83 FR 62242 - Standards for Business Practices of Interstate Natural Gas Pipelines
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 232 (December 3, 2018)
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 232 (December 3, 2018)
| Page Range | 62242-62249 | |
| FR Document | 2018-26158 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 232 (Monday, December 3, 2018)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 62242-62249] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-26158] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 18 CFR Part 284 [Docket No. RM96-1-041; Order No. 587-Y] Standards for Business Practices of Interstate Natural Gas Pipelines AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, DOE. ACTION: Final rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is amending its regulations to incorporate by reference, with certain enumerated exceptions, the latest version (Version 3.1) of business practice standards adopted by the Wholesale Gas Quadrant of the North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB) applicable to natural gas pipelines in place of the currently incorporated version (Version 3.0) of those business practice standards. The revisions made by NAESB in this version of the standards are designed to clarify the processing of certain business transactions. DATES: This rule will become effective February 1, 2019. Compliance filings required by this rule are due on April 1, 2019 and compliance with the standards incorporated in this rule is required on and after August 1, 2019. The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this rule is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of February 1, 2019. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stanley Wolf (technical issues), Office of Energy Policy and Innovation, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426, (202) 502-6841, [email protected]. Oscar F. Santillana (technical issues), Office of Energy Market Regulation, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426, (202) 502-6392, [email protected]. Gary D. Cohen (legal issues), Office of the General Counsel, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426, (202) 502-8321, [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Table of Contents I. Background........................................ 7 II. Discussion....................................... 11 A. The NAESB WGQ Version 3.1 Business Practice 11 Standards....................................... B. NAESB's Process............................... 20 C. Adoption of Version 3.1 of the Standards...... 21 D. Required Compliance Filings................... 23 III. Implementation Schedule......................... 24 IV. Notice of Use of Voluntary Consensus Standards... 26 V. Incorporation by Reference........................ 27 VI. Information Collection Statement................. 38 VII. Environmental Analysis.......................... 43 VIII. Regulatory Flexibility Act..................... 44 IX. Document Availability............................ 47 X. Effective Date and Congressional Notification..... 50 1. In this Final Rule, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) amends its regulations at 18 CFR 284.12 to incorporate by reference, with certain enumerated exceptions, the latest version (Version 3.1) of business practice standards applicable to interstate natural gas pipelines adopted by the Wholesale Gas Quadrant (WGQ) of the North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB) in place of the currently incorporated version (Version 3.0) of those business practice standards. Under this Final Rule, interstate natural gas pipelines are required to file compliance filings with the Commission by April 1, 2019 and are required to comply with the standards incorporated by reference in this rule on and after August 1, 2019. 2. The implementation of these standards and regulations will promote additional efficiency and reliability of the natural gas industries' operations thereby helping the Commission to carry out its responsibilities under the Natural Gas Act (NGA).\1\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ 15 U.S.C. 717 (2012). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. The NAESB WGQ Version 3.1 package of standards contains a number of revisions to the NAESB Version 3.0 package of standards. As explained further below, NAESB adopted two substantive revisions to its Nominations Related Standards, one to establish a standard rounding process for elapsed-prorated-scheduled quantity calculations and a second to revise the specifications for the information to be included in a nomination request. 4. NAESB also adopted three minor revisions to the WGQ Electronic Delivery Mechanism (EDM) Related Standards. First, it has increased the allowable field length in ASCII Comma Separated Value Files to 3000 characters. Second, NAESB adopted new Standard 4.3.106 to allow checkboxes and radio buttons in the Transmission Service Providers' (TSP) Electronic Bulletin Boards (EBB). Third, NAESB modified its standards to update the operating systems and web browsers that entities should support on behalf of users. Additionally, clarifying language was added to the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)/Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocols. 5. Other changes adopted by NAESB included changes to the NAESB WGQ data sets and other technical implementation documentation as well as revisions to the Flowing Gas Related data sets and technical implementation. In addition, NAESB revised the Imbalance Trade data set and revised two Sender's Option data elements. NAESB also adopted revisions to the Capacity Release Related data sets and technical implementation and revised Standard 6.3.1 (i.e., the NAESB Base Contract for Sale and Purchase of Natural Gas) to add language directing users to NAESB's copyright disclaimer posted on the NAESB website. Identical language was added to three additional NAESB WGQ Contracts. 6. Lastly, NAESB adopted modifications to add a self-identification provision that assists end [[Page 62243]] users in determining whether counterparties are commercial market participants as defined by the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission. I. Background 7. Since 1996, the Commission has adopted regulations to standardize the business practices and communication methodologies of interstate natural gas pipelines to create a more integrated and efficient pipeline grid. These regulations have been promulgated in the Order No. 587 series of orders,\2\ wherein the Commission has incorporated by reference standards for interstate natural gas pipeline business practices and electronic communications that were developed and adopted by NAESB's WGQ. Upon incorporation by reference, this version of these standards will become part of the Commission's regulations and compliance by interstate natural gas pipelines will become mandatory and will replace the earlier version of these standards that the Commission previously incorporated by reference in 2015.\3\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \2\ This series of orders began with the Commission's issuance of Standards for Business Practices of Interstate Natural Gas Pipelines, Order No. 587, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 31,038 (1996) (cross-referenced at 76 FERC ] 61,042). \3\ Standards for Business Practices of Interstate Natural Gas Pipelines, Order No. 587-W, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 31,373 (2015) (Order No. 587-W) (cross-referenced at 153 FERC ] 61,061). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8. On September 29, 2017, NAESB filed a report informing the Commission that it had adopted and ratified WGQ Version 3.1 of its business practice standards applicable to natural gas pipelines. The NAESB report identifies all the changes made to the Version 3.0 Standards and summarizes the deliberations that led to the changes. It also identifies changes to the existing standards that were considered but not adopted due to a lack of consensus or other reasons. 9. On August 21, 2018, the Commission issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposing to amend its regulations to incorporate by reference, with certain enumerated exceptions, the NAESB WGQ Version 3.1 business practice standards (referenced above) applicable to natural gas pipelines.\4\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \4\ Standards for Business Practices of Interstate Natural Gas Pipelines, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 83 FR 44521 (Aug. 31, 2018), FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 32,728 (2018) (Version 3.1 NOPR). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10. In response to the Version 3.1 NOPR, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) filed comments. TVA expresses support for the Commission's proposal to incorporate by reference NAESB's WGQ Version 3.1 business practice standards. INGAA also supports the Commission's proposal in the Version 3.1 NOPR, but urges the Commission to ensure that implementation of a Final Rule in this proceeding does not occur prior to April 1, 2019, after the winter heating season. INGAA states that implementation of a Final Rule in this proceeding will require substantial time and effort from both pipelines and their customers to alter business systems, scheduling, and coordination processes and, thus, it would be best to schedule implementation to not occur during the winter heating season. II. Discussion A. The NAESB WGQ Version 3.1 Business Practice Standards 11. The NAESB WGQ Version 3.1 Business Practice Standards made a number of modifications to the earlier version of those standards that the Commission previously incorporated by reference in 2015 in Order No. 587-W.\5\ Notable among these modifications \6\ were two substantive revisions concerning the Nominations Related Standards, which govern shipper requests to schedule service on natural gas pipelines. One revision adds a new provision, Standard 1.3.82, to establish a standard rounding process (requiring calculations to at least the seventh decimal place) for elapsed-prorated-scheduled quantity \7\ calculations to provide for needed numerical uniformity and granularity for users of these NAESB procedures. The other Nominations Related Standards revision was to revise the ``Service Requester'' element of Standard 1.3.27,\8\ which specifies some of the information that should be included in a nomination request, from a Mandatory designation to a Business Conditional \9\ designation. Thus, instead of forcing a specific upstream or downstream (unthreaded) nomination \10\ to be tied to a specific contract (using a specific threaded nomination), upstream nominations may now be distributed among several contracts (using a Pathed Non-Threaded nomination structure), which generally increases flexibility to customers. