Filing, Indexing, and Service Requirements for Oil Pipelines, 32090-32099 [2013-12140]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
• Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 103 (Wednesday, May 29, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32090-32099]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-12140]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

18 CFR Part 341

[Docket No. RM12-15-000; Order No. 780]


Filing, Indexing, and Service Requirements for Oil Pipelines

AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, DOE.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is amending its 
regulations under the Interstate Commerce Act to update its regulations 
governing the form, composition and filing of rates and charges by 
interstate oil pipelines for transportation in interstate commerce. 
This final rule is a part of the Commission's ongoing effort to review 
its filing and reporting requirements and reduce unnecessary burdens by 
eliminating the collection of data that are not necessary to the 
performance of the Commission's regulatory responsibilities.

DATES: This rule will become effective June 28, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
Aaron Kahn (Technical Issues), 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 
20426, (202) 502-8339, aaron.kahn@ferc.gov.
Michelle A. Davis (Legal Issues), 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 
20426, (202) 502-8687, michelle.davis2@ferc.gov.

143 FERC ] 61,137
Before Commissioners: Jon Wellinghoff, Chairman; Philip D. Moeller, 
John R. Norris, Cheryl A. LaFleur, and Tony Clark.

Final Rule

(Issued May 16, 2013)

I. Introduction

    1. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC) is 
amending part 341 of its regulations to rewrite, remove, and update its 
regulations governing the form, composition and filing of rates and 
charges by interstate oil pipelines for transportation in interstate 
commerce.\1\ These modifications are part of the Commission's ongoing 
effort to review its filing and reporting requirements and reduce 
unnecessary burdens by eliminating the collection of data that are not 
necessary to the performance of the Commission's regulatory 
responsibilities.
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    \1\ 18 CFR Part 341 (2012).
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II. Background

    2. Section 6 of the Interstate Commerce Act (ICA) requires each 
interstate oil pipeline to file rates, fares, and charges for 
transportation on its system, and also to file copies of contracts with 
other common carriers for such traffic. Similarly, section 20 of the 
ICA requires annual or special reports from carriers subject to the ICA 
collected by the Commission.\2\ These requirements are reflected in 18 
CFR

[[Page 32091]]

Parts 341 and 357 of the Commission's regulations.\3\
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    \2\ See 49 U.S.C. app. 6 and 20 (1988).
    \3\ See also 18 CFR parts 341 and 357 (2012) (implementing the 
filing and reporting requirements of sections 6 and 20 of the ICA).
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    3. In 2008, the Commission adopted Order No. 714, which required 
that all tariffs and tariff revisions and rate change applications for 
oil pipelines and other Commission-regulated entities be filed 
electronically according to a set of standards developed in conjunction 
with the North American Energy Standards Board.\4\ Consequently, since 
April 1, 2010, all tariff filings with the Commission are made 
electronically.\5\
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    \4\ Electronic Tariff Filings, Order No. 714, FERC Stats. & 
Regs. ] 31,276 (2008).
    \5\ Id. P 104.
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    4. On October 12, 2012, consistent with the Commission's goal to 
streamline its procedures to eliminate unnecessary regulatory 
obligations, the Commission proposed modifying Part 341 of its 
regulations.\6\
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    \6\ Filing, Indexing, and Service Requirements, Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking, 77 FR 65513 (Oct. 29, 2012), FERC Stats. & 
Regs. ] 32,694 (2012) FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 32,694 (2012) (NOPR).
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III. NOPR Comments

    5. Airlines for America (A4A),\7\ the National Propane Gas 
Association (NPGA),\8\ Valero Marketing and Supply Company (Valero), 
and the Association of Oil Pipelines (AOPL) \9\ filed comments in 
response to the Commission's NOPR. AOPL filed reply comments. AOPL's 
reply comments will not be specifically addressed below because they 
relate to issues raised by other commenters that are beyond the scope 
of this proceeding.
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    \7\ A4A is an airline trade association whose members account 
for more than 90 percent of the passenger and cargo traffic carried 
by U.S. airlines.
    \8\ NPGA is a trade association of the U.S. propane industry 
with a membership of about 3,000 companies, including 38 affiliated 
state and regional associations representing members in all 50 
states.
    \9\ AOPL is a trade association that represents the interests of 
common carrier oil pipelines. AOPL's members transport almost 85 
percent of the crude oil and refined petroleum products shipped 
through pipelines in the U.S.
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    6. All the commenters generally support the proposed rulemaking and 
the Commission's efforts to eliminate unnecessary oil pipeline filings 
and to update the service and posting requirements. AOPL, NPGA and 
Valero agree with the proposals to streamline the processing of rate 
and other filings. NPGA believes the changes will help improve 
communications between pipelines and shippers and other interested 
parties.
    7. Nonetheless, several commenters seek clarification on various 
proposed regulations. Others seek to expand the scope of the proceeding 
to include changes outside the scope of the proposed rulemaking. The 
comments are addressed below.

