Commission Information Collection Activities; Consolidated Comment Request; Extension, 80355-80357 [2015-32131]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 247 / Thursday, December 24, 2015 / Notices
Commission) has prepared a final
environmental impact statement (EIS)
for the Hillabee Expansion, Sabal Trail,
and Florida Southeast Connection (FSC)
Projects as proposed by
Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line
Company, LLC (Transco), Sabal Trail
Transmission, LLC (Sabal Trail), and
Florida Southeast Connection, LLC
(FSC), respectively, in the abovereferenced dockets. These are separate,
but connected, natural gas transmission
pipeline projects collectively referred to
as the Southeast Market Pipelines (SMP)
Project. The applicants request
authorization to construct and operate a
total of about 686.0 miles of natural gas
transmission pipeline and associated
facilities, six new natural gas-fired
compressor stations, and modify
existing compressor stations in
Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. The
SMP Project would provide about 1.1
billion cubic feet per day of natural gas
to meet growing demands by the electric
generation, distribution, and end use
markets in Florida and the southeast
United States.
The final EIS assesses the potential
environmental effects of the
construction and operation of the SMP
Project in accordance with the
requirements of the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The
FERC staff concludes that approval of
the SMP Project would have some
adverse environmental impacts;
however, these impacts would be
reduced to less-than-significant levels
with the implementation of the
applicants’ proposed mitigation and the
additional measures recommended in
the final EIS.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(USACE) participated as a cooperating
agency in the preparation of the final
EIS. The USACE has jurisdiction by law
or special expertise with respect to
resources potentially affected by the
proposals and participate in the NEPA
analysis. The USACE may adopt and
use the EIS as it has jurisdictional
authority pursuant to section 404 of the
Clean Water Act, which governs the
discharge of dredged or fill material into
waters of the United States; section 10
of the Rivers and Harbors Act, which
regulates any work or structures that
potentially affect the navigable capacity
of navigable waters of the United States;
and section 14 of the Rivers and Harbors
Act which regulates the temporary
occupation of water-related structures
constructed by the United States.
Although the cooperating agency
provides input to the conclusions and
recommendations presented in the final
EIS, the agency will present its own
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:57 Dec 23, 2015
Jkt 238001
conclusions and recommendations in its
Record of Decision for the project.
The final EIS of the SMP Project
addresses the potential environmental
effects of the construction and operation
of the following project facilities:
The Hillabee Expansion Project would
include:
• Approximately 43.5 miles of new
42- and 48-inch-diameter natural gas
pipeline loop 1 in Alabama;
• one new compressor station in
Choctaw County, Alabama and
modifications to three existing
compressor stations in Dallas, Chilton,
and Coosa Counties, Alabama; and
• installation of pig 2 launchers/
receivers and mainline valves (MLVs).
The Sabal Trail Project would
include:
• approximately 516.2 miles of new
natural gas pipeline in Alabama,
Georgia, and Florida, including:
Æ 481.6 miles of 36-inch-diameter
mainline pipeline in Alabama, Georgia,
and Florida;
Æ the 21.5-mile-long, 24-inchdiameter Citrus County Line in Florida;
and
Æ the 13.1-mile-long, 36-inchdiameter Hunters Creek Line in Florida;
• five new compressor stations in
Tallapoosa County, Alabama; Dougherty
County, Georgia; and Suwannee,
Marion, and Osceola Counties, Florida;
• subsequent modifications to two of
the new compressor stations in
Dougherty County, Georgia and
Suwannee County, Florida; and
• installation of pig launchers/
receivers, MLVs, and meter and
regulating stations.
The FSC Project would include:
• approximately 126.3 miles of new
30- and 36-inch-diameter natural gas
pipeline in Florida; and
• installation of pig launchers/
receivers, MLVs, and meter and
regulating stations.
The FERC staff mailed copies of the
final EIS to federal, state, and local
government representatives and
agencies; elected officials;
environmental and public interest
groups; Native American tribes;
potentially affected landowners and
other interested individuals and groups;
newspapers and libraries in the project
area; and parties to this proceeding.
Paper copy versions of the final EIS
were mailed to those specifically
requesting them; all others received a
1 A loop is a segment of pipe that is installed
adjacent to an existing pipeline and connected to
it at both ends. A loop generally allows more gas
to move through the system.
2 A pig is an internal tool that can be used to
clean and dry a pipeline and/or to inspect it for
damage or corrosion.
