[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 127 (Thursday, July 2, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38271-38272]
[FR Doc No: 2015-15848]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

Hazardous Materials: Notice of Application for Special Permits

AGENCY: Office of Hazardous Materials Safety, Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety Administration, (PHMSA), DOT.

ACTION: List of applications for special permits.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the procedures governing the application
for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of
Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations (49 CFR part 107,
subpart B), notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous
Materials Safety has received the application described herein. Each
mode of transportation for which a particular special permit is
requested is indicated by a number in the ``Nature of Application''
portion of the table below as follows: 1--Motor vehicle, 2--Rail
freight, 3--Cargo vessel, 4--Cargo aircraft only, 5--Passenger-carrying
aircraft.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 3, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Record Center, Pipeline and Hqzardous Materials Safety
Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC
20590.
    Comments should refer to the application number and be submitted in
triplicate. If confirmation of receipt of comments is desired, include
a self-addressed stamped postcard showing the special permit number.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Copies of the applications are
available for inspection in the Records Center, East Building, PHH-30,
1200 New Jersey Avenue Southeast, Washington, DC or at http://regulations.gov. This notice of receipt of applications for special
permit is published in accordance with Part 107 of the Federal
hazardous materials transportation law (49 U.S.C. 5117(b); 49 CFR
I.53(b)).

    Issued in Washington, DC, on June 23, 2015.
Ryan Paquet,
Director, Approvals and Permits Division.

                                               New Special Permits
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      Regulation(s)         Nature of special
   Application No.          Docket No.             Applicant            affeceted                thereof
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16474-N.............  ......................  Retriev              49 CFR Subparts C,   To authorize the
                                               Technologies Inc.    D, and E of part     manufacture, mark sale
                                               Anaheim, CA.         172, 172.102(c)(1)   and use of specifically
                                                                    Special Provision    designed packagings for
                                                                    130(d),              the transportation in
                                                                    173.185(c),          commerce of certain
                                                                    173.185(d).          batteries without
                                                                                shipping papers, and
                                                                                certain marking and
                                                                                labeling when
                                                                                transported for
                                                                                recycling or disposal
                                                                                (modes 1, 2, 3)
16475-N.............  ......................  Volga-Dnepr          49 CFR 172.101       To authorize the
                                               Airlines, LLC        Hazardous            transportation in
                                               Ulyanovsk, Russian   Materials Table      commerce of certain
                                               Federation.          Column (9B),         hazardous materials
                                                                    173.27,              forbidden aboard cargo
                                                                    175.30(a)(1),        aircraft only (mode 4)
                                                                    Columns 12 and 13
                                                                    of Table 3-1 of
                                                                    the ICAO TI.
16477-N.............  ......................  Hydroid, Inc.        49 CFR 173.185(e)..  To authorize the
                                               Pocassset, MA.                            transportation in
                                                                                commerce of prototype
                                                                                and low production
                                                                                lithium ion batteries
                                                                                contained in equipment.
                                                                                (modes 1, 2, 3)
16478-N.............  ......................  Sentry Equipment     49 CFR 173.201,      To authorize the
                                               Corp. Oconomowoc,    173.301(f),          manufacture, mark, sale
                                               WI.                  173.302a, 173.304a.  and use of stainless
                                                                                steel non-DOT
                                                                                specification cylinders
                                                                                manufactured in
                                                                                accordance with ASME
                                                                                Section VIII. (modes 1,
                                                                                2, 3, 4)
16485-N.............  ......................  Entegris, Inc.       49 CFR 173.302c,     To authorize the
                                               Billerica, MA.       180205(f),           transportation in
                                                                    180.205(g),          commerce of adsorbed
                                                                    180.209a.            gases in certain DOT
                                                                                specification
                                                                                cylinders. (modes 1, 2,
                                                                                3, 4, 5)
16492-N.............  ......................  Construction         49 CFR 172.101       To authorize the
                                               Helicopters, Inc.    Hazardous            transportation in
                                               Howell, MI.          Materials Table      commerce of certain
                                                                    Column (9B),         hazardous materials by
                                                                    Subpart C of Part    14 CFR part 133
                                                                    172, 172.301(c),     Rotorcraft External
                                                                    172.302(c)           Load Operations
                                                                    173.27(b)(2),        transporting hazardous
                                                                    175.30, Part 178.    materials attached to
                                                                                or suspended from an
                                                                                aircraft and 14 CFR
                                                                                part 135 operations
                                                                                transporting hazardous
                                                                                materials on board an
                                                                                aircraft. Such
                                                                                transportation is in
                                                                                support of construction
                                                                                operations when the use
                                                                                of cranes or other
                                                                                lifting devices is
                                                                                impracticable or
                                                                                unavailable or when
                                                                                aircraft is the only
                                                                                means of
                                                                                transportation, without
                                                                                being subject to
                                                                                certain hazard
                                                                                communication
                                                                                requirements, packaging
                                                                                and loading and storage
                                                                                requirements. (mode 4)
16495-N.............  ......................  TransRail            40 CFR 179.7.......  To authorize the
                                               Innovatioin Inc.                          manufacture,
                                               Calgary, Canada.                          installation, and
                                                                                service trials of 50
                                                                                rail tank cars
                                                                                containing Class 3
                                                                                hazardous materials
                                                                                each with a sensor
                                                                                device mounted to the
                                                                                rail tank car prior to,
                                                                                or in conjunction with,
                                                                                the completion of the
                                                                                quality assurance
                                                                                program for the tank
                                                                                car facility. (mode 2)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[FR Doc. 2015-15848 Filed 7-1-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4909-60-M


[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 125 (Thursday, June 28, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38523-38530]
[FR Doc No: 2012-15727]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 141

[EPA-HQ-OW-2012-0288; FRL-9693-4]

Expedited Approval of Alternative Test Procedures for the
Analysis of Contaminants Under the Safe Drinking Water Act; Analysis
and Sampling Procedures

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action announces the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency's (EPA's) approval of alternative testing methods for use in
measuring the levels of contaminants in drinking water and determining
compliance with national primary drinking water regulations. The Safe
Drinking Water Act (SDWA) authorizes EPA to approve the use of
alternative testing methods through publication in the Federal
Register. EPA is using this streamlined authority to make 10 additional
methods available for analyzing drinking water samples required by
regulation. This expedited approach provides public water systems,
laboratories, and primacy agencies with more timely access to new
measurement techniques and greater flexibility in the selection of
analytical methods, thereby reducing monitoring costs while maintaining
public health protection.

DATES: This action is effective June 28, 2012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800) 426-
4791 or Glynda Smith, Technical Support Center, Standards and Risk
Management Division, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water (MS
140), Environmental Protection Agency, 26 West Martin Luther King
Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45268; telephone number:<PHONE_NUMBER>; email
address<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this action apply to me?

