2023-04308. Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-730); 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, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC) is soliciting public comment on the currently approved information collection, FERC-730 (Report of Transmission Investment Activity) which will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a review of the information collection requirements.

DATES:

Comments on the collection of information are due April 3, 2023.

ADDRESSES:

Send written comments on FERC-730 to OMB through www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain, Attention: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Desk Officer. Please identify the OMB control number (1902-0239) in the subject line. Your comments should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice in the Federal Register .

Please submit copies of your comments (identified by Docket No. IC23-5-000) to the Commission as noted below. Electronic filing through https://www.ferc.gov is preferred.

• Electronic Filing: Documents must be filed in acceptable native applications and print-to-PDF, but not in scanned or picture format.

• For those unable to file electronically, comments may be filed by USPS mail or by hand (including courier) delivery.

○ Mail via U.S. Postal Service Only: Addressed to: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426.

○ Hand (Including Courier) Delivery: Deliver to: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, MD 20852.

Instructions: OMB submissions must be formatted and filed in accordance with submission guidelines at www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain; using the search function under the “Currently Under Review field,” select Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; click “submit” and select “comment” to the right of the subject collection.

FERC submissions must be formatted and filed in accordance with submission guidelines at: https://www.ferc.gov. For user assistance, contact FERC Online Support by email at [e-mail], or by phone at: [phone] (toll-free).

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 https://www.ferc.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: FERC-730, Report of Transmission Investment Activity.

OMB Control No.: 1902-0239.

Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC-730 information collection requirements with no changes to the current reporting requirements.

Abstract: This collection of information assists the Commission in implementing section 219 of the Federal Power Act (FPA) ^[1] and 18 CFR 35.35(h), which address incentive-based rate treatments for transmission infrastructure investment. FERC-730 consists of an annual report that includes projections, details on the level and status of transmission investment, and the reason for delay (if any).

The regulation at 18 CFR 35.35(h) requires public utilities that have been granted incentive rate treatment for specific transmission projects to file FERC Form 730 annually, beginning with the calendar year incentive rate treatment is granted by the Commission. Such filings are due by April 18 of the following calendar year and are due April 18 each year thereafter. The following information must be filed:

(1) In dollar terms, actual transmission investment for the most recent calendar year, and projected, incremental investments for the next five calendar years; and

(2) For all current and projected investments (except projects with projected costs less than $20 million) over the next five calendar years, a project-by-project listing that specifies for each project the most up-to-date, expected completion date, percentage completion as of the date of filing, and reasons for delays.

For good cause shown, the Commission may extend the time within which any FERC-730 filing is to be filed or waive the requirements applicable to any such filing.

The Commission uses the FERC-730 information collection to determine an accurate assessment of the state of transmission investment by public utilities. Filers are strongly encouraged to submit the FERC-730 electronically via eFiling.

Type of Respondents: Public utilities that have been granted incentive based rate treatment for specific transmission projects under provisions of 18 CFR 35.35.

Estimate of Annual Burden:  ^[2] The Commission estimates 63 responses annually, and per-response burdens of 30 hours and $2,370. The total estimated burdens per year are 1,890 hours and $171,990. These burdens are itemized in the following table.

Number of respondents	Annual number of responses per respondent	Total number of responses	Average burden & cost per response 3	Total annual burden hours & total annual cost	Cost per respondent ($)
A.	B.	C. (Column A × Column B)	D.	E. (Column C × Column D)	F. (Column E ÷ Column A)
63	1	63	30 hours; $2,730	1,890 hours; $171,990	2,730
Totals		63		1,890 hours; $171,990

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 24, 2023.

Kimberly D. Bose,

Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  16 U.S.C. 824s.

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. For further explanation of what is included in the information collection burden, refer to 5 CFR 1320.3.

3.  The Commission staff estimates that the industry's hourly cost for wages plus benefits is similar to the Commission's $91.00 FY 2022 average hourly cost for wages and benefits.