81 FR 54574 - Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-604 and FERC-923); Consolidated Comment Request; Extension
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 158 (August 16, 2016)
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 158 (August 16, 2016)
| Page Range | 54574-54575 | |
| FR Document | 2016-19469 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 158 (Tuesday, August 16, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 54574-54575] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-19469] [[Page 54574]] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. Ic16-14-000] Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-604 and FERC- 923); Consolidated Comment Request; Extension AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice of information collections 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 requirements and burden \1\ of the information collections described below. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ 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. DATES: Comments on the collections of information are due October 17, --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2016. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments (identified by Docket No. IC16-14- 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. Please reference the specific collection number and/or title in your comments. 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 [email protected], or by phone at: (866) 208-3676 (toll-free), or (202) 502-8659 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 [email protected], telephone at (202) 502-8663, and fax at (202) 273-0873. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Type of Request: Three-year extension of the information collection requirements for all collections described below with no changes to the current reporting requirements. Please note that each collection is distinct from the next. Comments: Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the collections of information are 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 estimates of the burden and cost of the collections of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collections; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collections of information on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. FERC-604, Cash Management Agreements OMB Control No.: 1902-0267. Abstract: Cash management or ``money pool'' programs typically concentrate affiliates' cash assets in joint accounts for the purpose of providing financial flexibility and lowering the cost of borrowing. In a 2001 investigation, FERC staff found that balances in cash management programs affecting FERC-regulated entities totaled approximately $16 billion. Additionally, other investigations revealed large transfers of funds (amounting to more than $1 billion) between regulated pipeline affiliates and non-regulated parents whose financial conditions were precarious. The Commission found that these and other fund transfers and the enormous (mostly unregulated) pools of money in cash management programs could detrimentally affect regulated rates. To protect customers and promote transparency, the Commission issued Order 634-A (2003) requiring entities to formalize in writing and file with the Commission their cash management agreements. At that time, the Commission obtained OMB clearance for this new reporting requirement under the FERC-555 information collection (OMB Control No. 1902-0098). Now, the Commission includes these reporting requirements for cash management agreements under the FERC-604 information collection (OMB Control No. 1902-0267). The Commission implemented these reporting requirements in 18 CFR parts 141.500, 260.400, and 357.5. Type of Respondent: Public utilities, natural gas companies, and oil pipeline companies. Estimate of Annual Burden: The Commission estimates the annual public reporting burden for the information collection as: FERC-604--Cash Management Agreements ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Annual number Average burden & Total annual Cost per Number of of responses Total number cost per response burden hours & respondent respondents per respondent of responses \2\ total annual cost ($) (1) (2) (1)*(2) = (3) (4)................. (3)*(4) = (5)...... (5) / (1) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25................... 1 25 1.5 hrs.; $111.75... 37.5 hrs.; 111.75 $2,793.75. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FERC-923, Communication of Operational Information Between Natural Gas Pipelines and Electric Transmission Operators --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \2\ The estimates for cost per response are derived using the following formula: Average Burden Hours per Response * $74.50 per Hour = Average Cost per Response. The Commission staff believes that the industry's level and skill set is comparable to FERC's with an average hourly cost (wages plus benefits) of $74.50. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- OMB Control No.: 1902-0265. Abstract: In 2013, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) revised its regulations to provide explicit authority to interstate natural gas pipelines and public utilities that own, operate, or control facilities used for the transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce to voluntarily share non-public, operational information with each other [[Page 54575]] for the purpose of promoting reliable service and operational planning on either the pipeline's or public utility's system. This helps ensure the reliability of natural gas pipeline and public utility transmission service by permitting transmission operators to share the information with each other that they deem necessary to promote the reliability and integrity of their systems. FERC removed actual or perceived prohibitions to the information sharing and communications between industry entities. The communications of information are not and will not be submitted to FERC. Rather, the non-public information is shared voluntarily