Overview
Title
Information Collection Request to Office of Management and Budget; OMB Control Number: 1625-0060
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Coast Guard is asking people for their thoughts on rules about how to handle certain chemicals at sea to make sure things are safe and well designed, and they want to know if the way they collect this information can be made easier or better. People can send in their ideas by a certain date to help out with this.
Summary AI
The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking public feedback on an Information Collection Request (ICR) related to vapor control systems for facilities and tank vessels. This request, submitted under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, aims to extend approval for collecting necessary information to ensure compliance with design regulations for these systems. The Coast Guard is particularly interested in comments regarding the ICR's practicality, accuracy, and ways to enhance and simplify the process. Feedback can be submitted online by May 9, 2025.
Abstract
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the U.S. Coast Guard intends to submit an Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), requesting an extension of its approval for the following collection of information: 1625-0060, Vapor Control Systems for Facilities and Tank Vessels; without change. Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Before submitting this ICR to OIRA, the Coast Guard is inviting comments as described below.
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AnalysisAI
The U.S. Coast Guard is inviting public comments on an important process concerning vapor control systems (VCS) used in facilities and tank vessels. This falls under an Information Collection Request (ICR) governed by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Essentially, the Coast Guard is seeking an extension to continue collecting information that ensures these systems comply with existing design regulations.
General Summary of the Document
The notice is a call for public input on a request to extend approval for gathering specific information regarding vapor control systems. The aim of this information gathering is to ensure compliance with U.S. regulations. The notice encourages the public to submit their comments by May 9, 2025, using the Federal eRulemaking Portal. This feedback process is critical for assessing the practicality, accuracy, and potential improvements in the way this information is collected and the administrative burden it may impose on businesses.
Significant Issues or Concerns
While this document is a routine notice of request for public feedback, there are several issues worth noting:
Lack of Detail on Use of Information: The document falls short of explaining clearly how the information collected will be utilized and what specific results are expected. This omission could lead to questions regarding the actual benefits or necessity of the information collection.
Understanding Technical Terms: Terms like "Vapor Control Systems" and "certifying entity" are not sufficiently explained, which could confuse those not familiar with such technical jargon.
Increase in Burden Hours: There is a mention of a rise in the burden hours from 4,409 to 4,576 annually, primarily due to more respondents. However, this lacks detail on the underlying factors or context for this increase.
Submission Process Clarity: The document's explanation of the comment submission process includes repetitive language, which might be overwhelming or unclear to some respondents.
Impact on the Public
For the general public, this document represents an opportunity to influence how the Coast Guard gathers and utilizes information regarding vapor control systems. If you're a member of the public or a stakeholder, sharing your perspective could help refine this process, potentially leading to rules and systems that better serve both safety and administrative efficiency.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Owners and Operators: Those who own or operate facilities and tank vessels are directly impacted. The ICR requires their compliance, potentially affecting their operations. Supportive comments—or criticisms—might influence how future regulations are crafted.
Certifying Entities: These entities, responsible for certifying the compliance of vapor control systems, face scrutiny under the current data collection. Their feedback is essential in ensuring any changes address practical issues they encounter.
Regulatory Authorities: For the Coast Guard and similar bodies, the comment period is crucial. They depend on this information to fine-tune regulatory frameworks, ensuring they neither overburden the industry nor compromise on safety standards.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the Coast Guard's request for comments might seem like an ordinary bureaucratic process, it invites critical engagement from various stakeholders. By providing their insights, stakeholders can help shape the future of vapor control system regulations, balancing safety, efficiency, and administrative feasibility.
Issues
• The document does not specify any particular expenditures or budgeting, making it difficult to evaluate potential wasteful spending.
• There is no indication of spending that favors particular organizations or individuals, but more transparency on which entities handle the submissions could be beneficial.
• The language regarding the submission process and how comments are to be submitted might be overly repetitive, possibly leading to confusion for respondents who are not familiar with government procedures.
• The document lacks clarity on how exactly the information collection will be used or what specific outcomes are anticipated from the collected data.
• The explanation of the increase in burden hours is vague, simply attributing the increase to a rise in respondents without further explaining cause or context.
• The document uses technical terms without thorough explanations, such as 'Vapor Control Systems’ and 'certifying entity', which may not be easily understandable to the general public without additional context.