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \5\ Order No. 587-W, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 31,373. \6\ An abbreviated description of these modifications is provided at PP 3-6 above. \7\ Standard 1.2.12 of the Nominations Related Standards defines the elapsed-prorated-scheduled quantity to mean: That portion of the scheduled quantity that would have theoretically flowed up to the effective time of the intraday nomination being confirmed, based upon a cumulative uniform hourly quantity for each nomination period affected. \8\ NAESB also made conforming revisions to the related data sets and documents: Standard 1.4.1 of the Nomination data set, Standard 1.4.5 of the Scheduled Quantity data set, Standard 2.4.4 of the Shipper Imbalance data set, Standard 1.4.2 of the Nomination Quick Response data set, Standard 2.4.1 of the Pre-Determined Allocation document, and Standard 2.4.3 of the Allocation document. \9\ Standard 1.2.2 of the Nominations Related Standards provides that a Business Conditional data element is one that is based on current variations in business practice. \10\ NAESB's Nomination Data Dictionary, WGQ Version 3.1, Standard 1.4.1, retains from the Version 3.0 standard the field for ``Model Type Data'' that identifies which of three types of nomination structures is being used. These are: Pathed, Non-Pathed, and Pathed Non-Threaded. Having these three types of model type data allows specificity as to the details of the nomination. A pathed nomination uses one nomination line item to transact business and, therefore, has one transaction type. A non-pathed nomination uses two nomination line items to transact business and, therefore, has two transaction types. A pathed non-threaded nomination uses three nomination line items to transact business and, therefore, has three transaction types. NAESB also provides the following clarification of these concepts in the description of the technical implementation of business processes included as part of Standard 1.4.1, where NAESB explains that: [a] ``Pathed'' nomination is actually a ``Pathed Threaded'' nomination because (1) the physical path of the pipeline locations and service contract(s) is fully described in the nomination, and (2) the logical thread of a specific supplier entity to a specific market entity at specific pipeline locations for a specific quantity is also fully described. ``Non-Pathed'' nominations are actually ``Non-Pathed Non-Threaded'' nominations because (1) physical ``location-to-location'' paths are not described in the nominations, and (2) no ties of specific supply entities to specific market entities are established. And for ``Pathed Non-Threaded'' nominations, (1) the physical path of the pipeline locations, service contract(s), and quantity is fully described, and (2) no ties of specific supply entities to specific market entities are established. See NAESB WGQ Version 3.1 Business Practice Standards, Nominations Related Standards, Standard 1.4.1, at 87 (Sep. 29, 2017). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12. NAESB also adopted three minor revisions to the WGQ EDM Related Standards, which establish the framework for the electronic dissemination and communication of information between parties in the North American Wholesale Gas marketplace. First, NAESB revised Standard 4.3.80 to increase the allowable field length in ASCII Comma Separated Value Files to 3000 characters. The revision increases the amount of information that can be conveyed, but reasonably limits it in conformity with commonly used software such as Excel. Second, NAESB adopted new Standard 4.3.106 to allow checkboxes and radio buttons in the TSPs' EBBs to indicate ``Yes'' and/or ``No'' responses to data elements, which NAESB states is more convenient than the current drop down list. Third, NAESB revised its standards to update the operating systems and web browsers that entities should support to allow [[Page 62244]] users to take advantage of recent developments in computer technology and use. Additionally, language was added to clarify the SSL/TLS protocols, which encrypt data to hide information from electronic observers on the internet. The revised standard provides guidance on the timing for adoption of a new version of SSL/TLS protocols--new versions of these protocols should be used within 9 months of the version becoming generally available. In addition, the revised standard clarifies that SSL is a colloquial term that encompasses both SSL and TLS. 13. Other changes adopted by NAESB included changes to the NAESB WGQ data sets and other technical implementation documentation, which provide the technical support necessary to use the NAESB standards effectively. One such change was to add a new Business Conditional data element ``Agent'' and corresponding technical implementation to the Nominations related Standard 1.4.1 and the Scheduled Quantity Standard 1.4.5. Currently, in the data sets, the Service Requester is defined as the Shipper or its Agent; however, language included in the implementation guides states that both the Shipper and Agent will be identified. Thus, this change adds a data element ``Agent'' to the data sets to allow the Service Requestor to identify both the shipper and its agent if it uses an agent to nominate and schedule on the pipeline. 14. NAESB also adopted revisions to the Flowing Gas Related data sets and technical implementation, which address quantitative issues relating generally to allocation, imbalances, and measurement of flowing gas. Specifically, NAESB added three Business Conditional data elements to the Authorization to Post Imbalances data set (Standard 2.4.9). The addition of the three data elements will allow a Service Requester to authorize specific contracts and quantities of imbalances for specified periods of time to be posted. 15. In addition, NAESB revised the Imbalance Trade data set (Standard 2.4.11) to reinstate language providing the confirming party the ability to reject a trade in the Imbalance Trade data set when an auto-confirm agreement with a confirming party is in place. NAESB states that in its WGQ Version 2.1 publication, before the Imbalance Trading data sets were consolidated, the Imbalance Trade Confirmation contained a Yes/No indicator that the confirming party could use to indicate its acceptance or rejection of the trade. This indicator informed a pipeline whether the confirming party agreed to the terms of the trade that the initiating trader had posted. When the data sets were consolidated, this data element was dropped because it was assumed that if a confirming party did not agree with the posted terms it would not confirm the trade, which was effective only if the pipeline did not have an auto-confirm agreement with that confirming party. Accordingly, to address situations where there are auto-confirm agreements, NAESB has now revised Standard 2.4.11 to add a new Business Conditional data element ``Imbalance Trade Response'' with an ``Accept/Reject'' code value. This Accept/Reject indicator informs the pipeline whether the confirming party agrees to the terms of the trade that the initiating trader had posted. 16. NAESB also revised Standard 2.4.6 to add two Sender's Option data elements,\11\ ``Comments'' and ``Volume-Uncorrected'' to the Measured Volume Audit Statement \12\ in order to communicate raw data on volumes in addition to the final volumes, which are communicated through the existing data element ``Volume Corrected.'' Thus, users will now be able to indicate what initial data they received in addition to how that data was ultimately corrected, and to provide comments concerning that data, which relate to what meter was used to measure the data. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \11\ Nominations Related Standard 1.2.2 provides that Sender's Option means that this element is an option for the sender to send and, if sent, the receiver should store and use the contents of the data element. \12\ NAESB's business process and practices overview of the Flowing Gas Related Standards states that the Measured Volume Audit Statement data set is used to report gas measurement information in support of the allocation, imbalance, invoice and audit processes. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17. NAESB also adopted revisions to the Capacity Release Related data sets and technical implementation. Specifically, NAESB revised Standard 5.4.24 to add a new Business Conditional data element, ``Waive Bidder Credit Indicator'' and corresponding code values to the Offer data set. The additional data element indicates to a Bidder whether the Releasing Shipper will waive, pursuant to the TSP's tariff, the Bidder's creditworthiness pre-qualification. 18. Further, NAESB revised Standard 6.3.1 (i.e., the NAESB Base Contract for Sale and Purchase of Natural Gas) to add language to the disclaimer to provide a copyright notification and direct the reader to the NAESB Copyright Policy and Companies with Access to NAESB Standards under the Copyright Policy posted on the NAESB website. Identical language was added to three additional NAESB WGQ Contracts. 19. Lastly, NAESB adopted modifications to the cover page of Standard 6.3.1 to add a self-identification provision that assists end users in determining whether counterparties are commercial market participants as defined by the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission. B. NAESB's Process 20. NAESB used its consensus procedures to develop and approve the Version 3.1 Standards. As the Commission found in Order No. 587, the adoption of consensus standards is appropriate, because the consensus process helps ensure the reasonableness of the standards by requiring that the standards draw support from a broad spectrum of industry participants representing all segments of the industry. Moreover, since the industry itself must conduct business under these standards, the Commission's regulations should reflect those standards that have the widest possible support. In section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (NTT&AA),\13\ Congress affirmatively requires federal agencies to use technical standards developed by voluntary consensus standards organizations, like NAESB, as means to carry out policy objectives or activities determined by the agencies unless an agency determines that the use of such standards would be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise impractical. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \13\ Public Law 104-113, 12(d), 110 Stat. 775 (1996). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- C. Adoption of Version 3.1 of the Standards 21. In the Version 3.1 NOPR, the Commission proposed to incorporate by reference, in its regulations, Version 3.1 of the NAESB WGQ consensus business practice standards, with the exception of NAESB's standards specifying the terms of optional model contracts and the eTariff-related standards.\14\ As explained above, all of the commenters supported the Commission's proposal to incorporate by reference the NAESB WGQ Version 3.1 business practice standards as proposed in the Version 3.1 NOPR.\15\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \14\ Version 3.1 NOPR, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 32,728 at n.1 & P16. \15\ INGAA's suggestions for the implementation dates for the Final Rule are discussed separately in section III below. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22. After a review of the comments filed in response to the Version 3.1 NOPR, the Commission amends Part 284 of its regulations to incorporate by [[Page 62245]] reference the NAESB WGQ Version 3.1 business practice standards, with the exceptions (as explained in the Version 3.1 NOPR) of the optional model contracts and the eTariff-related standards. D. Required Compliance Filings 23. To implement the standards we are incorporating by reference in this Final Rule, we will require each interstate natural gas pipeline to file a separate tariff record reflecting the changed standards by April 1, 2019, to take effect on August 1, 2019, and the natural gas pipelines will be required to comply with these standards on and after August 1, 2019.\16\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \16\ To aid in compliance, promptly after issuance of this Final Rule, the Commission will post a sample tariff record on the Commission's website that may be accessed at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/elibrary.asp. All interstate natural gas pipelines are to file their tariff records in conformance with this sample tariff record. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- III. Implementation Schedule 24. As suggested by INGAA, we have selected an implementation schedule for compliance with this Final Rule that delays implementation until after the winter heating period. We also observe that none of the comments took issue with the Commission's explanation of its policies on tariff filings and on waiver requests. Thus, we are not modifying these policies in this Final Rule and stand by the explanation of those policies we made in the Version 3.1 NOPR. The Commission will require interstate natural gas pipelines to comply with the revised NAESB standards that we are incorporating by reference in this Final Rule beginning on August 1, 2019. We are adopting this implementation schedule to give the interstate natural gas pipelines subject to these standards adequate time to implement these changes. In addition, the interstate natural gas pipelines must file tariff records to reflect the changed standards by April 1, 2019. 25. In addition, consistent with the requirements in Order No. 587- W,\17\ the Commission is including the following compliance filing requirements to increase the transparency of the pipelines' incorporation by reference of the NAESB WGQ Standards so that shippers and the Commission will know which tariff provision(s) implements each standard as well as the status of each standard. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \17\ Order No. 587-W, FERC Stats. & Regs. ]31,373 at P 42. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) The pipelines must designate a single tariff record under which every NAESB standard currently incorporated by reference by the Commission is listed.\18\ This section should be a separate tariff record under the Commission's electronic tariff filing requirement and should be filed electronically using the eTariff portal using the Type of Filing Code 580. The Commission will post on its eLibrary website (under Docket No. RM96-1-041) a sample tariff record, to provide filers an illustrative example to aid them in preparing their compliance filings; \19\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \18\ See supra n.14. \19\ Id. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- (2) For each standard, each pipeline must specify in the tariff record a list of all the NAESB standards currently incorporated by reference by the Commission: (a) whether the standard is incorporated by reference; (b) for those standards not incorporated by reference, the tariff provision that complies with the standard; \20\ and --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \20\ For example, pipelines are required to include the full text of the NAESB nomination and capacity release timeline standards (WGQ Standards 1.3.2(i-vi) and 5.3.2) in their tariffs. See, e.g., Standards for Business Practices of Interstate Natural Gas Pipelines, Order No. 587-U, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 31,307, at P 39 & n.42 (2010). Each pipeline's submittal is to identify which tariff provision complies with each of these standards. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- (c) a statement identifying any standards for which the pipeline has been granted a waiver, extension of time, or other variance with respect to compliance with the standard.\21\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \21\ Shippers can use the Commission's electronic tariff system to locate the tariff record containing the NAESB standards, which will indicate the docket in which any waiver or extension of time was granted. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- (3) If the pipeline is requesting a continuation of an existing waiver or extension of time, it must include a table in its transmittal letter that states the standard for which a waiver or extension of time was granted, and the docket number or order citation to the proceeding in which the waiver or extension of time was granted. IV. Notice of Use of Voluntary Consensus Standards 26. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-119 (section 11) (February 10, 1998) provides that federal agencies should publish a request for comment in a NOPR when the agency is seeking to issue or revise a regulation proposing to adopt a voluntary consensus standard or a government-unique standard. In this Final Rule, the Commission is amending its regulations to incorporate by reference voluntary consensus standards developed by NAESB's WGQ. In section 12(d) of NTT&AA, Congress affirmatively requires federal agencies to use technical standards developed by voluntary consensus standards organizations to carry out policy objectives or activities determined by the agencies unless use of such standards would be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise impractical.\22\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \22\ Public Law 104-113, 12(d), 110 Stat. 775 (1996), 15 U.S.C. 272 note (1997). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- V. Incorporation by Reference 27. The Office of the Federal Register requires agencies incorporating material by reference in final rules to discuss, in the preamble of the final rule, the ways that the materials it incorporates by reference are reasonably available to interested parties and how interested parties can obtain the materials.\23\ The regulations also require agencies to summarize, in the preamble of the final rule, the material it incorporates by reference. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \23\ 1 CFR 51.5. See Incorporation by Reference, 79 FR 66267 (Nov. 7, 2014). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28. The NAESB standards being incorporated by reference in this Final Rule consist of seven suites of NAESB WGQ Business Practice Standards that touch on a variety of topics and are designed to streamline the transactional processes for the wholesale gas industry by promoting a more competitive and efficient market. These include the WGQ Additional Business Practice Standards; WGQ Nominations Related Business Practice Standards; WGQ Flowing Gas Related Business Practice Standards; Invoicing Related Business Practice Standards; Quadrant EDM Related Business Practice Standards; Capacity Release Related Business Practice Standards; and internet Electronic Transport Related Business Practice Standards. These can be summarized as follows. 29. The WGQ Additional Business Practice Standards address six areas: Creditworthiness, Storage Information, Gas/Electric Operational Communications, Operational Capacity, Unsubscribed Capacity, and Location Data Download.The Creditworthiness related standards describe requirements for the exchange of information, notification, and communication between parties during the creditworthiness evaluation process. The Storage Information related standards define the information to be provided to natural gas service requesters related to storage activities and/or balances. The Gas/Electric Operational Communications related standards define communication protocols intended to improve coordination [[Page 62246]] between the gas and electric industries in daily operational communications between transportation service providers and gas-fired power plants. The standards include requirements for communicating anticipated power generation fuel for the upcoming day as well as any operating problems that might hinder gas-fired power plants from receiving contractual gas quantities. The Operational Capacity related standards define requirements of the transportation service provider related to the reporting and requesting of a transportation service provider's operational capacity, total scheduled quantity, and operationally available capacity. The Unsubscribed Capacity related standards define requirements of the transportation service provider related to reporting and requesting a transportation service provider's available unsubscribed capacity. The Location Data Download related standards define requirements for the use of codes assigned by the transportation service provider for locations and common codes for parties communicating electronically. 30. The WGQ Nominations Related Business Practice Standards define the process by which a natural gas service requester with a natural gas transportation contract nominates (or requests) service from a pipeline or a transportation service provider for the delivery of natural gas. 31. The WGQ Flowing Gas Related Business Practice Standards define the business processes related to the communication of entitlement rights of flowing gas at a location, of the entitlement rights on a contractual basis, of the management of imbalances, and of the measurement and gas quality information of the actual flow of gas. 32. The Invoicing Related Business Practice Standards define the process for the communication of charges for services rendered (Invoice), communication of details about funds rendered in payment for services rendered (Payment Remittance), and communication of the financial status of a customer's account (Statement of Account). 33. The Quadrant Electronic Delivery Mechanism Related Business Practice Standards define the framework for the electronic dissemination and communication of information between parties in the North American wholesale gas marketplace for Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)/EDM transfers, batch flat file/EDM transfers, informational postings websites, EBB/EDM and interactive flat file/EDM. 34. The Capacity Release Related Business Practice Standards define the business processes for communication of information related to the selling of all or any portion of a transmission service requester's contract rights. 35. The Internet Electronic Transport Related Business Practice Standards define the implementation of various technologies necessary to communicate transactions and other electronic data using standard protocols for electronic commerce over the internet between trading partners. 36. Our regulations provide that copies of the NAESB standards incorporated by reference may be obtained from NAESB, whose offices are located at 801 Travis Street, Suite 1675, Houston, TX 77002, Phone: (713) 356-0060. NAESB's website can be accessed at https://www.naesb.org//. Copies of the NAESB standards may be inspected at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Public Reference and Files Maintenance Branch, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426, Phone: (202) 502-8371, http://www.ferc.gov.\24\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \24\ 18 CFR 284.12. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 37. NAESB is a private, consensus standards developer that develops voluntary wholesale and retail standards related to the energy industry. The procedures utilized by NAESB make its standards reasonably available to those affected by the Commission regulations.\25\ Participants can join NAESB, for an annual membership cost of $7,000, which entitles them to full participation in NAESB and enables them to obtain these standards at no additional cost.\26\ Non- members may obtain the Individual Standards Manual or Booklet for each of the seven manuals or booklets by email for $250 per manual or booklet, which in the case of these standards would total $1,750.\27\ Non-members also may obtain the complete set of Business Practice Standards on USB flash drive for $2,000. NAESB also provides a free electronic read-only version of the standards for a three business day period or, in the case of a regulatory comment period, through the end of the comment period.