Overview
Title
Information Collection Request Number 2265.04; Proposed Information Collection Request; Comment Request; Information Collection Activities Associated With the SmartWay Transport Partnership
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The EPA wants to keep track of how much energy and air pollution trucks make and asks truck companies to share their data to help save fuel and keep the air clean. They want to hear what people think about this idea, and it's okay for companies to choose if they want to share their information.
Summary AI
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to submit an information collection request for the SmartWay Transport Partnership to the Office of Management and Budget. The EPA is asking for public comments on the proposed data collection, which aims to assess energy and air quality in the freight industry, including strategies to reduce idling and fuel consumption. Organizations involved in freight operations can join the program and must report transportation-related data annually. The response to this collection is voluntary, with the estimated total annual cost for respondents being $732,210.
Abstract
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to submit an information collection request (ICR), "Information Collection Activities Associated with the SmartWay Transport Partnership" (EPA ICR No. 2265.04, OMB Control No. 2060-0663) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. Before doing so, EPA is soliciting public comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described below. This is a proposed extension of the ICR, which is currently approved through March 25, 2025. 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
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document is a notice from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding its intention to submit an Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This request relates to the SmartWay Transport Partnership, a program designed to evaluate and improve energy and air quality impacts within the freight industry. The aim is to encourage better environmental practices, such as reducing truck idling and fuel consumption. The EPA seeks public feedback on this proposed data collection, which could affect various organizations and stakeholders in the freight sector.
Summary
The SmartWay Transport Partnership is an initiative by the EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. It is aligned with federal mandates to assess and improve the environmental impact of freight transportation. By collecting annual data from partner organizations, the program aims to identify and promote strategies that enhance energy efficiency and reduce pollution from freight activities. Participants are mostly voluntary and include trucking companies, freight shippers, and logistics providers. The cost and time expenditure for respondents to provide required information is considerable, though recent changes indicate a decrease in these burdens due to new technological tools and reduced application processes.
Significant Issues and Concerns
One area of concern is the complexity and technicality of the document's language, which might be challenging for a non-technical audience to comprehend. Terms like "affiliates, shippers, carriers, or logistics companies" are not clearly defined, potentially leading to confusion about the roles and expectations for each group involved in the program.
Furthermore, while the document mentions a decrease in the estimated burden and costs due to new tools and fewer affiliate applications, it lacks detailed explanations of how these changes quantitatively lead to reduced time and financial commitments for participants. Understanding these specifics is crucial for evaluating the efficiency of the program adjustments.
Public Impact
For the general public, this initiative signifies a continued commitment by the EPA to address environmental concerns, specifically emissions related to freight transportation. Improved freight efficiency can lead to better air quality, aligning with broader goals of public health and environmental conservation.
Impact on Stakeholders
For stakeholders directly involved, such as freight companies and logistic firms, the program presents both opportunities and challenges. Participating in SmartWay may provide environmental and operational benefits, such as improved fuel efficiency and decreased emissions, which can enhance a company's public image and lower operational costs in the long term.
However, there is also a financial and administrative burden associated with joining and maintaining membership in the program. Companies must allocate resources to fulfill reporting requirements, although recent adjustments suggest a potential alleviation of such burdens.
For community or environmental groups, the initiative supports partnerships aiming for sustainable freight solutions, potentially opening avenues for collaboration and advocacy. By joining as affiliates, these groups can influence and support broader environmental goals.
Overall, while the document outlines a progressive and potentially beneficial partnership, it could benefit from clarifying the processes and benefits to stakeholders involved to maximize its impact and engagement.
Financial Assessment
The document discusses the financial implications of an Information Collection Request (ICR) by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) related to the SmartWay Transport Partnership. This is primarily focused on evaluating the activities and performance of the transport sector in relation to energy and air quality. The relevant financial details are derived from expected costs associated with data collection and reporting.
Financial Overview
The document highlights the total estimated burden, encompassing both the time and financial resources required. For respondent partners and affiliates, this is anticipated to average 8,879 hours annually with a corresponding aggregate cost of $732,210. Federal agencies involved are expected to incur an annual burden of 4,578 hours, translating into a projected cost of $122,602.
Analysis of Financial Allocations
It is essential that these financial allocations and burden estimates are clearly understood by stakeholders, especially since they likely influence decisions around participation in the SmartWay program. These cost estimates cover the comprehensive processes including data management, reporting, and strategy implementation.
One identified issue is the lack of clarity on how these estimated numbers were calculated or broken down by activity. For instance, understanding what specific tasks contribute to these costs would better inform partners about potential resource allocation.
Changes in Estimates
The document notes a decrease of 3,678 hours and $129,672 in the respondent partner burden, along with a 110-hour and $48,228 reduction in the agency burden. This adjustment claims to result from two main factors: the implementation of new Online Truck Tools and a reduction in the number of Affiliate Applications.
However, the explanation lacks depth on how these tools quantitatively lead to reduced hours and costs. This absence of detail could leave stakeholders uncertain about the practical impact of the changes, which is a notable concern since clear financial understanding directly supports stakeholders in making informed decisions regarding participation and compliance.
Conclusion
Financial references within such documents are crucial as they provide transparency about the operational and resource expectations from different parties. While the document does present a financial overview, expanding on the rationale behind these cost figures and explicitly linking changes to quantified outcomes would enhance stakeholder comprehension and engagement. It would be beneficial for the EPA to provide a more detailed breakdown and rationale, which could address some of the highlighted issues related to the understanding and application of the financial estimates.
Issues
• The document provides annual burden estimates but does not explain how these numbers were calculated or what specific activities contribute to these totals, which could lead to unclear understanding of resource allocation and effectiveness.
• Language used in sections discussing estimated burden and cost figures could be simplified to be more understandable for a non-technical reader.
• The document references 'affiliates, shippers, carriers or logistics companies' without providing a clear explanation of what distinguishes these categories, which may lead to confusion.
• The mention of a decrease in burden and costs lacks detailed explanation on how the implementation of new Online Truck Tools and reduction of Affiliate Applications quantitatively contributes to this decrease.