    Public water systems are the regulated entities required to measure
contaminants in drinking water samples. In addition, EPA Regions as
well as States and Tribal governments with authority to administer the
regulatory program for public water systems under SDWA may also measure
contaminants in water samples. When EPA sets a monitoring requirement
in its national primary drinking water regulations for a given
contaminant, the Agency also establishes in the regulations
standardized test procedures for analysis of the contaminant. This
action makes alternative testing methods available for particular
drinking water contaminants beyond the testing methods currently
established in the regulations. EPA is providing public water systems
required to test water samples with a choice of using either a test
procedure already established in the existing regulations or an
alternative test procedure that has been approved in this action or in
prior expedited approval actions. Categories and entities that may
ultimately be affected by this action include:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Category                         Examples of potentially regulated  entities      NAICS \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State, Local, & Tribal Governments..............  States, local and Tribal governments that analyze       924110
                                                   water samples on behalf of public water systems
                                                   required to conduct such analysis; States, local
                                                   and Tribal governments that themselves operate
                                                   community and non-transient non-community water
                                                   systems required to monitor.
Industry........................................  Private operators of community and non-transient        221310
                                                   non-community water systems required to monitor.
Municipalities..................................  Municipal operators of community and non-               924110
                                                   transient non-community water systems required
                                                   to monitor.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ North American Industry Classification System.

    This table is not exhaustive, but rather provides a guide for
readers regarding entities likely to be affected by this action. This
table lists the types of entities that EPA is now aware could
potentially be affected by this action. Other types of entities not
listed in the table could also be impacted. To determine whether your
facility is affected by this action, you should carefully examine the
applicability language in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 40
CFR 141.2 (definition of public water system). If you have questions
regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity,
consult the person listed in the preceding FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section.

B. How can I get copies of this document and other related information?

    Docket. EPA established a docket for this action under Docket ID
No. EPA-HQ-OW-2012-0288. Publicly available docket materials are
available either electronically through www.regulations.gov or in hard
copy at the Water Docket in the EPA Docket Center, (EPA/DC) EPA West,
Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW.,

Washington, DC. Copyrighted materials are available only in hard copy.
The EPA Docket Center Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to
4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The
telephone number for the Public Reading Room is<PHONE_NUMBER>, and the
telephone number for the Water Docket is<PHONE_NUMBER>.
Abbreviations and Acronyms Used in This Action
ANOVA: Analysis of Variance
APHA: American Public Health Association
CAS: Chemical Abstracts Service
CFR: Code of Federal Regulations
DIC: Differential Interference Contrast
EDTA: Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid
EPA: Environmental Protection Agency
FA: Fluorescence Assay
GC/MS: Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry
HCCPD: Hexachlorocyclopentadiene
IMS: Immunomagnetic Separation
LC-MS/MS: Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry
MCL: Maximum Contaminant Level
NaHMP: Sodium Hexametaphosphate
NAICS: North American Industry Classification System
NEMI: National Environmental Methods Index
PCB: Polychlorinated Biphenyl
QC: Quality Control
SDWA: Safe Drinking Water Act
VCSB: Voluntary Consensus Standard Bodies

II. Background

A. What is the purpose of this action?

    In this action, EPA is approving 10 analytical methods for
determining contaminant concentrations in samples collected under SDWA.
Regulated parties required to sample and monitor may use either the
testing methods already established in existing regulations or the
alternative testing methods being approved in this action or in prior
expedited approval actions. The new methods are listed along with other
previously expedited methods in Appendix A to Subpart C of Part 141 and
on EPA's drinking water methods Web site at http://water.epa.gov/scitech/drinkingwater/labcert/analyticalmethods_expedited.cfm.

B. What is the basis for this action?

    When EPA determines that an alternative analytical method is
``equally effective'' (i.e., as effective as a method that has already
been promulgated in the regulations), SDWA allows EPA to approve the
use of the alternative method through publication in the Federal
Register. (See Section 1401(1) of SDWA.) EPA is using this streamlined
approval authority to make 10 additional methods available for
determining contaminant concentrations in samples collected under the
SDWA. EPA has determined that, for each contaminant or group of
contaminants listed in Section III, the additional testing methods
being approved in this action are as effective as one or more of the
testing methods already approved in the regulations for those
contaminants. Section 1401(1) of SDWA states that the newly approved
methods ``shall be treated as an alternative for public water systems
to the quality control and testing procedures listed in the
regulation.'' Accordingly, this action makes these additional 10
analytical methods legally available as options for meeting EPA's
monitoring requirements.
    This action does not add regulatory language, but does, for
informational purposes, update an appendix to the regulations at 40 CFR
Part 141 that lists all methods approved under Section 1401(1) of SDWA.
Accordingly, while this action is not a rule, it is updating CFR text
and therefore is being published in the ``Final Rules'' section of the
Federal Register.

III. Summary of Approvals

    EPA is approving 10 methods that are equally effective relative to
methods previously promulgated in the regulations. By means of this
notice, these 10 methods are added to Appendix A to Subpart C of 40 CFR
Part 141.

A. Methods Developed by EPA

    1. EPA Method 536 (USEPA 2007) is a direct injection liquid
chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the
determination of atrazine and simazine, which are regulated in drinking
water as specified at 40 CFR 141.61(c). The analytes are separated and
identified by comparing the retention times and acquired mass spectra
to the retention times and reference spectra for calibration standards
acquired under identical LC-MS/MS conditions. The concentration of each
analyte is determined by internal standard calibration using procedural
standards. EPA Method 536 simplifies sample preparation because it does
not require labor- intensive clean-up or pre-concentration using solid
phase extraction. It also provides laboratories with the opportunity to
use liquid chromatography for the analytical separation instead of gas
chromatography, which is used in the approved methods for the
determination of atrazine and simazine.
    The currently approved methods for monitoring atrazine and simazine
in drinking water are listed at 40 CFR 141.24(e)(1). EPA Method 525.2,
Revision 2.0 (USEPA 1995) is the only approved method that employs mass
spectrometry for detection of atrazine and simazine. Therefore, the
method performance characteristics of EPA Method 536 were compared to
the characteristics of EPA Method 525.2, Revision 2.0 for both atrazine
and simazine. EPA has found that EPA Method 536 is equally effective
for measuring atrazine and simazine concentrations in drinking water,
relative to the approved method. The basis for this determination is
discussed in Smith and Wendelken (2012a). Therefore, EPA is approving
EPA Method 536 for determining atrazine and simazine in drinking water.
    A copy of EPA Method 536 can be accessed and downloaded directly
on-line at http://water.epa.gov/drink.
    2. EPA Method 523 (USEPA 2011) is a gas chromatography mass
spectrometry (GC/MS) method for the determination of atrazine and
simazine, which are regulated in drinking water as specified at 40 CFR
141.61(c). The method analytes are extracted and concentrated from the
water sample using solid phase extraction. Extracts are injected onto a
capillary GC column and analyzed with a mass spectrometer. The method
analytes are identified by comparing retention times and the acquired
mass spectra to retention times and reference spectra for calibration
standards acquired under identical GC/MS conditions. The concentration
of each analyte is determined using the internal standard technique.
    As discussed with EPA Method 536, EPA Method 523 can be used for
the determination of atrazine and simazine in finished drinking water.
EPA Method 523 and the approved EPA Method 525.2, Revision 2.0 (USEPA
1995) are both GC/MS methods; however, one of the advantages that EPA
Method 523 offers relative to the approved method is the use of solid
reagents, ammonium acetate and 2-chloroacetamide, for sample
preservation instead of hydrochloric acid. This allows sample bottles
to be prepared in the laboratory prior to shipment to the field, thus
eliminating the need to ship a hazardous liquid acid. The method
performance characteristics of EPA Method 523 were compared to the
characteristics of the approved EPA Method 525.2, Revision 2.0 for
atrazine and simazine. EPA has found that EPA Method 523 is equally
effective for measuring atrazine and simazine concentrations, relative
to the approved method. The basis for this determination is discussed
in Smith and Wendelken (2012a). Therefore, EPA is approving EPA Method
523 for