\28\ In addition, NAESB considers requests for waivers of the charges on a case-by-case basis based on need. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \25\ As a private, consensus standards developer, NAESB needs the funds obtained from its membership fees and sales of its Individual Standards Manual or Booklet to finance the organization. The parties affected by these Commission regulations generally are highly sophisticated and have the means to acquire the information they need to effectively participate in Commission proceedings. \26\ NAESB Membership Application, https://www.naesb.org/pdf4/naesbapp.pdf. \27\ NAESB Materials Order Form, https://www.naesb.org/pdf/ordrform.pdf. \28\ Procedures for non-members to evaluate work products before purchasing are available at https://www.naesb.org/misc/NAESB_Nonmember_Evaluation.pdf. See Incorporation by Reference, 79 FR at 66271, n.51 & 53 (Nov. 7, 2014) (citing to NAESB's procedure of providing ``no-cost, no-print electronic access,'' NAESB Comment, at 1, available at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=OFR-2013-0001-0023). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- VI. Information Collection Statement 38. The collections of information for this Final Rule are being submitted to OMB for review under section 3507(d) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 \29\ and OMB's implementing regulations.\30\ OMB must approve information collection requirements imposed by agency rules. The burden estimates for this Final Rule are for one-time implementation of the information collection requirements of this Final Rule (including tariff filing, documentation of the process and procedures, and IT work), and ongoing burden. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \29\ 44 U.S.C. 3507(d). \30\ 5 CFR 1320. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 39. The Commission solicited comments from the public on the Commission's need for this information, whether the information will have practical utility, the accuracy of the burden estimates, recommendations to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected, and any suggested methods for minimizing respondents' burden, including the use of automated information techniques. No comments were filed raising any objections to the burden estimate presented in the Version 3.1 NOPR. Accordingly, we will use that same burden estimate in this Final Rule. 40. The collections of information related to this Final Rule fall under FERC-545B (Gas Pipeline Rates: Rate Change (Non-Formal)) \31\ and FERC-549C (Standards for Business Practices of Interstate Natural Gas Pipelines).\32\ The following estimates of reporting burden are related only to this Final Rule and include the costs to pipelines to comply with the Commission's directives in this Final Rule. The burden estimates are primarily related to start-up to implement these standards and regulations and will not result in ongoing costs. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \31\ FERC-545B covers rate change filings made by natural gas pipelines, including tariff changes. \32\ FERC-549C covers Standards for Business Practices of Interstate Natural Gas Pipelines. [[Page 62247]] RM96-1-041 Final Rule [Standards for business practices of interstate natural gas pipelines] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Annual number Annual costs respondents of responses Total number Average burden hr. per Total annual burden hours & per respondent \33\ per respondent of responses response total annual cost \34\ ($) (1) (2) (1) * (2) = (4)........................ (3) * (4) = (5)............ (5) * (1) (3) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FERC-545B (one-time).......... 165 1 165 10 hrs.; $1,020............ 1,650 hrs.; $168,000....... $1,020 FERC-549C (one-time).......... 165 1 165 22 hrs.; $2,244............ 3,630 hrs.; $370,260....... 2,244 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total..................... .............. .............. 330 ........................... 5,280 hrs.; 538,560........ .............. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The one-time burden (for both the FERC-545B and FERC-549C) will be averaged over three years: --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \33\ The number of respondents is the number of entities in which a change in burden from the current standards to the proposed exists, not the total number of entities from the current or proposed standards that are applicable. \34\ The estimated hourly cost (salary plus benefits) provided in this section is based on the salary figures for May 2017 posted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the Utilities sector (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2017 National Industry-Specific Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates (May 2017), http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm#13-0000) and scaled to reflect benefits using the relative importance of employer costs in employee compensation from May 2017 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2017 National Industry-Specific Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates (May 2017), https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm). The hourly estimates for salary plus benefits are: Computer and Information Systems Manager (Occupation Code: 11- 3021), $96.51 Electrical Engineer (Occupation Code: 17-2071), $66.90 Legal (Occupation Code: 23-0000), $143.68 The average hourly cost (salary plus benefits), weighting all of these skill sets evenly, is $102.36. The Commission rounds it to $102/hour. FERC-545B: 1,650 hours / 3 = 550 hours/year over three years FERC-549C: 3,630 hours / 3 = 1,210 hours/year over three years The number of responses is also averaged over three years (for both the FERC-545 and FERC-549C): FERC-545B: 165 responses / 3 = 55 responses/year FERC-549C: 165 responses / 3 = 55 responses/year The responses and burden for Years 1-3 will total respectively as follows: Year 1: 55 responses; 550 hours (FERC-545B); 1,210 hours (FERC-549C) Year 2: 55 responses; 550 hours (FERC-545B); 1,210 hours (FERC-549C) Year 3: 55 responses; 550 hours (FERC-545B); 1,210 hours (FERC-549C) 41. OMB regulations require OMB to approve certain information collection requirements imposed by agency rule. The Commission is submitting notification of this Final Rule to OMB. These information collections are mandatory requirements. Title: FERC-545B,\35\ Gas Pipeline Rates: Rates Change (Non- Formal); FERC-549C, Standards for Business Practices of Interstate Natural Gas Pipelines. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \35\ In the supporting statement for the NOPR, we submitted Gas Pipeline Rates: Rate Changes (Non-Formal) under the temporary information collection FERC-545B to ensure timely submission to OMB as another unrelated item was pending OMB review under FERC-545 (and only one item per collection can be pending at OMB). FERC-545B will also be used for the Final Rule in Docket No. RM96-1-041. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Action: Proposed information collections. OMB Control Nos.: TBD (FERC-545B), 1902-0174 (FERC-549C). Respondents: Business or other for profit (e.g., Natural Gas Pipelines, applicable to only a few small businesses). Frequency of Responses: One-time implementation (related to business procedures, capital/start-up). Necessity of Information: The Commission has determined that the revisions the Commission makes in this Final Rule to its regulations specifically will upgrade the business practices and communication standards of natural gas pipelines by (1) updating the Nominations Related Standards to standardize a rounding process for the elapsed- prorated-scheduled quantity calculation, and dictate that the ``Service Requester Contract'' data element signify business conditional nominations, rather than mandatory nominations, (2) updating the WGQ EDM Related Standards to make three minor revisions designed to add clarity, update the minimum technical characteristics to account for changes in technology since the previous version (Version 3.0) of the WGQ standards, and update the minimum and suggested operating systems and web browsers that entities should support, and (3) revising the NAESB WGQ data sets or other technical implementation documentation while not resulting in modifications to the underlying business practice standards. The package of standards also includes minor corrections. The implementation of these data requirements will provide additional transparency to informational posting websites and will improve communication standards. The implementation of these standards and regulations will promote the additional efficiency and reliability of the natural gas industries' operations thereby helping the Commission to carry out its responsibilities under the NGA. In addition, the Commission's Office of Enforcement will use the data for general industry oversight. Internal Review: The Commission has reviewed the business practice standards of natural gas pipelines adopted by NAESB and has determined that the revisions the Commission makes in this Final Rule to its regulations are necessary to provide additional transparency to informational posting websites and promote the additional efficiency and reliability of the natural gas industry's operations. These requirements conform to the Commission's plan for efficient information collection, communication, and management within the natural gas pipeline industry. The Commission has assured itself, by means of its internal review, that there is specific, objective support for the burden estimates associated with the information requirements. Interested persons may obtain information on the reporting requirements by contacting the following: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426 [Attention: Ellen Brown, Office of the Executive Director], email: [email protected], phone: (202) 502-8663, fax: (202) 273-0873. 42. Comments concerning the collection of information(s) and the associated burden estimate(s) should be sent to the contact listed above and to OMB, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Washington, DC 20503 [Attention: Desk Officer for the [[Page 62248]] Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, telephone: (202) 395-0710, fax: (202) 395-4718]. VII. Environmental Analysis 43. The Commission concludes that neither an Environmental Assessment nor an Environmental Impact Statement is required for this Final Rule under Sec. 380.4(a) of the Commission's regulations, which provides a categorical exemption for actions that are clarifying, corrective, or procedural, or that do not substantively change the effect of legislation or regulations being amended, for information gathering, analysis, and dissemination, or for the sale, exchange, or transportation of natural gas under sections 4, 5, and 7 of the NGA that require no construction of facilities.\36\ Therefore, an environmental review is unnecessary and has not been prepared as part of this Final Rule. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \36\ See 18 CFR 380.4(a)(2)(ii), 380.4(a)(5), 380.4(a)(27). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- VIII. Regulatory Flexibility Act 44. The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA) \37\ generally requires a description and analysis of final rules that will have significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The Commission is not required to make such analysis if proposed regulations would not have such an effect. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \37\ 5 U.S.C. 601-612. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 45. As we stated in the WGQ Version 3.1 NOPR, approximately 165 interstate natural gas pipelines, both large and small, are potential respondents subject to the requirements adopted by this rule. Most of the natural gas pipelines regulated by the Commission do not fall within the RFA's definition of a small entity,\38\ which is currently defined for natural gas pipelines as a company that, in combination with its affiliates, has total annual receipts of $27.5 million or less.\39\ For the year 2018, only eleven companies not affiliated with larger companies had annual revenues in combination with its affiliates of $27.5 million or less and therefore could be considered a small entity under the RFA. This represents about seven percent of the total universe of potential respondents that may have a significant burden imposed on them. The Commission estimates that the one-time implementation cost of the proposals in this Final Rule is $538,560 (or $3,264 per entity, regardless of entity size).\40\ The Commission does not consider the estimated $3,264 impact per entity to be significant. Moreover, these requirements are designed to benefit all customers, including small businesses that must comply with them. Further, as noted above, adoption of consensus standards helps ensure the reasonableness of the standards by requiring that the standards draw support from a broad spectrum of industry participants representing all segments of the industry. Because of that representation and the fact that industry conducts business under these standards, the Commission's regulations should reflect those standards that have the widest possible support. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \38\ See 5 U.S.C. 601(3) citing section 3 of the Small Business Act (SBA), 15 U.S.C. 623. Section 3 of the SBA defines a ``small- business concern'' as a business which is independently owned and operated and which is not dominant in its field of operation. \39\ 13 CFR 121.201 (Subsector 486-Pipeline Transportation; North American Industry Classification System code 486210; Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas) (2018). ``Annual Receipts'' are total income plus cost of goods sold. \40\ This number is derived by dividing the total cost figure by the number of respondents. $538,560/165 = $3,264. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 46. Accordingly, pursuant to Sec. 605(b) of the RFA,\41\ the regulations being promulgated herein should not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \41\ 5 U.S.C. 605(b). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- IX. Document Availability 47. In addition to publishing the full text of this document in the Federal Register, the Commission provides all interested persons an opportunity to view and/or print the contents of this document via the internet through FERC's Home Page (http://www.ferc.gov) and in FERC's Public Reference Room during normal business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time) at 888 First Street NE, Room 2A, Washington DC 20426. 48. From FERC's Home Page on the internet, this information is available on eLibrary. The full text of this document is available on eLibrary in PDF and Microsoft Word format for viewing, printing, and/or downloading. To access this document in eLibrary, type the docket number excluding the last three digits of this document in the docket number field. 49. User assistance is available for eLibrary and the FERC's website during normal business hours from FERC Online Support at (202) 502-6652 (toll free at 1-866-208-3676) or email at [email protected], or the Public Reference Room at (202) 502- 8371, TTY (202)502-8659. Email the Public Reference Room at [email protected]. X. Effective Date and Congressional Notification 50. These regulations are effective February 1, 2019. The Commission has determined (with the concurrence of the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB) that this rule is not a ``major rule'' as defined in section 351 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. This Final Rule is being submitted to the Senate, House, and Government Accountability Office. List of Subjects in 18 CFR Part 284 Incorporation by reference, Natural gas, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. By the Commission. Commissioner McIntyre is not voting on this order. Issued: November 15, 2018. Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., Deputy Secretary. In consideration of the foregoing, the Commission amends part 284, chapter I, title 18, Code of Federal Regulations, as follows: PART 284--CERTAIN SALES AND TRANSPORTATION OF NATURAL GAS UNDER THE NATURAL GAS POLICY ACT OF 1978 AND RELATED AUTHORITIES 0 1. The authority citation for part 284 continues to read as follows: Authority: 15 U.S.C. 717-717z, 3301-3432; 42 U.S.C. 7101-7352; 43 U.S.C. 1331-1356. 0 2. Section 284.12 is amended by: 0 a. Revising paragraph (a)(1); and 0 b. Removing from paragraph (a)(2) the phrase ``http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html'' and adding ``www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html'' in its place. The revision reads as follows: Sec. 284.12 Standards for pipeline business operations and communications. (a) * * * (1) An interstate pipeline that transports gas under subparts B or G of this part must comply with the business practices and electronic communications standards as promulgated by the North American Energy Standards Board, as incorporated herein by reference in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) through (vii) of this section. (i) Additional Standards (Version 3.1, September 29, 2017); (ii) Nominations Related Standards (Version 3.1, September 29, 2017); (iii) Flowing Gas Related Standards (Version 3.1, September 29, 2017); [[Page 62249]] (iv) Invoicing Related Standards (Version 3.1, September 29, 2017); (v) Quadrant Electronic Delivery Mechanism Related Standards (Version 3.1, September 29, 2017); (vi) Capacity Release Related Standards (Version 3.1, September 29, 2017); and (vii) internet Electronic Transport Related Standards (Version 3.1, September 29, 2017). * * * * * [FR Doc. 2018-26158 Filed 11-30-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
![62242 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 232 / Monday, December 3, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
based on the change in that Index since ACTION: Final rule. certain publications listed in this rule is
June 1993, is $2.75. approved by the Director of the Federal
SUMMARY: The Federal Energy Register as of February 1, 2019.
* * * * * Regulatory Commission is amending its
Abioye E. Mosheim, regulations to incorporate by reference, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Acting Secretary, U.S. Consumer Product with certain enumerated exceptions, the Stanley Wolf (technical issues), Office
Safety Commission. latest version (Version 3.1) of business of Energy Policy and Innovation,
[FR Doc. 2018–26160 Filed 11–30–18; 8:45 am] practice standards adopted by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
BILLING CODE 6355–01–P
Wholesale Gas Quadrant of the North 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC
American Energy Standards Board 20426, (202) 502–6841, stanley.wolf@
(NAESB) applicable to natural gas ferc.gov.
pipelines in place of the currently Oscar F. Santillana (technical issues),
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
incorporated version (Version 3.0) of Office of Energy Market Regulation,
Federal Energy Regulatory those business practice standards. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
Commission revisions made by NAESB in this 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC
version of the standards are designed to 20426, (202) 502–6392,
18 CFR Part 284 clarify the processing of certain business oscar.santillana@ferc.gov.
transactions. Gary D. Cohen (legal issues), Office of
[Docket No. RM96–1–041; Order DATES: This rule will become effective the General Counsel, Federal Energy
No. 587–Y] February 1, 2019. Compliance filings Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street
Standards for Business Practices of required by this rule are due on April NE, Washington, DC 20426, (202) 502–
Interstate Natural Gas Pipelines 1, 2019 and compliance with the 8321, gary.cohen@ferc.gov.
standards incorporated in this rule is
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
AGENCY:Federal Energy Regulatory required on and after August 1, 2019.
Commission, DOE. The incorporation by reference of Table of Contents
I. Background ................................................................................................................................................................................ 7
II. Discussion ................................................................................................................................................................................ 11
A. The NAESB WGQ Version 3.1 Business Practice Standards ......................................................................................... 11
B. NAESB’s Process ............................................................................................................................................................... 20
C. Adoption of Version 3.1 of the Standards ...................................................................................................................... 21
D. Required Compliance Filings ........................................................................................................................................... 23
III. Implementation Schedule ...................................................................................................................................................... 24
IV. Notice of Use of Voluntary Consensus Standards ................................................................................................................ 26
V. Incorporation by Reference ..................................................................................................................................................... 27
VI. Information Collection Statement .......................................................................................................................................... 38
VII. Environmental Analysis ........................................................................................................................................................ 43
VIII. Regulatory Flexibility Act ................................................................................................................................................... 44
IX. Document Availability ........................................................................................................................................................... 47
X. Effective Date and Congressional Notification ....................................................................................................................... 50
1. In this Final Rule, the Federal carry out its responsibilities under the the operating systems and web browsers
Energy Regulatory Commission Natural Gas Act (NGA).1 that entities should support on behalf of
(Commission) amends its regulations at 3. The NAESB WGQ Version 3.1 users. Additionally, clarifying language
18 CFR 284.12 to incorporate by package of standards contains a number was added to the Secure Sockets Layer
reference, with certain enumerated of revisions to the NAESB Version 3.0 (SSL)/Transport Layer Security (TLS)
exceptions, the latest version (Version package of standards. As explained protocols.