IV. Discussion

A. Posting Requirements

1. Eliminating Paper Posting
a. NOPR
    8. On October 12, 2012, consistent with the Commission's goal to 
streamline its procedures to eliminate unnecessary regulatory 
obligations, the Commission proposed eliminating the paper posting 
requirements of sections 341.0(a)(7), 341.3(c), and 341.7 of its 
regulations.\10\
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    \10\ Section 341.0(a)(7) provides that pipelines must post their 
tariffs by making them available at offices of the carrier, or on 
the Internet. Section 341.3(c) lays out the requirements for 
``loose-leaf tariffs,'' i.e., paper tariffs. Section 341.7 provides 
that pipelines must maintain their concurrences at their offices.
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    9. The Commission proposed revising section 341.0(a)(7) to 
eliminate the requirement that oil pipelines make their tariffs 
``available . . . for public inspection . . . at the carrier's 
principal office and other offices of the carrier where business is 
conducted. . . .'' Instead, consistent with the requirements for public 
utilities and interstate natural gas pipelines, the Commission proposed 
mandating that each oil pipeline post its currently effective, pending 
and suspended tariffs on its public Web site(s).\11\ The Commission 
also proposed revising section 341.7 of its regulations to eliminate 
the requirement that ``[c]oncurrences must be maintained at carriers' 
offices'' in paper form. In conjunction with these changes, the 
Commission proposed updating section 341.3 of its regulations by 
removing subsection 341.3(c), which references ``loose-leaf tariffs,'' 
as loose-leaf tariffs would no longer exist under the proposal. The 
Commission concluded that its proposals would reduce the burden on 
interstate oil pipelines while increasing the ease of accessing oil 
pipeline tariffs for shippers, the public, and possibly the oil 
pipelines themselves.
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    \11\ The terms of ``effective,'' ``pending,'' and ``suspended'' 
are those used by Order No. 714 and eTariff, and for this document. 
The equivalent terms in 18 CFR 341.0(b)(4) (2012) are ``current,'' 
``proposed,'' and ``suspended,'' respectively.
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b. Comments
    10. As noted, the Commission proposed to modify section 341.0(a)(7) 
to require each oil pipeline to electronically post its currently 
effective, pending and suspended tariffs on their public Web sites and 
eliminate references to making the tariffs available at the carrier's 
place of business. The electronic posting proposal elicited the most 
comments with commenters suggesting modifications and additional 
changes.
    11. AOPL recommended two modifications. First, AOPL requests the 
Commission eliminate the requirement to post pending or proposed 
tariffs on a public Web site.\12\ AOPL argues that posting pending 
tariffs is unnecessary because oil pipelines should exclusively post 
current tariffs since shippers can access information on pending 
tariffs through eTariff or eLibrary. AOPL also complains that public 
utilities and interstate natural gas pipelines are not obligated to 
post pending or proposed tariffs.\13\
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    \12\ AOPL Comments at 3.
    \13\ Id. at 4.
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    12. AOPL then requests the Commission eliminate the proposed 
requirement to post suspended tariff filings unless the suspended 
filing is subject to the maximum seven-month suspension period under 
the ICA. AOPL rationalizes that suspended tariff filings will be served 
on all interested parties in accordance with section 341.2(a) of the 
Commission's regulations and that posting suspended tariffs may cause 
confusion because tariffs are often only suspended for a nominal 
period.\14\
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    \14\ Id. (citing 18 CFR 431.2(a)).
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    13. AOPL also asks for 30 days from the date the Commission issues 
an order approving or suspending a tariff for an oil pipeline to post 
an update of that tariff record on its public Web site. AOPL contends 
30 days are necessary for an oil pipeline to coordinate with 
information technology staff to post a tariff, but would still allow 
entities to access the tariff in a timely manner.
c. Commission Decision
    14. The Commission adopts, with a minor modification, the NOPR 
proposal to modify section 341.0(a)(7) to require each oil pipeline to 
electronically post its currently effective, pending and suspended 
tariffs on its public Web sites and eliminate references to making the 
tariffs available at the carrier's place of business. While the 
Commission will retain the requirement to post all currently effective, 
pending and suspended tariffs, as discussed below section 341.0(a)(7) 
will not require an oil pipeline to post tariffs that are suspended for 
a nominal period.
    15. The Commission rejects AOPL's request to strike the word 
``proposed'' from revised section 341.0(a)(7). The Commission does not 
adopt AOPL's suggestion to eliminate the requirement to post pending or 
suspended tariff

[[Page 32092]]

records because oil pipelines already have an obligation to post 
effective, pending and suspended tariffs under the Commission's current 
regulations.\15\ The changes adopted in this final rule are not 
intended to modify this existing substantive requirement. Rather, they 
were intended to reduce the burden on interstate oil pipelines of 
compliance with Commission regulations while increasing the ease of 
accessing oil pipeline tariffs for shippers, the public, and possibly 
the oil pipelines themselves.
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    \15\ 18 CFR 341.0(b)(4) (2012).
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    16. Although proposed tariff changes are available through eLibrary 
or the Commission' eTariff Public Viewer,\16\ the Commission notes that 
proposed tariffs are not substitutes for the actual tariffs in effect 
and applicable to shippers on a given day. Thus, an oil pipeline must 
post the currently effective tariff and shippers should be able to view 
such posting as well as any proposed or suspended tariffs going into 
effect. This final rule does not change this requirement. Additionally, 
although proposed tariffs are available through eLibrary or eTarriff, 
shippers and other interested parties inexperienced with accessing 
information from the Commission's Web site will benefit from oil 
pipelines posting tariffs on their public Web sites.
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    \16\ The Commission's eTariff Public Viewer may be found via the 
following link: https://etariff.ferc.gov/TariffList.aspx.
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    17. The Commission agrees with AOPL, as a practical matter, that it 
could be cumbersome and uninformative to post tariff records that are 
suspended for only a nominal period because minimally suspended tariffs 
could move from a pending status to a suspended status to an effective 
status on the same date. Accordingly, the Commission will eliminate the 
posting requirements for tariffs suspended for only a nominal period. 
However, the Commission notes oil pipelines are still required by 
section 341.0(b)(4) to identify any tariff records that remain in a 
suspended status. To the extent that AOPL is arguing for not posting 
tariff records that are suspended for periods longer than a minimal 
period, the Commission does not agree with such a proposed change.
    18. The Commission notes that a notation of ``suspended'' 
designation is one of many ways an oil pipeline could denote a 
suspended tariff record. The Commission is not mandating any specific 
way to mark the status of effective, pending or suspended tariff 
records as long as the method used is reasonably clear.
    19. The Commission rejects AOPL's suggestion that oil pipelines be 
given 30 days from the date the Commission issues an order approving or 
suspending a tariff for an oil pipeline to post an update of that 
tariff record on its public Web site. Section 341.0(b)(4), which the 
Commission does not propose to change in this proceeding, does not 
provide any timeline for when tariffs are to be updated. Oil pipelines 
are required by the ICA to post and keep open for public inspection 
their tariffs for all transportation services they provide.\17\ 
Shippers should reasonably expect that, when they view an oil 
pipeline's tariff, they will find the rates, terms and conditions 
applicable to the transportation service they are interested in or for 
which they are receiving transportation service. AOPL did not identify 
any reason as to why maintenance of an electronic tariff cannot meet 
the timing standards currently met for paper tariffs.
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    \17\ 49 U.S.C. app. 6(1).
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2. Service of Filings
a. NOPR
    20. The Commission also proposed revising section 341.2(a) of its 
regulations to be more consistent with section 385.2010 of its 
regulations by eliminating an oil pipeline's option to ``serve tariff 
publications and justifications to each shipper and subscriber'' by 
paper.\18\ Section 385.2010(f)(2) currently provides that, subject to 
certain limitations and exceptions, ``service of any document in 
proceedings commenced on or after March 21, 2005, must be made by 
electronic means. . . .'' \19\ The Commission's proposed change will 
create a uniform service requirement for all Commission-regulated 
entities and eliminate any ambiguity regarding the Commission's 
preferred mode of service. Moreover, the Commission's proposal will 
reduce the burden on interstate oil pipelines while increasing the ease 
of tracking document filing activity and potentially reducing mailing 
and courier fees.
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    \18\ The Commission recognizes that the NOPR could be read to 
indicate that only service by paper is currently provided for in 
section 341.2(a). See NOPR at P 7. However, section 341.2(a) of the 
Commission's regulations allowed for service either electronically 
or by paper, so while existing section 341.2(a) provides for 
electronic or paper service, the proposal was to remove the option 
of paper service and require, consistent with Order No. 714, 
exclusively electronic service.
    \19\ 18 CFR 385.2010(f)(2) (2012).
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b. Comments
    21. A4A asks the Commission to specify the methods of service that 
will be allowed under the amended section 341.2(a) of its regulations. 
A4A believes that section 385.2010 is confusing as it is focused on 
service in existing proceedings. A4A suggests citing section 
385.2010(f) of the Commission's regulations instead of the more generic 
section 385.2010. A4A also requests that the Commission require 
carriers to serve all filings or orders that affect rates, terms, or 
conditions on shippers in accordance with the requirements of revised 
section 341.2(a).\20\
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    \20\ A4A Comments at 4.
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    22. AOPL supports referencing section 385.2010(f)(2) in proposed 
section 341.2(a).\21\ AOPL believes that reference will help clarify 
the service requirements for tariff filings to the benefit of oil 
pipelines and shippers alike.
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    \21\ AOPL Comments at 6.
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c. Commission Decision
    23. The Commission adopts the NOPR proposal to revise section 
341.2(a) of its regulations to require an oil pipeline to serve tariff 
publications and justifications to each shipper and subscriber 
electronically. To do so, the Commission will revise its regulations to 
require that service ``shall be made in accordance with the 
requirements of [section] 385.2010'' of the Commission's regulations.
    24. Contrary to A4A's assertion, section 385.2010 of the 
Commission's regulations does not only relate to existing proceedings. 
Rather section 385.2010 applies to both existing and new proceedings, 
and rulemakings. Section 385.2010 provides that service is not limited 
to just those on the official service list, but also includes any other 
person ``required to be served under Commission rule or order or under 
law.''
    25. The Commission declines to limit the service reference to 
subsection 385.2010(f). Section 385.2010 addresses additional service 
requirements that may apply to an oil pipelines' service obligations. 
For these reasons, the Commission rejects A4A's and AOPL's 
recommendation to modify section 341.2(a) to reference 385.2010(f).
3. Index of Effective Tariffs
a. NOPR
    26. As part of its efforts to eliminate unnecessary filing 
requirements, the Commission also proposed changing section 341.9 of 
its regulations, which specifies the information that an oil pipeline's 
tariff index must contain and how it must be organized. Section 
341.9(a) of the Commission's regulations provides that each Commission-
regulated ``carrier must publish as a

