Notice2024-28248
Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-519, FERC-520, FERC-546, and FERC-580) Comment Request; Extension
Primary source
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Published
December 3, 2024
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-519, (Application under Federal Power Act Section 203); FERC-520, (Application for Authority to Hold interlocking Directorate positions; FERC-546, (Certification of Qualifying Facility (QF) Status for a Small Power Production or Cogeneration Facility); FERC-580, (Interrogatory on Fuel and Energy Purchase Practices). The above four collections are a part of a combined notice only and are not being combined into one OMB Collection number.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 232 (Tuesday, December 3, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 232 (Tuesday, December 3, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 95765-95768]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-28248]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. IC25-1-000]
Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-519, FERC-520,
FERC-546, and FERC-580) 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-519, (Application under Federal Power Act
Section 203); FERC-520, (Application for Authority to Hold interlocking
Directorate positions; FERC-546, (Certification of Qualifying Facility
(QF) Status for a Small Power Production or Cogeneration Facility);
FERC-580, (Interrogatory on Fuel and Energy Purchase Practices). The
above four collections are a part of a combined notice only and are not
being combined into one OMB Collection number.
DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due February 3,
2025.
ADDRESSES: You may submit copies of your comments (identified by Docket
No. IC25-1-000) by one of the following methods:
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: All 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#8bedeef9e8e4e5e7e2e5eef8fefbfbe4f9ffcbedeef9e8a5ece4fd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="02646770616d6c6e6b6c67717772726d707642646770612c656d74">[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: Kayla Williams may be reached by email
at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a3e7c2d7c2e0cfc6c2d1c2cdc0c6e3e5e6f1e08dc4ccd5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1a5e7b6e7b59767f7b687b74797f5a5c5f4859347d756c">[email protected]</span></a>, telephone at (202) 502-6468.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. FERC-519
Title: FERC-519, Application under Federal Power Act Section
203.\1\
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\1\ 16 U.S.C. 824b.
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OMB Control No.: 1902-0082.
Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC-519 information
collection requirements with no changes to the current reporting
requirements.
Abstract: The Commission requires that public utility officers must
seek authorization under amended section 203(a)(1)(B) of the Federal
Power Act (FPA) to merge or consolidate, directly or indirectly, its
facilities subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission, or any part
thereof, with the facilities of any other person, or any part thereof,
that are subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission and have a value
in excess of $10 million, by any means whatsoever. In addition, as
required by the Act, the Commission establishes a requirement to submit
a notification filing for mergers or consolidations by a public utility
if the facilities to be acquired have a value in excess of $1 million
and such public utility is not required to secure Commission
authorization under amended section 203(a)(1)(B). The information
collected under the FERC-519 enables the Commission to meet its
statutory responsibilities regarding public utility disposition,
merger, consolidation of facilities, purchase, or acquisition oversight
and enforcement in accordance with the FPA as referenced above. Without
this information, FERC would be unable to meet these responsibilities.
The required information includes descriptions of corporate attributes
of the party or parties to the proposed transaction (e.g., a sale,
lease, or other disposition, merger, or consolidation of facilities, or
purchase of other acquisition of the securities of a public utility and
the facilities or other property involved in the transaction),
statements about effect of the transaction, and the applicant's proof
that the transaction will be consistent with the public interest. It
will enable the Commission to meet its statutory responsibilities
regarding its FPA section 203 oversight of public utility dispositions,
mergers, or consolidation of facilities, and associated oversight and
enforcement responsibilities under the FPA as referenced above. The
required information to be collected in the notification filing
(established by the addition of 18 CFR part 33.12) for certain
transactions includes descriptions of corporate attributes of the party
or parties to the transaction and the facilities involved. FPA section
203 requires a filing on the occasion that a public utility proposes to
dispose of jurisdictional facilities, merge such facilities, or acquire
the securities of another public utility. Public Utilities consist of:
<bullet> Corporate;
<bullet> Information Technology Management;
<bullet> General Accounting;
<bullet> Personnel and Payroll;
<bullet> Transportation;
<bullet> Tariffs and Rates;
<bullet> Insurance;
<bullet> Operations and Maintenance;
<bullet> Plant and Depreciation;
<bullet> Purchase and Stores;
<bullet> Revenue Accounting and Collection;
<bullet> Tax;
[[Page 95766]]
<bullet> Treasury; and
<bullet> Miscellaneous.
