Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-538, FERC-740, FERC-729, FERC-715, FERC-592, FERC-60, FERC-61, and FERC-555A); Comment Request, 11781-11785 [2016-04956]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 44 / Monday, March 7, 2016 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. IC16–2–000] Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC–538, FERC–740, FERC–729, FERC–715, FERC–592, FERC–60, FERC–61, and FERC–555A); Comment Request Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Comment request. AGENCY: In compliance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC) is submitting information collections FERC–538, FERC–740, FERC–729, FERC–715, FERC–592, FERC–60, FERC–61, and FERC–555A to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review of the information collection requirements. Any interested person may file comments directly with OMB and should address a copy of those comments to the Commission as explained below. The Commission previously issued a Notice in the Federal Register (80 FR 68312, 11/4/ 2015) requesting public comments. The Commission received no comments on the FERC–538, FERC–740, FERC–729, FERC–715, FERC–592, FERC–60, FERC– 61, or FERC–555A and is making this notation in its submittals to OMB. DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due by April 6, 2016. ADDRESSES: Comments filed with OMB, identified by the OMB Control Nos. 1902–0061 (FERC–538), 1902–0254 (FERC–740), 1902–0238 (FERC–729), 1902–0171 (FERC–715), 1902–0157 SUMMARY: (FERC–592), or 1902–0215 (FERC–60, FERC–61, and FERC–555A) should be sent via email to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs: oira_submission@omb.gov. Attention: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Desk Officer. The Desk Officer may also be reached via telephone at 202–395– 0710. A copy of the comments should also be sent to the Commission, in Docket No. IC16–2–000, by either of the following methods: • eFiling at Commission’s Web site: https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ efiling.asp. • Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426. Instructions: All submissions must be formatted and filed in accordance with submission guidelines at: https:// www.ferc.gov/help/submissionguide.asp. For user assistance contact FERC Online Support by email at ferconlinesupport@ferc.gov, or by phone at: (866) 208–3676 (toll-free), or (202) 502–8659 for TTY. Docket: Users interested in receiving automatic notification of activity in this docket or in viewing/downloading comments and issuances in this docket may do so at https://www.ferc.gov/docsfiling/docs-filing.asp. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Brown may be reached by email at DataClearance@FERC.gov, by telephone at (202) 502–8663, and by fax at (202) 273–0873. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Type of Request: Three-year extension of the information collections described below with no changes to the current reporting requirements. Please note that each collection is distinct from the next. 11781 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 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–538, Gas Pipeline Certificates: Section 7(a) Mandatory Initial Service OMB Control No.: 1902–0061. Abstract: Under sections 7(a), 10(a) and 16 of Natural Gas Act (NGA),1 upon application by a person or municipality authorized to engage in the local distribution of natural gas, the Commission may order a natural gas company to extend or improve its transportation facilities, and sell natural gas to the municipality or person and, for such purpose, to extend its transportation facilities to communities immediately adjacent to such facilities or to territories served by the natural gas pipeline company. The Commission uses the application data in order to be fully informed concerning the applicant, and the service the applicant is requesting. Type of Respondent: Persons or municipalities authorized to engage in the local distribution of natural gas. Estimate of Annual Burden: The Commission estimates the annual public reporting burden for the information collection as: FERC–538—GAS PIPELINE CERTIFICATES: SECTION 7(a) MANDATORY INITIAL SERVICE Number of respondents Annual number of responses per respondent Total number of responses Average burden and cost per response 2 Total annual burden hours and total annual cost Cost per respondent ($) (1) (2) (1) * (2) = (3) (4) (3) * (4) = (5) (5) ÷ (1) 240 hrs.; $17,280 ...... 240 hrs.; $17,280 ...... asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Gas Pipeline Certificates 1 FERC–740, Availability of e-Tag Information to Commission Staff U.S.C. 717f–w. estimates for cost per response are derived using the following formula: Average Burden Hours per Response * $72.00 per Hour = Average Cost per 2 The VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:37 Mar 04, 2016 Jkt 238001 1 $17,280 Abstract: In Order 771,3 the FERC– 740 information collection (providing Commission staff access to e-Tag data) was implemented to provide the Commission, Market Monitoring Units OMB Control No.: 1902–0254. 