FR 2025-03251

The Federal Register document discussed here pertains to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which has put forth a request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to extend existing information collection requirements for hot mix asphalt facilities. This action is in line with the ongoing enforcement of the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) that have been set in place since 1973.

General Summary

The EPA is proposing to continue its information collection under the NSPS for Hot Mix Asphalt Facilities, a regulatory effort aimed at ensuring these facilities adhere to specific environmental performance standards. The request carries the identifier EPA ICR Number 1127.14, with an associated OMB Control Number 2060-0083, and would maintain the agency's current oversight through to February 28, 2025. Members of the public have been invited to submit comments by March 31, 2025, providing an opportunity for community engagement in the regulatory process. The document outlines that around 798 facilities are expected to comply, translating into an estimated annual burden of 3,200 hours and an associated cost of $404,000.

Significant Issues or Concerns

The document acknowledges a decrease in the number of facilities from previous estimates, which the EPA attributes to updated data from their database. However, it lacks a detailed explanation of why this decline has occurred, which could lead to questions about the accuracy and completeness of the presented data. The Federal Register notice also mentions supporting documents in a public docket but does not clarify what these documents contain, potentially leading to ambiguity about the kind of detailed information stakeholders might expect to find there.

Furthermore, the claim that there are "no annualized capital or operation & maintenance costs" is provided without context, which may confuse readers who do not know whether such an absence of costs is typical or unusual for such regulatory programs.

Impact on the Public and Stakeholders

For the general public, this document is crucial as it relates directly to environmental health and safety by ensuring that hot mix asphalt facilities operate within established environmental guidelines. While the opportunity to comment until March 31, 2025, encourages public participation, the technical nature of such requests often limits the extent to which broader participation is feasible.

For specific stakeholders, such as operators of hot mix asphalt facilities, this document represents both a compliance mandate and a financial burden. Facilities need to allocate time and resources to meet the EPA's standards, which now account for around 3,200 hours per year collectively, at a cost of $404,000. This could impact their operational focus and financial planning, potentially affecting small operators more significantly than larger enterprises.

In contrast, the reduction in the estimated burden due to fewer sources highlights a potentially positive trend of closing non-compliant operations or industry consolidation, which could imply better compliance or market shifts.

Conclusion

The document from the EPA reflects an ongoing commitment to environmental compliance within the asphalt mixing industry. While it appears procedural, ensuring transparency and understanding of the exact implications for facility operators and the broader community remains crucial. The opportunity for public commentary provides a platform for dialogue, even as questions around data clarity and cost implications linger.

The document in question, a notice from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the renewal of an Information Collection Request (ICR), provides some financial information critical to understanding the agency's intentions and the potential impact on relevant stakeholders, particularly hot mix asphalt facilities.

Financial Summary

The document identifies a total estimated cost of $404,000 per year associated with the administration of the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for these facilities. This cost includes all expected expenses linked to the collection and management of information necessary to ensure compliance with the mandated performance standards.

The estimated burden encompasses 3,200 hours per year, reflecting the time commitment required from respondents, i.e., hot mix asphalt facilities, to meet the compliance and reporting obligations determined by these standards.

Financial Reference and Issues

The document is clear in stating that there are "no annualized capital or operation & maintenance costs" associated with this information collection request. This statement, while explicitly delineated, may prompt curiosity regarding its typicality. For many regulatory compliance programs, some capital or operational costs could be expected to support necessary infrastructure or ongoing compliance efforts. This absence implies that the primary costs are linked largely to administrative functions rather than infrastructure investments.

The notice highlights a decrease in the total estimated burden, explicitly attributing this to a decline in the number of applicable sources. However, the document does not elaborate on the reasons behind this decline. Understanding whether this decrease stems from industry contraction, technological advancements, or policy changes might be essential for stakeholders comprehending the financial implications. Without this transparency, stakeholders might find it challenging to fully appreciate the context under which these financial calculations were made.

Overall, the financial references in this document primarily highlight the operational cost of the compliance program without incurring additional financial burdens related to capital expenditures. This clarity on costs is crucial for stakeholders, particularly those directly affected by these compliance requirements, to understand the financial landscape in which they operate.