3.1) of business practice standards further below, NAESB adopted two 5. Other changes adopted by NAESB
applicable to interstate natural gas substantive revisions to its Nominations included changes to the NAESB WGQ
pipelines adopted by the Wholesale Gas Related Standards, one to establish a data sets and other technical
Quadrant (WGQ) of the North American standard rounding process for elapsed- implementation documentation as well
Energy Standards Board (NAESB) in prorated-scheduled quantity as revisions to the Flowing Gas Related
place of the currently incorporated calculations and a second to revise the data sets and technical implementation.
version (Version 3.0) of those business specifications for the information to be In addition, NAESB revised the
included in a nomination request. Imbalance Trade data set and revised
practice standards. Under this Final
4. NAESB also adopted three minor two Sender’s Option data elements.
Rule, interstate natural gas pipelines are
revisions to the WGQ Electronic NAESB also adopted revisions to the
required to file compliance filings with
Delivery Mechanism (EDM) Related Capacity Release Related data sets and
the Commission by April 1, 2019 and
Standards. First, it has increased the technical implementation and revised
are required to comply with the allowable field length in ASCII Comma Standard 6.3.1 (i.e., the NAESB Base
standards incorporated by reference in Separated Value Files to 3000 Contract for Sale and Purchase of
this rule on and after August 1, 2019. characters. Second, NAESB adopted Natural Gas) to add language directing
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2. The implementation of these new Standard 4.3.106 to allow users to NAESB’s copyright disclaimer
standards and regulations will promote checkboxes and radio buttons in the posted on the NAESB website. Identical
additional efficiency and reliability of Transmission Service Providers’ (TSP) language was added to three additional
the natural gas industries’ operations Electronic Bulletin Boards (EBB). Third, NAESB WGQ Contracts.
thereby helping the Commission to NAESB modified its standards to update 6. Lastly, NAESB adopted
modifications to add a self-
1 15 U.S.C. 717 (2012). identification provision that assists end
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users in determining whether the Commission’s proposal to Thus, instead of forcing a specific
counterparties are commercial market incorporate by reference NAESB’s WGQ upstream or downstream (unthreaded)
participants as defined by the United Version 3.1 business practice standards. nomination 10 to be tied to a specific
States Commodity Futures Trading INGAA also supports the Commission’s contract (using a specific threaded
Commission. proposal in the Version 3.1 NOPR, but nomination), upstream nominations
urges the Commission to ensure that may now be distributed among several
I. Background
implementation of a Final Rule in this contracts (using a Pathed Non-Threaded
7. Since 1996, the Commission has proceeding does not occur prior to April nomination structure), which generally
adopted regulations to standardize the 1, 2019, after the winter heating season. increases flexibility to customers.
business practices and communication INGAA states that implementation of a 12. NAESB also adopted three minor
methodologies of interstate natural gas Final Rule in this proceeding will revisions to the WGQ EDM Related
pipelines to create a more integrated require substantial time and effort from Standards, which establish the
and efficient pipeline grid. These both pipelines and their customers to framework for the electronic
regulations have been promulgated in alter business systems, scheduling, and dissemination and communication of
the Order No. 587 series of orders,2 coordination processes and, thus, it information between parties in the
wherein the Commission has would be best to schedule North American Wholesale Gas
incorporated by reference standards for implementation to not occur during the marketplace. First, NAESB revised
interstate natural gas pipeline business winter heating season. Standard 4.3.80 to increase the
practices and electronic allowable field length in ASCII Comma
communications that were developed II. Discussion Separated Value Files to 3000
and adopted by NAESB’s WGQ. Upon A. The NAESB WGQ Version 3.1 characters. The revision increases the
incorporation by reference, this version Business Practice Standards amount of information that can be
of these standards will become part of conveyed, but reasonably limits it in
the Commission’s regulations and 11. The NAESB WGQ Version 3.1 conformity with commonly used
compliance by interstate natural gas Business Practice Standards made a software such as Excel. Second, NAESB
pipelines will become mandatory and number of modifications to the earlier adopted new Standard 4.3.106 to allow
will replace the earlier version of these version of those standards that the checkboxes and radio buttons in the
standards that the Commission Commission previously incorporated by TSPs’ EBBs to indicate ‘‘Yes’’ and/or
previously incorporated by reference in reference in 2015 in Order No. 587–W.5 ‘‘No’’ responses to data elements, which
2015.3 Notable among these modifications 6 NAESB states is more convenient than
8. On September 29, 2017, NAESB were two substantive revisions the current drop down list. Third,
filed a report informing the Commission concerning the Nominations Related NAESB revised its standards to update
that it had adopted and ratified WGQ Standards, which govern shipper the operating systems and web browsers
Version 3.1 of its business practice requests to schedule service on natural that entities should support to allow
standards applicable to natural gas gas pipelines. One revision adds a new
pipelines. The NAESB report identifies provision, Standard 1.3.82, to establish element is one that is based on current variations
all the changes made to the Version 3.0 in business practice.
a standard rounding process (requiring 10 NAESB’s Nomination Data Dictionary, WGQ
Standards and summarizes the calculations to at least the seventh Version 3.1, Standard 1.4.1, retains from the
deliberations that led to the changes. It decimal place) for elapsed-prorated- Version 3.0 standard the field for ‘‘Model Type
also identifies changes to the existing scheduled quantity 7 calculations to Data’’ that identifies which of three types of
standards that were considered but not nomination structures is being used. These are:
provide for needed numerical Pathed, Non-Pathed, and Pathed Non-Threaded.
adopted due to a lack of consensus or uniformity and granularity for users of Having these three types of model type data allows
other reasons. these NAESB procedures. The other specificity as to the details of the nomination. A
9. On August 21, 2018, the Nominations Related Standards revision pathed nomination uses one nomination line item
Commission issued a Notice of to transact business and, therefore, has one
was to revise the ‘‘Service Requester’’ transaction type. A non-pathed nomination uses
Proposed Rulemaking proposing to element of Standard 1.3.27,8 which two nomination line items to transact business and,
amend its regulations to incorporate by specifies some of the information that therefore, has two transaction types. A pathed non-
reference, with certain enumerated should be included in a nomination threaded nomination uses three nomination line
exceptions, the NAESB WGQ Version items to transact business and, therefore, has three
request, from a Mandatory designation transaction types.
3.1 business practice standards to a Business Conditional 9 designation. NAESB also provides the following clarification
(referenced above) applicable to natural of these concepts in the description of the technical
gas pipelines.4 5 Order No. 587–W, FERC Stats. & Regs. ¶ 31,373. implementation of business processes included as
10. In response to the Version 3.1 6 An abbreviated description of these part of Standard 1.4.1, where NAESB explains that:
NOPR, Tennessee Valley Authority modifications is provided at PP 3–6 above. [a] ‘‘Pathed’’ nomination is actually a ‘‘Pathed
7 Standard 1.2.12 of the Nominations Related Threaded’’ nomination because (1) the physical
(TVA) and the Interstate Natural Gas path of the pipeline locations and service
Standards defines the elapsed-prorated-scheduled
Association of America (INGAA) filed quantity to mean: contract(s) is fully described in the nomination, and
comments. TVA expresses support for That portion of the scheduled quantity that
(2) the logical thread of a specific supplier entity
to a specific market entity at specific pipeline
would have theoretically flowed up to the effective locations for a specific quantity is also fully
2 This series of orders began with the time of the intraday nomination being confirmed, described. ‘‘Non-Pathed’’ nominations are actually
Commission’s issuance of Standards for Business based upon a cumulative uniform hourly quantity ‘‘Non-Pathed Non-Threaded’’ nominations because
Practices of Interstate Natural Gas Pipelines, Order for each nomination period affected. (1) physical ‘‘location-to-location’’ paths are not
No. 587, FERC Stats. & Regs. ¶ 31,038 (1996) (cross- 8 NAESB also made conforming revisions to the
described in the nominations, and (2) no ties of
referenced at 76 FERC ¶ 61,042).
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related data sets and documents: Standard 1.4.1 of specific supply entities to specific market entities
3 Standards for Business Practices of Interstate the Nomination data set, Standard 1.4.5 of the are established. And for ‘‘Pathed Non-Threaded’’
Natural Gas Pipelines, Order No. 587–W, FERC Scheduled Quantity data set, Standard 2.4.4 of the nominations, (1) the physical path of the pipeline
Stats. & Regs. ¶ 31,373 (2015) (Order No. 587–W) Shipper Imbalance data set, Standard 1.4.2 of the locations, service contract(s), and quantity is fully
(cross-referenced at 153 FERC ¶ 61,061). Nomination Quick Response data set, Standard described, and (2) no ties of specific supply entities
4 Standards for Business Practices of Interstate 2.4.1 of the Pre-Determined Allocation document, to specific market entities are established. See
Natural Gas Pipelines, Notice of Proposed and Standard 2.4.3 of the Allocation document. NAESB WGQ Version 3.1 Business Practice
Rulemaking, 83 FR 44521 (Aug. 31, 2018), FERC 9 Standard 1.2.2 of the Nominations Related Standards, Nominations Related Standards,
Stats. & Regs. ¶ 32,728 (2018) (Version 3.1 NOPR). Standards provides that a Business Conditional data Standard 1.4.1, at 87 (Sep. 29, 2017).
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RM96–1–041 FINAL RULE
[Standards for business practices of interstate natural gas pipelines]
Annual Annual costs
number Total annual burden
Number of of responses Total number Average burden hours & total annual
per
respondents 33 per respond- of responses hr. per response cost 34
respondent
($)
ent
(1) (2) (1) * (2) = (3) (4) (3) * (4) = (5) (5) * (1)
FERC–545B (one-time) ... 165 1 165 10 hrs.; $1,020 .......... 1,650 hrs.; $168,000 $1,020
FERC–549C (one-time) ... 165 1 165 22 hrs.; $2,244 .......... 3,630 hrs.; $370,260 2,244
Total .......................... ........................ ........................ 330 .................................... 5,280 hrs.; 538,560 ... ........................