PO 00000
Frm 00044
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
80355
CD version. In addition, the final EIS is
available for public viewing on the
FERC’s Web site (www.ferc.gov) using
the eLibrary link. A limited number of
copies are available for distribution and
public inspection at: Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, Public
Reference Room, 888 First Street NE.,
Room 2A, Washington, DC 20426, (202)
502–8371.
Additional information about the
SMP Project is available from the
Commission’s Office of External Affairs,
at (866) 208–FERC, or on the FERC Web
site (www.ferc.gov) using the eLibrary
link. Click on the eLibrary link, click on
‘‘General Search,’’ and enter the docket
number excluding the last three digits in
the Docket Number field (i.e., CP14–
554, CP15–16, and CP15–17). Be sure
you have selected an appropriate date
range. For assistance, please contact
FERC Online Support at
FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll
free at (866) 208–3676; for TTY, contact
(202) 502–8659. The eLibrary link also
provides access to the texts of formal
documents issued by the Commission,
such as orders, notices, and
rulemakings.
In addition, the Commission offers a
free service called eSubscription that
allows you to keep track of all formal
issuances and submittals in specific
dockets. This can reduce the amount of
time you spend researching proceedings
by automatically providing you with
notification of these filings, document
summaries, and direct links to the
documents. Go to www.ferc.gov/docsfiling/esubscription.asp.
Dated: December 18, 2015.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015–32402 Filed 12–23–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. IC16–5–000]
Commission Information Collection
Activities; Consolidated Comment
Request; Extension
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission.
ACTION: Notice of information
collections 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:
E:\FR\FM\24DEN1.SGM
24DEN1
80356
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 247 / Thursday, December 24, 2015 / Notices
FERC) is soliciting public comment on
the requirements and burden of the
FERC–714 (Annual Electric Balancing
Authority Area and Planning Area
Report) and FERC–730 (Report of
Transmission Investment Activity)
information collections.
DATES: Comments on the collections of
information are due February 22, 2016.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
(identified by Docket No. IC16–5–000)
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.
Please reference the specific
collection number and/or title in your
comments.
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:
Type of Request: Three-year extension
of the information collection
requirements for all collections
described below with no changes to the
current reporting requirements. Please
note that each collection is distinct from
the next.
Comments: Comments are invited on:
(1) whether the collections of
information are 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
estimates of the burden1 and cost of the
collections of information, including the
validity of the methodology and
assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance
the quality, utility and clarity of the
information collections; and (4) ways to
minimize the burden of the collections
of information on those who are to
respond, including the use of automated
collection techniques or other forms of
information technology.
FERC–714, [Annual Electric Balancing
Authority Area and Planning Area
Report] 2
OMB Control No.: 1902–0140.
Abstract: The Commission uses the
FERC–714 data to analyze power system
operations. These analyses estimate the
effect of changes in power system
operations resulting from the
installation of a new generating unit or
plant, transmission facilities, energy
transfers between systems, and/or new
points of interconnections. The FERC–
714 data assists in providing a broad
picture of interconnected balancing
authority area operations including
comprehensive information of balancing
authority area generation, actual and
scheduled inter-balancing authority area
power transfers, and net energy for load,
summer and winter generation peaks
and system lambda. The Commission
also uses the data to prepare status
reports on the electric utility industry
including a review of inter-balancing
authority area bulk power trade
information.
The Commission uses the collected
data from planning areas to monitor
forecasted demands by electric utilities
with fundamental demand
responsibilities and to develop hourly
demand characteristics.
Type of Respondent: Electric utility
balancing authorities and planning areas
in the United States.
Estimate of Annual Burden: The
Commission estimates the annual public
reporting burden and cost3 (rounded)
for the information collection as
follows:
FERC–714 (ANNUAL ELECTRIC BALANCING AUTHORITY AREA AND PLANNING AREA REPORT)
Number of respondents
Annual
number of
responses
per
respondent
Total
number of
responses
Average
burden &
cost per
response 6
Total annual
burden
hours &
total annual
cost
Cost per
respondent
($)
(1)
(2)
(1) * (2) = (3)
(4)
(3) * (4) = (5)
(5) ÷ (1)
177 .......................................................................................
FERC–730, [Report of Transmission
Investment Activity]
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
OMB Control No.: 1902–0239.
