The U.S. EPA is soliciting public comments on a proposed information collection request it plans to submit to the Office of Management and Budget regarding cellulosic volume projections and efficient producer reporting. Comments are due May 26.

In a notice published in the Federal Register on March 24, the EPA explains that it is seeking to collect information from potential cellulosic biofuel producers to aid in determining annual volume standards under the renewable fuel standard (RFS). According to the EPA, the information collection request includes a questionnaire form to facilitate the collection of this information. In addition, the EPA said it would like to use a data collection form to collect information from certain ethanol producers and importers who have requested and been approved to use an efficient producer pathway. The agency noted the data form would standardize collection of selected data points and allow better and more efficient compliance with the RFS program.

Information included within the Federal Register filing indicates the RFS cellulosic biofuel producer questionnaire form is voluntary and would be conducted annually, while the RFS efficient producer data form is mandatory and would be conducted quarterly. A total of 80 entities would be expected to respond to the data request.

The notice also specifies that the EPA may not conduct or sponsor an information collection, and a person is not requested to respond to an information collection, until it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

The 60-day comment period closes on May 26. Comments can be submitted online at Regulations.gov under Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2015-0207, or by email or mail. Additional information on the information request and details on how to submit comments can be found on the Federal Register website.