The one-time burden (for both the These information collections are business practice standards. The
FERC–545B and FERC–549C) will be mandatory requirements. package of standards also includes
averaged over three years: Title: FERC–545B,35 Gas Pipeline minor corrections.
FERC–545B: 1,650 hours ÷ 3 = 550 Rates: Rates Change (Non-Formal); The implementation of these data
hours/year over three years FERC–549C, Standards for Business requirements will provide additional
FERC–549C: 3,630 hours ÷ 3 = 1,210 Practices of Interstate Natural Gas transparency to informational posting
hours/year over three years Pipelines. websites and will improve
Action: Proposed information communication standards. The
The number of responses is also collections. implementation of these standards and
averaged over three years (for both the OMB Control Nos.: TBD (FERC–545B), regulations will promote the additional
FERC–545 and FERC–549C): 1902–0174 (FERC–549C). efficiency and reliability of the natural
FERC–545B: 165 responses ÷ 3 = 55 Respondents: Business or other for gas industries’ operations thereby
responses/year profit (e.g., Natural Gas Pipelines, helping the Commission to carry out its
FERC–549C: 165 responses ÷ 3 = 55 applicable to only a few small responsibilities under the NGA. In
responses/year businesses). addition, the Commission’s Office of
The responses and burden for Years Frequency of Responses: One-time Enforcement will use the data for
1–3 will total respectively as follows: implementation (related to business general industry oversight.
procedures, capital/start-up). Internal Review: The Commission has
Year 1: 55 responses; 550 hours (FERC– Necessity of Information: The
545B); 1,210 hours (FERC–549C) reviewed the business practice
Commission has determined that the standards of natural gas pipelines
Year 2: 55 responses; 550 hours (FERC– revisions the Commission makes in this adopted by NAESB and has determined
545B); 1,210 hours (FERC–549C) Final Rule to its regulations specifically that the revisions the Commission
Year 3: 55 responses; 550 hours (FERC– will upgrade the business practices and makes in this Final Rule to its
545B); 1,210 hours (FERC–549C) communication standards of natural gas regulations are necessary to provide
41. OMB regulations require OMB to pipelines by (1) updating the additional transparency to informational
approve certain information collection Nominations Related Standards to posting websites and promote the
requirements imposed by agency rule. standardize a rounding process for the additional efficiency and reliability of
The Commission is submitting elapsed-prorated-scheduled quantity the natural gas industry’s operations.
notification of this Final Rule to OMB. calculation, and dictate that the These requirements conform to the
‘‘Service Requester Contract’’ data Commission’s plan for efficient
33 The number of respondents is the number of element signify business conditional information collection, communication,
entities in which a change in burden from the nominations, rather than mandatory and management within the natural gas
current standards to the proposed exists, not the nominations, (2) updating the WGQ
total number of entities from the current or pipeline industry. The Commission has
proposed standards that are applicable.
EDM Related Standards to make three assured itself, by means of its internal
34 The estimated hourly cost (salary plus benefits) minor revisions designed to add clarity, review, that there is specific, objective
provided in this section is based on the salary update the minimum technical support for the burden estimates
figures for May 2017 posted by the Bureau of Labor characteristics to account for changes in associated with the information
Statistics for the Utilities sector (Bureau of Labor technology since the previous version
Statistics, May 2017 National Industry-Specific requirements. Interested persons may
Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates (Version 3.0) of the WGQ standards, and obtain information on the reporting
(May 2017), http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_ update the minimum and suggested requirements by contacting the
22.htm#13-0000) and scaled to reflect benefits using operating systems and web browsers following: Federal Energy Regulatory
the relative importance of employer costs in that entities should support, and (3)
employee compensation from May 2017 (Bureau of Commission, 888 First Street NE,
revising the NAESB WGQ data sets or
Labor Statistics, May 2017 National Industry- Washington, DC 20426 [Attention: Ellen
Specific Occupational Employment and Wage other technical implementation
Brown, Office of the Executive Director],
Estimates (May 2017), https://www.bls.gov/oes/ documentation while not resulting in
current/naics2_22.htm). The hourly estimates for email: DataClearance@ferc.gov, phone:
modifications to the underlying
salary plus benefits are: (202) 502–8663, fax: (202) 273–0873.
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Computer and Information Systems Manager 35 In the supporting statement for the NOPR, we
42. Comments concerning the
(Occupation Code: 11–3021), $96.51
submitted Gas Pipeline Rates: Rate Changes (Non- collection of information(s) and the
Electrical Engineer (Occupation Code: 17–2071), Formal) under the temporary information collection associated burden estimate(s) should be
$66.90 FERC–545B to ensure timely submission to OMB as sent to the contact listed above and to
Legal (Occupation Code: 23–0000), $143.68 another unrelated item was pending OMB review
The average hourly cost (salary plus benefits), under FERC–545 (and only one item per collection
OMB, Office of Information and
weighting all of these skill sets evenly, is $102.36. can be pending at OMB). FERC–545B will also be Regulatory Affairs, Washington, DC
The Commission rounds it to $102/hour. used for the Final Rule in Docket No. RM96–1–041. 20503 [Attention: Desk Officer for the
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![62248 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 232 / Monday, December 3, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Commission estimates that the one-time X. Effective Date and Congressional
telephone: (202) 395–0710, fax: (202) implementation cost of the proposals in Notification
395–4718]. this Final Rule is $538,560 (or $3,264 50. These regulations are effective
VII. Environmental Analysis per entity, regardless of entity size).40 February 1, 2019. The Commission has
The Commission does not consider the determined (with the concurrence of the
43. The Commission concludes that estimated $3,264 impact per entity to be Administrator of the Office of
neither an Environmental Assessment significant. Moreover, these Information and Regulatory Affairs of
nor an Environmental Impact Statement requirements are designed to benefit all OMB) that this rule is not a ‘‘major rule’’
is required for this Final Rule under customers, including small businesses as defined in section 351 of the Small
§ 380.4(a) of the Commission’s
that must comply with them. Further, as Business Regulatory Enforcement
regulations, which provides a
noted above, adoption of consensus Fairness Act of 1996. This Final Rule is
categorical exemption for actions that
standards helps ensure the being submitted to the Senate, House,
are clarifying, corrective, or procedural,
reasonableness of the standards by and Government Accountability Office.
or that do not substantively change the
effect of legislation or regulations being requiring that the standards draw List of Subjects in 18 CFR Part 284
amended, for information gathering, support from a broad spectrum of
industry participants representing all Incorporation by reference, Natural
analysis, and dissemination, or for the gas, Reporting and recordkeeping
sale, exchange, or transportation of segments of the industry. Because of
that representation and the fact that requirements.
natural gas under sections 4, 5, and 7 of
the NGA that require no construction of industry conducts business under these By the Commission. Commissioner
standards, the Commission’s regulations McIntyre is not voting on this order.
facilities.36 Therefore, an environmental
review is unnecessary and has not been should reflect those standards that have Issued: November 15, 2018.
prepared as part of this Final Rule. the widest possible support. Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
46. Accordingly, pursuant to § 605(b) Deputy Secretary.
VIII. Regulatory Flexibility Act
of the RFA,41 the regulations being In consideration of the foregoing, the
44. The Regulatory Flexibility Act of promulgated herein should not have a Commission amends part 284, chapter I,
1980 (RFA) 37 generally requires a significant economic impact on a title 18, Code of Federal Regulations, as
description and analysis of final rules substantial number of small entities. follows:
that will have significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small IX. Document Availability PART 284—CERTAIN SALES AND
entities. The Commission is not TRANSPORTATION OF NATURAL GAS
required to make such analysis if 47. In addition to publishing the full UNDER THE NATURAL GAS POLICY
proposed regulations would not have text of this document in the Federal ACT OF 1978 AND RELATED
such an effect. Register, the Commission provides all AUTHORITIES
45. As we stated in the WGQ Version interested persons an opportunity to
3.1 NOPR, approximately 165 interstate view and/or print the contents of this ■ 1. The authority citation for part 284
natural gas pipelines, both large and document via the internet through continues to read as follows:
small, are potential respondents subject FERC’s Home Page (http:// Authority: 15 U.S.C. 717–717z, 3301–3432;
to the requirements adopted by this www.ferc.gov) and in FERC’s Public 42 U.S.C. 7101–7352; 43 U.S.C. 1331–1356.
