FR 2025-03249

The recent notice from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides an update on their request for continuing data collection from bulk gasoline terminals. This request, which is set to be reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), aims to extend the current standards without introducing any regulatory changes that have been in place since 1980. The EPA is open to receiving public comments on this proposal until March 31, 2025. Their primary focus remains on ensuring that facilities handling significant quantities of gasoline adhere to established compliance standards, although this involves a considerable amount of paperwork each year.

Significant Issues and Concerns

One notable issue with the document is the lack of clarity regarding the estimated annual cost of $8,940,000. This figure might raise questions about potential unnecessary spending, as the document does not specify how these costs are computed. For a broader audience, such complete cost analysis might be important to show fiscal responsibility, especially when public funds or resources are involved.

Another concern arises from the unchanged total estimated burden of 70,900 hours annually. Despite no regulatory changes or growth in the industry, further clarification on why this burden remains the same may be necessary. This ambiguity can lead to uncertainty among stakeholders about the efficiency or necessity of the continued data collection.

The document cites specific parts and subparts of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), which could be overwhelming or confusing for individuals unfamiliar with legal or bureaucratic jargon. Providing additional context or simplifying these references might make the information more accessible to a general audience.

Impact on the Public and Stakeholders

For the general public, the document signifies a continued effort to regulate environmental impacts associated with bulk gasoline terminals, presumably to maintain air quality and safety standards. However, without changes in the regulatory framework, the public might question whether the existing measures are enough to address evolving environmental concerns.

For stakeholders, specifically operators of bulk gasoline terminals, the document confirms a period of regulatory stability, with no new requirements being imposed. This stability might be welcomed by businesses, as it avoids the disruption and expense associated with adjusting to new regulations.

However, the unchanged burdens could also be seen negatively. Businesses might view the annual paperwork as an inefficiency, particularly if they perceive the data collection as redundant or not contributing to meaningful environmental protection outcomes.

In essence, the EPA's notice maintains the status quo while consulting the public for feedback. This process underlines the agency's awareness of its regulatory impact on industries while striving for transparency and public involvement. However, providing more detailed reasoning for the existing burden and costs might improve public and stakeholder understanding and support.

The Federal Register document in question provides detailed information concerning the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) request for extending the information collection requirement related to the New Source Performance Standards for Bulk Gasoline Terminals. The document mentions financial estimates associated with this request, which merit a closer look.

The most prominent financial reference is the total estimated cost of $8,940,000 per year. This cost is associated with the compliance burden on affected facilities—primarily bulk gasoline terminal facilities. This estimate notably includes no annualized capital or operation and maintenance costs.

Summary of Financial Allocations

The $8,940,000 figure reflects the annual cost of the compliance burden imposed on the 214 respondents or affected entities (i.e., the bulk gasoline terminal facilities). This cost presumably accounts for the time and resources these facilities must dedicate to ensure compliance with the outlined regulations. Given that there are no capital or operation and maintenance costs included, this figure predominantly represents labor costs associated with maintaining compliance.

Financial References and Related Issues

The document, however, does not provide detailed or transparent insight into how this total estimated cost of $8,940,000 per year is arrived at. Understandably, such high-level financial referencing could raise concerns about potential wasteful spending, especially when broken out to individual entities over the course of a year. Without a clear breakdown of these costs, stakeholders or members of the public may find it challenging to determine if this financial burden is justified or optimized.

Additionally, the document mentions that there are no changes in the regulatory requirements, yet states that the total estimated burden persists at 70,900 hours per year. The connection between this unchanged workload and the static estimated cost figure is not explicitly clarified. This omission might cause ambiguity, as it does not explain why there is no observed reduction in costs if the regulatory environment and industry growth remain stagnant.

For individuals outside of the regulatory or legal profession, the lack of detailed elaboration on both the cost calculations and the unchanged condition of the burden figures could be confusing. The document could be enhanced with additional context or explanation to facilitate a clearer understanding, especially given the intricacies involved in federal compliance and regulatory costs.