98-17184. Proposed Information Collection and Request for Comments

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 124 (Monday, June 29, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35204-35205]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-17184]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. IC98-561-000; FERC-561]


Proposed Information Collection and Request for Comments

June 23, 1998.
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 on or before 
August 28, 1998.

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 Miller, Office of the Chief 
Information Officer, CI-1, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426.

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 561 ``Annual Report of Interlocking 
Positions'' (OMB No. 1902-0099) is used by the Commission to implement 
the statutory provisions of Title II, Section 211 of the Public Utility 
Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) (16 U.S.C. 825d) which amended 
Part III Section 305  of the Federal Power Act (FPA). 
Submission of the list is necessary to fulfill the requirements of 
Section 211--Interlocking Directorates, which defines monitoring and 
regulatory operations concerning interlocking directorate positions 
held by utility personnel and possible conflicts of interest. The 
information is collected by the Commission to identify persons holding 
interlocking position between public utilities and possible conflicts 
of interest. Through this process, the Commission is able to review and 
exercise oversight of interlocking directorates of public utilities and 
their related activities. Specifically, the Commission must determine 
that individuals in utility operations holding two positions at the 
same time would adversely affect the public interest. The Commission 
can employ enforcement proceedings when violations and omissions of the 
Act's provisions occur. The compliance with these requirements is 
mandatory. The reporting requirements are found at 18 CFR 46.6. and 
131.31.
    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          Number of       Average burden                   
   respondents       responses per        hours per       Total annual  
     annually          respondent         response        burden hours  
(1)                            (2)                (3)       (1)x(2)x(3) 
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1,600............                1               0.25               400 
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    The estimated total cost to respondents is $21,052. (400 hours 
divided by 2,088 hours per year per employee times $109,889 per year 
per average employee = $21,052). The cost per respondent is $13.
    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

[[Page 35205]]

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.
    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.
Linwood A Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-17184 Filed 6-26-98; 8:45 am]
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