1 15 1 (MMUs), Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs), and Independent System Operators (ISOs) with information that allows them to perform market surveillance and analysis more Response. The hourly cost figure comes from the FERC average salary plus benefits of $149,489/year because FERC staff believes industry wages plus benefits are similar. 3 Order 771 was issued in Docket No. RM11–12 (77 FR 76367, 12/28/2012). PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\07MRN1.SGM 07MRN1 11782 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 44 / Monday, March 7, 2016 / Notices effectively. The e-Tag information is necessary to understand the use of the interconnected electricity grid, particularly transactions occurring at interchanges. Due to the nature of the electricity grid, an individual transaction’s impact on an interchange cannot be assessed adequately in all cases without information from all connected systems, which is included in the e-Tags. The details of the physical path of a transaction included in the eTags helps the Commission to monitor, in particular, interchange transactions effectively, detect and prevent price manipulation over interchanges, and ensure the efficient and orderly use of the transmission grid. For example, the e-Tag data allows the Commission to identify transmission reservations as they go from one market to another and link the market participants involved in that transaction. Order No. 771 provided the Commission access to e-Tags by requiring that Purchasing-Selling Entities 4 (PSEs) and Balancing Authorities (BAs), list the Commission on the ‘‘CC’’ list of e-Tags so that the Commission can receive a copy of the eTags. The Commission accesses the eTags by contracting with a commercial vendor, OATI. In early 2014, the North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB) incorporated the requirement that the Commission be added to the ‘‘CC’’ list on e-Tags as part of the tagging process.5 Even before NAESB added the FERC requirement to the tagging standards, the rules behind the ‘‘CC’’ list requirement had already been programmed into the industry standard tagging software so as to make the inclusion of FERC in the ‘‘CC’’ list automatic. The Commission expects that PSEs and BAs will continue to use existing, automated procedures to create and validate the e-Tags in a way that provides the Commission with access to them. In the rare event that a new BA would need to alert e-Tag administrators that certain tags it generates qualify for exemption under the Commission’s regulations (e.g., transmissions from a new Canadian BA into another Canadian BA), this administrative function would be expected to require less than an hour of effort total from both the BA and an e-Tag administrator to include the BA on the exemption list. New exempt BAs occur less frequently than every year, but for the purpose of estimation we will conservatively assume one appears each year creating an additional burden associated with the Commission’s FERC–740 requirement of $60.59.6 Type of Respondent: PurchasingSelling Entities and Balancing Authorities. Estimate of Annual Burden: The Commission estimates the annual public reporting burden (rounded) for the information collection as: FERC–740—AVAILABILITY OF E-TAG INFORMATION TO COMMISSION STAFF Number of respondents Annual number of responses per respondent Total number of responses Average burden and cost per response Total annual burden hours and total annual cost Cost per respondent ($) (1) FERC–740 (2) (1) * (2) = (3) (4) (3) * (4) = (5) (5) ÷ (1) Purchasing-Selling Entities (e-Tag Authors). Balancing Authorities ............................... New Balancing Authority [as noted above]. 369 4,404 1,625,326 0 ....................... 0 ....................... $0 101 1 16,092 1 1,625,326 1 0 ....................... 1 hr.; $60.59 ..... 0 ....................... 1 hr.; $60.59 ..... 0 60.59 Total .................................................. 471 ........................ ........................ ........................... 1 hr.; 60.59 ....... 60.59 FERC–729, Electric Transmission Facilities asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES OMB Control No.: 1902–0238. Abstract: This information collection implements the Commission’s mandates under EPAct 2005 section 1221 which authorizes the Commission to issue permits under FPA section 216(b) for electric transmission facilities and the Commission’s delegated responsibility to coordinate all other federal authorizations under FPA section 216(h). The related FERC regulations seek to develop a timely review process for siting of proposed electric transmission facilities. The regulations 4 A Purchasing-Selling Entity is the entity that purchases or sells, and takes title to, energy, capacity, and Interconnected Operations Services. Purchasing-Selling Entities may be affiliated or unaffiliated merchants and may or may not own generating facilities. Purchasing-Selling Entities are typically E-Tag Authors. 