2020-03124. Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-574); Comment Request; Extension

AGENCY:

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Department of Energy.

ACTION:

Notice of information collection and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC) is soliciting public comment on the currently approved information collection FERC-574 (Gas Pipeline Certificates: Hinshaw Exemption) and submitting the information collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. Any interested person may file comments directly with OMB and should address a copy of those comments to the Commission as explained below.

DATES:

Comments on the collection of information are due by March 19, 2020.

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 Office.

A copy of the comments should also be sent to the Commission, in Docket No. IC20-3-000, by either of the following methods:

• eFiling at Commission's Website: http://www.ferc.gov/​docs-filing/​efiling.asp.
• Mail: 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], telephone at [phone], and 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 with no changes to the current reporting requirements.

Abstract: On November 26, 2019 (84 FR 65148), the Commission published a Notice in the Federal Register in Docket No. IC20-3-000 requesting public comments. The Commission received no comments and is noting that in the related submittal to OMB. On December 19, 2019, OMB granted the Commission an emergency extension for FERC-574, from December 31, 2019 to March 31, 2020.

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). 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 the section 1(c). If the Commission grants an 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: ^[1] The Commission estimates the annual public reporting burden and cost ^[2] for the 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 & average cost ($) per response	Total annual burden hours & total annual cost ($)	Cost ($) per respondent
(1)	(2)	(1) * (2) = (3)	(4)	(3) * (4) = (5)	(5) ÷ (1) = (6)
2	1	2	60 hours; $4,800	120 hours; $9,600	$4,800

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 estimates 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: February 11, 2020.

Kimberly D. Bose,

Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  “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. See 5 CFR 1320 for additional information on the definition of information collection burden.

2.  Commission staff estimates that the industry's skill set and cost (for wages and benefits) for FERC-574 are approximately the same as the Commission's average cost. The FERC 2019 average salary plus benefits for one FERC full-time equivalent (FTE) is $167,091/year (or $80.00/hour).