Notice2022-00354
Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-500 and FERC-505); Comment Request; Extension
Primary source
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Published
January 12, 2022
Issuing agencies
Energy DepartmentFederal Energy Regulatory Commission
Abstract
In compliance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC) is soliciting public comment on two currently approved information collections: FERC-500, Application for License/Relicense for Water Projects with More than 10 Megawatt (MW) Capacity; and FERC- 505, Application for Small Hydropower Projects and Conduit Facilities including License/Relicense, Exemption, and Qualifying Conduit Facility Determinations, which will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a review of the information collection requirements.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 8 (Wednesday, January 12, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 12, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1739-1742]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-00354]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. IC21-34-000]
Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-500 and FERC-
505); Comment Request; Extension
AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, DOE.
ACTION: Notice of information collection and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: In compliance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or
FERC) is soliciting public comment on two currently approved
information collections: FERC-500, Application for License/Relicense
for Water Projects with More than 10 Megawatt (MW) Capacity; and FERC-
505, Application for Small Hydropower Projects and Conduit Facilities
including License/Relicense, Exemption, and Qualifying Conduit Facility
Determinations, which will be submitted to the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) for a review of the information collection requirements.
DATES: Comments on the collections of information are due February 11,
2022.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments on FERC-500 and FERC-505 to OMB
through <a href="http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain">www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain</a>, Attention: Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission Desk Officer. Please identify the OMB control
numbers 1902-0058 (FERC-500) and 1902-0115 (FERC-505) in the subject
line. Your comments should be sent within 30 days of publication of
this notice in the Federal Register.
Please submit copies of your comments (identified by Docket No.
IC21-34-000) to the Commission as
[[Page 1740]]
noted below. Electronic filing through <a href="http://www.ferc.gov">http://www.ferc.gov</a>, is
preferred.
<bullet> Electronic Filing: Documents must be filed in acceptable
native applications and print-to-PDF, but not in scanned or picture
format.
<bullet> For those unable to file electronically, comments may be
filed by USPS mail or by hand (including courier) delivery.
[cir] Mail via U.S. Postal Service Only, Addressed to: Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 888 First
Street NE, Washington, DC 20426.
[cir] Hand (Including Courier) Delivery to: Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, MD 20852.
Instructions: OMB submissions must be formatted and filed in
accordance with submission guidelines at <a href="http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain">www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain</a>; Using the search function under the ``Currently Under Review
field,'' select Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; click ``submit''
and select ``comment'' to the right of the subject collections.
FERC submissions must be formatted and filed in accordance with
submission guidelines at: <a href="http://www.ferc.gov">http://www.ferc.gov</a>. For user assistance,
contact FERC Online Support by email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#afc9caddccc0c1c3c6c1cadcdadfdfc0dddbefc9caddcc81c8c0d9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a3c5c6d1c0cccdcfcacdc6d0d6d3d3ccd1d7e3c5c6d1c08dc4ccd5">[email protected]</span></a>, or
by phone at: (866) 208-3676 (toll-free).
Docket: Users interested in receiving automatic notification of
activity in this docket or in viewing/downloading comments and
issuances in this docket may do so at <a href="http://www.ferc.gov">http://www.ferc.gov</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Brown may be reached by email at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5317322732103f363221323d303613151601107d343c25"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6622071207250a03071407080503262023342548010910">[email protected]</span></a> and telephone at (202) 502-8663.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Titles: FERC-500 (Application for License/Relicense for Water
Projects with More than 10 Megawatt (MW) Capacity) and FERC-505
(Application for Small Hydropower Projects and Conduit Facilities
including License/Relicense, Exemption, and Qualifying Conduit Facility
Determination).
OMB Control Nos.: 1902-0058 (FERC-500) and 1902-0115 (FERC-505).
Type of Request: Extension of currently approved information
collections.
Abstract: Part I of the Federal Power Act (FPA) \1\ authorizes the
Commission to grant hydropower licenses and exemptions to citizens of
the United States, or to any corporation organized under the laws of
United States or any State thereof, or to any State or municipality.
Holders of such licenses and exemptions construct, operate, and
maintain dams, water conduits, reservoirs, power houses, transmission
lines, or other project works necessary or convenient for the
development and improvement of navigation and for the development,
transmission, and utilization of power across, along, from, or in any
of the streams or other bodies of water over which Congress has
jurisdiction. This jurisdiction stems from Congressional authority to
regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the several States, or
upon any part of the public lands and reservations of the United
States.
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\1\ 16 U.S.C. 791a-823g.