determining atrazine and simazine in drinking water.
    A copy of EPA Method 523 can be accessed and downloaded directly
on-line at http://water.epa.gov/drink.
    3. EPA Method 525.3 (USEPA 2012) is a GC/MS method for the
determination of semivolatile organic compounds in finished drinking
water. The method analytes are extracted and concentrated from the
water sample using solid phase extraction. Extracts are injected onto a
capillary GC column and analyzed using mass spectrometry. The analytes
are identified by comparing retention times and the acquired mass
spectra to retention times and reference spectra for calibration
standards acquired under identical GC/MS conditions. The concentration
of each analyte is determined using the internal standard technique.
    EPA Method 525.3 is a revision of EPA Method 525.2, Revision 2.0
(USEPA 1995) which is currently approved at 40 CFR 141.24(e)(1) for
analysis of drinking water compliance samples for 17 semivolatile
organic contaminants: Alachlor, atrazine, polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCBs), benzo[a]pyrene, chlordane, di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate, di(2-
ethylhexyl) phthalate, endrin, lindane (HCH-[gamma]), heptachlor,
heptachlor epoxide, hexachlorobenzene, hexachlorocyclopentadiene
(HCCPD), methoxychlor, pentachlorophenol, simazine, and toxaphene. It
should be noted that for PCBs, the approved method can only be used as
a screen; compliance with the PCB maximum contaminant level (MCL) is
based on quantitative analysis using EPA Method 508A (USEPA 1989) as
specified at 40 CFR 141.24(h)(13)(iii). Likewise, EPA Method 525.3 can
only be used for PCBs as a screen. Some of the advantages afforded by
the revised method include:
     Use of solid preservation reagents (ascorbic acid,
ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and potassium dihydrogen
citrate), which eliminates the requirement to ship liquid hydrochloric
acid to the field;
     Incorporation of flexibility that allows analysts to take
advantage of multiple types of solid phase extraction media and GC/MS
instrumentation options to improve method sensitivity and data quality;
and
     Improved guidance for handling the data reduction
associated with multi-component contaminants such as toxaphene,
chlordane, and PCBs.

The method performance characteristics of EPA Method 525.3 were
compared to the characteristics of the approved EPA Method 525.2,
Revision 2.0 for each of the 17 regulated semivolatile organic
contaminants. EPA has determined that EPA Method 525.3 is equally
effective for measuring each of these 17 contaminants relative to the
approved method. The basis for this determination is discussed in
Munch, Grimmett and Smith (2012). EPA is therefore approving the use of
Method 525.3 for the above named 17 contaminants when analyzing
drinking water compliance samples.
    A copy of EPA Method 525.3 can be accessed and downloaded directly
on-line at http://www.epa.gov/nerlcwww/ordmeth.htm.
    4. EPA Method 1623.1 (USEPA 2012) is a microbiological method for
the detection of the water-borne parasite, Cryptosporidium (CAS
Registry Number 137259-50-8), in drinking water treatment plant source
waters by concentration, immunomagnetic separation (IMS), and
immunofluorescence assay microscopy. Cryptosporidium is characterized
using 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining and differential
interference contrast (DIC) microscopy. Cryptosporidium concentrations
are reported as oocysts/L.
    EPA Method 1623.1 is a revision of EPA Method 1623 (USEPA 2005),
which is approved at 40 CFR 141.704(a) for the detection of
Cryptosporidium in water. The primary change in EPA Method 1623.1
relative to the approved method is the addition of sodium
hexametaphosphate (NaHMP) after filtration of the water sample. Miller
(2012a) describes two EPA studies that showed improved accuracy and
precision for detecting the concentration of Cryptosporidium oocysts in
water when NaHMP was added: (1) A single laboratory side-by-side
analysis that compared samples from nine public water system sources
processed by both EPA Method 1623 and EPA Method 1623.1, and showed an
average Cryptosporidium recovery improvement of 18 percentage points (p
= 0.0001); and (2) a multi-laboratory side-by-side analysis that
resulted in an average Cryptosporidium recovery improvement of 15
percentage points with the addition of NaHMP for the three source
waters that were tested (p = 0.0197). The more significant improvement
in Cryptosporidium recovery during the side-by-side studies was
particularly associated with samples that had low initial recovery
using Method 1623.
    Miller (2012b) contains the study report that details the
validation of EPA Method 1623.1. Fourteen laboratories demonstrated a
mean Cryptosporidium recovery from source water of 61% with an average
within-laboratory relative standard deviation of 13%. The precision and
recovery for EPA Method 1623.1 were compared to the precision and
recovery observed in the validation study for the approved EPA Method
1623. The Cryptosporidium reagent water and source water mean percent
recoveries for EPA Method 1623.1 are at least 20 percentage points
higher than the recoveries cited in the validation study for EPA Method
1623. In addition, the mean relative standard deviation for
Cryptosporidium measurements was lower in both matrices for the revised
EPA Method 1623.1 demonstrating improved precision.
    The data from the EPA Method 1623.1 validation studies were used to
develop new quality control (QC) criteria for laboratory performance.
For each QC criterion, the distribution of recovery was estimated using
random effects analysis of variance (ANOVA). The recovery limits were
estimated at the 5th percentile of the predictive distribution for each
criterion. The lower limit for acceptable recovery of Cryptosporidium
detected in reagent and source water increased by 22 and 19 percentage
points, respectively, over EPA Method 1623 criteria. Thus, laboratories
performing EPA Method 1623.1 should have more accurate detection and
will be meeting more stringent QC criteria than laboratories following
Method 1623.
    Based on the validation results, EPA has determined that EPA Method
1623.1 is equally effective for detecting Cryptosporidium oocysts,
relative to the approved method. Therefore, EPA is approving EPA Method
1623.1 for detecting Cryptosporidium in drinking water source waters. A
copy of EPA Method 1623.1 can be accessed and downloaded directly on-
line at http://water.epa.gov/drink.