Type of Respondents: Public utility officers regulated by the FPA.
Estimate of Annual Burden: \2\ The Commission estimates the total
annual burden and cost \3\ for this information collection as follows:
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\2\ ``Burden'' is 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 Title 5 Code of Federal Regulations 1320.3.
\3\ Commission staff estimates that the industry's skill set and
cost (for wages and benefits) for FERC-520 are approximately the
same as the Commission's average cost. The FERC 2024 average salary
plus benefits for one FERC full-time equivalent (FTE) is $207,786/
year (or $100/hour).
FERC-519--Application Under Federal Power Act Section 203
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Annual number
Number of of responses Total number of Average burden & cost per Total annual burden hours (total annual Cost per respondent ($)
respondents per respondent responses response cost)
(1) (2) (1) * (2) = (3) (4).............................. (3) * (4) = (5).......................... (5) / (1)
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FERC-519 (FPA Section 203 Filings) 134 1 134 324.43 hr.\5\; $32,443........... 43,473.62 hrs.; $4,347,362............... $32,443.
\4\.
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2. FERC-520
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\4\ Commission staff estimates that approximately 26 section 203
filings will change from full section 203 filings to the
notification filing described above and will take one burden hour to
complete. The number of respondents and responses is based on
Commission staff's estimate that 13 percent of the approximately 200
section 203 filings received will be affected. This represents a
significant reduction in burden hours.
\5\ With this amendment each of the 26 affected entities and
their related filings (i.e., the entities that now only have to file
the section 203 notification filings) is reduced to 1 hour.
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Title: FERC-520, Application for Authority to Hold Interlocking
Directorate Positions.
OMB Control No.: 1902-0083.
Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC-520 information
collection requirements with no changes to the current reporting
requirements.
Abstract: FERC Form No. 520 is an application requesting FERC
authorization for officers and directors of regulated public utilities
to simultaneously hold positions of officers and directors of certain
other entities. Section 305(b)(1) of the Federal Power Act (FPA) \6\
prohibits the holding of specific interlocking positions unless the
Commission has authorized the holding of such interlocks upon a
determination that neither public nor private interests will be
adversely affected.
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\6\ 16 U.S.C. 825d(b)(1).
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FERC-520 consists of three information collection activities. A
``full application,'' in accordance with 18 CFR 45.8, provides detailed
information about the positions for which authorization is sought,
including a description of duties. Submission of a more streamlined
``informational report,'' in accordance with 18 CFR 45.9, is a
condition for an automatic grant of authorization to hold interlocking
directorates. This automatic authorization is available only to certain
types of officers and directors. Finally, a ``notice of change,'' in
accordance with 18 CFR 45.5, is required within 60 days after an
officer or director resigns or withdraws from Commission-authorized
interlocked positions or if the applicant is not re-elected or
reappointed to the interlocked position. However, no notice of change
is required if the only change is: (1) a resignation or withdrawal from
fewer than all position held between or among affiliated public
utilities; (2) a reelection or reappointment to a position that was
previously authorized; or (3) holding a different or additional
interlocking position that would qualify for automatic authorization
under 18 CFR 45.9.
Type of Respondents: Officers and directors of public utilities
seeking authorization to hold interlocking directorates.
Estimate of Annual Burden: <SUP>7</SUP> The Commission estimates
the total annual burden and cost \8\ for this information collection as
follows:
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\7\ ``Burden'' is 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 Title 5 Code of Federal Regulations 1320.3.
\8\ Commission staff estimates that the industry's skill set and
cost (for wages and benefits) for FERC-520 are approximately the
same as the Commission's average cost. The FERC 2024 average salary
plus benefits for one FERC full-time equivalent (FTE) is $207,786/
year (or $100/hour).
