Notice2022-02834
Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-549B, FERC-549D, FERC-556, and FERC-561); Comment Request; Extension
Primary source
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Published
February 10, 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 the currently approved information collections: FERC-549B (Gas Pipeline Rates: Annual Capacity Reports and Index of Customers); FERC-549D (Quarterly Transportation and Storage Report For Intrastate Natural Gas and Hinshaw Pipelines); FERC-556 (Certification of Qualifying Facility (QF) Status for a Small Power Production or Cogeneration Facility); FERC-561 (Annual Report of Interlocking Directorates). The above four collections are a part of this combined notice only and are not being combined into one OMB Control Number, which will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. The Commission issued a 60-day notice on November 30, 2021 requesting public comments; no comments were received.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 28 (Thursday, February 10, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 28 (Thursday, February 10, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7826-7830]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-02834]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. IC21-40-000]
Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-549B, FERC-
549D, FERC-556, and FERC-561); Comment Request; Extension
AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Department of Energy.
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 the currently approved
information collections: FERC-549B (Gas Pipeline Rates: Annual Capacity
Reports and Index of Customers); FERC-549D (Quarterly Transportation
and Storage Report For Intrastate Natural Gas and Hinshaw Pipelines);
FERC-556 (Certification of Qualifying Facility (QF) Status for a Small
Power Production or Cogeneration Facility); FERC-561 (Annual Report of
Interlocking Directorates). The above four collections are a part of
this combined notice only and are not being combined into one OMB
Control Number, which will be submitted to the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) for review. The Commission issued a 60-day notice on
November 30, 2021 requesting public comments; no comments were
received.
DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due March 14,
2022.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments on FERC-549B (OMB #1902-0169), FERC-
549D (OMB #1902-0253), FERC-556 (OMB #1902-0075), and FERC-561 (OMB
#1902-0099) to OMB through <a href="http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain">www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain</a>.
[[Page 7827]]
Attention: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Desk Officer. Please
identify the OMB Control Number the specified OMB Control Number
corresponding to the collection in the subject line of your comments.
Comments should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to
<a href="http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain">www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain</a>.
Please submit copies of your comments to the Commission. You may
submit copies of your comments (identified by Docket No. IC21-40-000)
by one of the following methods:
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: Deliver 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 collection.
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#472122352428292b2e292234323737283533072122352469202831"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a2c4c7d0c1cdcccecbccc7d1d7d2d2cdd0d6e2c4c7d0c18cc5cdd4">[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="https://www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview">https://www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Brown may be reached by email at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0d496c796c4e61686c7f6c636e684d4b485f4e236a627b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7e3a1f0a1f3d121b1f0c1f101d1b3e383b2c3d50191108">[email protected]</span></a>, telephone at (202) 502-8663.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. FERC-549B
Title: FERC-549B, Gas Pipeline Rates: Capacity Reports and Index of
Customers.
OMB Control No.: 1902-0169.
Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC-549B information
collection requirements with no changes to the current reporting
requirements. The Commission issued a 60-day notice on November 30,
2021 (86 FR 67943) requesting public comments; no comments were
received.
Abstract: As described below, FERC-549B is comprised of information
collection activities at 18 CFR 284.13(b), 284.13(c), 284.13(d)(1), and
284.13(d)(2). The purpose of these information collection activities is
to provide reliable information about capacity availability and price
that shippers need to make informed decisions in a competitive market.
In addition, the information enables shippers and the Commission to
monitor marketplace behavior to detect, and remedy, anti-competitive
behavior.
The regulations at 18 CFR 284.13(b) and 284.13(d)(1) require each
interstate pipeline to post information about firm and interruptible
service on its internet website, and in downloadable file formats. The
information required at 18 CFR 284.13(b) includes identification of the
shippers receiving service and details about contracts for firm
service, capacity release transactions,\1\ and agreements for
interruptible service. The pipeline must maintain access to that
information for a period not less than 90 days from the date of
posting. The regulation at 18 CFR 284.13(d)(1) requires equal and
timely access to information relevant to the availability of all
transportation services whenever capacity is scheduled. In addition,
each interstate pipeline must provide information about the volumes of
no-notice transportation \2\ provided. The regulation and this
information collection activity enable shippers to release
transportation and storage capacity to other shippers wanting to obtain
capacity. The information results in reliable capacity information
availability and price data that shippers need to make informed
decisions in a competitive market and enables shippers and the
Commission to monitor the market for potential abuses.