B. Methods Developed by Voluntary Consensus Standard Bodies (VCSB)

    1. Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater
(Standard Methods). EPA compared the most recent versions of two
Standard Methods to earlier versions of those methods that are
currently approved in 40 CFR Part 141. Changes between the earlier
approved version and the most recent version of each method are
summarized in Smith (2012). The revisions primarily involve editorial
changes (e.g., corrections of errors, procedural clarifications, and
reorganization of text). The revised methods are the same as the
earlier approved versions with respect to the chemistry, sample
handling protocols, and method performance data. The new

versions are thus equally effective relative to those that are
currently approved in the regulations. Therefore, EPA is approving the
use of the two updated Standard Methods for the contaminants and their
respective regulations listed in the following table:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Standard method revised version     Approved method           Contaminant                  Regulation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3125, 21st edition (APHA 2005)...  3125, 20th edition   Uranium.................  40 CFR 141.25(a)
                                    (APHA 1998).
3112 B-09, on-line version (APHA   3112 B-99, on-line   Mercury.................  40 CFR 141.23(k)(1)
 2009).                             version (APHA
                                    1999).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The 21st edition can be obtained from the American Public Health
Association (APHA), 800 I Street NW., Washington, DC 20001-3710. Online
versions of Standard Methods are available at http://www.standardmethods.org.
    2. ASTM International. EPA compared the most recent versions of
three ASTM International methods (ASTM Methods D859-10, D1179-10 B, and
D5673-10) to the earlier versions of those methods that are currently
approved in 40 CFR part 141. Changes between the earlier approved
version and the most recent version of each method are summarized in
Smith (2012). The revisions primarily involve editorial changes (e.g.,
updated references, definitions, terminology, and reorganization of
text). The revised methods are the same as the approved versions with
respect to sample collection and handling protocols, sample
preparation, analytical methodology, and method performance data, and
thus, are equally effective relative to the approved methods.
    An additional ASTM Method, D6239-09, was submitted for evaluation
as an alternate test method to EPA Method 908.0 (USEPA 1980) for the
analysis of uranium in drinking water. ASTM Method D6329-09 involves
the analysis of uranium in drinking water by alpha scintillation with
pulse shape discrimination. This technique offers high alpha counting
efficiency since the electronic pulse shape discrimination reduces
background counts associated with beta-gamma interference. ASTM Method
D6239-09 incorporates selective solvent extraction to separate and
concentrate uranium from drinking water samples for subsequent alpha
liquid scintillation counting. With pulse shape discrimination, the
method provides sufficient resolution to yield limited isotopic
activity levels for uranium-238 and uranium-234 as well as total
uranium activity. EPA Method 908.0, which relies on co-precipitation of
uranium with iron hydroxide followed by ion exchange separation to
isolate uranium, is not capable of distinguishing among the uranium
radioisotopes. The approved methods for uranium are listed at 40 CFR
141.25(a). The performance characteristics of ASTM Method D6239-09 were
compared to the performance characteristics of the approved method, EPA
Method 908.0. Smith and Wendelken (2012b) summarizes the research and
validation data associated with development of ASTM Method D6239-09.
EPA has determined that ASTM Method D6239-09 is equally effective,
relative to EPA Method 908.0, for the determination of total uranium
activity in drinking water.
    EPA is thus approving the use of the following ASTM methods for the
contaminants and their respective regulations listed in the following
table:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       ASTM Revised version          Approved method           Contaminant                  Regulation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
D859-10 (ASTM 2010a).............  D859-00 (ASTM 2000)  Silica..................  40 CFR 141.23(k)(1)
D1179-10 B (ASTM 2010b)..........  D1179-99 B (ASTM     Fluoride................  40 CFR 141.23(k)(1)
                                    1999).
D5673-10 (ASTM 2010c)............  D5673-03 (ASTM       Uranium.................  40 CFR 141.25(a)
                                    2003).
D6239-09 (ASTM 2009).............  EPA Method 908.0...  Uranium.................  40 CFR 141.25(a)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The ASTM methods are available from ASTM International, 100 Barr
Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959 or http://www.astm.org.

IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    As noted in Section II, under the terms of SDWA Section 1401(1),
this streamlined method approval action is not a rule. Accordingly, the
Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, does not apply
because this action is not a rule for purposes of 5 U.S.C. 804(3).
Similarly, this action is not subject to the Regulatory Flexibility Act
because it is not subject to notice and comment requirements under the
Administrative Procedure Act or any other statute. In addition, because
this approval action is not a rule, but simply makes alternative
testing methods available as options for monitoring under SDWA, EPA has
concluded that other statutes and executive orders generally applicable
to rulemaking do not apply to this approval action.

V. References

American Public Health Association (APHA). 1998. 20th Edition of
Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater,
American Public Health Association, 800 I Street NW., Washington, DC
20001-3710.
American Public Health Association (APHA). 1999. Standard Method
3112 B-99. Metals by Cold-Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectrometry.
Approved by Standard Methods Committee 1999. Standard Methods
Online. (Available at http://www.standardmethods.org.)
American Public Health Association (APHA). 2005. 21st Edition of
Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater,
American Public Health Association, 800 I Street NW., Washington, DC
20001-3710.
American Public Health Association (APHA). 2009. Standard Method
3112 B-09. Metals by Cold-Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectrometry.
Approved by Standard Methods Committee 2009. Standard Methods
Online. (Available at http://www.standardmethods.org.)
ASTM International. 1999. ASTM D1179-99 B. Standard Test Methods for
Fluoride Ion in Water. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive,
West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. (Available at http://www.astm.org.)
ASTM International. 2000. ASTM D859-00. Standard Test Method for
Silica in Water. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West
Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. (Available at http://www.astm.org.)
ASTM International. 2003. ASTM D5673-03. Standard Test Method for
Elements in Water by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry.
ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA
19428-2959. (Available at http://www.astm.org.)
ASTM International. 2009. ASTM D6239-09. Standard Test Method for
Uranium in Drinking Water by High-Resolution Alpha-Liquid-
Scintillation Spectrometry.

ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA
19428-2959. (Available at http://www.astm.org.)
ASTM International. 2010a. ASTM D859-10. Standard Test Method for
Silica in Water. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West
Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. (Available at http://www.astm.org.)
ASTM International. 2010b. ASTM D1179-10 B. Standard Test Methods
for Fluoride Ion in Water. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor
Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. (Available at http://www.astm.org.)
ASTM International. 2010c. ASTM D5673-10. Standard Test Method for
Elements in Water by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry.
ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA
19428-2959. (Available at http://www.astm.org.)
Miller, C. 2012a. Memo to the record describing basis for expedited
approval of EPA Method 1623.1. January 20, 2012.
Miller, C. 2012b. Method 1623.1 validation study report, ``Results
of the Inter-laboratory Method Validation Study using U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency Method 1623.1: Cryptosporidium and
Giardia in Water by Filtration/IMS/FA,'' EPA 816-R-12-002, February
2012.
Munch, J., Grimmett, P., and Smith, G. 2012. Memo to the record
describing basis for expedited approval of EPA Method 525.3. January
23, 2012.
Smith, G. 2012. Memo to the record describing basis for expedited
approval of updated methods from Standard Methods and ASTM
International. January 19, 2012.
Smith, G. and Wendelken, S. 2012a. Memo to the record describing
basis for expedited approval of EPA Methods 523 and 536. January 20,
2012.
Smith, G. and Wendelken, S. 2012b. Memo to the record describing ATP
evaluation of ASTM Method D6239-09 and basis for expedited approval.
January 20, 2012.
USEPA. 1980. EPA Method 908.0, ``Uranium in Drinking Water--
Radiochemical Method 908.0'' in Prescribed Procedures for the
Measurement of Radioactivity in Drinking Water, EPA 600/4-80-032,
August 1980. (Available at the U.S. Department of Commerce, National
Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5301 Shawnee Road, Alexandria,
VA 22312<PHONE_NUMBER>). PB 80-224744. http://www.ntis.gov.)
USEPA. 1989. EPA Method 508A, Revision 1.0, ``Screening for
Polychlorinated Biphenyls by Perchlorination and Gas
Chromatography'' in Methods for the Determination of Organic
Compounds in Drinking Water, EPA/600/4-88-039, December 1988
(Revised July 1991). (Available at https://www.nemi.gov.)
USEPA. 1995. EPA Method 525.2, Revision 2.0, ``Determination of
Organic Compounds in Drinking Water by Liquid-Solid Extraction and
Capillary Column Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry'' in Methods
for the Determination of Organic Compounds in Drinking Water,
Supplement III, EPA/600/R-95-131, August 1995. (Available at https://www.nemi.gov.)
USEPA. 2005. EPA Method 1623, ``Cryptosporidium and Giardia in Water
by Filtration/IMS/FA,'' EPA-815-R-05-002. December 2005. (Available
at http://www.epa.gov/nerlcwww/online.html.)
USEPA. 2007. EPA Method 536, ``Determination of Triazine Pesticides
and their Degradates in Drinking Water by Liquid Chromatography
Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS),''
EPA-815-B-07-002. October 2007. (Available at http://water.epa.gov/drink.)
USEPA. 2011. EPA Method 523, ``Determination of Triazine Pesticides
and their Degradates in Drinking Water by Gas Chromatography/Mass
Spectrometry (GC/MS),'' EPA-815-R-11-002. February 2011. (Available
at http://water.epa.gov/drink.)
USEPA. 2012. EPA Method 525.3, ``Determination of Semivolatile
Organic Chemicals in Drinking Water by Solid Phase Extraction and
Capillary Column Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS),''
EPA/600/R-12/010. February 2012. (Available at http://www.epa.gov/nerlcwww/ordmeth.htm.)
USEPA. 2012. EPA Method 1623.1. ``Cryptosporidium and Giardia in
Water by Filtration/IMS/FA,'' EPA-816-R-12-001. January 2012.
(Available at http://water.epa.gov/drink.)

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 141

    Environmental protection, Chemicals, Indians--lands,
Intergovernmental relations, Radiation protection, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Water supply.

    Dated: June 21, 2012.
Pamela S. Barr,
Acting Director, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, 40 CFR Part 141 is amended
as follows:

PART 141--NATIONAL PRIMARY DRINKING WATER REGULATIONS

0
1. The authority citation for Part 141 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  42 U.S.C. 300f, 300g-1, 300j-4, and 300j-9.

0
2. Appendix A to Subpart C of Part 141 is amended as follows:
0
a. By revising entries for ``Fluoride,'' ``Mercury,'' and ``Silica'' in
the table entitled ``Alternative testing methods for contaminants
listed at 40 CFR 141.23(k)(1).''
0
b. By adding entries for ``Alachlor,'' ``Atrazine,'' and
``Benzo(a)pyrene'' after the entry for ``2,4,5-TP (Silvex)'' in the
table entitled ``Alternative testing methods for contaminants listed at
40 CFR 141.24(e)(1)''
0
c. By adding the entry for ``Chlordane'' after the entry for
``Carbofuran'' in the table entitled ``Alternative testing methods for
contaminants listed at 40 CFR 141.24(e)(1).''
0
d. By adding entries for ``Di(2-ethylhexyl)adipate'' and ``Di(2-
ethylhexyl)phthalate'' after the entry for ``Dalapon'' in the table
entitled ``Alternative testing methods for contaminants listed at 40
CFR 141.24(e)(1).''
0
e. By adding the entry for ``Endrin'' after the entry for ``Dinoseb''
in the table entitled ``Alternative testing methods for contaminants
listed at 40 CFR 141.24(e)(1).''
0
f. By adding entries for ``Heptachlor,'' ``Heptachlor Epoxide,''
``Hexachlorobenzene,'' ``Hexachlorocyclopentadiene,'' ``Lindane,'' and
``Methoxychlor'' after the entry for ``Glyphosate'' in the table
entitled ``Alternative testing methods for contaminants listed at 40
CFR 141.24(e)(1).''
0
g. By adding the entry for ``PCBs (as Aroclors)'' after the entry for
``Oxamyl'' in the table entitled ``Alternative testing methods for
contaminants listed at 40 CFR 141.24(e)(1).''
0
h. By revising the entry for ``Pentachlorophenol'' in the table
entitled ``Alternative testing methods for contaminants listed at 40
CFR 141.24(e)(1).''
0
i. By adding entries for ``Simazine'' and ``Toxaphene'' after the entry
for ``Picloram'' in the table entitled ``Alternative testing methods
for contaminants listed at 40 CFR 141.24(e)(1).''
0
j. By revising the entry for ``Uranium'' in the table entitled
``Alternative testing methods for contaminants listed at 40 CFR
141.25(a).''
0
k. By adding the table entitled ``Alternative testing methods for
contaminants listed at 40 CFR 141.704(a)'' after the table entitled
``Alternative testing methods for contaminants listed at 40 CFR
141.402(c)(2).''
    The additions and revisions read as follows:

Appendix A to Subpart C of Part 141--Alternative Testing Methods
Approved for Analyses Under the Safe Drinking Water Act

* * * * *

                                       Alternative Testing Methods for Contaminants Listed at 40 CFR 141.23(k)(1)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Contaminant        Methodology           EPA Method        SM 21st  Edition \1\      SM Online \3\             ASTM \4\                Other
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                      * * * * * * *
Fluoride..........  Ion                .....................  4110 B                 .....................  .....................  .....................
                     Chromatography.
                    Manual             .....................  4500-F- B, D           .....................  .....................  .....................
                     Distillation;
                     Colorimetric
                     SPADNS.
                    Manual Electrode.  .....................  4500-F- C              .....................  D 1179-04, 10 B        .....................
                    Automated          .....................  4500-F- E              .....................  .....................  .....................
                     Alizarin.
                    Arsenite-Free      .....................  .....................  .....................  .....................  Hach SPADNS 2 Method
                     Colorimetric                                                                                10225 \22\
                     SPADNS.