[[Page 32093]]

separate tariff publication under its FERC Tariff numbering system, a 
complete index of all effective tariffs to which it is a party . . . 
.'' \22\ Section 341.9(e) further provides that the ``index must be 
kept current by supplements numbered consecutively'' that may be issued 
quarterly. At a minimum, the index must be reissued every four 
years.\23\
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    \22\ 18 CFR 341.9(a)(2012).
    \23\ 18 CFR 341.9(e) (2012).
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    27. The Commission proposed to eliminate the requirement that each 
oil pipeline make a tariff filing setting forth an index of all 
effective tariffs to which it is a party and replace such requirement 
with an obligation that each oil pipeline post an index of its tariffs 
on its public Web site(s).\24\ The Commission also proposed simplifying 
the information oil pipelines must include by requiring that the index 
of tariffs identify for each tariff: (1) the product being shipped and 
(2) the origin and destination points for that product.\25\ The 
Commission further proposed that each oil pipeline update the online 
index of tariffs within ninety (90) days of any change.\26\ The 
Commission stated that its proposal would eliminate the need of an oil 
pipeline to make the quadrennial and intermediate supplemental tariff 
filings.\27\ The Commission also reasoned the posting of the index of 
tariffs on an oil pipeline's public Web site would provide shippers 
with more current information as the index of tariffs would be able to 
be updated more frequently under the proposal. Importantly, the 
Commission also concluded that this proposal would simplify what is 
required to be contained in the index of tariffs while easing access to 
this information for current shippers and prospective shippers.\28\
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    \24\ NOPR, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 32,694 at P 9.
    \25\ Id.
    \26\ Id.
    \27\ Id. P 10.
    \28\ Id.
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    28. Many oil pipelines only have one or two tariffs on file with 
the Commission. Therefore, the Commission proposed to require only oil 
pipelines with more than two tariffs to maintain an index of tariffs on 
their public Web sites.\29\ The Commission estimated that the proposed 
changes to the index of tariff requirements will eliminate 
approximately twenty-two unnecessary filings each year.\30\ These 
changes will provide shippers and the public with more timely 
information and in a more useful manner while reducing the burden of 
Commission filings.
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    \29\ Id. P 11.
    \30\ Id.
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b. Comments
    29. AOPL does not oppose the proposed revisions to the index of 
effective tariffs and finds them reasonable.\31\ A4A and Valero propose 
to revise section 341.9(a)(5) to identify the specific origins and 
destination for each product or products covered by the tariff.\32\ 
They believe such information will eliminate ambiguities regarding the 
tariffs that cover multiple products with multiple origins and 
destinations.
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    \31\ AOPL Comments at 6.
    \32\ A4A Comments at 5 and Valero Comments at 2.
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c. Commission Decision
    30. The Commission adopts the NOPR proposal, as modified by A4A and 
Valero, to amend section 341.9 to require only those oil pipelines with 
more than two tariffs to maintain an index of tariffs on their public 
Web sites, simplify the information each oil pipelines must include in 
its index of tariffs and to eliminate the need of an oil pipeline to 
make the quadrennial and intermediate supplemental tariff filings. The 
Commission finds that the language suggested by A4A and Valero revising 
the Commission's proposal regarding section 341.9(a)(5) is reasonable 
and provides additional clarity.
    31. The Commission intends for the Index of Tariffs to be a simple 
way for interested parties to see what products are carried under a 
tariff and their origin and destination points. The language as 
originally proposed left open the possibility that products and points 
of origin and delivery could be aggregated, which was not the 
Commission's intent. Identifying the specific origins and destination 
for each product or products covered by the tariff makes the 
Commission's intent for the Index of Tariffs clearer. Thus, the 
Commission will include this provision in the regulations adopted by 
this final rule.

