Survey of Pollution Abatement Costs and Expenditures

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau

Survey of Pollution Abatement Costs and Expenditures

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort

to reduce paperwork burden, invites the general public and other

Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the proposed

and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork

Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before September 27,

1999.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier,

Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room

5033, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or via

the Internet at LE[email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or

copies of the information collection instruments and instructions

should be directed to Ron Taylor, Bureau of the Census, Room 2135 FB-4,

Washington, DC 20233, on (301) 457-4683.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The Census Bureau, prior to 1995, conducted the Survey of Pollution

Abatement Costs and Expenditures, MA-200. Due to budget limitations the

survey was suspended. In response to the need for data to assess the

cost of environmental regulations on private business, the Census

Bureau, with support from the Environmental Protection Agency, plans to

reinstate the survey. The survey form will collect, from plants that

produce goods or provide services classified in manufacturing, mining

and electric utility industries, data on the operating costs of

pollution abatement, including hazardous pollutants, payments to

government agencies for pollution removal and new capital expenditures

for pollution abatement structures and equipment each by the media: air

pollution control, water pollution control and solid waste management.

These data are similar to that collected previously in this survey. The

survey results will be used to track costs of regulatory programs and

rules. Results will also be used for monitoring economic impact and

promoting growth of environmental programs.

II. Method of Collection

The Census Bureau will use mail out/mail back survey forms to

collect the data. Companies will be asked to respond to the survey

within 60 days of the initial mailing. Letters encouraging

participation will be mailed to companies that have not responded by

the designated time.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0607-0176.

Form Number: MA-200.

Type of Review: Regular.

Affected Public: Businesses or other for profit organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 20,000.

Estimated Time Per Response: 2.5 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Burden: 50,000 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Cost: $649,000.

Respondents' Obligation: Mandatory.

Legal Authority: Title 13 USC, Section 182.

IV. Request for Comments

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of

information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of

the agency, including whether the information shall have practical

utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden

(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information;

(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the

information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the

information collection on respondents, including through the use of

automated collection techniques or other forms of information

technology.

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Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized

and included in the request for OMB approval of this information

collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

Dated: July 21, 1999.

Linda Engelmeier,

Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information

Officer.

[FR Doc. 99-19231 Filed 7-27-99; 8:45 a.m.]

BILLING CODE 3510-07-P