between industry entities. FERC does not prescribe the content, medium, format, or frequency for the information sharing and communications. Those decisions are made by the industry entities, depending on their needs and the situation. Type of Respondent: Natural gas pipelines and public utilities. Estimate of Annual Burden: The Commission estimates the annual public reporting burden for the information collection as: --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \3\ The estimates for cost per response are derived using the following formula: Average Burden Hours per Response * $74.50 per Hour = Average Cost per Response. The Commission staff believes that the industry's level and skill set is comparable to FERC's with an average hourly cost (wages plus benefits) of $74.50. \4\ The estimate for the number of respondents is based on the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Compliance Registry as of July 29, 2016, minus the Transmission Operators within ERCOT. FERC-923--Communication of Operational Information Between Natural Gas Pipelines and Electric Transmission Operators -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Annual number Number of of responses Total number Average burden & cost Total annual burden hours & Cost per respondents per respondent of responses per response \3\ total annual cost respondent ($) (1) (2) (1)*(2) = (3) (4)..................... (3)*(4) = (5)................ (5) / (1) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Public Utility Transmission \4\ 164 12 1,968 0.5 hrs.; $37.25........ 984 hrs.; $73,308............ 447 Operator, communications. Interstate Natural Gas 155 12 1,860 0.5 hrs.; $37.25........ 930 hrs.; $69,285............ 447 Pipelines, communications. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total...................... .............. .............. 3,828 ........................ 1,914 hrs.; $142,593......... .............. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dated: August 10, 2016. Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2016-19469 Filed 8-15-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
![54574 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 158 / Tuesday, August 16, 2016 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY at: (866) 208–3676 (toll-free), or (202) joint accounts for the purpose of
502–8659 for TTY. providing financial flexibility and
Federal Energy Regulatory Docket: Users interested in receiving lowering the cost of borrowing.
Commission automatic notification of activity in this In a 2001 investigation, FERC staff
docket or in viewing/downloading
[Docket No. Ic16–14–000] found that balances in cash management
comments and issuances in this docket
programs affecting FERC-regulated
Commission Information Collection may do so at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-
entities totaled approximately $16
Activities (FERC–604 and FERC–923); filing/docs-filing.asp.
billion. Additionally, other
Consolidated Comment Request; FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
investigations revealed large transfers of
Extension Ellen Brown may be reached by email funds (amounting to more than $1
at DataClearance@FERC.gov, telephone billion) between regulated pipeline
AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory at (202) 502–8663, and fax at (202) 273–
Commission. affiliates and non-regulated parents
0873.
ACTION: Notice of information
whose financial conditions were
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
collections and request for comments. precarious. The Commission found that
Type of Request: Three-year extension
these and other fund transfers and the
of the information collection
SUMMARY: In compliance with the enormous (mostly unregulated) pools of
requirements for all collections
requirements of the Paperwork money in cash management programs
described below with no changes to the
Reduction Act of 1995, the Federal could detrimentally affect regulated
current reporting requirements. Please
Energy Regulatory Commission rates.
note that each collection is distinct from
(Commission or FERC) is soliciting To protect customers and promote
the next.
public comment on the requirements Comments: Comments are invited on: transparency, the Commission issued
and burden 1 of the information (1) Whether the collections of Order 634–A (2003) requiring entities to
collections described below. information are necessary for the proper formalize in writing and file with the
DATES: Comments on the collections of performance of the functions of the Commission their cash management
information are due October 17, 2016. Commission, including whether the agreements. At that time, the
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments information will have practical utility; Commission obtained OMB clearance
(identified by Docket No. IC16–14–000) (2) the accuracy of the agency’s for this new reporting requirement
by either of the following methods: estimates of the burden and cost of the under the FERC–555 information
• eFiling at Commission’s Web site: collections of information, including the collection (OMB Control No. 1902–
http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ validity of the methodology and 0098). Now, the Commission includes
efiling.asp. assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance these reporting requirements for cash
• Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier: the quality, utility and clarity of the management agreements under the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, information collections; and (4) ways to FERC–604 information collection (OMB
Secretary of the Commission, 888 First minimize the burden of the collections Control No. 1902–0267). The
Street NE., Washington, DC 20426. of information on those who are to Commission implemented these
Please reference the specific respond, including the use of automated reporting requirements in 18 CFR parts
collection number and/or title in your collection techniques or other forms of 141.500, 260.400, and 357.5.
comments. information technology.
