Commission Information Collection Activities; Comment Request, 14527-14528 [2013-05121]

Download as PDF pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 44 / Wednesday, March 6, 2013 / Notices challenge by always having more capacity available than needed and relying on certain entities to ensure the moment-to-moment balancing of supply and demand. Electric utilities that perform the balancing function are called Balancing Authorities. Due to the interconnected nature of power grids, collecting operating information from only a subset of the entities involved significantly undermines the usefulness of the survey. Balancing Authority operators monitor their systems continuously and may act whenever necessary to maintain reliability. However, Balancing Authority operating procedures, such as scheduling supply, demand and interchange (the flow of electricity between Balancing Authorities), and the mandatory reliability standards that apply to them, use the hour as the primary operating period. Consequently, the proposed survey uses the operating hour as its data measurement interval. The proposed survey is specifically designed to minimize burden on electric system operators. The surveyed data is typically produced in the normal course of business by Balancing Authority energy management systems. Hourly demand and demand forecast data is currently posted on public Web sites in the proposed posting timeframes by a number of Balancing Authorities, including most Regional Transmission Organizations. These balancing authorities supply over half of end-use electricity consumption in the United States. A few Balancing Authorities post publicly more detailed operating data. Under Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Order 890, Transmitting Utilities are required to post on their Open Access Same-time Information System (OASIS) Web sites prior-day’s peak hour demand and the associated demand forecast value. Most Balancing Authorities are also Transmitting Utilities. Therefore, the Balancing Authorities subject to Order 890 already have in place the means for posting some of the data requested by the proposed survey. The proposed survey does not duplicate existing data collections. EIA currently collects monthly and annual production from electric generators and demand from load-serving entities. The data are published about 52 days after the end of a month for major generators and systems, and about eight months after the end of the year for smaller entities. FERC currently collects demand, net generation and actual interchange from Balancing Authorities on an annual survey, the FERC Form 714. The reporting is on a monthly and annual VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:01 Mar 05, 2013 Jkt 229001 basis. In addition, Balancing Authorities report actual interchange received and delivered with each directly interconnected Balancing Authority on an annual basis. Monthly or annual values for demand, net generation and actual interchange do not provide relevant information about the timevarying nature of these operating values as would be provided by the proposed survey. The FERC Form 714 also collects historical hourly demand by Planning Area. Most Balancing Authorities are also Planning Areas, but not all. The hourly demand data is collected annually and posted with the rest of the form data in August of the year following the reporting year. The FERC Form 714 data is both less complete and far less timely than the data collected by the proposed survey, and does not offer current information on the status of the nation’s electric system that the proposed survey would provide. Certain real-time system information is made available by NERC to DOE’s Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability. However, this data is not made available to the public and under the agency’s agreement with NERC the data is not recorded or otherwise retained by DOE. EIA does not believe that this information is business sensitive. As noted above, Regional Transmission Organizations that serve as Balancing Authorities and some other Balancing Authorities currently post publicly hourly operating data. A potential commercial issue is whether these data will reveal whether a specific utility is short on available generating capacity and may be willing to pay premium prices for electricity to meet load. The proposed survey data, including sameday posting of hourly demand, does not provide information about the availability of generating units. The next-day posting of operating data is after the relevant short-term wholesale power markets have closed. Multiple power plants supply most Balancing Authorities. Therefore, the generation data reported under the proposed survey will not reveal which specific generators are operating or a history of their operating trends. However, some individual generators and small utilities with little or no generation have chosen for commercial reasons to operate as Balancing Authorities. Most Balancing Authorities of this type are embedded within another Balancing Authority and have a single interconnection with that Balancing Authority. While the proposed survey data does not provide information about the PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 14527 current availability of a single-generator Balancing Authority power plant, it does provide a history of the plant’s hourly output. There is little value in collecting system level operating data from these Balancing Authorities. However, their information is needed to provide comprehensive operating statistics. EIA requests comments on how to exempt these Balancing Authorities or limit their reporting while maintaining the comprehensiveness of the survey. (5) Estimated Number of Survey Respondents: The annual estimated number of respondents is 107. This includes 98 Balancing Authorities in the contiguous United States, 6 electric utilities in Alaska, and 3 electric utilities in Hawaii. (6) Annual Estimated Number of Total Responses: The annual estimated number of total responses is 39,055. (7) Annual Estimated Number of Burden Hours: The annual estimated burden is 7,534 hours for the first year (to include start-up activities) and 3,254 hours each subsequent year. (8) Annual Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Cost Burden: Additional costs to respondents are not anticipated beyond costs associated with response burden. Statutory Authority: Section 13(b) of the Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974, Pub. L. 93–275, codified at 15 U.S.C. 772(b). Issued in Washington, DC, on February 27, 2013. Renee Miller, Acting Director, Office of Survey Development and Statistical Integration, U.S. Energy Information Administration. [FR Doc. 2013–05152 Filed 3–5–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. IC13–4–000; (FERC–538)] Commission Information Collection Activities; Comment Request Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Comment request. AGENCY: SUMMARY: In compliance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC) is submitting the information collection FERC–538, Gas Pipeline Certificates: Section 7(a) Mandatory Initial Service, to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review of the information collection E:\FR\FM\06MRN1.SGM 06MRN1 14528 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 44 / Wednesday, March 6, 2013 / Notices 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 75627, 12/21/2012) requesting public comments. FERC received no comments on the FERC–538 and is making this notation in its submittal to OMB. DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due by April 5, 2013. ADDRESSES: Comments filed with OMB, identified by the OMB Control No. 1902–0061, 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. IC13–4–000, 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, by telephone at (202) 502–8663, and by fax at (202) 273–0873. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: FERC–538: Gas Pipelines Certificates: Section 7(a) Mandatory Initial Service. OMB Control No.: 1902–0061. Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC–538 information collection requirements with no changes to the reporting requirements. Abstract: Under sections 7(a), 10(a) and 16 of Natural Gas Act (NGA),1 upon application by a person or municipality authorized to engage in the local distribution of natural gas, the Commission may order a natural gas company to extend or improve its transportation facilities, and sell natural gas to the municipality or person and, for such purpose, to extend its transportation facilities to communities immediately adjacent to such facilities or to territories served by the natural gas pipeline company. The Commission uses the application data in order to be fully informed concerning the applicant, and the service the applicant is requesting. Type of Respondents: Persons or municipalities authorized to engage in the local distribution of natural gas. Estimate of Annual Burden: 2 The Commission estimates the total Public Reporting Burden for this information collection as: FERC–538—GAS PIPELINES CERTIFICATES: SECTION 7(A) MANDATORY INITIAL SERVICE 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) 1 1 1 240 240 pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Gas Pipeline Certificates ....................... The total estimated annual cost burden to respondents is $16,562 [240 hours * $69.01/hour 3 = $16,562]. 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. 1 15 U.S.C. 717f–w. is defined as the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide 2 Burden VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:01 Mar 05, 2013 Jkt 229001 Dated: February 27, 2013. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2013–05121 Filed 3–5–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project No. 11169–029] Mayo Hydropower, LLC, Avalon Hydropower, LLC; Notice of Application for Transfer of License, and Soliciting Comments and Motions To Intervene On November 20, 2012, Mayo Hydropower, LLC (transferor) and Avalon Hydropower, LLC (transferee) filed an application for transfer of 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. PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 license for the Avalon Dam Project, No. 11169, located on the Mayo River in Rockingham County, North Carolina. Mayo Hydropower, LLC and Avalon Hydropower, LLC are both owned by Mr. Dean Edwards and his wife Ms. Wynona Edwards. Applicants seek Commission approval to transfer the license for the Avalon Dam Project from transferor to transferee. Applicants’ Contact: Mr. Dean Edwards, Manager, Avalon Hydropower, LLC, 5400 Downing Street, Dover, Florida 33527, telephone (813) 659–3014. FERC Contact: Patricia W. Gillis (202) 502–8735. Deadline for filing comments and motions to intervene: 15 days from the issuance date of this notice, by the Commission. Comments and motions to intervene may be filed electronically via 3 2080 hours = 52 weeks * 40 hours per week (i.e. 1 year of full-time employment). E:\FR\FM\06MRN1.SGM 06MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 6, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14527-14528]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-05121]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. IC13-4-000; (FERC-538)]