B. Electronic Updates and Filing Requirements

    32. The Commission pointed out in the NOPR that many of the tariff 
filing and tariff maintenance requirements currently set forth in Part 
341 of the Commission's regulations are premised on the maintenance of 
paper records.\33\ Since the implementation of Order No. 714, however, 
some oil pipeline tariff filings are now obsolete. In light of these 
changes, the Commission proposed removing the filing requirements for 
amendments to tariffs provided for under section 341.4 of the 
Commission's regulations, including the amendment and suspension 
requirements.
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    \33\ NOPR, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 32,694 at P 12.
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1. Tariff Supplements/Amended, Canceled or Reissued Tariff Supplement 
Data/Cancelling Tariffs
a. NOPR
    33. Section 341.4(a)(1) of the Commission's regulations allows an 
oil pipeline's tariff to be supplemented only once.\34\ In the NOPR, 
the Commission concluded that this provision is now outdated because it 
is practical for oil pipelines to modify electronic tariffs at any 
time. Accordingly, the Commission proposed to delete section 
341.4(a)(1).
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    \34\ 18 CFR 341.4(a)(1) (2012) (limiting supplements to ``one 
effective supplement per tariff, except for cancellation, 
postponement, adoption, correction, and suspension supplements.'').
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    34. Section 341.4(a)(2) of the Commission's regulations sets forth 
the requirements for maintenance of oil pipeline tariffs that are 
amended, canceled, or reissued.\35\ In Order No. 714, the Commission 
required oil pipelines to maintain Record Version Numbers for each 
tariff record.\36\ The Commission noted that data is now maintained 
electronically and the provisions set forth in section 341.4(a)(2) are 
obsolete. Consequently, the Commission proposed to delete section 
341.4(a)(2).\37\
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    \35\ 18 CFR 341.4(a)(2) (2012).
    \36\ Record Version Number is the representation of the version 
of the Tariff Record. See Implementation Guide for Electronic Filing 
of Parts 35, 154, 284, 300 and 341 Tariff Filings (Implementation 
Guide) located on the Commission Web site.
    \37\ NOPR, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 32,694 at P 14.
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    35. The Commission also proposed to consolidate the instructions 
for cancellation of tariffs into section 341.5 of the Commission's 
regulations.\38\ Section 341.4(b) of the Commission's regulations 
requires oil pipelines to file supplements to an amendment to a tariff 
``when tariffs are canceled without reissue.'' \39\ Section 341.5 of 
the Commission's regulations also details requirements in the event 
that an oil pipeline's tariff is canceled. Rather than addressing 
cancelation in two separate regulations, the Commission proposed to 
consolidate and simplify the requirements relating to oil pipeline 
tariff cancelations into section 341.5 of the Commission's regulations 
by detailing that if an oil pipeline tariff is no longer offered, then 
the oil pipeline

[[Page 32094]]

must cancel such tariff within thirty days of the termination of the 
tariff.
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    \38\ 18 CFR 341.5 (2012).
    \39\ 18 CFR 341.4(b) (2012). See also 18 CFR 341.3(b)(10)(ii) 
(2012) (detailing tariff reissuance requirements).
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b. Comments
    36. AOPL supports the proposed revisions to Part 341 to reflect the 
electronic tariff filing procedures that have been implemented pursuant 
to Order No. 714.\40\ A4A also supports the proposed revision but asks 
the Commission to ``ensure that any of the [oil] pipeline's filings or 
supplements and/or tariff cancellations, are serviced in accordance 
with section 341.2(a).'' \41\
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    \40\ AOPL Comments at 4.
    \41\ Id.
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c. Commission Decision
    37. The Commission adopts the NOPR's proposals as to tariff 
supplements, amended, canceled, or reissued tariff supplement data, and 
canceling tariffs. The Commission declines to adopt A4A's request 
because the Commission's service obligations under proposed 341.2(a) 
and 385.2010 are self explanatory.
2. Suspension Supplements
a. NOPR
    38. The Commission further proposed to eliminate the filing 
requirements for oil pipeline suspension supplements required by 
section 341.4(f) of the Commission's regulations. Section 341.4(f) 
currently provides that a ``suspension supplement must be filed for 
each suspended tariff or suspended part of a tariff within 30 days of 
the issuance of a suspension order.'' \42\ Section 341.4(f) 
additionally provides that the suspension supplement must be served on 
all subscribers.
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    \42\ 18 CFR 341.4(f) (2012).
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    39. The suspension supplement tariff record filing was originally 
premised on the maintenance of paper tariff records and the service of 
such paper tariff records, which is now obsolete because of the 
electronic filing requirements of Order No. 714.\43\ Accordingly, the 
Commission proposed to eliminate the current filing requirements of 
section 341.4(f) and to replace them with an obligation for oil 
pipelines to serve notice of Commission suspension orders on individual 
oil pipeline subscriber lists. The Commission concluded that this would 
eliminate the tariff filing for the suspension supplement, as well as 
subsequent filings an oil pipeline must make to remove a suspension 
supplement. The Commission estimated that this will eliminate 
approximately twelve filings each year.
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    \43\ NOPR, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 32,694 at P 17.
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b. Comments
    40. AOPL supports the elimination of suspension supplements, but 
asks the Commission to ``eliminate any requirement'' for oil pipelines 
``to serve suspension orders on individual subscriber lists after a 
transition period. . . .'' \44\ AOPL notes that shippers may access 
suspension orders through the Commission's eLibrary and the Commission 
does not require any other Commission-jurisdictional entities to serve 
a Commission order on their subscriber lists.\45\
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    \44\ AOPL Comments at 7.
    \45\ Id. at 8.
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    41. Valero, on the other hand, requests that oil pipelines be 
required to post suspension supplements on their public Web sites in 
addition to serving the Commission suspension orders on those included 
on a subscriber list.\46\
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    \46\ Valero Comments at 3.
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c. Commission Decision
    42. The Commission adopts the NOPR proposal to eliminate the filing 
requirements for oil pipeline suspension supplements required by 
section 341.4(f) of the Commission's regulations, but declines to adopt 
the proposal to require oil pipelines to serve notice of Commission 
suspension orders on individual oil pipeline subscriber lists. However, 
the Commission will not adopt Valero's request that pipelines post 
suspension supplements.\47\
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    \47\ The Commission notes that no change to the regulations is 
required as the result of this finding. The NOPR did not contain a 
regulation to implement this proposal.
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    43. Valero's proposal to create and post a suspension supplement 
would be duplicative of the requirement for oil pipelines to post 
suspended tariff records. Under section 341.4(f), a suspension 
supplement consists of a tariff record that contains the ordering 
paragraphs of the Commission's suspension order. Since the issuance of 
Order No. 714, the status of a tariff record is now maintained as part 
of an electronic tariff, not a paper tariff. Shippers' and interested 
parties' access to this information is protected because Commission 
issuances are available on eLibrary and the Federal Register. Further, 
the Commission serves its issuances on those entities that have 
intervened in the tariff proceeding and who have eSubscribed to the 
tariff proceeding.\48\
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    \48\ The Commission notes that any person, regardless of whether 
they are a party to the proceeding, a shipper, a subscriber or 
simply an interested person, may receive an email notification from 
the Commission with a link to eLibrary of every document filed by 
the parties or the Commission in a proceeding through the 
Commission's free eSubscription service. The eSubscription service 
is located at https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp.
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    44. With respect to requiring oil pipelines to serve their 
subscriber lists with Commission issuances, the Commission notes that 
it does not require regulated entities in any other tariff program to 
serve Commission issuances on their customers. For these reasons, the 
Commission will not require oil pipelines to serve their subscriber 
lists with Commission issuances nor require oil pipelines to post 
suspension supplements.
3. Amendments to Tariffs
a. NOPR
    45. The Commission proposed further revisions to section 341.4 of 
its regulations to treat all amendments to pending tariffs, whether 
ministerial or substantive, in the same manner as they are treated for 
public utilities and natural gas companies.\49\ The Commission's 
regulations do not allow an oil pipeline to make non-ministerial tariff 
changes without filing to withdraw any pending proposal and making a 
new tariff filing. Section 341.4(e) of the Commission's regulations 
only permits an oil pipeline to file no more than three ``correction 
supplements'' to correct ``typographical or clerical errors'' per 
tariff.\50\
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    \49\ NOPR, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 32,694 at P 18.
    \50\ 18 CFR 341.1(e) (2012).
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    46. In the electronic filing environment established by Order No. 
714, the Commission no longer sees a reason to limit the number of 
times an oil pipeline may make corrections to a tariff record. Thus, 
the Commission proposed to revise section 341.4 of its tariff to treat 
all amendments to pending tariff records, the same, whether ministerial 
or substantive to allow an oil pipeline to file to amend or to modify a 
tariff record at any time during the pendency of any Commission action 
on such tariff record.\51\ In addition, the Commission proposed to 
create a tariff record amendment process that parallels the existing 
business process for amending pending statutory tariff filings under 
its public utility and natural gas programs.\52\ Under these proposals, 
an oil pipeline will be able to keep its requested effective date from 
its original tariff record filing, while giving interested parties a 
full comment period to address any issues relating to a proposed 
amendment. Pursuant to proposed section 341.4, an amendment to a 
pending tariff filing will toll the notice period as provided in 
section

