Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-561); Comment Request; Extension
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 cur...
Notice of information collection 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 currently approved information collection FERC-561 (OMB Control No. 1902-0099), Annual Report of Interlocking Directorates. The comment period ended on September 8, 2026, with no comments received. There were no changes to the reporting requirements.
DATES:
Comments on the collection of information are due October 15, 2026.
Please submit a copy of your comments to the Commission via email to
DataClearance@FERC.gov.
You must specify Docket No. (IC26-37-000) and the FERC Information Collection number (FERC-561) in your email. If you are unable to file electronically, comments may be filed by USPS mail or by hand (including courier) delivery:
Mail via U.S. Postal Service Only:
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426.
All other delivery methods:
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, MD 20852.
Docket:
To view comments and issuances in this docket, please visit
elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/search.
Once there, you can also sign up for automatic notification of activity in this docket.
Abstract:
The FERC Form 561 responds to the Federal Power Act (FPA) requirements for annual reporting of similar types of positions which public utility officers and directors hold with financial institutions, insurance companies, utility equipment and fuel providers, and with any of an electric utility's 20 largest purchasers of electric energy (
i.e.,
the 20 entities with high expenditures of electricity). The FPA specifically defines most of the information elements in the Form 561 including the information that must be filed, the required filers, the directive to make the information available to the public, and the filing deadline.
The Commission uses the information required by 18 CFR 131.31 and collected by the Form 561 to implement the FPA requirement that those who are authorized to hold interlocked directorates annually disclose all the interlocked positions held within the prior year. The Form 561 data identifies persons holding interlocking positions between public utilities and other entities, allows the Commission to review these interlocking positions, and allows identification of possible conflicts of interest.
Type of Respondents:
Each officer or director of a public utility also holding the position of officer, director, partner, appointee, or representative of any other entity listed in section 305(c)(2) of the FPA (including but not limited to organizations primarily engaged in the business of providing financial services or credit, insurance companies, security underwriters, electrical equipment suppliers, fuel provider, and any entity which is controlled by one or more of these entities).
Estimate of Annual Burden:
The Commission estimates the total annual burden and cost [1]
for this information collection as follows:
FERC Form 561—Annual Report of Interlocking Directorates
Number of respondents
Annual
number of
responses per
respondent
Total number
of responses
Average burden & cost per response
Total annual burden hours & total annual cost
Cost per
respondent
($)
(1)
(2)
(1) * (2) = (3)
(4)
(3) * (4) = (5)
(5) ÷ (1)
2,700
1
2,700
0.25 hrs.; 25.50
675 hrs.; $68,850
$25.50
( printed page 58437)
Comments:
Comments are invited on: (1) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden and cost of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collection; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
Dated: September 10, 2026.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Secretary.
Footnotes
1.
Commission staff estimates that the industry's skill set and cost (for wages and benefits) for FERC-561 are approximately the same as the Commission's average cost. The FERC 2026 average salary plus benefits for one FERC full-time equivalent (FTE) is $213,003/year (or $102.00/hour).
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRA/icrPublicCommentRequest?ref_nbr=202608-1902-008
elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/search
18 CFR 131.31