Notice2026-01348

Commission Information Collection Activities (Ferc-538) 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
January 26, 2026

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-538 (Gas Pipeline Certificates: Section 7(a) Mandatory Initial Service).

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 16 (Monday, January 26, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 16 (Monday, January 26, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3166-3167]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-01348]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. IC26-8-000]


Commission Information Collection Activities (Ferc-538) 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-538 (Gas Pipeline Certificates: Section 
7(a) Mandatory Initial Service).

DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due March 27, 
2026.

ADDRESSES: Please submit comments via email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#65210411042609000417040b060025232037264b020a13"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="97d3f6e3f6d4fbf2f6e5f6f9f4f2d7d1d2c5d4b9f0f8e1">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>. 
You must specify the Docket No. (IC26-8-000) and the FERC Information 
Collection number (FERC-538) in your email. If you are unable to file 
electronically, comments may be filed by USPS mail or by hand 
(including courier) delivery:
    <bullet> Mail via U.S. Postal Service only, addressed to: Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 888 First 
Street NE, Washington, DC 20426.
    <bullet> Hand (including courier) delivery to: Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, MD 20852.
    Docket: To view information related to this docket, please visit 
<a href="https://elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/search">https://elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/search</a>.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kayla Williams may be reached by email 
at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f8bc998c99bb949d998a99969b9db8bebdaabbd69f978e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="cd89acb9ac8ea1a8acbfaca3aea88d8b889f8ee3aaa2bb">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>, or by telephone at (202)502-6468.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Gas Pipeline Certificates: Section 7(a) Mandatory Initial 
Service.
    OMB Control No.: 1902-0061.
    Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC-538 information 
collection requirements with no changes to the current reporting 
requirements.
    Abstract: The purpose of FERC-538 is to implement the information 
collections pursuant to sections 7(a), 10(a) and 16 of Natural Gas 
Act,\1\ and part 156 of the Commission Regulations.\2\ These statutes 
and regulations allow for the Commission, after receiving an 
application, to order a natural gas company to extend or improve its 
transportation facilities and sell natural gas to the municipality or 
person and, for such purpose, to extend its transportation facilities 
to communities immediately adjacent to such facilities or to 
territories served by the natural gas pipeline company. The Commission 
uses the application data in order to be fully informed concerning the 
applicant, and the service the applicant is requesting.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 717f-w.
    \2\ 18 CFR part 156 (2005).
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    Type of Respondents: Persons or municipalities authorized to engage 
in the local distribution of natural gas.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: \3\ The Commission estimates the annual 
reporting burden and cost for the information collection as:
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    \3\ ``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, reference 5 CFR 1320.3.
    \4\ Commission staff estimates that the industry's hourly cost 
for wages plus benefits is similar to the Commission's $103 FY 2025 
average hourly cost for wages and benefits.

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                                                           Annual number                                                                                                             Cost per
                                             Number of     of responses    Total number       Average burden hrs. & cost ($) per       Total annual burden hours & total  annual    respondent
                                            respondents   per respondent   of responses                  response \4\                                  cost  ($)                        ($)
                                                     (1)             (2)     (1) * (2) =  (4).......................................  (3) * (4) = (5)...........................       (5) / (1)
                                                                                     (3)
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Gas Pipeline Certificates...............               1               1               1  240 hrs.; $24,720.........................  240 hrs.; $24,720.........................          24,720
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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

[[Page 3167]]

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: January 20, 2026.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2026-01348 Filed 1-23-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


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Indexed from Federal Register on January 26, 2026.

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