5 NAESB Electronic Tagging Functional Specifications, Version 1.8.2. 6 The estimated hourly cost (salary plus benefits) provided in this section is based on the figures for VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:37 Mar 04, 2016 Jkt 238001 provide for (among other things) an extensive pre-application process that will facilitate maximum participation from all interested entities and individuals to provide them with a reasonable opportunity to present their views and recommendations, with respect to the need for and impact of the facilities, early in the planning stages of the proposed facilities as required under FPA section 216(d). Additionally, FERC has the authority to issue a permit to construct electric transmission facilities if a state has withheld approval for more than a year or has conditioned its approval in such a manner that it will not significantly reduce transmission congestion or is not economically feasible.7 FERC envisions that, under certain circumstances, the Commission’s review of the proposed facilities may take place after one year of the state’s review. Under section 50.6(e)(3) the Commission will not accept applications until one year after the state’s review and then from applicants who can demonstrate that a state may withhold or condition approval of proposed facilities to such an extent that the facilities will not be constructed.8 In cases where FERC’s jurisdiction rests on FPA section 216(b)(1)(C),9 the pre-filing process should not commence until one year May 2014 posted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the Utilities sector (available at https:// www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm#13-0000) assuming: • 15 minutes legal (code 23–0000), $129.87 hourly. • 45 minutes information and record clerk (code 43–4199), $37.50 hourly. 7 FPA section 216(b)(1)(C). 8 However, the Commission will not issue a permit authorizing construction of the proposed facilities until, among other things, it finds that the state has, in fact, withheld approval for more than a year or had so conditioned its approval. 9 In all other instances (i.e. where the state does not have jurisdiction to act or otherwise to consider interstate benefits, or the applicant does not qualify to apply for a permit with the State because it does not serve end use customers in the State), the prefiling process may be commenced at any time. PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\07MRN1.SGM 07MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 44 / Monday, March 7, 2016 / Notices after the relevant State applications have been filed. This will give states one full year to process an application without any intervening Federal proceedings, including both the prefiling and application processes. Once that year is complete, an applicant may seek to commence FERC’s pre-filing process. Thereafter, once the pre-filing process is complete, the applicant may submit its application for a construction permit. 11783 Type of Respondent: Electric transmission facilities. Estimate of Annual Burden: The Commission estimates the annual public reporting burden for the information collection as: FERC–729—ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION FACILITIES Number of respondents Annual number of responses per respondent Total number of responses Average burden and cost per response 10 Total annual burden hours and total annual cost Cost per respondent ($) (1) (2) (1) * (2) = (3) (4) (3) * (4) = (5) (5)÷(1) Electric Transmission Facilities .......... 1 FERC–715, Annual Transmission Planning and Evaluation Report OMB Control No.: 1902–0171. Abstract: Acting under FPA section 213,11 FERC requires each transmitting utility that operates integrated transmission system facilities rated above 100 kilovolts (kV) to submit annually: • Contact information for the FERC–715; • Base case power flow data (if it does not participate in the development and use of regional power flow data); • Transmission system maps and diagrams used by the respondent for transmission planning; • A detailed description of the transmission planning reliability criteria used to evaluate system performance for time frames and planning horizons used in regional and corporate planning; • A detailed description of the respondent’s transmission planning 1 1 9,600 hrs.; $691,200. assessment practices (including, but not limited to, how reliability criteria are applied and the steps taken in performing transmission planning studies); and • A detailed evaluation of the respondent’s anticipated system performance as measured against its stated reliability criteria using its stated assessment practices. The FERC–715 enables the Commission to use the information as part of their regulatory oversight functions which includes: • The review of rates and charges; • The disposition of jurisdictional facilities; • The consolidation and mergers; • The adequacy of supply and; • Reliability of nation’s transmission grid The FERC–715 enables the