Notice2022-18232
Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-604); Comment Request; Extension
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
August 24, 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 collection, FERC-604 (Cash Management Agreements), 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 163 (Wednesday, August 24, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 163 (Wednesday, August 24, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51974-51975]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-18232]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. IC22-14-000]
Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-604); Comment
Request; Extension
AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
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 collection, FERC-604 (Cash Management Agreements), which
will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a
review of the information collection requirements.
DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due September 23,
2022.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments on FERC-604 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 number (1902-
0267) 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.
IC22-14-000) to the Commission as noted below. Electronic filing
through <a href="https://www.ferc.gov">https://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="https://www.ferc.gov">https://www.ferc.gov</a>. For user assistance,
contact FERC Online Support by email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#35535047565a5b595c5b50464045455a474175535047561b525a43"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d6b0b3a4b5b9b8babfb8b3a5a3a6a6b9a4a296b0b3a4b5f8b1b9a0">[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">https://www.ferc.gov</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Brown may be reached by email at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#195d786d785a757c786b78777a7c595f5c4b5a377e766f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3c785d485d7f50595d4e5d525f597c7a796e7f125b534a">[email protected]</span></a> and telephone at (202) 502-8663.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Cash Management Agreements.
OMB Control No.: 1902-0267.
Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC-604 information
collection requirements with no changes to the current reporting
requirements.
Abstract: This collection of information is authorized by the
following statutory provisions:
<bullet> Sections 8 and 10 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717g
and 717i);
<bullet> Sections 301 and 304 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C.
835 and 825c); and
<bullet> Sections 20(1) and 20(5) of the Interstate Commerce Act
(49 App. U.S.C. 20(1) and 20(5)).
Cash management or ``money pool'' programs typically concentrate
affiliates' cash assets in joint accounts for the purpose of providing
financial flexibility and lowering the cost of borrowing. In a 2001
investigation, FERC staff found that balances in cash management
programs affecting FERC-regulated entities totaled approximately $16
billion. Additionally, other investigations revealed large transfers of
funds (amounting to more than $1 billion) between regulated pipeline
affiliates and non-regulated parents whose financial conditions were
precarious. The Commission found that these and other fund transfers
and the enormous (mostly unregulated) pools of money in cash management
programs could detrimentally affect regulated rates.
To protect customers and promote transparency, the Commission
issued Order 634-A (2003) requiring entities to formalize in writing
and file with the Commission their cash management agreements. At that
time, the Commission obtained OMB clearance for this new reporting
requirement under the FERC-555 information collection (OMB Control No.
1902-0098). Now, the Commission includes these reporting requirements
for cash management agreements under the FERC-604 information
collection (OMB Control No. 1902-0267). The Commission implements these
reporting requirements in accordance with 18 CFR 141.500, 260.400, and
357.5.
Type of Respondents: Public utilities, natural gas companies, and
oil pipeline companies.
Estimate of Annual Burden: \1\ The Commission estimates the annual
public reporting burden for the information collection as:
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\1\ Burden is defined as the total time, effort, or financial
resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or
disclose or provide information to or for a federal agency. See 5
CFR 1320 for additional information on the definition of information
collection burden.
[[Page 51975]]
FERC-604, Cash Management Agreements
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Number of Average burden hours &
Number of respondents responses per Total number of average cost \2\ per Total annual burden hours Cost per
respondent responses response ($) & total annual cost ($) respondent ($)
(1) (2) (1) * (2) = (3) (4)....................... (3) * (4) = (5)........... (5) / (1) = (6)
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45..................................... 1 45 1.5 hours; $130.50........ 67.5 hours; $5,872.50..... $130.50
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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.
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\2\ The Commission staff estimates that the industry's hourly
cost for wages plus benefits is similar to the Commission's $87.00
FY 2021 average hourly cost for wages and benefits.
Dated: August 18, 2022.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-18232 Filed 8-23-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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