FR 2025-03313

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a notice seeking public comments on the proposed extension of an existing information collection request (ICR). This ICR is associated with the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) specifically targeting polyether polyols production facilities. The EPA aims to ensure these facilities continue monitoring and decreasing harmful emissions by extending this ICR under current approval until February 2025. Public feedback is invited until March 31, 2025, for this extension.

General Summary

The document indicates that the EPA has submitted a request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an extension of an ICR related to specific air pollutant standards. These standards apply to facilities that produce polyether polyols, a type of chemical. The purpose is to maintain compliance with regulations that limit emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). Comments from the public can be submitted online, via email, or regular mail. The proposed extension includes updated estimates for the total burden on respondents, estimated at 4,350 hours annually with an associated cost of $554,000 per year.

Significant Issues and Concerns

The document presents several key issues:

1. Lack of Specificity in Proposed Changes: The document does not outline specific changes to the existing ICR, which may leave stakeholders uncertain about what aspects they should focus on when providing comments.

2. Technical Language and References: The use of technical jargon and references to specific parts of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) without summarization or explanation may pose a challenge for the general public, particularly those unfamiliar with regulatory language.

3. Increase in Burden: While the notice mentions an increase in the burden on respondents in terms of hours and costs, it does not detail the factors contributing to this rise, leaving some ambiguity.

4. Potential Impacts on Small Facilities: There is no mention of how smaller production facilities might be impacted by compliance requirements, or if there are any considerations for their unique challenges.

Impact on the Public

For the general public, this extension of the ICR seeks to ensure that companies involved in the production of polyether polyols remain in compliance with emissions standards, which could translate to healthier air quality. The emphasis on reducing hazardous air pollutants aligns with broader environmental and public health goals.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For stakeholders directly involved, such as owners or operators of polyether polyols production facilities, this ICR extension signifies a continued requirement to adhere to stringent standards and potentially increased costs and administrative burdens. The estimated annual burden of 4,350 hours and a cost of $554,000 underscores the commitment required from these facilities.

On the other hand, the absence of specific guidance or information on how changes may affect existing practices adds uncertainty for these stakeholders. This especially impacts small facilities that might face more significant compliance challenges.

The call for public commentary allows stakeholders to express these concerns, and potentially pave the way for more tailored, supportive regulatory guidelines that accommodate varying capabilities across different facility sizes. Public and stakeholder engagement might lead to refinements in regulatory approaches, ensuring both effective environmental protection and practical compliance frameworks.

The document involves an information collection request (ICR) renewal related to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) specifically for Polyether Polyols Production. It outlines key financial estimates regarding compliance with the regulation.

The total estimated cost associated with this information collection extends to $554,000 per year. This figure includes $6,110 allocated for annualized capital or operational and maintenance costs. This financial reference highlights the overall economic burden on entities involved in polyether polyols production as they adhere to the regulatory requirements.

Financial Allocation Analysis

The document specifies a particular amount for the total estimated cost annually, linking this expenditure to maintaining regulatory compliance. The breakdown of costs includes not just the operational expenses but also capital expenses, indicating a broader scope of financial commitment required from the affected entities. This sum represents the necessary investment for ensuring compliance with the regulations set forth under 40 CFR part 63, subpart PPP.

Relation to Identified Issues

There are several issues mentioned, such as the increase in the respondent burden, of which an increase in costs is a component. However, the document does not delve into a detailed discussion or explanation regarding the financial implications, which can cause confusion for stakeholders. The lack of specificity about how exactly this cost impacts different facilities, especially smaller enterprises, leaves questions about the burden distribution. Additionally, the increase in hours and related costs is mentioned, yet there is no contextual or thorough explanation provided to clarify the underlying factors contributing to such increases.

Therefore, stakeholders might find it challenging to derive actionable insights or form well-informed comments during the public review period because of the vagueness surrounding the financial implications. Furthermore, smaller entities that may face difficulties with compliance and its associated costs are not particularly addressed, which could potentially be a key concern needing attention during the public commentary period.

In synthesizing this information, it's crucial for the concerned parties to comprehend these financial estimates and their ramifications fully, yet the document's current state might not adequately support such understanding for all audiences.