Commission to facilitate and resolve transmission disputes. Additionally, the Office of Electric Reliability (OER) uses the FERC–715 data to help protect and improve the reliability and security of 9,600 hrs.; $691,200. $691,200 the nation’s bulk power system. OER oversees the development and review of mandatory reliability and security standards and ensures compliance with the approved standards by the users, owners, and operators of the bulk power system. OER also monitors and addresses issues concerning the nation’s bulk power system including assessments of resource adequacy and reliability. Without the FERC–715 data, the Commission would be unable to evaluate planned projects or requests related to transmission. Type of Respondent: Integrated transmission system facilities rated at or above 100 kilovolts (kV). Estimate of Annual Burden: The Commission estimates the annual public reporting burden for the information collection as: FERC–715—ANNUAL TRANSMISSION PLANNING AND EVALUATION REPORT Number of respondents Annual number of responses per respondent Total number of responses Average burden and cost per response 12 Total annual burden hours and total annual cost Cost per respondent ($) (1) (2) (1) * (2) = (3) (4) (3) * (4) = (5) (5) ÷ (1) Annual Transmission Planning and Evaluation Report. 115 1 115 160 hrs.; $11,520 ...... 18,400 hrs.; $1,324,800 $11,520 Total ...................... ........................ ........................ 115 .................................... 18,400 hrs.; $1,324,800 11,520 asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES FERC–592: Standards of Conduct for Transmission Provider and Marketing Affiliates of Interstate Pipelines OMB Control No.: 1902–0157. Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC–592 information collection 10 The estimates for cost per response are derived using the following formula: Average Burden Hours per Response * $72.00 per Hour = Average Cost per Response. The hourly cost figure comes from the FERC average salary of $149,489/year. 11 16 U.S.C. 8241. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:37 Mar 04, 2016 Jkt 238001 requirements with no changes to the current reporting requirements. Abstract: The Commission uses the information maintained and posted by the respondents to monitor the pipeline’s transportation, sales, and storage activities for its marketing affiliate to deter undue discrimination by pipeline companies in favor of their marketing affiliates. Non-affiliated shippers and other entities (e.g. state commissions) also use information to 12 The estimates for cost per response are derived using the following formula: Average Burden Hours per Response * $72 per Hour = Average Cost per Response. The hourly cost figure comes from the FERC average salary plus benefits of $149,489/year because FERC staff believes industry wages plus benefits are similar. Subject matter experts found that industry employment costs closely resemble FERC’s regarding the FERC–715 information collection. PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\07MRN1.SGM 07MRN1 11784 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 44 / Monday, March 7, 2016 / Notices compete with marketing affiliates on a more equal basis. determine whether they have been harmed by affiliate preference and to prepare evidence for proceedings following the filing of a complaint. 18 CFR Part 358 (Standards of Conduct) Respondents maintain and provide the information required by Part 358 on their internet Web sites. When the Commission requires a pipeline to post information on its Web site following a disclosure of non-public information to its marketing affiliate, non-affiliated shippers obtain comparable access to the non-public transportation information, which allows them to 18 CFR 250.16, and the FERC–592 Log/ Format This form (log/format) provides the electronic formats for maintaining information on discounted transportation transactions and capacity allocation to support monitoring of activities of interstate pipeline marketing affiliates. Commission staff considers discounts given to shippers in litigated rate cases. Without this information collection: • The Commission would be unable to effectively monitor whether pipelines are giving discriminatory preference to their marketing affiliates; and • non-affiliated shippers and state commissions and others would be unable to determine if they have been harmed by affiliate preference or prepare evidence for proceedings following the filing of a complaint. Type of Respondents: Natural gas pipelines. Estimate of Annual Burden: 13 The Commission estimates the annual public reporting burden for the information collection as: FERC–592—STANDARDS OF CONDUCT FOR TRANSMISSION PROVIDERS AND MARKETING AFFILIATES OF INTERSTATE PIPELINES Number of respondents Annual number of responses per respondent Total number of responses Average burden and cost per response 14 Total annual burden hours and total annual cost Cost per respondent ($) (1) (2) (1) * (2) = (3) (4) (3) * (4) = (5) (5) ÷ (1) 116.62 hrs.; $8,396.64 ... 