Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-552); Comment Request, 40347-40348 [2012-16630]

Download as PDF 40347 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 131 / Monday, July 9, 2012 / Notices Program evaluation concerning any data collection already taking place during the same time period that addresses EECBG grant activities. The sample selection of Broad Program Areas and specific programmatic activities within each Broad Program Area is scheduled to be completed in May 2012. Data collection and calculation of outcomes are scheduled to be completed by October 2012. The detailed study design and work plan for the EECBG evaluation has been available for public review since January 2012 at https://weatherization. ornl.gov/eecbg.shtml. (5) Annual Estimated Number of Respondents: 350. (6) Annual Estimated Number of Total Responses: 350. (7) Annual Estimated Total Number of Burden Hours (Interview and Record Review): 934. Statutory Authority: Title V, Subtitle E of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, codified at 42 U.S.C. 17151–17158. Issued in Washington, DC, on June 7, 2012. David T. Danielson, Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. [FR Doc. 2012–16663 Filed 7–6–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. IC12–9–000] Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC–552); Comment Request Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Energy. ACTION: Comment request. AGENCY: In compliance with the requirements of the Paperwork SUMMARY: Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC) is submitting the information collection FERC Form 552 (Annual Report of Natural Gas Transactions) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review of the information collection requirements. Any interested person may file comments directly with OMB and should address a copy of those comments to the Commission as explained below. The Commission issued a Notice in the Federal Register (77 FR 19009, 3/29/2012) requesting public comments. FERC received no comments on the FERC–552 and is making this notation in its submittal to OMB. Comments on the collection of information are due by August 8, 2012. DATES: Comments filed with OMB, identified by the OMB Control No. 1902–0242, should be sent via email to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs: oira_submission@omb.gov. Attention: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Desk Officer. The Desk Officer may also be reached via telephone at 202–395–4718. A copy of the comments should also be sent to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, identified by the Docket No. IC12–9–000, by either of the following methods: • eFiling at Commission’s Web Site: https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ efiling.asp. • Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426. Instructions: All submissions must be formatted and filed in accordance with submission guidelines at: https:// www.ferc.gov/help/submissionguide.asp. For user assistance contact FERC Online Support by email at ferconlinesupport@ferc.gov, or by phone ADDRESSES: at: (866) 208–3676 (toll-free), or (202) 502–8659 for TTY. Docket: Users interested in receiving automatic notification of activity in this docket or in viewing/downloading comments and issuances in this docket may do so at https://www.ferc.gov/docsfiling/docs-filing.asp. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Brown may be reached by email at DataClearance@FERC.gov, by telephone at (202) 502–8663, and by fax at (202) 273–0873. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: FERC Form 552, Annual Report of Natural Gas Transactions. OMB Control No.: 1902–0242. Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC–552 information collection requirements with no changes to the reporting requirements. Abstract: The Commission uses the information collected within the FERC– 552 to provide greater transparency concerning the use of indices to price natural gas and how well index prices reflect market forces. The collection also includes transactions that contribute to, or may contribute to natural gas price indices. Many market participants rely on indices as a way to reference market prices without taking on the risks of active trading. FERC–552 had its genesis in the Energy Policy Act of 2005,1 which added section 23 of the Natural Gas Act (NGA). Section 23 of the NGA, among other things, directs the Commission ‘‘to facilitate price transparency in markets for the sale or transportation of physical natural gas in interstate commerce, having due regard for the public interest, the integrity of those markets, and the protection of consumers.’’ 2 Type of Respondents: Wholesale natural gas market participants. Estimate of Annual Burden 3: The Commission estimates the total Public Reporting Burden for this information collection as: FERC–552 (IC12–9–000): ANNUAL REPORT OF NATURAL GAS TRANSACTIONS Number of respondents Number of responses per respondent Total number of responses Average burden hours per response Estimated total annual burden (A) (B) (A) × (B) = (C) (D) (C) × (D) sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Wholesale natural market participants ............ The total estimated annual cost burden to respondents is $476,857 1 Public Law 109–58. U.S.C. 717t–2. 3 Burden is defined as the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to 2 15 VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:20 Jul 06, 2012 Jkt 226001 691 1 691 10 6,910 [6,910 hours ÷ 2,080 4 hours/year = 3.32212 * $143,540/year 5 = $476,857]. The estimated annual cost of filing the FERC–552 per response is $690 generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. For further explanation of what is included in the information collection burden, reference 5 Code of Federal Regulations 1320.3. 