Abstract: Pursuant to Section 219 4 of
the Federal Power Act, the Commission
issued FERC Order No. 679,5 Promoting
Transmission Investment Through
1 The Commission defines burden 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.
2 The renewal request in this IC docket is for the
current FERC–714, with no change to the reporting
requirements. The FERC–714 is also part of the
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:57 Dec 23, 2015
Jkt 238001
1
177
87
$5,973
15,399
$1,057,295
$5,973
Pricing Reform. In Order No. 679 FERC
amended its regulations in 18 CFR 35.35
to establish incentive-based (including
performance-based) rate treatments for
the transmission of electric energy in
interstate commerce by public utilities.
The Commission intended the order to
benefit consumers by ensuring
reliability and to reduce the cost of
delivered power by reducing
transmission congestion. Order No. 679
also adopted an annual reporting
requirement (FERC–730) for utilities
that receive incentive rate treatment for
Forms Refresh effort (started in Docket No. AD15–
11), which is a separate activity.
3 The hourly cost (wages plus benefits), is based
on the Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2014 National
Industry-Specific Occupational Employment and
Wage Estimates (at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/
naics2_22.htm). The average hourly cost (wages
plus benefits) of $68.66/hour is the average of the
following: (a) Management (Code 11–0000), $78.04/
hr; (b)Computer and mathematical (Code 15–0000),
$58.25/hr; (c) Electrical Engineers (Code 17–2071),
$66.45/hr; (d) Economist (Code 19–3011), $73.04/
hr; (e) Computer and Information Systems Managers
(Code 11–3021),$94.55/hr; (f) Accountants and
Auditors (Code 13–2011), $51.11/hr; (g)
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
(Code 11–3071), $73.65/hr; (h) Power Distributors
and Dispatchers (Code 51–8012), $54.16/hr.
4 Energy Policy Act of 2005, Pub. L. 109–58, 119
Stat. 594, 315 and 1283 (2005).
5 RM06–4–000 (issued July 20, 2006), published:
71 FR 43294
PO 00000
Frm 00045
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\24DEN1.SGM
24DEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 247 / Thursday, December 24, 2015 / Notices
specific transmission projects. The
FERC–730 provides annual data on
transmission capital expenditures as
well as project status detail. The
Commission requires that filers specify
which projects are currently receiving
incentives in the project detail table and
that they group together those facilities
receiving the same incentive.
Specifically, in accordance with the
statute, public utilities with incentive
rates must file:
• Actual transmission investment for
the most recent calendar year, and
projected, incremental investments for
the next five calendar years (in dollar
terms); and
• a project by project listing that
specifies for each project the most up to
date, expected completion date,
percentage completion as of the date of
filing, and reasons for delays for all
current and projected investments over
the next five calendar years. Projects
with projected costs less than $20
million are excluded from this listing.
To ensure that Commission rules are
successfully meeting the objectives of
Section 219, the Commission collects
industry data, projections and related
information that detail the level of
80357
investment. FERC–730 information
regarding projected investments as well
as information about completed projects
allows the Commission to monitor the
success of the transmission pricing
reforms and to determine the status of
critical projects and reasons for delay.
Type of Respondent: Public utilities
that have been granted incentives based
rate treatment for specific transmission
projects under the provisions of 18 CFR
35.35(h) must file the FERC–730.
Estimate of Annual Burden: The
Commission estimates the annual public
reporting burden for the information
collection as:
FERC–730 (REPORT OF TRANSMISSION INVESTMENT ACTIVITY)
Number of respondents
Annual
number of
responses
per
respondent
Total
number of
responses
Average
burden &
cost per
response 6
Total annual
burden
hours &
total annual
cost
Cost per
respondent
($)
(1)
(2)
(1) * (2) = (3)
(4)
(3) * (4) = (5)
(5) ÷ (1)
63 .........................................................................................
Dated: December 16, 2015.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015–32131 Filed 12–23–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[ER–FRL–9024–6]
Environmental Impact Statements;
Notice of Availability
Responsible Agency: Office of Federal
Activities, General Information (202)
564–7146 or https://www2.epa.gov/nepa.
Weekly receipt of Environmental Impact
Statements (EISs)
Filed 12/14/2015 Through 12/18/2015
Pursuant to 40 CFR 1506.9.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Notice
63
Contact: Gary Asbridge 541–416–
6500.
EIS No. 20150360, Final, FERC, FL,
Southeast Market Pipelines Project,
Review Period Ends: 01/25/2016,
Contact: John Peconom 202–502–
6352.
