In accordance
with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for three
years.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
07/31/2017
36 Months From Approved
07/31/2014
3,961
0
3,225
11,504
0
8,301
1,651
0
1,350
The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency created the SmartWay Transport Partnership to help
businesses and individuals protect the environment, improve air
quality and maximize the energy efficiency of their transportation
and logistics management choices. The Partnership focuses on
increasing efficiency and lowering the greenhouse gases and air
pollution generated by the transport and movement of goods. EPA
encourages businesses and individuals that transport and move goods
to adopt energy-efficient strategies and technologies that reduce
fuel use, air pollution, and energy costs. EPA administers a
streamlined, online reporting process for organizations that join
the SmartWay Transport Partnership, and has created incentives for
improvement (e.g., SmartWay Excellence Awards Program). EPA also
makes tools and other resources available on the Web to help
organizations and individuals evaluate their environmental
performance and the value of investing in transportation management
improvements. This ICR examines the information collected under the
SmartWay Transport Partnership from organizations active in the
transportation sector. Sections 1 through 5 of this supporting
statement describe the collections (in terms of the need and
utility of the data collected). These sections also outline
respondent and Agency activities. In Section 6, EPA estimates the
annual hour and cost burden to respondents and the Agency as a
result of the data collections.
Increase in Respondent burden
since the previous ICR was approved is approximately 3,203 hours 1.
Adjustment due to increased interest in SmartWay and thus, an
increase in new annual Respondents - burden hour increase = 331
hours: The average annual number of burden hours for new reporting
tools, not including the burden associated with completing the
Annual Agreement has increased by 331 hours (i.e., from 1,826 to
2,157 average annual burden hours.) This increase is due to the
growth in the number of new Respondents since the last ICR. The
number of new Respondents submitting a reporting tool for the first
time is estimated to have increased from 260 to 418 Respondents.
This is based on historical trends and a programmatic change that
now requires any new Respondent to submit a reporting tool in
addition to the Partnership Annual Agreement when it initially
registers with SmartWay. 2. Adjustment due to robust retention, and
as a result, an increased number of existing Respondent Partners -
burden hour increase = 2,727 hours. The average number of burden
hours for updated reporting tools has increased by 2,727 annual
burden hours due to Program growth (i.e., from 5,825 annual average
burden hours to 8,552 annual average burden hours.) This is due to
Program growth. The average annual number of Respondents submitting
an updated reporting tool and Annual Agreement has increased from
an annual average of 2,190 respondents to an annual average of
3,215 Respondents, since the last ICR. 3. Adjustment due to a
projected increase in Respondent interest in the SmartWay
Excellence Award - Burden hour increase = 110 hours. The number of
projected annual SmartWay Excellence Awards applicants has
increased based on the increased number of SmartWay partners. 4.
Program Change associated with the SmartWay Tractor & Trailor
Program - Burden hour increase = 102 hours. EPA has added
information collection requirements with the SmartWay Tractor &
Trailer Program, to increase the Program's effectiveness and
reflect changes in fleet mix. 5. Program Change associated with
SmartWay's streamlined Partnership Annual Application - Burden hour
decrease = 67 hours. The reason for this change is that EPA
streamlined its process so new Partners submit their Partnership
Annual Agreement as part of the reporting tool. Thus, the 0.16
hours needed to submit the Agreement is now merged in with the
reporting tool submission. There is an annual reduction in 0.16
hours per Respondent needed to submit the Partnership Annual
Agreement - from 0.82 hours to 0.66 hours. The annual Respondent
burden associated with submitting the Affiliate Agreement has not
changed. EPA believes the burden in this ICR renewal is justified
in light of the many benefits to participants, the public, and the
environment.
$160,292
No
No
No
No
No
Uncollected
Patty Klavon 734 214-4476
klavon.patty@epa.gov
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.