4 2080 hours = 40 hours/week * 52 weeks (1 year). 5 Average annual salary per employee in 2012. PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\09JYN1.SGM 09JYN1 40348 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 131 / Monday, July 9, 2012 / Notices [$476,857 ÷ 691 responses = $690/ response]. 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: June 28, 2012. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2012–16630 Filed 7–6–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. IC12–15–000] Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC–546); Comment Request; Extension Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Energy. ACTION: Notice of information collection and request for comments. AGENCY: In compliance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or SUMMARY: FERC) is soliciting public comment on the currently approved information collection, FERC–546, Certificated Filings: Gas Pipeline Rates. DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due September 7, 2012. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments (identified by Docket No. IC12–15–000) by either of the following methods: • eFiling at Commission’s Web Site: https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ efiling.asp. • Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426. Instructions: All submissions must be formatted and filed in accordance with submission guidelines at: https:// www.ferc.gov/help/submissionguide.asp. For user assistance contact FERC Online Support by email at ferconlinesupport@ferc.gov, or by phone at: (866) 208–3676 (toll-free), or (202) 502–8659 for TTY. Docket: Users interested in receiving automatic notification of activity in this docket or in viewing/downloading comments and issuances in this docket may do so at https://www.ferc.gov/docsfiling/docs-filing.asp. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Brown may be reached by email at DataClearance@FERC.gov, telephone at (202) 502–8663, and fax at (202) 273– 0873. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: FERC–546, Certificated Filings: Gas Pipeline Rates. OMB Control No.: 1902–0155. Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC–546 information collection requirements with no changes to the current reporting requirements. Abstract: The Commission reviews the FERC–546 materials to decide whether to determine an initial rate associated with an application for a certificate under NGA Section 7(c). It reviews FERC–546 materials in 4(f) storage applications to evaluate market power and decide whether to grant, deny, or condition market based rate authority for the applicant. The Commission uses the FERC–546 information to monitor jurisdictional transportation, natural gas storage, and unbundled sales activities of interstate natural gas pipelines and Hinshaw 1 pipelines. In addition to fulfilling the Commission’s obligations under the NGA, the FERC–546 enables the Commission to monitor the activities and evaluate transactions of the natural gas industry, ensure competitiveness, and improved efficiency of the industry’s operations. In summary, the Commission uses the FERC–546 information to: • Ensure adequate customer protections under section 4(f) of the NGA; • Review rate and tariff changes by natural gas companies for the transportation of gas, natural gas storage services; • Provide general industry oversight; • And supplement documentation during its audits process. Failure to collect this information would prevent the Commission from being able to monitor and evaluate transactions and operations of interstate pipelines and perform its regulatory functions. Type of Respondents: Pipeline companies and storage operators. Estimate of Annual Burden 2: The Commission estimates the total Public Reporting Burden for this information collection as: FERC–546: CERTIFICATED RATE FILINGS [Gas Pipeline Rates] Number of respondents Number of responses per respondent Total number of responses Average burden hours per response Estimated total annual burden (A) (B) (A) × (B) = (C) (D) (C) × (D) 11 2 1 1 11 2 40 350 440 700 Total .......................................................... sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Pipeline companies .......................................... Storage operators ............................................ 13 2 13 N/A 1,140 1 Hinshaw pipelines are those that receive all outof-state gas from entities within or at the boundary of a state if all the natural gas so received is ultimately consumed within the state in which it is received, 15 U.S.C. 717(c). Congress concluded that Hinshaw pipelines are ‘‘matters primarily of local concern,’’ and so are more appropriately regulated VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:20 Jul 06, 2012 Jkt 226001 by pertinent state agencies rather than by FERC. The Natural Gas Act section 1(c) exempts Hinshaw pipelines from FERC jurisdiction. A Hinshaw pipeline, however, may apply for a FERC certificate to transport gas outside of state lines. 2 Burden is defined as the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. For further explanation of what is included in the information collection burden, reference 5 Code of Federal Regulations 1320.3. E:\FR\FM\09JYN1.SGM 09JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 131 (Monday, July 9, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40347-40348]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-16630]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. IC12-9-000]


Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-552); Comment 
Request

AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Energy.

