2013-04655. Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-577); Comment Request; Extension

AGENCY:

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, DOE.

ACTION:

Notice of information collection and request for comments.

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-577, Natural Gas Facilities: Environmental Review and Compliance (formerly Gas Pipeline Certificates: Environmental Impact Statement). The FERC is proposing to change the title of the report to more accurately reflect the nature of the information being collected.

DATES:

Comments on the collection of information are due April 29, 2013.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments (identified by Docket No. IC13-12-000) 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], telephone at [phone], and fax at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: 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: Section 102(2)(c) of the of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) ^[1] requires that all Federal agencies must include in every recommendation or report on proposals for legislation and other major federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the human environment, a detailed statement on: the environmental impact on the proposed actions; any adverse environmental effects which cannot be avoided should the proposal be implemented; alternatives to the proposed action; the relationship between local short-term uses of man's environment and the maintenance and enhancement of long term productivity; and any irreversible and irretrievable commitment of resources which would be involved in the proposed action should it be implemented.

The Commission's regulations implementing NEPA in 18 CFR part 380 require applicants seeking authorization for the construction and abandonment of facilities to provide a detailed environmental report with their application that describes the impact the project is likely to have and the measures the applicant will implement to mitigate those impacts. This environmental report normally consists of at least twelve separate reports, each addressing a particular resource area.

Type of Respondents: The respondents include all jurisdictional natural gas companies seeking authorization from the Commission to construct or abandon facilities.

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

FERC-577—Natural Gas Facilities: Environmental Review and Compliance

Type of respondent	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)
Natural Gas Companies	92	16	1,472	193	284,096

The total estimated annual cost burden to respondents is $19,886,720 [284,096 hours * $70/hour ^[3] = $19,886,720].

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: February 21, 2013.

Kimberly D. Bose,

Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  Public Law 91-190.

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.  Average salary (per hour) plus benefits per full-time equivalent employee.