FERC-520--Application for Authority To Hold Interlocking Directorate Positions
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B. Annual
A. Number of number of C. Total number of D. Average burden & cost per E. Total annual burden hours & total
respondents responses per responses response annual cost F. Cost per respondent
respondent
............ ............... (Column A x Column B) (Column C x Column D)................ (Column E / Column A)
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Full Application..................... 16 1 16 50 hrs.; $4,350................ 800 hrs.; $69,600.................... $4,350
Informational Report................. 500 1 500 8 hrs.; $696................... 4,000 hrs.; $348,000................. 696
Notice of Change..................... 100 1 100 0.25 hrs.; $21.75.............. 25 hrs.; $2,175...................... 21.75
Totals........................... 616 N/A 616 N/A............................ 4,825 hrs.; $419,775................. N/A
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3. FERC-546
Title: FERC-546, Certificated Rate Filings: Gas Pipeline Rates.
OMB Control No.: 1902-0155.
Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC-546 information
collection requirements with no changes to the current reporting
requirements.
Abstract: The Commission reviews the FERC-546 materials to decide
whether to approve rates and tariff changes associated with an
application for a certificate under Natural Gas Act
[[Page 95767]]
(NGA) section 7(c) (15 U.S.C. 717). Additionally, FERC reviews FERC-546
materials in NGA section 4(f) (15 U.S.C. 717), storage applications, to
evaluate an applicant's market power and determine whether to grant
market-based rate authority to the applicant. The Commission uses the
information in FERC-546 to monitor jurisdictional transportation,
natural gas storage, and unbundled sales activities of interstate
natural gas pipelines and Hinshaw \9\ pipelines. In addition to
fulfilling the Commission's obligations under the NGA, the FERC-546
enables the Commission to monitor the activities and evaluate
transactions of the natural gas industry, ensure competitiveness, and
improve efficiency of the industry's operations. In summary, the
Commission uses the information to:
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\9\ Hinshaw pipelines are those that receive all out-of-state
gas from entities within or at the boundary of a state if all the
natural gas so received is ultimately consumed within the state in
which it is received, 15 U.S.C. 717(c). Congress concluded that
Hinshaw pipelines are ``matters primarily of local concern,'' and so
are more appropriately regulated by pertinent state agencies rather
than by FERC. The Natural Gas Act section 1(c) exempts Hinshaw
pipelines from FERC jurisdiction. A Hinshaw pipeline, however, may
apply for a FERC certificate to transport gas outside of state
lines.
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<bullet> ensure adequate customer protections under NGA section
4(f);
<bullet> review rate and tariff changes filed under NGA section
7(c) for certification of natural gas pipeline transportation and
storage services;
<bullet> provide general industry oversight; and
<bullet> supplement documentation during the pipeline audits
process.
Failure to collect this information would prevent the Commission
from monitoring and evaluating transactions and operations of
jurisdictional pipelines and performing its regulatory functions.
Type of Respondents: Jurisdictional pipeline companies and storage
operators.
Estimate of Annual Burden: \10\ The Commission estimates the burden
and cost for this information collection as follows:
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\10\ ``Burden'' is 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 Title 5 Code of Federal Regulations
1320.3.
FERC-546 (Certificated Rate Filings: Gas Pipeline Rates)
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Annual Annual number Total number of
number of of responses responses Average burden & cost per Total annual burden hours & total annual Cost per respondent ($)
respondents per respondent (rounded) response (rounded) cost (rounded) (rounded)
(1) (2) (1) * (2) = (3) (4)............................. (3) * (4) = (5).......................... (5) / (1)
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Pipeline Certificate Filings and 48 \11\ 1 48 500 hrs.; $50,000............... 24,000 hrs.; $2,400,000.................. $50,000.
Storage Applications.
Project Area Labor Wage \12\......... 16 1 16 15 hrs; $1,500.................. 240 hrs; $24,000......................... 15 hrs: $1,500.