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FERC-500 and FERC-505 comprise applications and other information
collection activities implemented under numerous regulations. Some of
the regulations are relevant to both FERC-500 and FERC-505, and others
are relevant only to FERC-500 or FERC-505. Effective October 4,
2021,\2\ information collection activities within FERC-500 are for
projects with an installed capacity of more than 10 MW. Information
collection activities within FERC-505 are for other smaller projects.
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\2\ Before October 4, 2021, FERC-500 applied only to projects
with an installed capacity of more than 5 MW. On August 5, 2021, the
Commission published a final rule that affected the paperwork
burdens of FERC-500 by changing the regulatory threshold for certain
licensing requirements from 5 MW to 10 MW. As a result, the
regulatory threshold for FERC-500 is now projects with an installed
capacity of more than 10 MW. See Final Rule, Docket RM20-21-000, 86
FR 42710 (Aug. 5, 2021).
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As required by OMB regulations at 5 CFR 1320.8(d), the Commission
provided a 60-day notice of its renewal request in the Federal Register
on October 28, 2021 (86 FR 59704). The public-comment period expired on
December 27, 2021. No comments were received.
The following table lists information collection activities
pertaining to applications and notices of intent. The table is
organized as pairs of regulations that address, respectively,
applicability and required contents of each activity.
Table 1--Regulations and Information Collection Activities: Applications and Notices of Intent
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Title 18 CFR cites FERC-500 FERC-505
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Application for License for Major \3\ 4.40 and 4.41........................ Yes Yes
Unconstructed Project and Major Modified
Project.
Application for License for Major Project-- 4.50 and 4.51........................ Yes Yes
Existing Dam.
Application for License for Minor \4\ Water 4.60 and 4.61........................ No Yes
Power Projects and Major Water Power
Projects 10 Megawatts or Less.
Application for License for Transmission Line 4.70 and 4.71........................ Yes Yes
Only.
Application for a Preliminary Permit......... 4.80 and 4.81........................ Yes Yes
Application for Exemption of Small Conduit 4.90 and 4.92........................ No Yes
Hydroelectric Facilities.
Application for Case-Specific Exemption of 4.101 and 4.107...................... No Yes
Small Hydroelectric Power Projects of 10
Megawatts or Less.
Application for Amendment of License......... 4.200 and 4.201...................... Yes Yes
Notice of Intent to Construct Qualifying 4.400 and 4.401...................... No Yes
Conduit Hydropower Facilities.
Application Under the Integrated Licensing 5.1 and 5.18......................... Yes Yes
Process.
Application for Transfer of License.......... 9.1 and 9.2.......................... Yes Yes
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Each of the ``contents'' regulations listed above requires
information that assists the Commission in identifying the respondent
and the type of proposed project. In addition, certain types of
applications must include all \5\ or some \6\ of the following
exhibits:
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\3\ As defined at 18 CFR 4.30(b)(14) through 4.30(b)(16), a
``major'' project has a total installed generating capacity of more
than 1.5 MW.
\4\ As defined at 18 CFR 4.30(b)(17), a ``minor'' project has a
total installed generating capacity of 1.5 MW or less.
\5\ The following regulations require Exhibits A through G: 18
CFR 4.41, 4.51, 4.61, 4.71, 4.201(b)(1) and 4.201(b)(5).
\6\ The following regulations do not require Exhibits B, C, or
D: 18 CFR 4.92 and 4.107. The regulations at 18 CFR 4.201(b)(2)
through (b)(4) do not require Exhibits A, B, C, or D. The
regulations at 18 CFR 5.18 do not require Exhibit E.
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<bullet> Exhibit A is a description of the project.
<bullet> Exhibit B is a statement of project operation and resource
utilization.
<bullet> Exhibit C is a proposed construction schedule for the
project.
[[Page 1741]]
<bullet> Exhibit D is a statement of project costs and financing.
<bullet> Exhibit E is an environmental report.
<bullet> Exhibit F consists of general design drawings of the
principal project works described under Exhibit A and supporting
information used as the basis of design.
<bullet> Exhibit G is a map of the project.
No exhibits are required in a Notice of Intent to Construct
Qualifying Conduit Hydropower Facilities under 18 CFR 4.401. However,
the Notice of Intent must include:
<bullet> Statements that the proposed project will use the
hydroelectric potential of a non-federally owned conduit and that the
proposed facility has not been licensed or exempted from the licensing
requirements and Part I of the FPA;
<bullet> A description of the proposed facility;
<bullet> Project drawings;
<bullet> If applicable, the preliminary permit number for the
proposed facility; and
<bullet> Verification in accordance with 18 CFR 4.401(g).