                                                                      * * * * * * *
Mercury...........  Manual, Cold       .....................  3112 B                 3112 B-09              .....................  .....................
                     Vapor.

                                                                      * * * * * * *
Silica............  Colorimetric.....  .....................  .....................  .....................  D859-05, 10            .....................
                    Molybdosilicate..  .....................  4500-SiO2 C            .....................  .....................  .....................
                    Heteropoly blue..  .....................  4500-SiO2 D            .....................  .....................  .....................
                    Automated for      .....................  4500-SiO2 E            .....................  .....................  .....................
                     Molybdate-
                     reactive Silica.
                    Axially viewed     200.5, Revision 4.2    .....................  .....................  .....................  .....................
                     inductively        \2\.
                     coupled plasma-
                     atomic emission
                     spectrometry
                     (AVICP-AES).
                    Inductively        .....................  3120 B                 .....................  .....................  .....................
                     Coupled Plasma.

                                                                      * * * * * * *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                       Alternative Testing Methods for Contaminants Listed at 40 CFR 141.24(e)(1)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Contaminant                      Methodology                   EPA Method              SM 21st  Edition \1\            SM Online \3\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                      * * * * * * *
Alachlor............................  Solid Phase Extraction/Gas   525.3 \24\                   ...........................  ...........................
                                       Chromatography/Mass
                                       Spectrometry (GC/MS).
Atrazine............................  Solid Phase Extraction/Gas   525.3 \24\, 523 \26\         ...........................  ...........................
                                       Chromatography/Mass
                                       Spectrometry (GC/MS).
                                      Liquid Chromatography        536 \25\                     ...........................  ...........................
                                       Electrospray Ionization
                                       Tandem Mass Spectrometry
                                       (LC/ESI-MS/MS).
Benzo(a)pyrene......................  Solid Phase Extraction/Gas   525.3 \24\                   ...........................  ...........................
                                       Chromatography/Mass
                                       Spectrometry (GC/MS).

                                                                      * * * * * * *
Chlordane...........................  Solid Phase Extraction/Gas   525.3 \24\                   ...........................  ...........................
                                       Chromatography/Mass
                                       Spectrometry (GC/MS).

                                                                      * * * * * * *
Di(2-ethylhexyl)adipate.............  Solid Phase Extraction/Gas   525.3 \24\                   ...........................  ...........................
                                       Chromatography/Mass
                                       Spectrometry (GC/MS).
Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate...........  Solid Phase Extraction/Gas   525.3 \24\                   ...........................  ...........................
                                       Chromatography/Mass
                                       Spectrometry (GC/MS).

                                                                      * * * * * * *
Endrin..............................  Solid Phase Extraction/Gas   525.3 \24\                   ...........................  ...........................
                                       Chromatography/Mass
                                       Spectrometry (GC/MS).

                                                                      * * * * * * *
Heptachlor..........................  Solid Phase Extraction/Gas   525.3 \24\                   ...........................  ...........................
                                       Chromatography/Mass
                                       Spectrometry (GC/MS).
Heptachlor Epoxide..................  Solid Phase Extraction/Gas   525.3 \24\                   ...........................  ...........................
                                       Chromatography/Mass
                                       Spectrometry (GC/MS).
Hexachlorobenzene...................  Solid Phase Extraction/Gas   525.3 \24\                   ...........................  ...........................
                                       Chromatography/Mass
                                       Spectrometry (GC/MS).
Hexachlorocyclo-pentadiene..........  Solid Phase Extraction/Gas   525.3 \24\                   ...........................  ...........................
                                       Chromatography/Mass
                                       Spectrometry (GC/MS).
Lindane.............................  Solid Phase Extraction/Gas   525.3 \24\                   ...........................  ...........................
                                       Chromatography/Mass
                                       Spectrometry (GC/MS).

Methoxychlor........................  Solid Phase Extraction/Gas   525.3 \24\                   ...........................  ...........................
                                       Chromatography/Mass
                                       Spectrometry (GC/MS).

                                                                      * * * * * * *
PCBs (as Aroclors)..................  Solid Phase Extraction/Gas   525.3 \24\                   ...........................  ...........................
                                       Chromatography/Mass
                                       Spectrometry (GC/MS).
Pentachlorophenol...................  Gas Chromatography/Electron  ...........................  6640 B                       6640 B-01
                                       Capture Detection (GC/ECD).
                                      Solid Phase Extraction/Gas   525.3 \24\                   ...........................  ...........................
                                       Chromatography/Mass
                                       Spectrometry (GC/MS).

                                                                      * * * * * * *
Simazine............................  Solid Phase Extraction/Gas   525.3 \24\, 523 \26\         ...........................  ...........................
                                       Chromatography/Mass
                                       Spectrometry (GC/MS).
                                      Liquid Chromatography        536 \25\                     ...........................  ...........................
                                       Electrospray Ionization
                                       Tandem Mass Spectrometry
                                       (LC/ESI-MS/MS).
Toxaphene...........................  Solid Phase Extraction/Gas   525.3 \24\                   ...........................  ...........................
                                       Chromatography/Mass
                                       Spectrometry (GC/MS).

                                                                      * * * * * * *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                     Alternative Testing Methods for Contaminants Listed at 40 CFR 141.25(a)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Contaminant                    Methodology           SM 21st  Edition \1\            ASTM \4\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naturally Occurring:

                                                  * * * * * * *
    Uranium......................  .........................  ........................  ........................
                                   Radiochemical............  7500-U B                  ........................
                                   ICP-MS...................  3125                      D5673-05, 10
                                   Alpha spectrometry.......  7500-U C                  D3972-09
                                   Laser Phosphorimetry.....  ........................  D5174-07
                                   Alpha Liquid               ........................  D6239-09
                                    Scintillation
                                    Spectrometry.

