA as Confidential Business Information (CBI). In addition, businesses submit information to EPA without the Agency requesting the information. EPA established the procedures described in 40 CFR part 2, subparts A and B, to protect the confidentiality of information as well as the rights of the public to obtain access to information under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). In accordance with these regulations, when EPA finds it necessary to make a final confidentiality determination (e.g., in response to a FOIA request or in the course of rulemaking or litigation), or in advance confidentiality determination, it shall notify the effected business and provides an opportunity to comment (i.e., to submit a substantiation of confidentiality claim). This ICR relates to the collection of information that will assist EPA in determining whether previously submitted information is entitled to confidential treatment.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 5 USC 522 Name of Law: Freedom of Information Act
  

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:
	78 FR 54889	09/06/2013
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	78 FR 77672	12/24/2013
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Confidentiality Rules

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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	228	1,320	0	0	-1,092	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	1,533	1,992	0	0	-459	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: EPA as part of the ICR renewal process obtained usage of each of the letters for the past 12 months that comprise this ICR to obtain up-to-date estimates. EPA found that both usage and response rates decreased.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $174,373

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

Is the Supporting Statement intended to be a Privacy Impact Assessment required by the E-Government Act of 2002? 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: 12/26/2013

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