[[Page 32095]]

341.2(b) of the Commission's regulations for the original filing, and 
establish a new date for final Commission action.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \51\ NOPR, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 32,694 at P 19.
    \52\ 18 CFR 35.17(b) and 18 CFR 154.205(b) (2012) 
(respectively).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

b. Comments
    47. A4A supports the proposed changes but seeks a service 
requirement.\53\ AOPL supports the proposed revision but requests that 
the Commission modify the language in proposed section 341.4 to reflect 
the intent of the NOPR. Specifically, AOPL points out that ``while the 
NOPR explains that, under the proposed regulations, `an oil pipeline 
will be able to keep its requested effective date from its original 
tariff record filing,' the proposed language in Section 341.4 provides 
that filing an amendment or modification to a tariff filing will 
`establish a new date on which the entire filing will become effective 
in the absence of Commission action, no earlier than 31 days from the 
date of the filing of the amendment or modification.' '' \54\ 
Accordingly, AOPL requests that the Commission modify the proposed 
language in section 341.4 to reflect the stated intent in the NOPR.\55\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \53\ A4A Comments at 4.
    \54\ AOPL Comments at 8.
    \55\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

c. Commission Decision
    48. The Commission adopts the NOPR proposal to modify section 341.4 
to treat all amendments to pending tariff records the same, whether 
ministerial or substantive, to allow an oil pipeline to file to amend 
or to modify a tariff record at any time during the pendency of the 
Commission acting on such tariff record, as modified as by AOPL. We 
believe that the language proposed by AOPL more clearly reflects the 
Commission's intent in proposing the modification.
4. Adoption
a. NOPR
    49. Section 341.6(a) of the Commission's regulations currently 
provides an oil pipeline must file a tariff and ``notify the Commission 
when there is: (1) [a] change in the legal name of the carrier; (2) [a] 
transfer of all of the carrier's properties; or (3) [a] change in 
ownership of only a portion of the carrier's property.'' \56\ This 
filing must be made no later than thirty days following such 
occurrence. This filing is commonly known as an ``adoption notice.'' 
Sections 341.6(c) and (d) provide the requirements for complete and 
partial adoptions, respectively. When a carrier changes its legal name, 
when ownership of all a carrier's properties is transferred, or when 
the ownership of a portion of a carrier's properties is transferred to 
another carrier, the adopting carrier ``must file and post an adoption 
notice. . . .'' Under either complete or partial adoption, the adopting 
oil pipeline must make a tariff filing within thirty days following 
such occurrence to bring such tariffs forward.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \56\ 18 CFR 341.6(a)(1) (2012) (complete adoption); 18 CFR 
341.6(c) (2012) (partial adoption).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    50. To eliminate unnecessary filings, the Commission proposed 
consolidating the adoption notice filing and the filing to integrate 
the tariff records of the adopting carrier. To implement this change, 
the Commission proposed to model section 341.6 on section 154.603 of 
the Commission's natural gas regulations. Section 154.603 provides that 
``[w]henever the tariff . . . of a natural gas company on file with the 
Commission is to be adopted by another company or person as a result of 
an acquisition, or merger . . . the succeeding company must file with 
the Commission, and post within 30 days after such succession, a tariff 
filing . . . bearing the name of the successor company.'' \57\ The 
Commission estimated that this proposal will eliminate approximately 
fifteen Adoption Notice filings each year.\58\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \57\ 18 CFR 154.603 (2012).
    \58\ NOPR, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 32,694 at P 21.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

b. Comments
    51. AOPL seeks clarification that the Commission will modify the 
proposed language in section 341.6 so that it more clearly includes 
partial adoptions. In addition, AOPL requests that the Commission 
clarify that the proposed change in the business process will not 
change any established practices with regard to the effective date for 
adoptions.\59\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \59\ AOPL Comments at 9.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    52. A4A supports the proposed change to 341.6(a) but asks the 
Commission to retain sections 341.6(b) through (d).\60\ A4A believes 
the Commission only meant to replace section Sec.  341.6(a).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \60\ A4A Comments at 5-6.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