                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

                    Alternative Testing Methods for Contaminants Listed at 40 CFR 141.704(a)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Organism                                Methodology                          EPA Method
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cryptosporidium.......................  Filtration/Immunomagnetic Separation/     1623.1 \27\
                                         Immunofluorescence Assay Microscopy.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

\1\ Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 21st
  edition (2005). Available from American Public Health Association, 800
  I Street NW., Washington, DC 20001-3710.
\2\ EPA Method 200.5, Revision 4.2. ``Determination of Trace Elements in
  Drinking Water by Axially Viewed Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic
  Emission Spectrometry.'' 2003. EPA/600/R-06/115. (Available at http://www.epa.gov/nerlcwww/ordmeth.htm.)
\3\ Standard Methods Online are available at http://www.standardmethods.org. The year in which each method was approved by
  the Standard Methods Committee is designated by the last two digits in
  the method number. The methods listed are the only online versions
  that may be used.
\4\ Available from ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West
  Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959 or http://astm.org. The methods listed are
  the only alternative versions that may be used.
 * * * * * * *
\22\ Hach Company Method, ``Hach Company SPADNS 2 (Arsenic-free)
  Fluoride Method 10225--Spectrophotometric Measurement of Fluoride in
  Water and Wastewater,'' January 2011. 5600 Lindbergh Drive, P.O. Box
  389, Loveland, Colorado 80539. (Available at http://www.hach.com.)
 * * * * * * *
\24\ EPA Method 525.3. ``Determination of Semivolatile Organic Chemicals
  in Drinking Water by Solid Phase Extraction and Capillary Column Gas
  Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS).'' 2012. EPA/600/R-12/010.
  (Available at http://www.epa.gov/nerlcwww/ordmeth.htm.)
\25\ EPA Method 536. ``Determination of Triazine Pesticides and their
  Degradates in Drinking Water by Liquid Chromatography Electrospray
  Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS).'' 2007. EPA-815-B-
  07-002. (Available at http://water.epa.gov/drink.)
\26\ EPA Method 523. ``Determination of Triazine Pesticides and their
  Degradates in Drinking Water by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry
  (GC/MS).'' 2011. EPA-815-R-11-002. (Available at http://water.epa.gov/drink drink.)
\27\ EPA Method 1623.1. ``Cryptosporidium and Giardia in Water by
  Filtration/IMS/FA.'' 2012. EPA-816-R-12-001. (Available at http://water.epa.gov/drink.)

[FR Doc. 2012-15727 Filed 6-27-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P


[Federal Register: July 13, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 134)]
[Notices]
[Page 38573-38575]
[DOCID:fr13jy07-65]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-0529 FRL-8439-4]

Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection;
Comment Request; Information Collection Activities Associated with
EPA's ENERGY STAR[supreg] Product Labeling; EPA ICR No. 2078.02, OMB
Control No. 2060-0528

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that EPA is planning to
submit a request to renew an existing approved Information Collection
Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This ICR is
scheduled to expire on December 31, 2007. Before submitting the ICR to
OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific
aspects of the proposed information collection as described below.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before September 11, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OAR-2007-0529 by one of the following methods:
     http://www.regulations.gov: Follow the online instructions for

submitting comments.
     E-mail<EMAIL_ADDRESS>     Fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>.
     Mail: Air and Radiation Docket Environmental Protection
Agency, Mailcode: 2822T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC
20460. Hand Delivery: 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room 3334,
Washington, DC 20004. Such deliveries are only accepted during the
Docket's normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be
made for deliveries of boxed information.
    Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-
2007-0529. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included
in the public docket without change and may be made available online at
http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided,

unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential
Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to
be CBI or otherwise protected through http://www.regulations.gov or e-mail.

The http://www.regulations.gov Web site is an ``anonymous access'' system,

which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information
unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an e-
mail comment directly to EPA without going through http://www.regulations.gov

your e-mail address will be automatically captured and included as part
of the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available
on the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends
that you include your name and other contact information in the body of
your comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read
your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for
clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic
files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of
encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. For additional
information about EPA's public docket visit the EPA Docket Center
homepage at http://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ann Bailey, Climate Protection
Partnerships Division, Office of Air and Radiation, Mailcode 6202J,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.,
Washington, DC 20460; telephone number:<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax number: 202-
343-2200, e-mail address<EMAIL_ADDRESS>

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

How Can I Access the Docket and/or Submit Comments?

    EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID
No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-0529, which is available for online viewing at
http://www.regulations.gov, or in person viewing at the Air and

Radiation Docket in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room
3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA/DC Public
Reading Room is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday,
excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room is
202-566-1744, and the telephone number for the Air and Radiation Docket
is<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    Use http://www.regulations.gov to obtain a copy of the draft collection of

information, submit or view public comments, access the index listing
of the contents of the docket, and to access those documents in the
public docket that are available electronically. Once in the system,
select ``search,'' then key in the docket ID number identified in this
document.

What Information Is EPA Particularly Interested in?

    Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, EPA specifically
solicits comments and information to enable it to:
    (i) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency,
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    (ii) Evaluate the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden
of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of
the methodology and assumptions used;
    (iii) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information
to be collected; and
    (iv) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those
who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic
submission of responses. In particular, EPA is requesting comments from
very small businesses (those that employ less than 25) on examples of
specific additional efforts that EPA could make to reduce the paperwork
burden for very small businesses affected by this collection.

What Should I Consider When I Prepare My Comments for EPA?

    You may find the following suggestions helpful for preparing your
comments:
    1. Explain your views as clearly as possible and provide specific
examples.
    2. Describe any assumptions that you used.
    3. Provide copies of any technical information and/or data you used
that support your views.
    4. If you estimate potential burden or costs, explain how you
arrived at the estimate that you provide.
    5. Offer alternative ways to improve the collection activity.
    6. Make sure to submit your comments by the deadline identified
under DATES.
    7. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, be sure to identify the docket
ID number assigned to this action in the subject line on the first page
of your response. You may also provide the name, date, and Federal
Register citation.

What Information Collection Activity or ICR Does This Apply to?

