03-7584. Commission Collection Activities, Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Extension & Reinstatement

March 24, 2003.

AGENCY:

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the requirements of Section 3506(c)(2)(a) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. No.104-13), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) is soliciting public comment on the specific aspects of the information collection described below.

DATES:

Comments on the collection of information are due by May 29, 2003.

ADDRESSES:

Copies of the proposed collection of information can be obtained from Michael Miller, Office of the Executive Director, ED-30, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426. Comments on the proposed collection of information may be filed either in paper format or electronically. Those parties filing electronically do not need to make a paper filing. For paper filings, the original and 14 copies of such comments should be submitted to the Office of the Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426 and should refer to Docket No. 03-714-000.

Documents filed electronically via the Internet can be prepared in a variety of formats, including WordPerfect, MS Word, Portable Document Format, Rich Text Format or ASCII format. To file the document, access the Commission's Web site at http://www.ferc.gov and click on “Make an E-filing,” and then follow the instructions for each screen. First time users will have to establish a user name and password. The Commission will send an automatic acknowledgment to the sender's e-mail address upon receipt of comments. User assistance for electronic fillings is available at 202-502-8258 or by e-mail to [e-mail]. Comments should not be submitted to this E-mail address.

All comments may be viewed, printed or downloaded remotely via the Internet through FERC's homepage using the FERRIS link. For user assistance, contact [e-mail] or toll free at [phone] or for TTY, contact [phone].

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 Form No. 714, “Annual Electric Control and Planning Area Report” (OMB No. 1902-0140) is used by the Commission to carry out its responsibilities in implementing the statutory provisions of sections 202, 207, 210, 211-213 of the Federal Power Act (FPA), as amended (49 Stat. 838; 16 U.S.C. 791a-825r) and particularly sections 304, 309 and 311. The Commission implements Form No. 714's filing requirements in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) under 18 CFR part 141.51.

FERC Form No. 714 gathers basic utility operating and planning information, primarily on a control area basis, for the purpose of evaluating utility operations related to proposed mergers, interconnections, wholesale rate investigations, and wholesale market changes and trends under emerging competitive forces. Such evaluations are made to assess reliability, costs and other operating attributes.

Action: The Commission is requesting a three-year extension. Due to an administrative lapse, Form 714 was allowed to expire. The Commission seeks reinstatement of Form 714.

Burden Statement: Public reporting burden for this information collection is estimated as:

Number of Respondents Annually (1)	Number of Responses Per Respondent (2)	Average Burden (No. of Hours Per Response) (3)	Total Annual Burden (Total No. of Hours) (1) x (2) x (3)
250	1	50	12,500

Estimated cost to respondents: 12,500 hours 2,080 per year × $117,041 = $703,371. The cost per respondent = $2,813. 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 purpose 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 anyone 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.

Magalie R. Salas,

Secretary.