Commission Information Collection Activities; Comment Request

AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Comment request.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or 
FERC) is submitting the information collection FERC-538, Gas Pipeline 
Certificates: Section 7(a) Mandatory Initial Service, to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for review of the information collection

[[Page 14528]]

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 75627, 12/21/2012) requesting public comments. FERC received no 
comments on the FERC-538 and is making this notation in its submittal 
to OMB.

DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due by April 5, 
2013.

ADDRESSES: Comments filed with OMB, identified by the OMB Control No. 
1902-0061, 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. IC13-4-000, 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-538: Gas Pipelines Certificates: 
Section 7(a) Mandatory Initial Service.
    OMB Control No.: 1902-0061.
    Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC-538 information 
collection requirements with no changes to the reporting requirements.
    Abstract: Under sections 7(a), 10(a) and 16 of Natural Gas Act 
(NGA),\1\ upon application by a person or municipality authorized to 
engage in the local distribution of natural gas, the Commission may 
order a natural gas company to extend or improve its transportation 
facilities, and sell natural gas to the municipality or person and, for 
such purpose, to extend its transportation facilities to communities 
immediately adjacent to such facilities or to territories served by the 
natural gas pipeline company. The Commission uses the application data 
in order to be fully informed concerning the applicant, and the service 
the applicant is requesting.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 717f-w.
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    Type of Respondents: Persons or municipalities authorized to engage 
in the local distribution of natural gas.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: \2\ The Commission estimates the total 
Public Reporting Burden for this information collection as:
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    \2\ 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-538--Gas Pipelines Certificates: Section 7(a) Mandatory Initial Service
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               Number of
                                                           Number of         responses per      Total number of     Average burden      Estimated total
                                                          respondents         respondent           responses      hours per response     annual burden
                                                                    (A)                 (B)       (A) x (B) = (C)               (D)                   (C) x (D)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gas Pipeline Certificates...........................                  1                   1                   1                 240                 240
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The total estimated annual cost burden to respondents is $16,562 
[240 hours * $69.01/hour \3\ = $16,562].
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    \3\ 2080 hours = 52 weeks * 40 hours per week (i.e. 1 year of 
full-time employment).
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    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: February 27, 2013.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013-05121 Filed 3-5-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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