Notice2026-09332
Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-577) 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
May 12, 2026
Issuing agencies
Energy DepartmentFederal Energy Regulatory Commission
Abstract
In compliance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC) is submitting its information collection FERC-577: Natural Gas Facilities: Environmental Review and Compliance to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review of the information collection requirements. There are no proposed changes to the reporting requirements in this collection. However, FERC has corrected errors in previously published burden tables to reflect the burden published in RM22-8.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 91 (Tuesday, May 12, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 91 (Tuesday, May 12, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25873-25875]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-09332]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. IC26-7-000]
Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-577) 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, 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D), the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (Commission or FERC) is submitting its information
collection FERC-577: Natural Gas Facilities: Environmental Review and
Compliance to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review of
the information collection requirements. There are no proposed changes
to the reporting requirements in this collection. However, FERC has
corrected errors in previously published burden tables to reflect the
burden published in RM22-8.
[[Page 25874]]
DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due June 11, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments on FERC-577 to OMB through <a href="https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRA/icrPublicCommentRequest?ref_nbr=202604-1902-003">https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRA/icrPublicCommentRequest?ref_nbr=202604-1902-003</a>. You can also visit <a href="https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain">https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain</a>
and use the drop-down under ``Currently under Review'' to select the
``Federal Energy Regulatory Commission'' where you can see the open
opportunities to provide comments. Comments should be sent within 30
days of publication of this notice.
Please submit a copy of your comments to the Commission via email
to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2763465346644b42465546494442676162756409404851"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="14507560755778717566757a777154525146573a737b62">[email protected]</span></a>. You must specify the Docket No. (IC26-7-000)
and the FERC Information Collection number (FERC-577) 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: Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 888 First Street
NE, Washington, DC 20426.
<bullet> All other delivery methods: Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue,
Rockville, MD 20852.
Docket: To view comments and issuances in 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#97d3f6e3f6d4fbf2f6e5f6f9f4f2d7d1d2c5d4b9f0f8e1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="682c091c092b040d091a09060b0d282e2d3a2b460f071e">[email protected]</span></a>, or by telephone at (202)502-6468.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: FERC-577, Natural Gas Facilities: Environmental Review and
Compliance.
OMB Control No.: 1902-0128.
Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC-577 information
collection requirements with no changes to the current reporting
requirements.
Abstract: FERC-577 identifies the Commission's information
collections pertaining to 18 CFR parts 2, 153, 157, 284, and 380.
Parts 2, 153, 157, and 380 of the Commission's regulations outline
the environmental resource related information that natural gas
companies must provide when seeking authorization to construct or
abandon natural gas facilities. The required information addresses the
resource areas affected by the proposed action and describes the impact
the project is likely to have and the measures the applicant will
implement to mitigate those impacts. The proposed action will determine
the specific information a company must submit. Per the National
Environmental Policy Act, all federal agencies are required to give
appropriate consideration to the environmental effects of the proposed
actions in their decision making; this information allows the
Commission to fulfill its NEPA obligations.
Parts 2, 157, 284, and 380 of the Commission's regulations also
outline the requirements for natural gas companies that are subject to
FERC's jurisdiction to notify affected landowners of certain planned
activities prior to coming onto landowners' property.\1\ The
notifications include: (1) a brief description of the activity to be
conducted or facilities to be constructed/replaced and the effects that
the activities are expected to have on the landowner's property; (2)
the name and phone number of the company representative that is
knowledgeable about the project; and (3) a description of the
Commission's Dispute Resolution Service Helpline, as explained in
Section 1b.21(g) of the Commission's regulations, and the Dispute
Resolution Service Helpline number. The Commission defines ``affected
landowners'' as owners of property interests, as noted in the most
recent tax notice, whose property is directly affected (i.e. crossed or
used) by the proposed activity, including all rights-of-way, facility
sites, access roads, pipe and contractor yards, and temporary
workspaces.
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\1\ These notifications are sent to affected landowners and are
not submitted to FERC. Per 5 CFR 1320.3(c) the definition of
``Collection of Information'' includes mandated third-party
disclosures.
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The FERC-577 information collections cannot be discontinued or
conducted less frequently. Without such information, the Commission
would be unable to fulfill its statutory responsibilities under the
Natural Gas Act and NEPA.
Type of Respondents: Natural Gas Companies subject to FERC's
jurisdiction.
Estimate of Annual Burden: \2\ The Commission estimates the annual
public reporting burden and cost \3\ for the information collection as
follows.\4\
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\2\ 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 (2025) for additional information on the definition of
information collection burden.
\3\ The Commission staff estimates that industry is similarly
situated in terms of hourly cost (for wages plus benefits). Based on
the Commission's FY (Fiscal Year) 2025 average cost (for wages plus
benefits), $103/hour is used.
\4\ FERC has updated this table since the 60-day Federal
Register Notice to more clearly describe the relationship between
the regulations and the information collection burden.
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Number of Average burden hours & Total annual burden Cost per
Number of responses per Total number average cost per hours & total annual respondent ($)
respondents respondent of responses response ($) (rounded) cost ($) (rounded) (rounded)
(1) (2) (1) * (2) = (4)..................... (3) * (4) = (5)......... (5) / (1) =
(3) (6)
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Natural Gas Companies' Environmental 107 16 1,712 193.52 hours; $19,932.56 331,306 hours; $318,921
Review and Compliance \5\ (18 CFR $34,124,518.
Parts 2, 153, 157, and 380) \6\.
Natural Gas Companies' Landowner 164 144 23,616 2 hours; $206........... 47,232 hours; $4,864,896 $29,664
Notifications \7\ (18 CFR Sec. Sec.
157(d), 157(f), 2.55(a), 2.55(b),
284.11, and 380.15).
Total............................. ........... ............... 25,328 ........................ 378,538 hours; ..............
$38,989,414.
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[[Page 25875]]
FERC received one comment on the 60-day Federal Register Notice.
The commenter requested greater clarification regarding the purpose of
the information collection and the specific details about what
information is being collected.
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\5\ Number of estimated natural gas companies anticipated to
file environmental related information. This is based on previous
years responses combined with tread information.
\6\ The 60-day notice correctly said that there are no proposed
changes to the information collection. This table has been updated
to correct errors so that the burden reflects the burden published
in final rule RM22-8 (88 FR 74033)
\7\ Estimated number of Natural Gas Companies subject to FERC's
jurisdiction. This figure naturally fluctuates based on changes in
the natural gas industry.
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FERC included additional information in this notice to describe the
need and details of the collection. The commentor also stated that FERC
had not mapped information categories to decision outputs and citied 5
CFR 1320.8(b)(1). The commentor incorrectly characterizes this
regulation which requires that FERC track its information collections
and have an OMB Control Number and Expiration Date. This information is
available at <a href="https://www.ferc.gov/information-collections">https://www.ferc.gov/information-collections</a> and also at
<a href="https://www.ferc.gov/industries-data/natural-gas/industry-forms">https://www.ferc.gov/industries-data/natural-gas/industry-forms</a>. The
commentor also stated that burden and cost methodology was inadequate;
however, they did not provide recommendations for how these mightIC26-7
be updated. FERC reviewed the burden calculation and corrected the
burden to reflect changes incorporated in RM22-8.
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: May 6, 2026.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2026-09332 Filed 5-11-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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