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4. FERC-580
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\11\ This figure was calculated by dividing the total number of
responses (111) by the total number of respondents (83). The
resulting figure was then rounded to the nearest thousandth place.
\12\ Project-Area Wage Standards in the Labor Cost Component of
Cost-of-Service Rates under Docket No. PL24-1-000 was issued on
March 21, 2024, which allows jurisdictional entities to include
wages consistent with project-area standards in cost-of-service
rates filed with the Commission where the record supports that
outcome.
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Title: FERC Form 580: Interrogatory on Fuel and Energy Purchase
Practices Pursuant to Section 205 of the Federal Power Act.
OMB Control No.: 1902-0137.
Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC Form 580 with no
substantive changes to the current reporting requirements.
Administrative changes to update the form are being made, as described
below.
Abstract: The Commission collects FERC Form 580 information every
other year as required under Section 205(f)(2) of the FPA,\13\ which
provides that the Commission must review, ``not less frequently than
every 2 years,'' practices under automatic adjustment clauses
(AACs).\14\ As required by FPA section 205(f)(2), the Commission uses
the information collected through the FERC Form 580 interrogatory to
review utility purchase and cost recovery practices under AACs in order
to ensure efficient use of resources.\15\ The Commission uses the
information to evaluate costs in individual rate filings and to
supplement periodic utility audits. The public also uses the
information in this manner. Without the FERC Form 580 interrogatory,
the Commission would not have the requisite information available to
conduct the necessary review the FPA mandates.
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\13\ 16 U.S.C. 824d.
\14\ An automatic adjustment clause is a provision of a rate
schedule which provides for increases or decreases (or both),
without prior hearing, in rates reflecting increases or decreases
(or both) in costs incurred by an electric utility.
For additional information on AACs, see the Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQs) and Desk Reference for FERC Form 580 on the
Commission's website.
\15\ By using the data in FERC Form 580, the Commission is able
to review utility purchase and cost recovery practices and ensure
the resources are in compliance with Commission regulations in 18
CFR 35.14.
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Type of Respondents: The filing must be submitted by all FERC-
jurisdictional utilities owning and/or operating at least one steam-
electric generating station of 50 MW or greater capacity or having a
majority ownership interest in a jointly-owned steam-electric
generating station of at least 50 MW. A jurisdictional utility without
a cost-based tariff on file with the Commission is not required to file
the form.
Estimate of Annual Burden: The Commission estimates the annual \16\
public reporting burden \17\ and cost \18\ for the information
collection as:
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\16\ The FERC Form 580 interrogatory is conducted every two
years.
\17\ 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.
\18\ Commission staff estimates that the industry's skill set
and cost (for wages and benefits) for FERC-520 are approximately the
same as the Commission's average cost. The FERC 2024 average salary
plus benefits for one FERC full-time equivalent (FTE) is $207,786/
year (or $100/hour).
[[Page 95768]]
FERC Form 580 (Interrogatory on Fuel and Energy Purchase Practices Pursuant to Section 205 of the Federal Power Act)
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Annual number Annual cost
Number of of responses Total number of Average burden & cost Total annual burden hours & per respondent
respondents per respondent responses per response total annual cost ($)
(1) (2) (1) * (2) = (3) (4).................... (3) * (4) = (5)............... (5) / (1)
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Respondents with FACs \19\... 24 0.5 12 103 hrs.; $10,300...... 1,236 hrs.; $123,600.......... $5,150
Respondents with AACs, but no 12 0.5 6 20 hrs.; $2,000........ 120.0 hrs.; $12,000........... 1,000
FACs.
Respondents with no AACs and 4 0.5 2 2 hrs.; $200........... 4.0 hrs.; $400................ 100
no FACs.
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Total.................... ............ ............... 20 ....................... 1,360.0 hrs.; $136,000........ ..............
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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.
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\19\ Fuel Adjustment Clause (FAC).
Dated: November 25, 2024.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024-28248 Filed 12-2-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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