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\1\ As provided at 18 CFR 284.8, an interstate pipeline that
offers transportation service on a firm basis must include in its
tariff a mechanism for firm shippers to release firm capacity to the
pipeline for resale.
\2\ No-notice transportation allows for the reservation of
pipeline capacity on demand without incurring any penalties.
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The regulation at 18 CFR 284.13(c) requires each interstate
pipeline to file with the Commission an index of all its firm
transportation and storage customers under contract on the first
business day of each calendar quarter. The index of customers also must
be posted on the pipeline's own internet website, in downloadable file
formats, and must be made available until the next quarterly index is
posted. The requirements for the electronic index can be obtained from
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Division of Information
Services, Public Reference and Files Maintenance Branch, Washington, DC
20426.
The regulation at 18 CFR 284.13(d)(2) requires interstate pipelines
to make an annual filing by March 1 of each year showing the estimated
peak day capacity of the pipeline's system, and the estimated storage
capacity and maximum daily delivery capability of storage facilities
under reasonably representative operating assumptions and the
respective assignments of that capacity to the various firm services
provided by the pipeline.
Types of Respondents: Respondents for this data collection are
interstate pipelines and storage facilities subject to FERC regulation
under the Natural Gas Act.
Estimate of Annual Burden: The Commission estimates the annual
public reporting burden \3\ and cost \4\ for FERC-549B as shown in the
following table:
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\3\ For FERC-549B, FERC-549D, FERC-556, and FERC-561, ``burden''
is defined as the total time, effort, or financial resources
expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or
provide information to or for a Federal agency. For further
explanation of what is included in the information collection
burden, refer to 5 CFR 1320.3.
\4\ For FERC-549B, the Commission staff believes that industry
is similarly situated to the Commission in terms of wages and
benefits. Therefore, cost estimates are based on FERC's 2021 average
annual wage (and benefits) for a full-time employee of $180,703 (or
$87.00/hour).
[[Page 7828]]
FERC-549B--Gas Pipeline Rates: Capacity Reports and Index of Customers
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Annual number
Number of of responses Total number Average burden and cost Total annual burden and total Cost per
respondents per of responses ($) per response annual cost ($) respondent
respondent ($)
(1) (2) (1) * (2) = (4)....................... (3) * (4) = (5)............... (5) / (1)
(3)
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Capacity Reports under 284.13(b) & 168 6 1,008 145 hrs.; $12,615......... 146,160 hrs.; $12,715,920..... $75,690
284.13(d)(1).
Peak Day Annual Capacity Report 168 1 168 10 hrs.; $870............. 1,680 hrs.; $146,160.......... 870
under 284.13(d)(2).
Index of Customers under 168 4 672 3 hrs.; $261.............. 2,016 hrs.; $175,392.......... 1,044
284.13(c)\5\.
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Total......................... ........... .............. 1,848 .......................... 149,856 hrs.; $13,037,47240... 77,604
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2. FERC-549D
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\5\ The burden per response is based on burden expended on
similar forms and other similar FERC reporting requirements (e.g.
capacity reports).
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Title: FERC-549D, Quarterly Transportation and Storage Report for
Intrastate Natural Gas and Hinshaw Pipelines.
OMB Control No.: 1902-0253.
Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC-549D information
collection requirements with no changes to the current reporting
requirements. The Commission issued a 60-day notice on November 30,
2021 (86 FR 67943) requesting public comments; no comments were
received.
Abstract: The reporting requirements under FERC-549D are required
to carry out the Commission's policies in accordance with the general
authority in Section 1(c) of the Natural Gas Act (NGA) \6\ and Section
311 of the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 (NGPA).\7\ This collection
promotes transparency by making available intrastate and Hinshaw
pipeline transactional information. The Commission collects the data on
a standardized form with all requirements outlined in 18 CFR 284.126.
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\6\ 15 U.S.C. 717(c).
\7\ 15 U.S.C. 3371.