c. Commission Decision
    53. The Commission adopts the NOPR proposal to consolidate the 
adoption notice filing and the filing to integrate the tariff records 
of the adopting carrier, with modifications. The Commission agrees with 
AOPL that the language proposed in the NOPR for amending section 341.6 
was unclear with regard to partial adoptions. The Commission has 
accordingly changed the language to reflect the Commission's intent as 
stated in the NOPR and as suggested by AOPL.
    54. The Commission clarifies that it does not intend for this final 
rule to change any established practices with regard to the effective 
date for adoptions.
    55. The Commission denies A4A's request, as sections 341.6(b) 
through (d) are no longer necessary. By removing sections 341.6(b) 
through (d), the Commission is not eliminating the requirement for oil 
pipelines to update tariffs to reflect adoptions and/or cancellations. 
Those requirements have simply been consolidated in new sections 341.5 
and 341.6. Section 341.6(b) currently provides the notification 
requirements for adoptions. This section is no longer necessary, as 
adoption filings will be served on each shipper and subscriber on the 
oil pipeline's subscription list as required by section 341.2(a) in the 
same manner as any other oil pipeline tariff filing.
    56. Sections 341.6(c) and (d) provide instructions for version 
control and the submission of an adoption notice tariff records for 
complete and partial adoptions. Order No. 714 provides a different 
required method of version control (the data element Record Version 
Number), thus the instructions in section 341.6 are outdated and 
duplicative.\61\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \61\ Record Version Number is a representation of the version of 
the tariff record in the format of x.y.z. Each version of the tariff 
record is required to have a unique Record Version Number, which 
increments by one with each filing of the tariff record. The Record 
Version Number must be included as part of the tariff record's meta 
data, and shown in the tariff text if part of a PDF tariff record. 
Implementation Guide at pp. 7-9 and 21.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    57. As for the adoption notice tariff record, the Commission 
intends to eliminate this intermediate filing. Oil pipelines should 
simply file actual tariff records for the services that they are 
adopting. Therefore, the Commission finds there is no need to retain 
sections 341.6(b) through (d).
5. Implementation
a. NOPR
    58. The Commission did not propose a specific implementation 
schedule.
    59. The NOPR noted that if the Commission ultimately adopted the 
proposals and made changes to the types of filings discussed in the 
preceding paragraphs, the Secretary of the Commission will issue a 
revised list of Type of Filing Codes.\62\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \62\ See 18 CFR 375.302(z) (2012). The Implementation Guide 
describes the Type of Filing contents. The Type of Filing Code list 
is posted on the Commission's Web site at https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/etariff/filing_type.csv.

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

[[Page 32096]]

b. Comments
    60. AOPL proposes a 90 day implementation period from the date of 
issuance of the final rule for oil pipelines to set up and post their 
first set tariffs on their Web sites.
c. Commission Decision
    61. The Commission agrees with AOPL that 90 days is a reasonable 
timeframe to make sure systems and software are in place to post 
tariffs on a public Web site. The Commission notes that this rule will 
become final 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. 
Therefore, the Commission establishes the date for the posting of 
tariff material on the oil pipelines' Web sites as 90 days after 
publication of this final rule in the Federal Register.

C. Other Issues--Requests for Additional Changes to Part 341

    62. Commenters raise multiple issues related to other aspects of 
oil pipeline regulation. These issues and requests are beyond the scope 
of this proceeding which is limited to bringing Part 341 up to date in 
the electronic age, and is focused on eliminating unnecessary filing 
requirements.
    63. A4A requests that the Commission require oil pipelines to post, 
if applicable, their grandfathered rate tariffs.\63\ A4A states that it 
can be difficult to find records regarding the rates that were 
grandfathered.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \63\ Under the Energy Policy Act of 1992, rates that were in 
effect on October 24, 1992 and not subject to a protest, 
investigation or complaint in the prior year, were deemed to be 
``grandfathered.'' Energy Policy Act of 1992, Pub. L. 102-486, 106 
Stat. 3010 (Oct. 24, 1992).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    64. The Commission will not require oil pipelines to post their 
grandfathered rate tariffs on their Web sites. The Commission finds 
that such a requirement goes beyond the scope of the instant 
rulemaking. The proposals set forth in the NOPR were designed solely to 
bring Part 341 up to date in the electronic age. Currently, Part 341 
only requires posting of current, proposed, and suspended tariffs and 
the Commission does not intend to change the substance of that 
requirement.\64\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \64\ The Commission notes that all the superseded paper oil 
pipeline tariffs maintained by the Commission, including the 
grandfathered tariffs, are available in eLibrary. The Commission 
posted a guide on how to search eLibrary for these superseded 
tariffs at https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/etariff/oil-ica.pdf. All 
ICA oil pipeline tariffs that are in effect are in eTariff's 
electronic format.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    65. The NPGA requests the Commission amend section 341.8 to require 
oil pipelines to disclose and post requirements for handling transmix 
and the specific rates for transmix.
    66. The Commission finds that oil pipelines already are required to 
disclose requirements for handling transmix and the rates for transmix 
that is part of a transportation service under section 341.8. 
Therefore, no modification to section 341.8 \65\ or the posting 
requirements of proposed section 341.0(a)(7) is necessary.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \65\ 18 CFR 341.8 (2012) provides:
    Terminal and other services.
    Carriers must publish in their tariffs rules governing such 
matters as prorationing of capacity, demurrage, odorization, carrier 
liability, quality bank, reconsignment, in-transit transfers, 
storage, loading and unloading, gathering, terminalling, batching, 
blending, commingling, and connection policy, and all other charges, 
services, allowances, absorptions and rules which in any way 
increase or decrease the amount to be paid on any shipment or which 
increase or decrease the value of service to the shipper. (Emphasis 
added.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    67. A4A and NPGA request that an oil pipeline be required to post 
all policies regarding prorationing and inventory, as well as all 
policies and manuals applicable to transportation of products on the 
oil pipeline on its Web site in addition to tariffs.
    68. Consistent with existing policy, the Commission will not 
require the oil pipelines to post on their company Web site all 
policies and manuals applicable to transportation of products. However, 
if the oil pipeline references the policies and manuals in its tariff, 
then it must post that information on its Web site. Moreover, this 
request goes beyond the scope of the NOPR. In addition, A4A's and 
NPGA's request includes an expansive number of documents that they 
request be posted on the pipeline's Web site. However, they do not 
explain the shippers' need for this information or why the Commission's 
existing tariff content requirements, such as section 341.8, are 
inadequate.
    69. A4A also requests that emails involving notification of a rate 
or tariff change be clearly marked with the subject ``rate or tariff 
change.'' \66\ On the subject of email, NPGA asks that the Commission 
require oil pipelines to notify up to three email addressees per 
company, and to provide links on their Web sites to allow parties to 
sign up for email updates on filings, and that rate change emails be 
clearly marked as such.\67\ NPGA and A4A ask the Commission to require 
oil pipelines to hold pre-filing meetings with shippers and to require 
oil pipelines to hold regular shipper meetings. Lastly, A4A asks that 
the Commission revise its regulations regarding faxing protests.\68\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \66\ A4A Comments at 6.
    \67\ NPGA Comments at 2.
    \68\ A4A Comments at 7.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    70. NPGA also suggests that oil pipelines be required to include 
current rates and the proposed ``new'' rates in a cover letter when 
making a tariff change and oil pipelines should provide an explanation 
and related work papers showing the allocation of costs for the rates 
and the method used to achieve the allocation.\69\ Finally NPGA also 
requests the period to file interventions and protests be changed from 
15 days to 60 days.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \69\ NPGA Comments at 2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    71. The Commission declines to adopt these suggestions as they 
address issues that are outside the scope of the proposed NOPR. 
Nonetheless, the Commission encourages shippers to speak directly with 
their respective oil pipeline(s) if they wish to have meetings.
    72. The Commission also agrees with NPGA that any emails from oil 
pipelines that include notice of tariff filings should be clearly 
marked, as this issue goes to the adequacy of service that oil 
pipelines provide. However, the Commission will not mandate a specific 
approach.
    73. Similarly, the Commission agrees that all oil pipeline tariffs 
should be fully supported. However, the Commission's regulations 
already provide that oil pipelines must support their proposals.\70\ 
The Commission concludes that the existing procedures that permit a 
filing to be protested on the basis that it was unsupported are 
adequate. Such protests can lead to the Commission suspending the 
proposed Tariff and establishing additional procedures, such as a 
hearing and/or settlement judge, to complete the record.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \70\ See, e.g., 18 CFR 342.3(b), 342.4 and Part 346.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

