Notice2023-08153
Proposed Information Collection Request; Comment Request; Information Collection Activities Associated With EPA's ENERGY STAR Program in the Residential Sector
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
April 18, 2023
Issuing agencies
Environmental Protection Agency
Abstract
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to submit an information collection request (ICR), "EPA's ENERGY STAR Program in the Residential Sector" (EPA ICR No. 2193.05, OMB Control No. 2060-0586) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Before doing so, EPA is soliciting public comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described below. This is a proposed extension of the ICR, which was approved through January 30, 2024. 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.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 74 (Tuesday, April 18, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 18, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23671-23672]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-08153]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[EPA-HQ-OAR-2004-0500; FRL-10882-01-OAR; EPA ICR No. 2193.05]
Proposed Information Collection Request; Comment Request;
Information Collection Activities Associated With EPA's ENERGY STAR
Program in the Residential Sector
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to
submit an information collection request (ICR), ``EPA's ENERGY STAR
Program in the Residential Sector'' (EPA ICR No. 2193.05, OMB Control
No. 2060-0586) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review
and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C.
3501 et seq.). Before doing so, EPA is soliciting public comments on
specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described
below. This is a proposed extension of the ICR, which was approved
through January 30, 2024. 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.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before June 20, 2023.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-
2004-0500, online using <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> (our preferred method), by
email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9cfdb1fdf2f8b1eeb1d8f3fff7f9e8dcf9ecfdb2fbf3ea"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fd9cd09c9399d08fd0b9929e969889bd988d9cd39a928b">[email protected]</span></a>, or by mail to: EPA Docket Center,
Environmental Protection Agency, Mail Code 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania
Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460.
EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in the
public docket without change including any personal information
provided, unless the comment includes profanity, threats, information
claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Zachary Shadid, Energy Star
Residential Branch, Mail code 6202A, Environmental Protection Agency,
1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460; telephone number:
(202) 343-9058; fax number: (202) 343-2204; email address:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#94e7fcf5f0fdf0baeef5f7fcf5e6edd4f1e4f5baf3fbe2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b0c3d8d1d4d9d49ecad1d3d8d1c2c9f0d5c0d19ed7dfc6">[email protected]</span></a>
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supporting documents which explain in detail
the information that the EPA will
[[Page 23672]]
be collecting are available in the public docket for this ICR. The
docket can be viewed online at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> or in person at the
EPA Docket Center, EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW,
Washington, DC. The telephone number for the Docket Center is 202-566-
1744. For additional information about EPA's public docket, visit
<a href="http://www.epa.gov/dockets">http://www.epa.gov/dockets</a>.
Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, EPA is soliciting
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. 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. At that time, EPA will issue another Federal Register notice
to announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the opportunity to
submit additional comments to OMB.
Abstract: EPA first developed energy efficiency guidelines for new
homes in 1995. ENERGY STAR's new construction programs promote cost-
effective, whole house energy efficiency that is independently verified
by third party professionals. Through 2022, there have been more than
2.3 million ENERGY STAR certified new homes built in the U.S.
Since participation in the ENERGY STAR program is voluntary,
organizations are not required to submit information to EPA.
Information received is not of a confidential nature. EPA has developed
this ICR to obtain authorization to collect information for the
following activities:
Joining the ENERGY STAR Program and Related Activities: An
organization interested in joining ENERGY STAR as a partner is asked to
submit a partnership agreement establishing its commitment to ENERGY
STAR. Partners agree to undertake efforts such as educating their staff
and the public about their partnership with ENERGY STAR, developing and
implementing a plan to improve energy performance in homes, and
highlighting achievements utilizing the ENERGY STAR label.
Verification of ENERGY STAR Guidelines: The purpose of the
verification process is to objectively and independently ensure the
quality of home construction and improvements with respect to ENERGY
STAR guidelines. Under ENERGY STAR's Certified Homes program,
verification of a home's energy efficiency occurs when site-built home
builders, multifamily high-rise developers, or plants producing
manufactured and modular homes want to apply the ENERGY STAR label on
homes. The verification process for site-built homes involves the home
builder, the third-party verification organization (Home Energy Rating
Providers and Home Energy Raters), and the Heating, Ventilation, and
Cooling (HVAC) contractor. These organizations complete four checklists
as part of the verification process. The verification process for
multifamily high-rise units involves the developer and a Licensed
Professional (architect or engineer), who submit information both pre-
construction and post-construction to ensure that program prerequisites
and energy conservation measures are properly installed and meet ENERGY
STAR requirements. In addition, plants producing manufactured and
modular homes must undergo a certification process to ensure that they
consistently produce and install homes that meet ENERGY STAR
guidelines. Also, under ENERGY STAR's HVAC Verified Installation
program, local program sponsors promote the installation of HVAC
systems in homes to meet ENERGY STAR guidelines. Sponsors oversee
contractors who perform the installations, perform tests, and report
the results to the sponsors. Sponsors submit periodic reports to EPA on
these activities.
Evaluation: Partners and other program participants are asked to
periodically submit information to EPA as needed to assist in
evaluating ENERGY STAR's effectiveness in helping organizations promote
energy efficiency in homes, to assess partners' level of interest and
ability in promoting ENERGY STAR in the residential sector, and to
determine the impact that ENERGY STAR has on residential energy use and
the supply and demand for energy-efficient homes and home improvement
products and services.
Periodic Reporting: Some partners are asked to submit information
to EPA periodically to assist EPA in tracking and measuring progress in
building and promoting ENERGY STAR certified homes and installing and
promoting energy-efficient improvements.
ENERGY STAR Awards: Each year, partners are eligible for an ENERGY
STAR award, which recognizes organizations demonstrating outstanding
support in promoting ENERGY STAR. An application is submitted to EPA by
interested partners.
Form Numbers: 5900-06, 5900-08, 5900-17, 5900-33, 5900-172, 5900-
175, 5900-176, 5900-178, 5900-179, 5900-180, 5900-183, 5900-184, 5900-
186, 5900-188, 5900-189, 5900-194, 5900-266, 5900-267, 5900-268, 5900-
269, 5900-270, 5900-271, 5900-272.
Respondents/affected entities: Home builders, modular and
manufactured home manufacturing plants, developers, verification
organizations, oversight organizations, energy efficiency program
sponsors (e.g., national, regional, state, or local government
entities, utilities), architects, engineers, home plan designers,
retailers, contractors, and homeowners.
Respondent's obligation to respond: Voluntary.
Estimated number of respondents: 132,000 (total).
Frequency of response: Once, quarterly, annually, and occasionally.
Total estimated burden: 177,847 hours (per year). The burden is
defined at 5 CFR 1320.03(b).
Total estimated cost: $14,747,008 (per year). This includes an
estimated cost of $14,747,008 for labor and $0 for capital investment,
operation and maintenance.
Changes in Estimates: The burden estimates presented in this notice
are from the last approval. EPA is currently evaluating and updating
these estimates as part of the ICR renewal process. EPA will discuss
its updated estimates, as well as changes from the last approval, in
the next Federal Register notice to be issued for this renewal.
Jean Lupinacci,
Director, Climate Protection Partnerships Division, Office of
Atmospheric Protection, Office of Air and Radiation.
[FR Doc. 2023-08153 Filed 4-17-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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