Instructions: All submissions must be Type of Respondent: Public utilities,
formatted and filed in accordance with FERC–604, Cash Management natural gas companies, and oil pipeline
submission guidelines at: http:// Agreements companies.
www.ferc.gov/help/submission- OMB Control No.: 1902–0267. Estimate of Annual Burden: The
guide.asp. For user assistance, contact Abstract: Cash management or Commission estimates the annual public
FERC Online Support by email at ‘‘money pool’’ programs typically reporting burden for the information
ferconlinesupport@ferc.gov, or by phone concentrate affiliates’ cash assets in collection as:
FERC–604—CASH MANAGEMENT AGREEMENTS
Annual Average burden Total annual Cost per
Number of number of Total number & cost per burden hours respondent
respondents responses per of responses response 2 & total annual cost ($)
respondent
(1) (2) (1)*(2) = (3) (4) (3)*(4) = (5) (5) ÷ (1)
25 .................. 1 25 1.5 hrs.; $111.75 ............................... 37.5 hrs.; $2,793.75 .......................... 111.75
FERC–923, Communication of Abstract: In 2013, the Federal Energy that own, operate, or control facilities
Operational Information Between Regulatory Commission (FERC or used for the transmission of electric
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Natural Gas Pipelines and Electric Commission) revised its regulations to energy in interstate commerce to
Transmission Operators provide explicit authority to interstate voluntarily share non-public,
natural gas pipelines and public utilities operational information with each other
OMB Control No.: 1902–0265.
1 The Commission defines burden as the total information collection burden, reference 5 Code of Response. The Commission staff believes that the
time, effort, or financial resources expended by Federal Regulations 1320.3. industry’s level and skill set is comparable to
persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or 2 The estimates for cost per response are derived
FERC’s with an average hourly cost (wages plus
provide information to or for a Federal agency. For using the following formula: Average Burden Hours benefits) of $74.50.
further explanation of what is included in the per Response * $74.50 per Hour = Average Cost per
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![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 158 / Tuesday, August 16, 2016 / Notices 54575
for the purpose of promoting reliable FERC removed actual or perceived sharing and communications. Those
service and operational planning on prohibitions to the information sharing decisions are made by the industry
either the pipeline’s or public utility’s and communications between industry entities, depending on their needs and
system. This helps ensure the reliability entities. The communications of the situation.
of natural gas pipeline and public utility information are not and will not be Type of Respondent: Natural gas
transmission service by permitting submitted to FERC. Rather, the non- pipelines and public utilities.
transmission operators to share the public information is shared voluntarily Estimate of Annual Burden: The
information with each other that they between industry entities. FERC does Commission estimates the annual public
deem necessary to promote the not prescribe the content, medium, reporting burden for the information
reliability and integrity of their systems. format, or frequency for the information collection as:
FERC–923—COMMUNICATION OF OPERATIONAL INFORMATION BETWEEN NATURAL GAS PIPELINES AND ELECTRIC
TRANSMISSION OPERATORS
Annual Average burden Total annual Cost per
Number of number of Total number & cost per burden hours respondent
respondents responses per of responses response 3 & total annual cost ($)
respondent
(1) (2) (1)*(2) = (3) (4) (3)*(4) = (5) (5) ÷ (1)
Public Utility Transmission Op- 4 164 12 1,968 0.5 hrs.; $37.25 .. 984 hrs.; $73,308 ...... 447
erator, communications.
Interstate Natural Gas Pipe- 155 12 1,860 0.5 hrs.; $37.25 .. 930 hrs.; $69,285 ...... 447
lines, communications.
Total ................................. ........................ ........................ 3,828 ............................ 1,914 hrs.; $142,593 ........................