V. Information Collection Statement

    74. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations require 
approval of certain information collection requirements imposed by 
agency rules.\71\ Upon approval of a collection(s) of information, OMB 
will assign an OMB control number and an expiration date. Respondents 
subject to the filing requirements of an agency rule will not be 
penalized for failing to respond to these collections of information 
unless the collections of information display a valid OMB control 
number. The Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) \72\ requires each federal 
agency to seek and obtain OMB approval before undertaking a collection 
of information directed to ten or more persons or contained in a rule 
of general applicability.\73\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \71\ 5 CFR part 1320 (2012).
    \72\ 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520 (2012).
    \73\ OMB's regulations at 5 CFR 1320.3(c)(4)(i) (2012) require 
that ``Any recordkeeping, reporting, or disclosure requirement 
contained in a rule of general applicability is deemed to involve 
ten or more persons.''

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

[[Page 32097]]

    75. The Commission is submitting these reporting requirements to 
OMB for its review and approval under section 3507(d) of the PRA.
    76. The Commission's estimate of the change in Public Reporting 
Burden and cost related to the final rule in Docket RM12-15-000 follow.
    77. The revised regulations will eliminate or reduce several filing 
requirements as obsolete and no longer necessary. The eliminated or 
reduced filings include the filing of Index of Tariffs, reduced number 
of adoption filings, eliminated suspension supplements, and reduced 
number of filings necessary to amend incorrect filings. Based upon a 
review of the filings made by interstate oil pipelines since eTariff 
was implemented in April 2010, the Commission estimates a reduction of 
99 tariff filings and 1,082 burden hours per year, as shown in the 
table below.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Reduction in   Est. hours per                    Total cost
                RM12-15, FERC-550                     filings         filing        Total hours   reduction \74\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revised 341.4, Amendments to tariff filings.....              50              11             550         $30,250
Revised 341.6, Adoption of the tariff by a                    15              11             165           9,075
 successor......................................
Elimination of 341.4(f) (Suspension Supplements)              12              11             132           7,260
Revised 341.9, Index of Tariffs.................              22              11             242          13,310
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................              99  ..............           1,089          59,895
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    78. The Commission proposes to revise Part 341's tariff posting 
requirements for interstate oil pipelines from paper to electronic 
format. There is no change in burden for the oil pipelines to maintain 
the status of their tariffs for public inspection, as that requirement 
is unchanged. The Commission recognizes that there will be a one-time 
increased burden involved in the initial implementation associated with 
purchasing software and updating Web sites to post their tariff 
electronically. We estimate a one-time additional cost of $250 per 
respondent for non-labor costs. Additionally we estimate a one-time 
hourly burden of 20 hours per respondent for updating the Web sites for 
posting of the tariffs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \74\ The cost figure is based on management analyst work at 
$38.50 per hour. We adjusted the $38.50 figure to account for 
benefits resulting in a loaded figure of $55 per hour ($38.5/0.704). 
We obtained wage and benefit information from Bureau of Labor 
Statistics information, 2011 data, at https://bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm and https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                         Estimated          Total          Estimated          Total
                                                                      Number of oil   additional one-     estimated     additional one-   estimated one-
                         RM12-15, FERC-550                            pipelines with    time  burden   additional one-   time non-labor    time hourly
                                                                         tariffs         per filer       time burden    hours cost  per  burden cost per
                                                                                          (hours)          (hours)         filer  ($)       filer  ($)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revisions to 18 CFR Part 341.......................................             167               20            3,340             $250           $1,097
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Information Collection Costs:
    Total additional one-time non-labor hour cost = $41,750 ($250 per 
respondent).\75\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \75\ The $250 is an aggregate number. Some respondents will 
incur little to no expense in order to satisfy the proposals in this 
rulemaking. Posting tariffs on a Web site was already an option 
under section 341.0(a)(7). Some pipelines already have chosen that 
option and post their tariffs on their Web sites and/or have 
software with that functionality.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Savings per year = $468 per respondent.\76\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \76\ Based on an annual reduction of $59,895 divided by 128, the 
average number of respondents per year. The number of pipelines with 
tariffs is greater than the number of respondents because not all 
pipelines with tariffs make tariff filings every year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total additional one-time hourly burden cost = $183,199 ($1,097 per 
respondent).\77\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \77\ The cost figure is based on 5 hours of computer analyst 
work ($39.02/hour) and 15 hours of management analyst work ($38.50/
hour) resulting in a total of $772.60. We adjusted the $772.60 
figure to account for benefits resulting in a loaded figure of 
$1,097 ($772.60/0.704). We obtained wage and benefit information 
from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2011 data (at https://bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm and at https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Burden hour savings per year after implementation year = 8.4 hours 
per respondent.
    Title: FERC-550, Oil Pipeline: Tariff Filing.
    Action: Revisions to the FERC-550.
    OMB Control No: 1902-0089.
    Respondents: Public and non-public utilities.
    Frequency of Responses: Initial implementation and ongoing 
reduction in burden.
    Necessity of the Information: The changes in this final rule 
increase transparency to both shippers and the public, simplify some 
filings, reduce the regulatory burden placed on oil pipelines, and 
modernize Part 341 in accordance with the Commission's electronic 
systems.
    Internal review: The Commission has reviewed the changes and has 
determined that the changes are necessary. These requirements conform 
to the Commission's need for efficient information collection, 
communication, and management within the energy industry. The 
Commission has assured itself, by means of internal review, that there 
is specific, objective support for the burden estimates associated with 
the information collection requirements.
    Interested persons may obtain information on the reporting 
requirements by contacting: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 
First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426 [Attention: Ellen Brown, Office 
of the Executive Director, email: DataClearance@ferc.gov, Phone: (202) 
502-8663, fax: (202) 273-0873]. Comments on the requirements of this 
rule may also be sent to the Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503 
[Attention: Desk Officer for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission]. 
For security reasons, comments should be sent by email to OMB at oira_submission@omb.eop.gov. Please reference OMB Control No. 1902-0089,

[[Page 32098]]

FERC-550 and the docket number of this rulemaking in your submission.