    Docket ID No.: EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-0529.
    Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are
product manufacturers which are Partners in EPA's ENERGY STAR program.
    Title: Information Collection Activities Associated with EPA's
ENERGY STAR[supreg] Product Labeling.
    ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 2078.02, OMB Control No. 2060-0528.
    ICR status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on December
31, 2007. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to, a collection of information, unless it displays
a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's
regulations in title 40 of the CFR, after appearing in the Federal
Register when approved, are listed in 40 CFR part 9, are displayed
either by publication in the Federal Register or by other appropriate
means, such as on the related collection instrument or form, if
applicable. The display of OMB control numbers in certain EPA
regulations is consolidated in 40 CFR part 9.
    Abstract: ENERGY STAR is a voluntary program developed in
collaboration with industry to create a self-sustaining market for
energy efficient products. The center piece of the program is the
ENERGY STAR label, a registered certification label that helps
consumers identify products that save energy, save money, and help
protect the environment without sacrificing quality or performance. In
order to protect the integrity of the label and enhance its
effectiveness in the marketplace, EPA must ensure that products
carrying the label meet appropriate program requirements. Since ENERGY
STAR is a self-certification program, it is important that program
participants submit signed Partnership Agreements indicating that they
will adhere to logo-use guidelines and that participating products meet
specified energy performance criteria based on a standard test method.
    As part of our contribution to the overall success of the program,
EPA has agreed to facilitate the sale of qualifying products by
providing consumers with easy-to-use information about the products. To
be effective, EPA must receive qualifying product information from
participating manufacturers. Partners are requested to submit updates
to qualifying information on an annual basis, at minimum, so as to
ensure that EPA information is recent and accurate. The information
will be compiled into a complete qualifying products list per product
category, posted on the ENERGY STAR Web site, and supplied to those
purchasers who request it via phone, fax, or e-mail. In addition,
because of the nature of these products, manufacturers of roof products
and residential light fixtures are requested to submit testing reports
in order to verify qualification.
    In order to monitor progress and support the best allocation of
resources, EPA also asks manufacturers to submit annual shipment data
for their ENERGY STAR qualifying products. EPA is flexible as to the
methods by which manufacturers may submit unit shipment data. For
example, if manufacturers already submit this type of information to a
third party, such as a trade association, they are given the option of
arranging for shipment data to be sent to EPA via this third party to
avoid duplication of efforts and to ensure confidentiality. In using
any shipment data received directly from a partner, EPA will mask the
source of the data so as to protect confidentiality.
    Finally, Partners that wish to receive recognition for their
efforts in ENERGY STAR may submit an application for the Partner of the
Year Award.
    Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 89.33
hours per response. Burden means the total time, effort, or financial
resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or
disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. This
includes the time needed to review instructions;

develop, acquire, install, and utilize technology and systems for the
purposes of collecting, validating, and verifying information,
processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing
information; adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously
applicable instructions and requirements which have subsequently
changed; train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of
information; search data sources; complete and review the collection of
information; and transmit or otherwise disclose the information.
    The estimated total cost for respondents is $7,056,533 and the
hourly burden is approximately 89,150 hours. This cost includes an
estimated burden cost of $6,817,702 and an estimated cost of $238,831
for capital investment or maintenance and operational costs. The
estimated total cost for the Agency is $468,724 and the hourly burden
is approximately 11,932 hours. This cost includes an estimated burden
cost of $467,508 and an estimated cost of $1,216 for capital investment
or maintenance and operational costs. A grand total of $7,525,257 and
an hourly burden of approximately 101,082 hours are expected for all
information collection activities under ENERGY STAR product labeling.
    EPA collects initial information in the Partnership Agreement (PA),
which is completed and submitted by every Partner participating in
ENERGY STAR. One overarching PA has been developed by EPA for ENERGY
STAR product labeling. It is expected that 292 new Partners will join
each year for the three years of this ICR. The reporting burden for
information collection requirements associated with completing the PA
for each respondent is estimated to be 4.20 hours. This estimate
includes time for reviewing the instructions on the PA, completing and
reviewing the information requested by the PA, and submitting the PA.
    Every manufacturing Partner is required to submit information on
each of their qualifying products. Annual updates, at minimum,
notifying EPA of any changes in qualifying product information, are
required as well. Thirty-three different product categories are covered
by EPA under ENERGY STAR. Each product category has specific qualifying
product information that must be submitted by each Partner for at least
one qualifying product. Qualifying product information is expected for
9,986 new qualifying products each year for the three years of this
ICR. The qualifying product list for each product category is updated
by the Agency once each month, for a total of 396 times annually (32
qualifying product lists multiplied by 12 months in a year).
Approximately twice each month the Agency receives a request for
qualifying product information that cannot be fulfilled by the ENERGY
STAR Web site, for a total of 792 requests. The reporting burden for
information collection requirements associated with completing
qualifying product information for each qualifying product submitted by
a respondent is estimated to be 4.85 hours. This estimate includes time
for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the information
requested, and submitting the information.
    ENERGY STAR Partners for residential light fixtures and roof
products are required to submit testing reports for each product
determined to be ENERGY STAR qualified. It is anticipated that
qualifying product information for 4,464 new roof and residential light
fixture products will be received by EPA each year for the three years
of this ICR. The reporting burden for information collection
requirements associated with testing reports by roof product and
residential light fixture Partners for each qualifying product
submitted by a respondent is estimated to be 14.30 hours. This estimate
includes performing testing in-house or by a Third Party, assembling
the data into a report format, reviewing it, and submitting it.
    Each year, ENERGY STAR Partners are required to submit unit
shipment data for their ENERGY STAR qualified products. There will be
an average of 692 total Partners each year for the three years of this
ICR. Therefore, 692 reports of unit shipment data are expected each
year for the three years of this ICR. Unit shipment data will be
aggregated for each of the 33 product categories covered by EPA under
ENERGY STAR. The reporting burden for information collection
requirements associated with unit shipment data for each respondent is
estimated to be 6.69 hours. This estimate includes reviewing
instructions, gathering unit shipment data, compiling and reviewing it
by category, and submitting it.
    Partners interested in receiving recognition for their efforts on
ENERGY STAR are required to submit a Partner of the Year application.
One set of Partner of the Year award criteria are developed by the
Agency each year and posted on the ENERGY STAR Web site. An average of
17 award applications are expected each year for the three years of
this ICR. The reporting burden for information collection requirements
associated with the Partner of the Year application for each respondent
is estimated to be 59.29 hours. This estimate includes reviewing
instructions on the application, gathering data and information for
submission, completing the application, reviewing the information and
narrative description required, and submitting the application to EPA.

Are There Changes in the Estimates from the Last Approval?

    There is an increase of approximately 18,483 hours in the total
estimated respondent burden compared with that identified in the ICR
currently approved by OMB. Although the estimated burden hours for each
individual collection activity decreased, the overall increase in
burden hours reflects the increased number of roof products and
residential light fixture Partners that are required to submit testing
reports along with qualifying product information. The currently
approved ICR estimated 654 respondents, whereas this ICR estimates
4,464 respondents for this activity. This change is an adjustment.

What is the Next Step in the Process for this ICR?

    EPA will consider the comments received and amend the ICR as
appropriate. The final ICR package will then be submitted to OMB for
review and approval pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.12. At that time, EPA will
issue another Federal Register notice pursuant to 5 CFR
1320.5(a)(1)(iv) to announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the
opportunity to submit additional comments to OMB. If you have any
questions about this ICR or the approval process, please contact the
technical person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

    Dated: June 29, 2007.
Kathleen Hogan,
Director, Climate Protection Partnerships Division.
 [FR Doc. E7-13623 Filed 7-12-07; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-P