The following table lists information collection activities
pertaining to matters other than applications and notices of intent:
Table 2--Other Regulations and Information Collection Activities
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Title or description 18 CFR cite(s) FERC-500 FERC-505
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State and federal comprehensive plans........... 2.19.............................. Yes Yes
Acceptance for filing or rejection; information 4.32.............................. Yes Yes
to be made available to the public; requests
for additional studies.
Amendment of application; date of acceptance.... 4.35.............................. Yes Yes
Competing applications, deadlines for filing, 4.36.............................. Yes Yes
notices of intent, and comparisons of plans of
development.
Consultation requirements....................... 4.38.............................. Yes Yes
Action on exemption applications................ 4.93.............................. No Yes
Integrated licensing process.................... 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.11, Yes Yes
5.13, 5.15, 5.16, 5.17, and 5.20,
5.21, 5.23, and 5.27.
Expedited licensing process for qualifying non- 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4,.7.5, 7.6, 7.7, Yes Yes
federal hydropower projects at existing 7.8, and 7.9.
nonpowered dams and for closed-loop pumped
storage projects.
Publication of license conditions relating to 8.1 and 8.2....................... Yes Yes
recreation and posting of project lands as to
recreational use and availability of
information.
Lease of Project Property....................... 9.10.............................. Yes Yes
Procedures relating to takeover and relicensing 16,1, 16.4, 16.6, 16.7, 16.8, Yes Yes
of licensed projects. 16.9, 16.10, 16.11, 16.12, 16.14,
16.19, 16.20, and 16.26.
Annual conveyance report........................ 141.15............................ Yes No
General requirements for qualifying cogeneration 292.203........................... No Yes
and small power production facilities.
Special requirements for hydroelectric small 292.208........................... No Yes
power production facilities located at a new
dam or diversion.
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Types of Respondents: Entities requesting Licenses, Relicenses,
Exemptions, or Qualifying Conduit Facility Determinations, and certain
entities in receipt of Commission Licenses and Exemptions.
Estimate of Annual Burden: The burdens are itemized in detail in
the following table:
Table 3--Estimated Annual Burdens
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A. B. C. D.
Type of response Number of Average burden & cost \8\.................. Average annual burden hours & total
respondents per response............................... annual cost
and responses (column B x column C)
\7\
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FERC-500, Application for License/ 9 35,602.55 hrs.; $3,097,421.85.............. 320,422.95 hrs.; $27,876,796.65.
Relicense for Water Projects with
Greater than 10 MW Capacity \9\.
FERC-500, Request for Authorization to 5 40 hrs.; $3,480............................ 200 hrs.; $17,400.
Use Expedited Licensing Process.
FERC-500, Annual Conveyance Reports... 41 3 hrs.; $261............................... 123 hrs.; $10,701.
FERC-500, Recreation Posting.......... 432 0.5 hr.; $43.50............................ 216 hrs.; $18,792.
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Subtotals for FERC-500............ 487 ........................................... 320,961.95 hrs.; $27,923,689.65.
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FERC-505, for Small Hydropower 32 756.59 hrs.; $65,823.33.................... 24,210.88 hrs.; $2,106,346.56.
Projects and Conduit Facilities
including License/Relicense,
Exemption, and Qualifying Conduit
Facility Determinations.
FERC-505, Request for Authorization to 5 40 hrs.; $3,480............................ 200 hrs.; $17,400.
Use Expedited Licensing Process.
FERC-505, Recreation Posting.......... 287 0.5 hr.; $43.50............................ 143.5 hrs.; $12,484.50.
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Sub-Totals for FERC-505........... 324 ........................................... 24,554.38 hrs.; $2,136,231.06.
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Totals........................ 811 ........................................... 345,516.33 hrs.; $30,059,920.71.
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[[Page 1742]]
Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the collections of information
are necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the
Commission, including whether the information will have practical
utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimates of the burden and
cost of the collections of information, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality,
utility and clarity of the information collections; and (4) ways to
minimize the burden of the collections of information on those who are
to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
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\7\ There is one response per respondent for each activity in
this information collection.
\8\ Commission staff estimates that the average industry hourly
cost for this information collection is approximated by the current
FERC 2021 average hourly costs for wages and benefits, i.e., $87.00/
hour.
\9\ The previously reported 33 responses associated with
Comprehensive Plans were incorrect and not consistent in how we have
approached the number of respondents for this Information
Collection. As a result, the total number of hours associated with
the Comprehensive Plans requirement was moved to the total number of
hours associated with the application process. The Commission does
not break down pieces of this process (as it is all considered one
application) and so this edit was made for consistency across the
information collection.
Dated: January 5, 2022.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-00354 Filed 1-11-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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