rule. Most of the natural gas pipelines Reference Room during normal business ■ 2. Section 284.12 is amended by:
regulated by the Commission do not fall hours (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern ■ a. Revising paragraph (a)(1); and
within the RFA’s definition of a small time) at 888 First Street NE, Room 2A, ■ b. Removing from paragraph (a)(2) the
entity,38 which is currently defined for Washington DC 20426. phrase ‘‘http://www.archives.gov/
natural gas pipelines as a company that, 48. From FERC’s Home Page on the federal_register/code_of_federal_
in combination with its affiliates, has internet, this information is available on regulations/ibr_locations.html’’ and
total annual receipts of $27.5 million or eLibrary. The full text of this document adding ‘‘www.archives.gov/federal-
less.39 For the year 2018, only eleven is available on eLibrary in PDF and register/cfr/ibr-locations.html’’ in its
companies not affiliated with larger Microsoft Word format for viewing, place.
companies had annual revenues in The revision reads as follows:
printing, and/or downloading. To access
combination with its affiliates of $27.5
this document in eLibrary, type the § 284.12 Standards for pipeline business
million or less and therefore could be
docket number excluding the last three operations and communications.
considered a small entity under the
digits of this document in the docket (a) * * *
RFA. This represents about seven
number field. (1) An interstate pipeline that
percent of the total universe of potential
respondents that may have a significant 49. User assistance is available for transports gas under subparts B or G of
burden imposed on them. The eLibrary and the FERC’s website during this part must comply with the business
normal business hours from FERC practices and electronic
36 See 18 CFR 380.4(a)(2)(ii), 380.4(a)(5), Online Support at (202) 502–6652 (toll communications standards as
380.4(a)(27). free at 1–866–208–3676) or email at promulgated by the North American
37 5 U.S.C. 601–612.
ferconlinesupport@ferc.gov, or the Energy Standards Board, as
38 See 5 U.S.C. 601(3) citing section 3 of the Small
Public Reference Room at (202) 502– incorporated herein by reference in
Business Act (SBA), 15 U.S.C. 623. Section 3 of the
8371, TTY (202)502–8659. Email the paragraphs (a)(1)(i) through (vii) of this
khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with RULES
SBA defines a ‘‘small-business concern’’ as a
business which is independently owned and Public Reference Room at section.
operated and which is not dominant in its field of public.referenceroom@ferc.gov. (i) Additional Standards (Version 3.1,
operation. September 29, 2017);
39 13 CFR 121.201 (Subsector 486-Pipeline
40 This number is derived by dividing the total
(ii) Nominations Related Standards
Transportation; North American Industry
Classification System code 486210; Pipeline cost figure by the number of respondents. $538,560/ (Version 3.1, September 29, 2017);
Transportation of Natural Gas) (2018). ‘‘Annual 165 = $3,264. (iii) Flowing Gas Related Standards
Receipts’’ are total income plus cost of goods sold. 41 5 U.S.C. 605(b). (Version 3.1, September 29, 2017);
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![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 232 / Monday, December 3, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 62249
(iv) Invoicing Related Standards Federal Register for official use within the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest
(Version 3.1, September 29, 2017); the DON. These internal procedures will Holiday Boat Parade. During the
(v) Quadrant Electronic Delivery continue to be available at https:// enforcement period, all non-participant
Mechanism Related Standards (Version doni.documentservices.dla.mil/ persons and vessels will be prohibited
3.1, September 29, 2017); Directives/05000%20General%20 from entering, transiting, anchoring in,
(vi) Capacity Release Related Management%20Security%20 or remaining within the regulated area
Standards (Version 3.1, September 29, and%20Safety%20Services/05- unless authorized by the Captain of the
2017); and 700%20General%20External% Port Miami or a designated
(vii) internet Electronic Transport 20and%20Internal%20Relations% representative. The operator of any
Related Standards (Version 3.1, 20Services/5720.45C.pdf. vessel in the regulated area must
September 29, 2017). This rule is not significant under comply with instructions from the Coast
* * * * * Executive Order (E.O.) 12866, Guard or designated representative.
[FR Doc. 2018–26158 Filed 11–30–18; 8:45 am] ‘‘Regulatory Planning and Review,’’
therefor, E.O. 13771, ‘‘Reducing DATES: The regulation in 33 CFR
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
Regulation and Controlling Regulatory 100.701, Table to § 100.701, Line 14 will
Costs’’ does not apply. be enforced on December 15, 2018 from
2:00 p.m. through 11:30 p.m.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE List of Subjects in 32 CFR Part 701
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If
Department of the Navy Administrative practice and you have questions about this notice of
procedure, Freedom of Information, enforcement, call or email Petty Officer
32 CFR Part 701 Privacy. Mara J. Brown, Sector Miami Waterways
Accordingly, 32 CFR part 701 is Management Division, U.S. Coast
[Docket ID: USN–2018–HQ–0012] amended as follows: Guard: Telephone: 305–535–4317,
RIN 0703–AB02 Email: Mara.J.Brown@uscg.mil.
PART 701—AVAILABILITY OF
Indexing, Public Inspection, and DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Coast
Federal Register Publication of RECORDS AND PUBLICATION OF Guard will enforce a special local
Department of Navy Directives and DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY regulation for the Seminole Hard Rock
Other Documents Affecting the Public DOCUMENTS AFFECTING THE Winterfest Holiday Boat Parade
PUBLIC published in 33 CFR 100.701, Table to
AGENCY: Department of the Navy, § 100.701, Line 14 on December 15,
Department of Defense. ■ 1. The authority citation for part 701 2018 from 2:00 p.m. through 11:30 p.m.
ACTION: Final rule. continues to read as follows: This action is being taken to provide for
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552. the safety and security of navigable
SUMMARY: This final rule amends the waterways during this one-day event.
CFR by removing a subpart that Subpart E—[Removed and Reserved] Our regulation for marine events within
delineates internal responsibilities the Seventh Coast Guard District,
regarding indexing, public inspection, ■ 2. Subpart E, consisting of §§ 701.61 § 100.701, specifies the location of the
and Federal Register publication of through 701.67, is removed and special local regulation for the Seminole
Department of the Navy (DON) reserved. Hard Rock Winterfest Holiday Boat
directives and other documents Parade, which encompasses a moving
M.S. Werner,
affecting the public. It has been buffer zone of 50 yards around the
determined that this subpart is no Commander, Judge Advocate General’s Corps,
U.S. Navy, Federal Register Liaison Officer. parade as it travels along the New River
longer required, as the procedures and Intracoastal Waterway in Ft.
[FR Doc. 2018–26134 Filed 11–30–18; 8:45 am]
outlined in it are internal to the DON. Lauderdale, FL. Only event sponsor
BILLING CODE 3810–FF–P
DATES: This rule is effective on designated participants and official
December 3, 2018. patrol vessels will be allowed to enter
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: the regulated area. Spectators may
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND contact the Coast Guard Patrol
Helena Gilbert at 703–693–9932.
SECURITY Commander to request permission to
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: It has been
determined that publication of this rule Coast Guard pass through the regulated area. If
in the Federal Register for public permission is granted, spectators must
comment is impracticable, unnecessary, 33 CFR Part 100 pass directly through the regulated area
and contrary to public interest since it at a safe speed without loitering.
is based on removing policies and [Docket No. USCG–2018–0540]
In addition to this notice of
procedures that are solely internal to the enforcement in the Federal Register, the
Special Local Regulation: Seminole
DON. Specifically, the subpart this rule Coast Guard will inform the public
Hard Rock Winterfest Holiday Boat
is removing prescribes internal through Local Notice to Mariners and
Parade
instructions for making available for marine information broadcasts at least
public inspection, and copying, certain AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. 24 hours in advance of the enforcement
classes of documents; maintaining ACTION: Notice of enforcement of of the special local regulation.
khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with RULES
current indexes of documents, and regulation. Dated: November 27, 2018.
publishing such indexes or making
them available by other means; SUMMARY: The Coast Guard will enforce M.M. Dean,
receiving and considering petitions of a special local regulation on December Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the
members of the public for the issuance, 15, 2018 from 2:00 p.m. through 11:30 Port Miami.
revision, or cancellation of documents p.m. to provide for the safety and [FR Doc. 2018–26098 Filed 11–30–18; 8:45 am]
of some classes; and, distributing the security of navigable waterways during BILLING CODE 9110–04–P
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Document Created: 2018-12-01 00:57:02
Document Modified: 2018-12-01 00:57:02
| 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 | Rules and Regulations | |
| Action | Final rule. | |
| Dates | This rule will become effective February 1, 2019. Compliance filings required by this rule are due on April 1, 2019 and compliance with the standards incorporated in this rule is required on and after August 1, 2019. The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this rule is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of February 1, 2019. | |
| Contact | Stanley Wolf (technical issues), Office of Energy Policy and Innovation, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426, (202) 502-6841, [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 62242 | |
| CFR Associated | Incorporation by Reference; Natural Gas and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements |
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