99-1957. Proposed Information Collection and Request for Comments

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 18 (Thursday, January 28, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4402-4403]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-1957]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. IC99-516-000; FERC-516]


Proposed Information Collection and Request for Comments

January 22, 1999.
AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice of proposed information collection and request for 
comments.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the requirements of Section 3506(c)(2)(a) 
of

[[Page 4403]]

the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. No. 104-13), the Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) is soliciting public comments 
on the specific aspects of the information collection described below.

DATES: Consideration will be given to comments submitted on or before 
March 29, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the proposed collection of information can be 
obtained from and written comments may be submitted to the Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission, Attn: Michael Miller, Office of the Chief 
Information Officer, CI-1, 888 First Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 
20426.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Miller may be reached by 
telephone at [phone], by fax at [phone], and by e-mail at 
[e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The information collected under the 
requirements of FERC-516 ``Electric Rate Schedule Filings'' (OMB No. 
1902-0096) is used by the Commission to carry out the general authority 
in Sections 15, 19, 20, 205, 206 and 207 of the Federal Power Act (FPA) 
(16 U.S.C. 808, 812, 813, 824d-f). A public utility must obtain 
Commission authorization for all rates and charges made, related 
contracts and service conditions, and for wholesale sales and 
transmission of energy in interstate commerce. The Commission is 
authorized to investigate the rates charged by public utilities subject 
to its jurisdiction. If after investigation the Commission determines 
that the rates, terms or conditions of service are ``unjust and 
unreasonable or unjustly discriminatory or unduly preferential,'' it is 
authorized to determine and prescribe the just and reasonable rates, 
terms or conditions. Either full or abbreviated cost data is required 
to support the proposed rate levels as part of the justification for 
the complete electric rate schedules. Submission of the information is 
necessary because of the complexity of the electric industry and the 
controversial nature of many of the elements of a utility's cost to 
provide service. Sufficient detail must be obtained for the Commission 
to make informed and equitable decisions concerning the appropriate 
level of rates, and to aid customers and other parties who may wish to 
challenge the rate proposed by the utility. The compliance with these 
requirements is mandatory. The reporting requirements are found at 18 
CFR Parts 35 and 292.
    Action: The Commission is requesting a three-year extension of the 
current expiration date, with no changes to the existing collection of 
data.
    Burden Statement: Public reporting burden for this collection is 
estimated as:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Number of          Number of       Average burden
   respondents       responses per        hours per       Total annual
     annually          respondent         response        burden hours
  (1)                          (2)                (3)    (1)  x  (2)  x
                                                                    (3)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
858..............             3.42                183           536,800
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Over the last three years, the Commission has seen a dramatic 
increase in both the number of respondents and the number of filings as 
is shown in the figures above. A decrease in average burden hours per 
respondent is the result of a dramatic increase in tariff service 
agreement filings. These filings have very short preparation times and 
are so numerous that when combined with other more lengthy types of 
filings, the result is a significant reduction in the overall average 
burden hours per response. Overall, there is a slight reduction in the 
total annual burden hours.
    Estimated total cost burden to respondents: 536,800 hours per year 
 2080 hours per year  x  $109,889 = $28,359,815. The cost per 
respondent is equal to $33,053.
    The reporting burden includes the total time, effort, or financial 
resources expended to generate, maintain, retain, disclose, or provide 
the information including: (1) Reviewing instructions; (2) developing, 
acquiring, installing, and utilizing technology and systems for the 
purposes of collecting, validating, verifying, processing, maintaining, 
disclosing and providing information; (3) adjusting the existing ways 
to comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements; 
(4) training personnel to respond to a collection of information; (5) 
searching data sources; (6) completing and reviewing the collection of 
information; and (7) transmitting, or otherwise disclosing the 
information.
    The estimate of cost for respondents is based upon salaries for 
professional and clerical support, as well as direct and indirect 
overhead costs. Direct costs include all costs directly attributable to 
providing this information, such as administrative costs and the cost 
for information technology. Indirect or overhead costs are costs 
incurred by an organization in support of its mission. These costs 
apply to activities which benefit the whole organization rather than 
any one particular function or activity.
    Comments are invited on: (1) whether the proposed 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 of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of 
responses.
David P. Boergers,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-1957 Filed 1-27-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M