Overview
Title
Information Collection Request Submitted to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request; SmartWay Transport Partnership (Renewal)
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The EPA is asking permission from another government office to keep collecting data from companies that move things on trucks and trains. This helps the EPA learn how to make moving stuff cleaner and better for the environment.
Summary AI
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted an information collection request for the SmartWay Transport Partnership to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. This request is part of an extension previously approved through April 21, 2021, and now allows for an additional 30-day public comment period. The SmartWay program involves organizations in the freight industry providing transport-related data to the EPA to improve environmental performance. The estimated annual burden of this data collection is 12,830 hours, with a cost of $861,881, and it includes 4,925 respondents.
Abstract
The Environmental Protection Agency has submitted an information collection request (ICR), SmartWay Transport Partnership (EPA ICR Number 2265.04, OMB Control Number 2060-0663) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. This is a proposed extension of the ICR, which is currently approved through April 21, 2021. Public comments were previously requested via the Federal Register filed on July 27, 2020 during a 60-day comment period. This notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments. A fuller description of the ICR is given below, including its estimated burden and cost to the public. 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.
Keywords AI
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AnalysisAI
General Summary
The document discusses an action by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) related to the SmartWay Transport Partnership—a program aimed at enhancing the environmental performance of freight transportation in the U.S. The EPA has submitted an Information Collection Request (ICR) extension to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), seeking approval to continue gathering data from organizations involved in freight operations. This request is part of the EPA's effort to improve its understanding and control of the environmental and energy impacts of goods movement. The document outlines specific deadlines for public comment and provides details on the process by which organizations can submit comments or participate in the program.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Several notable issues arise within the document:
- The use of technical jargon such as 'ICR,' 'OMB Control Number,' and 'burden' without sufficient explanation could alienate those not familiar with the regulatory and bureaucratic language.
- While the document mentions the total labor cost associated with the program, it does not provide a breakdown or sufficient justification for this figure, potentially leaving readers questioning the efficiency of resource use.
- The document reports time savings due to the "elimination of the Affiliate Challenge" and electronic reporting tools but lacks clarity about what these changes involve and why they result in time reductions.
Impact on the Public
The SmartWay Transport Partnership affects the public primarily through environmental consequences. By gathering data and encouraging better practices among freight operators, the EPA intends to promote environmentally friendly transport solutions. This has the potential to reduce emissions and energy usage within the transportation sector, which could lead to cleaner air, less pollution, and a healthier environment for the public.
Additionally, the document opens a comment period, inviting public participation. This encourages civic engagement and allows citizens to have a voice in federal environmental initiatives, potentially leading to more informed and community-focused environmental policy.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Specific stakeholders, including private and public organizations in the freight industry, represent the primary audience for this initiative. These entities could face both benefits and challenges:
Positive Impacts: Companies participating in SmartWay may enhance their public image as environmental stewards and gain access to tools and data that improve operational efficiencies and reduce costs. Affiliates not directly involved in fleet operations but seeking to contribute to industry improvements can also find value in joining the program.
Negative Impacts: The application process and data collection could pose an administrative burden. Companies might face costs related to time and resources needed to gather, report, and utilize the required data. Although voluntary, smaller organizations could be disproportionately affected, given their limited resources.
In conclusion, while the SmartWay Transport Partnership aims to advance environmental goals through voluntary data collection from industry participants, the presented document could benefit from clearer explanations and a more transparent representation of costs and benefits. The public's input remains a vital component of ensuring the program effectively serves both environmental interests and industry practicality.
Financial Assessment
The document in question relates to an information collection request (ICR) submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concerning the SmartWay Transport Partnership. A notable aspect of this document is its mention of financial implications.
Financial Summary
The total estimated cost for the SmartWay Transport Partnership program is noted as $861,881 per year. This amount represents labor costs and does not include other expenses like capital or operation and maintenance costs.
Financial Context
The document provides limited context regarding the financial expenditure:
Labor Costs: The amount of $861,881 per year is described specifically as labor costs. However, there is no further explanation or breakdown of how this significant sum is allocated or spent. For example, the division between labor categories or specific roles and responsibilities covered under these costs is not detailed. This lack of transparency might make it difficult for the public to understand or assess the necessity or efficacy of the financial allocations.
Efficiency Savings: The document mentions a reduction in the time burden due to the elimination of the Affiliate Challenge and efficiencies gained from using an online reporting tool. However, the text does not quantify how these changes translate into financial savings or affect the overall costs. Without such details, it remains unclear how operational changes might contribute to reduced expenses or improved cost-efficiency of the program.
Issues with Financial Clarity
Several of the identified issues in the document relate directly or indirectly to these financial references:
Cost Justification: The document states the total estimated cost but does not provide a detailed justification or allocation of these expenses, leaving the audience with questions regarding how funds are utilized.
Complexity and Clarity: The language used in discussing financial changes and estimates might be too complex for those without prior experience with such governmental processes. More straightforward explanations could enhance understanding and transparency.
In summary, while a significant financial figure is presented, the document lacks detail in explaining and justifying these costs, which could help the general public better understand the financial workings of the SmartWay Transport Partnership. Providing a clearer breakdown of expenses and potential savings could aid in resolving these issues, thereby promoting transparency and accountability in public spending.
Issues
• The document uses technical terms such as 'ICR', 'OMB Control Number', and 'burden' without providing definitions or explanations, which might be unclear to non-experts.
• The cost of $861,881 per year for labor costs is provided, but there is no breakdown or further details on how this cost is justified or allocated.
• The document mentions an elimination of the Affiliate Challenge and efficiencies gained through electronic reporting resulting in a time burden reduction. However, it does not provide details on what these entail or how they contribute to time savings.
• The reporting process and the type of data collected from different respondents may not be entirely clear for someone without knowledge of the SmartWay program.
• The document mentions multiple forms, such as the "Excellence Award Application" and "Smartway Signature Page," but does not elaborate on their exact purpose or how they fit into the process.
• The language used in some sections, like the paragraph about changes in estimates, could be considered overly complex.
• There is a lack of detailed examples of how the information collected will directly benefit the public or the environment, aside from a general improvement of EPA's knowledge.