ACTION: Comment request.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In compliance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D), the Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission (Commission or FERC) is submitting the information 
collection FERC Form 552 (Annual Report of Natural Gas Transactions) to 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review of the information 
collection requirements. Any interested person may file comments 
directly with OMB and should address a copy of those comments to the 
Commission as explained below. The Commission issued a Notice in the 
Federal Register (77 FR 19009, 3/29/2012) requesting public comments. 
FERC received no comments on the FERC-552 and is making this notation 
in its submittal to OMB.

DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due by August 8, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: Comments filed with OMB, identified by the OMB Control No. 
1902-0242, should be sent via email to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs: oira_submission@omb.gov. Attention: Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission Desk Officer. The Desk Officer may also be 
reached via telephone at 202-395-4718.
    A copy of the comments should also be sent to the Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission, identified by the Docket No. IC12-9-000, by 
either of the following methods:
     eFiling at Commission's Web Site: https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp.
     Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier: Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 888 First Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20426.
    Instructions: All submissions must be formatted and filed in 
accordance with submission guidelines at: https://www.ferc.gov/help/submission-guide.asp. For user assistance contact FERC Online Support 
by email at ferconlinesupport@ferc.gov, or by phone at: (866) 208-3676 
(toll-free), or (202) 502-8659 for TTY.
    Docket: Users interested in receiving automatic notification of 
activity in this docket or in viewing/downloading comments and 
issuances in this docket may do so at https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/docs-filing.asp.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Brown may be reached by email at 
DataClearance@FERC.gov, by telephone at (202) 502-8663, and by fax at 
(202) 273-0873.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: FERC Form 552, Annual Report of Natural Gas Transactions.
    OMB Control No.: 1902-0242.
    Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC-552 information 
collection requirements with no changes to the reporting requirements.
    Abstract: The Commission uses the information collected within the 
FERC-552 to provide greater transparency concerning the use of indices 
to price natural gas and how well index prices reflect market forces. 
The collection also includes transactions that contribute to, or may 
contribute to natural gas price indices. Many market participants rely 
on indices as a way to reference market prices without taking on the 
risks of active trading.
    FERC-552 had its genesis in the Energy Policy Act of 2005,\1\ which 
added section 23 of the Natural Gas Act (NGA). Section 23 of the NGA, 
among other things, directs the Commission ``to facilitate price 
transparency in markets for the sale or transportation of physical 
natural gas in interstate commerce, having due regard for the public 
interest, the integrity of those markets, and the protection of 
consumers.'' \2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Public Law 109-58.
    \2\ 15 U.S.C. 717t-2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Type of Respondents: Wholesale natural gas market participants.
    Estimate of Annual Burden \3\: The Commission estimates the total 
Public Reporting Burden for this information collection as:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ Burden is defined as the total time, effort, or financial 
resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or 
disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. For 
further explanation of what is included in the information 
collection burden, reference 5 Code of Federal Regulations 1320.3.

                                            FERC-552 (IC12-9-000): Annual Report of Natural Gas Transactions
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      Number of                        Average burden
                                                                    Number of       responses per    Total number of      hours per      Estimated total
                                                                   respondents       respondent         responses         response        annual burden
                                                                             (A)               (B)   (A) x (B) = (C)               (D)         (C) x (D)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wholesale natural market participants.........................               691                 1               691                10             6,910
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The total estimated annual cost burden to respondents is $476,857 
[6,910 hours / 2,080 \4\ hours/year = 3.32212 * $143,540/year \5\ = 
$476,857].
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ 2080 hours = 40 hours/week * 52 weeks (1 year).
    \5\ Average annual salary per employee in 2012.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The estimated annual cost of filing the FERC-552 per response is 
$690

[[Page 40348]]

[$476,857 / 691 responses = $690/response].
    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: June 28, 2012.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2012-16630 Filed 7-6-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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