VI. Environmental Analysis

    79. The Commission is required to prepare an Environmental 
Assessment or an Environmental Impact Statement for any action that may 
have a significant adverse effect on the human environment.\78\ The 
actions taken here fall within categorical exclusions in the 
Commission's regulations for information gathering, analysis, and 
dissemination.\79\ Therefore, an environmental assessment is 
unnecessary and has not been prepared in this rulemaking.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \78\ Regulations Implementing the National Environmental Policy 
Act, Order No. 486, FERC Stats. & Regs., Regulations Preambles 1986-
1990 ] 30,783 (1987).
    \79\ 18 CFR 380.4(a)(5) (2012).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

VII. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    80. The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA) requires agencies 
to prepare certain statements, descriptions, and analyses of proposed 
rules that will have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities.\80\ Agencies are not required to make such an 
analysis if a rule would not have such an effect.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \80\ 5 U.S.C. 601-12 (2012).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    81. The Commission does not believe that this final rule will have 
a significant impact on small entities, nor will it impose upon them 
any significant costs of compliance. The Commission identified 29 small 
entities as respondents to the requirements in the final rule.\81\ As 
explained above, the changes to Part 341 of the Commission's 
regulations will only impose a small burden in the first year ($1,347 
per respondent) and will result in net savings for other years ($468 
per respondent). The Commission does not estimate that there are any 
other regulatory burdens associated with this final rule. Thus, the 
Commission certifies that the final rule does not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \81\ The RFA definition of ``small entity'' refers to the 
definition provided in the Small Business Act, which defines a 
``small business concern'' as a business that is independently owned 
and operated and that is not dominant in its field of operation. 15 
U.S.C. 632 (2012). The Small Business Size Standards component of 
the North American Industry Classification System defines a small 
oil pipeline company as one with less than 1,500 employees. See 13 
CFR Parts 121, 201 (2012).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

VIII. Document Availability

    82. 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 (https://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.
    83. 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.
    84. User assistance is available for eLibrary and the FERC's Web 
site during normal business hours from FERC Online Support at (202) 
502-6652 (toll free at 1-866-208-3676) or email at 
ferconlinesupport@ferc.gov, or the Public Reference Room at (202) 502-
8371, TTY (202) 502-8659. Email the Public Reference Room at 
public.referenceroom@ferc.gov.

IX. Effective Date and Congressional Notification

    85. These regulations are effective June 28, 2013. 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.

List of Subjects in 18 CFR Part 341

    Pipelines, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    By the Commission.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Commission amends Part 341, 
Chapter I, Title 18, Code of Federal Regulations, as follows.

PART 341--OIL PIPELINE TARIFFS: OIL PIPELINE COMPANIES SUBJECT TO 
SECTION 6 OF THE INTERSTATE COMMERCE ACT

0
1. The authority citation for Part 341 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7101-7352; 49 U.S.C. 1-27.


0
2. In Sec.  341.0, paragraph (a)(7) is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  341.0  Definitions; application.

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (7) Posting or post means making current and proposed and tariffs 
suspended for more than a nominal period available on a carriers' 
public Web site.
* * * * *

0
3. Amend Sec.  341.2 by removing the second sentence and revising the 
third sentence of paragraph (a)(1) to read as follows:


Sec.  341.2  Filing requirements.

    (a) * * *
    (1) * * * Such service shall be made in accordance with the 
requirements of Sec.  385.2010 of this chapter.
* * * * *

0
4. Amend Sec.  341.3 by revising paragraph (a) and removing paragraph 
(c).

The revision reads as follows:


Sec.  341.3  Form of tariff.

    (a) Tariffs may be filed either by dividing the tariff into tariff 
sections or as an entire document.
* * * * *

0
5. Section 341.4 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  341.4  Amendments of tariff filings.

    A carrier may file to amend or modify a tariff contained in a 
tariff filing at any time during the pendency of the filing. Such 
filing will toll the notice period as provided in Sec.  341.2(b) for 
the original filing, and the filing becomes provisionally effective 31 
days from the original filing and, in the absence of Commission action, 
fully effective 31 days from the date of the filing of amendment or 
modification.

0
6. Section 341.5 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  341.5  Cancellation of tariffs.

    Carriers must cancel tariffs when the service or transportation 
movement is terminated. If the service in connection with the tariff is 
no longer in interstate commerce, the tariff publication must so state. 
Carrier must file such cancellations within 30 days of the termination 
of service.

0
7. Section 341.6 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  341.6  Adoption of tariff by a successor.

    Whenever the tariff(s), or a portion thereof, of a carrier on file 
with the Commission are to be adopted by another carrier as a result of 
an acquisition, merger, or name change, the succeeding company must 
file with the Commission, and post within 30 days after such 
succession, the tariff, or portion thereof, that has been adopted in 
the electronic format required by Sec.  341.1 bearing the name of the 
successor company.

[[Page 32099]]


0
8. Section 341.7 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  341.7  Concurrences.

    Concurrences must be shown in the carrier's tariff and maintained 
consistent with the requirements of Part 341 of this chapter.

0
9. Amend Sec.  341.9 by revising the first sentence of paragraph (a), 
adding paragraph (a)(5), removing paragraphs (b) through (d) and (f), 
and redesignating paragraph (e) as paragraph (b) and it to read as 
follows:


Sec.  341.9  Index of tariffs.

    (a) * * * Each carrier with more than two tariffs or concurrences 
must post on its public Web site a complete index of all effective 
tariffs to which it is a party, either as an initial, intermediate, or 
delivering carrier. * * *
* * * * *
    (5) Product Shipped and Origin. Each index must identify, for each 
tariff, the product or products being shipped and the origin and 
destination points specific to each product or products.
    (b) Updates. The index of tariffs must be updated within 90 days of 
any change to an effective tariff.


Sec.  341.11  [Amended]

0
10. In Sec.  341.11(b), remove the second sentence.


Sec.  341.13  [Amended]

0
11. In Sec.  341.13(c), remove the second sentence.
[FR Doc. 2013-12140 Filed 5-28-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P