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The FERC-549D collects the following information:
<bullet> Full legal name and identification number of the shipper
receiving service, including whether the pipeline and the shipper are
affiliated;
<bullet> Type of service performed;
<bullet> The rate charged under each contract;
<bullet> The primary receipt and delivery points for each contract;
<bullet> The quantity of natural gas the shipper is entitled to
transport, store, or deliver for each transaction;
<bullet> The duration of the contract, specifying the beginning and
(for firm contracts only) ending month and year of current agreement;
<bullet> Total volumes transported, stored, injected or withdrawn
for the shipper; and
<bullet> Annual revenues received for each shipper, excluding
revenues from storage services.
Filers submit the Form-549D on a quarterly basis.
Type of Respondents: Intrastate natural gas pipelines under NGPA
Section 311 authority and Hinshaw pipelines.
Estimate of Annual Burden: The Commission estimates the annual
public reporting burden and cost \8\ for the information collection as
follows:
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\8\ For FERC-549D, the hourly wage figure is $92.92/hour
(rounded). This cost represents the average hourly cost (for wages
plus benefits) of four career fields: 23-0000 Legal ($142.25/hour),
13-2011 Accountants ($57.41/hour), 13-1111 Management Analyst
($68.39/hour), and 11-3021 Computer and Information Sys. ($103.61/
hour). These June 2021 figures were compiled using Bureau of Labor
Statistics data that were specific to each occupational category:
<a href="http://bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm">http://bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm</a>.
FERC-549D--Quarterly Transportation and Storage Report for Intrastate Natural Gas and Hinshaw Pipelines
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Average Average annual Average
annual number of annual total Average burden hours and Total annual burden hours Cost per
number of responses per number of cost ($) per response and total annual cost ($) respondent
respondents respondent responses (rounded) ($)
(1) (2) (1) * (2) = (4)....................... (3) * (4) = (5).............. (5) / (1)
(3)
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PDF filings....................... 120 4 480 12.5 hrs.; $1,161.50...... 6,000 hrs.; $557,520......... $4,646
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Total......................... ........... ............... 480 .......................... 6,000 hrs.; $557,520.........
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3. FERC-556
Title: FERC-556, Certification of Qualifying Facility (QF) Status
for a Small Power Production or Cogeneration Facility.
OMB Control No.: 1902-0075.
Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC-556 information
collection requirements with no changes to the current reporting
requirements. The Commission issued a 60-day notice on November 30,
2021 (86 FR 67943) requesting public comments; no comments were
received.
Abstract: Form No. 556 is required to implement sections 201 and
210 of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 \9\ (PURPA).
FERC is authorized, under those sections, to encourage cogeneration and
small power production and to prescribe such rules as necessary to
carry out the statutory directives.
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\9\ 16 U.S.C. 796 and 824i.
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A primary statutory objective is efficient use of energy resources
and facilities by electric utilities. One means of achieving this goal
is to encourage production of electric power by cogeneration facilities
which makes use of reject heat associated with commercial or industrial
processes, and by small power production facilities which use other
wastes and renewable resources. PURPA encourages the development of
small power production
[[Page 7829]]
facilities and cogeneration facilities that meet certain technical and
corporate criteria through establishment of various regulatory
benefits. Facilities that meet these criteria are called Qualifying
Facilities (QFs).
FERC's regulations in 18 CFR part 292, as relevant here, specify:
(a) The certification procedures which must be followed by owners or
operators of small power production and cogeneration facilities; (b)
the criteria which must be met; (c) the information which must be
submitted to FERC in order to obtain qualifying status; and (d) the
PURPA benefits which are available to QFs to encourage small power
production and cogeneration.
18 CFR part 292 also exempts QFs from certain corporate,
accounting, reporting, and rate regulation requirements of the Federal
Power Act,\10\ certain state laws, and the Public Utility Holding
Company Act of 2005.\11\
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\10\ 16 U.S.C. 791a, et seq.
\11\ 42 U.S.C. 16451 through 165463.
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Type of Respondents: Facilities that are self-certifying their
status as a co-generator or a Small Power Producer that is submits an
application for FERC certification of their status as a co-generator.
Estimate of Annual Burden: The Commission estimates the burden and
cost for this information collection as follows:
FERC-556--Certification of Qualifying Facility Status for a Small Power Production or Cogeneration Facility
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Total annual Cost per
Number of Number of Total Average burden hours burden hours and respondent
Facility type Filing type respondents responses per number of and cost per response total annual cost ($)
respondent responses \12\ (rounded) (rounded)
(1) (2) (1) * (2) (4)................... (3) * (4) = (5)... (5) / (1)
= (3)
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Cogeneration Facility >1 MW \13\ Self-certification. 68 2.14 145.52 3.54 hrs; $307.98..... 515.14 hrs; $659.07
$44,817.18.
