2013-26461. Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-574); Comment Request

AGENCY:

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

ACTION:

Comment request.

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 the information collection FERC-574, Gas Pipeline Certificates: Hinshaw Exemption, to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review of the information collection requirements. Any interested person may file comments directly with OMB and should address a copy of those comments to the Commission as explained below. The Commission issued a Notice in the Federal Register (78 FR 49491, 8/14/2013) requesting public comments. FERC received no comments on the FERC-574 and is making this notation in its submittal to OMB.

DATES:

Comments on the collection of information are due by December 5, 2013.

ADDRESSES:

Comments filed with OMB, identified by the OMB Control No. 1902-0116, should be sent via email to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs: [e-mail]. Attention: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Desk Officer. The Desk Officer may also be reached via telephone at 202-395-4718.

A copy of the comments should also be sent to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, identified by the Docket No. IC13-21-000, by either of the following methods:

• eFiling at Commission's Web site: http://www.ferc.gov/​docs-filing/​efiling.asp.
• Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426.

Instructions: All submissions must be formatted and filed in accordance with submission guidelines at: http://www.ferc.gov/​help/​submission-guide.asp. For user assistance contact FERC Online Support by email at [e-mail], or by phone at: [phone] (toll-free), or [phone] for TTY.

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 http://www.ferc.gov/​docs-filing/​docs-filing.asp.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ellen Brown may be reached by email at [e-mail], by telephone at [phone], and by fax at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: FERC-574, Gas Pipeline Certificates: Hinshaw Exemption.

OMB Control No.: 1902-0116.

Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC-574 information collection requirements with no changes to the reporting requirements.

Abstract: The Commission uses the information collected under the requirements of FERC-574 to implement the statutory provisions of Sections 1(c), 4 and 7 of the Natural Gas Act (NGA).^[1] Natural gas pipeline companies file applications with the Commission furnishing information in order to facilitate a determination of an applicant's qualification for an exemption under the provisions of Section 1(c). If the Commission grants exemption, the natural gas pipeline company is not required to file certificate applications, rate schedules, or any other applications or forms prescribed by the Commission.

The exemption applies to companies engaged in the transportation, sale, or resale of natural gas in interstate commerce if: (a) They receive gas at or within the boundaries of the state from another person at or within the boundaries of that state; (b) such gas is ultimately consumed in such state; (c) the rates, service and facilities of such company are subject to regulation by a State Commission; and (d) that such State Commission is exercising that jurisdiction. 18 CFR Part 152 specifies the data required to be filed by pipeline companies for an exemption.

Type of Respondents: Pipeline Companies

Estimate of Annual Burden: ^[2] The Commission estimates the total Public Reporting Burden for this information collection as:

FERC-574—Gas Pipeline Certificates: Hinshaw Exemption

Number of respondents	Number of responses per respondent	Total number of responses	Average burden hours per response	Estimated total annual burden
(A)	(B)	(A) × (B) = (C)	(D)	(C) × (D)
1	1	1	60	60

The total estimated annual cost burden to respondents is $4,200 [60 hours * $70/hour ^[3] = $4,200].

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: October 30, 2013.

Kimberly D. Bose,

Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  15 U.S.C. 717-717w

2.  The Commission defines burden 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 Code of Federal Regulations 1320.3.

3.  FY2013 Estimated Average Hourly Cost per FTE, including salary + benefits.