FR 2025-05381

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has initiated a public notice regarding the extension of an information collection request for municipal solid waste landfills, which is under review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This document specifically addresses the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for landfills that have been constructed or modified since July 17, 2014. These standards ensure that landfills comply with defined environmental regulations aimed at minimizing harm to the environment. The public has until April 28, 2025, to submit comments on this request.

Significant Issues and Concerns

One notable concern with this document is the lack of a detailed breakdown of how the estimated total annual cost of approximately $19.7 million is calculated. For stakeholders and the public, understanding how these costs are distributed would provide transparency and assurance that funds are being appropriately allocated for environmental protection efforts. This absence of detailed cost data could hinder the public's ability to fully understand the financial implications and may reduce trust in the process.

Additionally, the document mentions an increase of 74,252 hours in the estimated burden on respondents compared to previously approved figures, yet it does not clearly explain this change. The lack of information about why these additional hours are necessary might raise questions concerning the efficiency and necessity of the processes involved.

The document also relies on technical language and acronyms that may not be readily understood by the general public. Terms such as ICR (Information Collection Request), NSPS (New Source Performance Standards), and OMB (Office of Management and Budget) are used without a preliminary explanation. This could present a barrier for non-experts, potentially limiting public engagement and feedback.

Furthermore, the statement that the obligation to respond is "Mandatory (40 CFR part 60, subpart XXX)" might be vague to some who are not familiar with regulatory parlance or the specific requirements it entails.

The explanation of "2 new sources per year and 25 modified sources per year" lacks context or a basis for these estimates, which could make it difficult for stakeholders to assess the accuracy or reasonableness of these projections.

Lastly, the document references various locations and methods for collecting additional information or submitting comments. This can be overwhelming for individuals searching for specific documents or attempting to participate in the comment process.

Impact on the Public and Stakeholders

From a broader perspective, the proposed information collection extension is critical for ensuring that landfills continue to adhere to important environmental standards, which has long-term benefits for public health and ecological sustainability. However, the complex nature of the document could inadvertently limit public participation due to potential confusion or misunderstanding of the content.

For specific stakeholders, such as municipal landfill operators, this document directly impacts their operational procedures and compliance costs. The increased burden in terms of hours and financial obligations highlights the need for effective resource management and potential adjustments to operational strategies to meet these standards.

In summary, while the EPA's initiative is crucial for maintaining environmental health, the document could benefit from increased clarity and transparency to facilitate understanding and engagement from all affected parties. Adopting more plain language and providing detailed explanations would enhance public understanding and participation.

The document in question primarily references financial details concerning the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) ongoing efforts to gather information regarding municipal solid waste landfills as part of their regulatory duties. Notably, the document mentions a total estimated cost of $19,740,398 per year. This figure encompasses various activities related to data collection, compliance assurance, and other associated processes. Included within this sum is $1,183,287 specifically allocated for annualized capital or operation and maintenance costs.

The financial allocations appear substantial due to the nature and scope of EPA's regulatory tasks. However, the document does not provide a detailed breakdown of the cost components, which are crucial to understand the specific elements that contribute to the overall cost. This lack of transparency might lead to questions about how the funds are managed and distributed across various activities involved in implementing the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for Municipal Solid Waste Landfills. Providing a more detailed account of these expenses would better inform public stakeholders about how their taxpayer dollars are spent and could help in assessing the efficiency and necessity of such allocations.

Additionally, an identified issue is the increase in the total estimated respondent burden by 74,252 hours. While the document attributes this rise to an increase in the number of respondents, it does not elaborate on what this entails financially or operationally. Therefore, stakeholders might question whether these hours, and the associated costs, are truly justified and whether they reflect an efficient allocation of resources. A more explicit explanation or justification related to this increase would address potential concerns over the efficacy and necessity of these efforts.

In sum, while the document highlights the significant financial commitment involved in the EPA's regulatory activities, it lacks detailed justifications and breakdowns of the associated costs. Such details are essential for ensuring transparency and accountability in public agency spending, offering reassurance to stakeholders regarding the prudent use of resources in environmental protection efforts.