EIS No. 20150361, Draft Supplement,
FTA, CA, Transbay Transit Center
Program, Comment Period Ends: 02/
29/2016, Contact: Brenda Perez 415–
744–2731.
EIS No. 20150362, Final Supplement,
FTA, CA, Regional Connector Transit
Corridor, Review Period Ends: 01/25/
2016, Contact: Mary Nguyen 213–
202–3960.
Dated: December 21, 2015.
Dawn Roberts,
Management Analyst, NEPA Compliance
Division, Office of Federal Activities.
[FR Doc. 2015–32418 Filed 12–23–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
Section 309(a) of the Clean Air Act
requires that EPA make public its
comments on EISs issued by other
Federal agencies. EPA’s comment letters
on EISs are available at: https://
cdxnodengn.epa.gov/cdx-nepa-public/
action/eis/search.
EIS No. 20150358, Draft, USACE, FL,
Herbert Hoover Dike Dam Safety
Modification, Comment Period Ends:
02/08/2016, Contact: Stacie
Auvenshine 904–232–3694.
EIS No. 20150359, Draft, USFS, OR, Gap
Landscape Restoration Project,
Comment Period Ends: 02/08/2016,
VerDate Sep<11>2014
1
17:57 Dec 23, 2015
Jkt 238001
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[EPA–HQ–OPP–2015–0715; FRL–9939–33]
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Proposed Renewal of
Collection; Comment Request
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
In compliance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), this
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00046
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
30
$2,160
1,890
$136,080
$2,160
document announces that EPA is
planning to submit an Information
Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB). The
ICR, entitled: ‘‘Tolerance Petitions for
Pesticides on Food/Feed Crops and New
Food Use Inert Ingredients’’ and
identified by EPA ICR No. 0597.12 and
OMB Control No. 2070–0024, represents
the renewal of an existing ICR that is
scheduled to expire on August, 31,
2016. Before submitting the ICR to OMB
for review and approval, EPA is
soliciting comments on specific aspects
of the proposed information collection
that is summarized in this document.
The ICR and accompanying material are
available in the docket for public review
and comment.
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before February 22, 2016.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by docket identification (ID)
number EPA–HQ–OPP–2015–0715, by
one of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
instructions for submitting comments.
Do not submit electronically any
information you consider to be
Confidential Business Information (CBI)
or other information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute.
• Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental
Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/
DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave.
NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001.
• Hand Delivery: To make special
arrangements for hand delivery or
E:\FR\FM\24DEN1.SGM
24DEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 247 (Thursday, December 24, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 80355-80357]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-32131]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. IC16-5-000]
Commission Information Collection Activities; Consolidated
Comment Request; Extension
AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Notice of information collections and request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: 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
[[Page 80356]]
FERC) is soliciting public comment on the requirements and burden of
the FERC-714 (Annual Electric Balancing Authority Area and Planning
Area Report) and FERC-730 (Report of Transmission Investment Activity)
information collections.
DATES: Comments on the collections of information are due February 22,
2016.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments (identified by Docket No. IC16-5-
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.
Please reference the specific collection number and/or title in
your comments.
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, telephone at (202) 502-8663, and fax at (202)
273-0873.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Type of Request: Three-year extension of the information collection
requirements for all collections described below with no changes to the
current reporting requirements. Please note that each collection is
distinct from the next.
Comments: Comments are invited on: (1) whether the collections of
information are 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 estimates of the
burden\1\ and cost of the collections of information, including the
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance
the quality, utility and clarity of the information collections; and
(4) ways to minimize the burden of the collections of information on
those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection
techniques or other forms of information technology.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Commission defines burden 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-714, [Annual Electric Balancing Authority Area and Planning Area
Report] \2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ The renewal request in this IC docket is for the current
FERC-714, with no change to the reporting requirements. The FERC-714
is also part of the Forms Refresh effort (started in Docket No.
AD15-11), which is a separate activity.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
OMB Control No.: 1902-0140.
Abstract: The Commission uses the FERC-714 data to analyze power
system operations. These analyses estimate the effect of changes in
power system operations resulting from the installation of a new
generating unit or plant, transmission facilities, energy transfers
between systems, and/or new points of interconnections. The FERC-714
data assists in providing a broad picture of interconnected balancing
authority area operations including comprehensive information of
balancing authority area generation, actual and scheduled inter-
balancing authority area power transfers, and net energy for load,
summer and winter generation peaks and system lambda. The Commission
also uses the data to prepare status reports on the electric utility
industry including a review of inter-balancing authority area bulk
power trade information.
