[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 43 (Wednesday, March 5, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10029-10030]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-5392]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[FERC-544]
Proposed Information Collection and Request for Comments
February 28, 1997.
AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Notice of proposed information collection and request for
comments.
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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: Consideration will be given to comments submitted within 60 days
of the publication of this notice.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the proposed collection of information can be
obtained from and written comments may be submitted to the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission, Attn: Michael P. Miller, Information
Services Division, ED-12.4, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michael P. Miller may be reached by telephone at (202) 208-1415, by fax
at (202) 273-0873, and by e-mail at mmiller@ferc.fed.us.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The information collected under the
requirements of FERC-544 ``Gas Pipeline Rates: Rate Change (Formal)''
OMB No. 1902-0153) is used by the Commission to implement the statutory
provisions of the Sections 4, 5, and 16 of the Natural Gas Act (NGA)
(15 U.S.C. 717-717w). Under FERC-544 the Commission investigates the
rates charged by natural gas pipeline companies subject to its
jurisdiction. If, after its investigation, the Commission is of the
opinion that the rates are ``unjust or unreasonable or unjustly
discriminatory or unduly preferential,'' it is authorized to determine
and prescribe just and reasonable rates.
Formal rate change filings (FERC-544) are suspended and set for
hearing. When the Section 4(e) filing is suspended, the rate becomes
the subject of a hearing process and may go into effect subject to
refund with interest. All suspended filings that go through the hearing
process are considered formal cases and an investigation is instituted
to determine the reasonableness of the rate filing. If the rates and
charges are deemed unjust, unreasonable or unduly discriminatory, the
appropriate rate, charge or service condition is ascertained by the
Commission and a final order issued.
Action: The Commission is requesting a three-year extension of the
current expiration date, with no changes to the existing collection of
data.
Burden Statement: Public reporting burden for this collection is
estimated as:
Number of Average burden
Number of respondents annually responses per hours per Total annual
respondent response burden hours
(1) (2) (3) (1) x (2) x (3)
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25........................................................ 1.0 4,582.5 114,563
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The estimated total cost to respondents is $5,728,150, (114,563
hours divided by 2,087 hours per year per employee times $104,350 per
year per average employee=$5,728,150). The cost per respondent is
$229,125.
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
purposes 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
any one particular function or activity.
Commetns 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
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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.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-5392 Filed 3-4-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M