Dated: August 10, 2016. g. Filed Pursuant to: 18 CFR 5.3 of the Advisory Council on Historic
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., Commission’s regulations. Preservation at 36 CFR 800.2.
Deputy Secretary. h. Applicant Contact: Kellie Doherty, l. With this notice, we are designating
[FR Doc. 2016–19469 Filed 8–15–16; 8:45 am] Rye Development, LLC, 745 Atlantic FFP Project 132, LLC as the
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P Avenue, 8th floor, Boston, MA 02111; ( ) Commission’s non-federal
846–0042, extension 100; email— representative for carrying out informal
kellie@rydevelopment.com. consultation pursuant to section 7 of the
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Endangered Species Act and section
i. FERC Contact: Nick Ettema at (202)
305(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
502–6565; or email at nicholas.ettema@
Federal Energy Regulatory Conservation and Management Act; and
ferc.gov.
Commission consultation pursuant to section 106 of
j. FFP Project 132, LLC filed its the National Historic Preservation Act.
[Project No. 14522–001] request to use the Traditional Licensing m. FFP Project 132, LLC filed a Pre-
Process on June 22, 2016. FFP Project Application Document (PAD; including
FFP Project 132, LLC; Notice of Intent 132, LLC provided public notice of its
To File License Application, Filing of a proposed process plan and schedule)
request on June 25, 2016 and June 27 with the Commission, pursuant to 18
Pre-Application Document, and through July 1, 2016. In a letter dated
Approving Use of the Traditional CFR 5.6 of the Commission’s
August 10, 2016, the Director of the regulations.
Licensing Process Division of Hydropower Licensing n. A copy of the PAD is available for
a. Type of Filing: Notice of Intent to approved FFP Project 132, LLC’s request review at the Commission in the Public
File License Application and Request to to use the Traditional Licensing Process. Reference Room or may be viewed on
Use the Traditional Licensing Process. k. With this notice, we are initiating the Commission’s Web site (http://
b. Project No.: 14522–001. informal consultation with the U.S. Fish www.ferc.gov), using the ‘‘eLibrary’’
c. Date Filed: June 22, 2016. and Wildlife Service under section 7 of link. Enter the docket number,
d. Submitted by: Rye Development, the Endangered Species Act and the excluding the last three digits in the
LLC on behalf of FFP Project 132, LLC. joint agency regulations thereunder at docket number field to access the
e. Name of Project: Allegheny Lock 50 CFR, Part 402; and NOAA Fisheries document. For assistance, contact FERC
and Dam 7 Hydroelectric Project. under section 305(b) of the Magnuson- Online Support at
f. Location: At the existing Army Stevens Fishery Conservation and FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, (866)
Corps of Engineers’ Allegheny Lock and Management Act and implementing 208–3676 (toll free), or (202) 502–8659
Dam 7 on the Allegheny River in regulations at 50 CFR 600.920. We are (TTY). A copy is also available for
Armstrong County, Pennsylvania near also initiating consultation with the inspection and reproduction at the
the Borough of Kittanning. The project Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation address in paragraph h.
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
would occupy United States lands Officer, as required by section 106, o. Register online at http://
administered by the U.S. Army Corps of National Historic Preservation Act, and www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/
Engineers. the implementing regulations of the esubscription.asp to be notified via
3 The estimates for cost per response are derived FERC’s with an average hourly cost (wages plus Corporation (NERC) Compliance Registry as of July
using the following formula: Average Burden Hours benefits) of $74.50. 29, 2016, minus the Transmission Operators within
per Response * $74.50 per Hour = Average Cost per 4 The estimate for the number of respondents is ERCOT.
Response. The Commission staff believes that the
based on the North American Electric Reliability
industry’s level and skill set is comparable to
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Document Created: 2016-08-16 03:20:37
Document Modified: 2016-08-16 03:20:37
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of information collections and request for comments. | |
| Dates | Comments on the collections of information are due October 17, | |
| Contact | Ellen Brown may be reached by email at [email protected], telephone at (202) 502-8663, and fax at (202) 273-0873. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 54574 |
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