The Commission uses the collected data from planning areas to
monitor forecasted demands by electric utilities with fundamental
demand responsibilities and to develop hourly demand characteristics.
Type of Respondent: Electric utility balancing authorities and
planning areas in the United States.
Estimate of Annual Burden: The Commission estimates the annual
public reporting burden and cost\3\ (rounded) for the information
collection as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ The hourly cost (wages plus benefits), is based on the
Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2014 National Industry-Specific
Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates (at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm). The average hourly cost (wages plus
benefits) of $68.66/hour is the average of the following: (a)
Management (Code 11-0000), $78.04/hr; (b)Computer and mathematical
(Code 15-0000), $58.25/hr; (c) Electrical Engineers (Code 17-2071),
$66.45/hr; (d) Economist (Code 19-3011), $73.04/hr; (e) Computer and
Information Systems Managers (Code 11-3021),$94.55/hr; (f)
Accountants and Auditors (Code 13-2011), $51.11/hr; (g)
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers (Code 11-3071),
$73.65/hr; (h) Power Distributors and Dispatchers (Code 51-8012),
$54.16/hr.
FERC-714 (Annual Electric Balancing Authority Area and Planning Area Report)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual number Average Total annual
of responses Total number burden & cost burden hours Cost per
Number of respondents per of responses per response & total respondent
respondent \6\ annual cost ($)
(1) (2) (1) * (2) = (4) (3) * (4) = (5) / (1)
(3) (5)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
177............................. 1 177 87 15,399 $5,973
$5,973 $1,057,295
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FERC-730, [Report of Transmission Investment Activity]
OMB Control No.: 1902-0239.
Abstract: Pursuant to Section 219 \4\ of the Federal Power Act, the
Commission issued FERC Order No. 679,\5\ Promoting Transmission
Investment Through Pricing Reform. In Order No. 679 FERC amended its
regulations in 18 CFR 35.35 to establish incentive-based (including
performance-based) rate treatments for the transmission of electric
energy in interstate commerce by public utilities. The Commission
intended the order to benefit consumers by ensuring reliability and to
reduce the cost of delivered power by reducing transmission congestion.
Order No. 679 also adopted an annual reporting requirement (FERC-730)
for utilities that receive incentive rate treatment for
[[Page 80357]]
specific transmission projects. The FERC-730 provides annual data on
transmission capital expenditures as well as project status detail. The
Commission requires that filers specify which projects are currently
receiving incentives in the project detail table and that they group
together those facilities receiving the same incentive. Specifically,
in accordance with the statute, public utilities with incentive rates
must file:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ Energy Policy Act of 2005, Pub. L. 109-58, 119 Stat. 594,
315 and 1283 (2005).
\5\ RM06-4-000 (issued July 20, 2006), published: 71 FR 43294
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actual transmission investment for the most recent
calendar year, and projected, incremental investments for the next five
calendar years (in dollar terms); and
a project by project listing that specifies for each
project the most up to date, expected completion date, percentage
completion as of the date of filing, and reasons for delays for all
current and projected investments over the next five calendar years.
Projects with projected costs less than $20 million are excluded from
this listing.
To ensure that Commission rules are successfully meeting the
objectives of Section 219, the Commission collects industry data,
projections and related information that detail the level of
investment. FERC-730 information regarding projected investments as
well as information about completed projects allows the Commission to
monitor the success of the transmission pricing reforms and to
determine the status of critical projects and reasons for delay.
Type of Respondent: Public utilities that have been granted
incentives based rate treatment for specific transmission projects
under the provisions of 18 CFR 35.35(h) must file the FERC-730.
Estimate of Annual Burden: The Commission estimates the annual
public reporting burden for the information collection as:
FERC-730 (Report of Transmission Investment Activity)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual number Average Total annual
of responses Total number burden & cost burden hours Cost per
Number of respondents per of responses per response & total respondent
respondent \6\ annual cost ($)
(1) (2) (1) * (2) = (4) (3) * (4) = (5) / (1)
(3) (5)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
63.............................. 1 63 30 1,890 $2,160
$2,160 $136,080
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dated: December 16, 2015.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-32131 Filed 12-23-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
