EPA Wants Your Thoughts on... Their Focus Group Plans
Published Date: 10/29/2025
Notice
Summary
The EPA is renewing its approval to use focus groups for economic projects, helping them gather public opinions and improve their work. This affects anyone interested in EPA’s economic studies and invites public comments until November 28, 2025. No big changes or costs are expected, just a smooth continuation of a helpful info-gathering tool.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
EPA renews focus-group use
The EPA submitted a renewal to continue using focus groups for economics projects over the next three years to help develop surveys (current ICR approval runs through October 31, 2025). This continuation keeps a method the agency uses to gather public views and test draft survey materials.
Estimated participant burden and costs
If you participate, EPA expects a total of 432 individual respondents with a total respondent burden of 288 hours per year; participation is voluntary and identities will be kept confidential. The notice reports a total estimated cost of $100,973 per year for this information collection, which includes $80,000 in annualized capital or operation & maintenance costs.
Public comment window extended
The notice opens an additional 30 days for public comment on the information collection; comments may be submitted on or before November 28, 2025, via www.regulations.gov or to the EPA Docket Center. You can submit written comments and recommendations to OMB within 30 days of this notice at www.reginfo.gov.
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Key Dates
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