Cogeneration Facility >1 MW..... Application for 28.89 2.14 61.81 50 hrs; $4,350........ 3,090.52 hrs; 930.26
FERC certification. $268,875.24.
Small Power Production Facility Self-certification. 2,698 2.14 5,773.72 3.54 hrs; $307.98..... 20,438.97 hrs; 659.07
>1 MW. $1,778,190.39.
Small Power Production Facility Application for 0 2.14 0 50 hrs; $4,350........ 0 hrs; $0......... 0
>1 MW. FERC certification.
Cogeneration and Small Power Self-certification. 697 2.14 1,491.58 3.54 hrs; $307.98..... 2,237.37 hrs; 279.27
Production Facility <=1 MW $194,651.19.
(Self-Certification) \14\.
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Total....................... ................... 3,469 .............. 7,423.66 ...................... 26,282 hrs; ...........
$2,286,534.
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4. FERC-561
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\12\ The Commission staff believes that industry is similarly
situated in terms of wages and benefits. Therefore, cost estimates
are based on FERC's 2021 average annual wage (and benefits) for a
full-time employee of $180,703 (or $87.00/hour).
\13\ MW = megawatt.
\14\ The regulation at 18 CFR 292.203(d) exempts small power
production facilities and cogeneration facilities from self-
certification if they have a net power production capacity of 1 MW
or less. However, we are disclosing burdens for these filings
because some facilities seek status as qualifying facilities
regardless of their capacity.
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Title: FERC-561, Interlocking Directorates.
OMB Control No.: 1902-0099.
Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC-561 information
collection requirements with no changes to the current reporting
requirements. The Commission issued a 60-day notice on November 30,
2021 (86 FR 67943) requesting public comments; no comments were
received.
Abstract: The FERC Form 561 responds to the Federal Power Act (FPA)
requirements for annual reporting of similar types of positions which
public utility officers and directors hold with financial institutions,
insurance companies, utility equipment and fuel providers, and with any
of an electric utility's 20 largest purchasers of electric energy
(i.e., the 20 entities with high expenditures of electricity). The FPA
specifically defines most of the information elements in the Form 561
including the information that must be filed, the required filers, the
directive to make the information available to the public, and the
filing deadline.
The Commission uses the information required by 18 CFR 131.31 and
collected by the Form 561 to implement the FPA requirement that those
who are authorized to hold interlocked directorates annually disclose
all the interlocked positions held within the prior year. The Form 561
data identifies persons holding interlocking positions between public
utilities and other entities, allows the Commission to review these
interlocking positions, and allows identification of possible conflicts
of interest.
Type of Respondents: Each officer or director of a public utility
also holding the position of officer, director, partner, appointee, or
representative of any other entity listed in section 305(c)(2) of the
FPA (including but not limited to organizations primarily engaged in
the business of providing financial services or credit, insurance
companies, security underwriters, electrical equipment suppliers, fuel
provider, and any entity which is controlled by one or more of these
entities).
Estimate of Annual Burden: The Commission estimates the total
annual burden and cost \15\ for this information collection as follows:
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\15\ Commission staff estimates that the industry's skill set
and cost (for wages and benefits) for FERC-561 are approximately the
same as the Commission's average cost. The FERC 2021 average salary
plus benefits for one FERC full-time equivalent (FTE) is $180,703/
year (or $87.00/hour).
[[Page 7830]]
FERC Form 561--Annual Report of Interlocking Directorates
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Annual number
Number of respondents of responses Total number Average burden and cost per Total annual burden hours and Cost per
per respondent of responses response total annual cost respondent ($)
(1) (2) (1) * (2) = (4)............................. (3) * (4) = (5)................ (5) / (1)
(3)
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2,700............................... 1 2,700 0.25 hrs.; $21.75............... 675 hrs.; $58,725.............. $21.75
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Comments: Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the collection of
information is 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 estimate of the burden and
cost of the collection of information, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality,
utility and clarity of the information collection; and (4) ways to
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are
to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
Dated: February 4, 2022.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-02834 Filed 2-9-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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