9,913 hrs.; $713,736 ...... FERC 592 15 ............ 85 1 asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES FERC–60 (Annual Report of Centralized Service Companies), FERC–61 (Narrative Description of Service Company Functions), and FERC–555A (Preservation of Records of Holding Companies and Service Companies Subject to PUHCA 2005) OMB Control No.: 1902–0215. Abstract: On August 8, 2005, the Energy Policy Act of 2005, was signed into law, repealing the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 (PUHCA 1935) and enacting the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005 (PUHCA 2005). Section 1264 16 and section 1275 17 of PUHCA 2005 supplemented FERC’s existing ratemaking authority under the Federal Power Act (FPA) to protect customers against improper cross-subsidization or encumbrances of public utility assets, and similarly, FERC’s ratemaking authority under the Natural Gas Act (NGA). These provisions of PUHCA 2005 supplemented the FERC’s broad authority under FPA section 301 and NGA section 8 to obtain the books and records of regulated companies and any person that controls or is under the influence of such companies if relevant to jurisdictional activities. 13 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. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:37 Mar 04, 2016 Jkt 238001 85 FERC Form 60 Form No. 60 is an annual reporting requirement under 18 CFR 366.23 for centralized service companies. The report’s function is to collect financial information (including balance sheet, assets, liabilities, billing and charges for associated and non-associated companies) from centralized service companies subject to the jurisdiction of the FERC. Unless Commission rule exempts or grants a waiver pursuant to 18 CFR 366.3 and 366.4 to the holding company system, every centralized service company in a holding company system must prepare and file electronically with the FERC the Form No. 60, pursuant to the General Instructions in the form. FERC–61 FERC–61 is a filing requirement for service companies in holding company systems (including special purpose companies) that are currently exempt or granted a waiver of FERC’s regulations and would not have to file FERC Form 60. Instead, those service companies are required to file, on an annual basis, a narrative description of the service company’s functions during the prior calendar year (FERC–61). In complying, 14 The estimates for cost per response are derived using the FERC average salary of $149,489/year (or $72.00/hour). The hourly cost figure comes from the FERC average salary plus benefits of $149,489/year because FERC staff believes industry wages plus benefits are similar. PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 $8,396.64 a holding company may make a single filing on behalf of all of its service company subsidiaries. FERC–555A FERC prescribed a mandated preservation of records requirement for holding companies and service companies (unless otherwise exempted by FERC). This requires them to maintain and make available to FERC, their books and records. The preservation of records requirement provides for uniform records retention by holding companies and centralized service companies subject to PUHCA 2005. Data from the FERC Form 60, FERC– 61, and FERC–555A provide a level of transparency that: (1) Helps protect ratepayers from pass-through of improper service company costs, (2) enables FERC to review and determine cost allocations (among holding company members) for certain nonpower goods and services, (3) aids FERC in meeting its oversight and market monitoring obligations, and (4) benefits the public, both as ratepayers and investors. In addition, the FERC’s audit staff uses these records during compliance reviews and special analyses. 15 The requirements for this collection are contained in 18 CFR Part 358 and 18 CFR Part 250.16. 16 Federal Books and Records Access Provision. 17 Non-Power Goods and Services Provision. E:\FR\FM\07MRN1.SGM 07MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 44 / Monday, March 7, 2016 / Notices If data from the FERC Form 60, FERC– 61, and FERC–555A were not available, FERC would not be able to meet its statutory responsibilities, under EPAct 1992, EPAct of 2005, and PUHCA 2005, and FERC would not have all of the regulatory mechanisms necessary to ensure customer protection. Type of Respondent: Electric transmission facilities. 11785 Estimate of Annual Burden: The Commission estimates the annual public reporting burden for the information collection as: FERC–60 (ANNUAL REPORT OF CENTRALIZED SERVICE COMPANIES), FERC–61 (NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE COMPANY FUNCTIONS), & FERC–555A (PRESERVATION OF RECORDS OF HOLDING COMPANIES AND SERVICE COMPANIES SUBJECT TO PUHCA 2005) Number of respondents Annual number of responses per respondent Total number of responses Average burden and cost per response Total annual burden hours and total annual cost Cost per respondent ($) (1) (2) (1) * (2) = (3) (4) (3) * (4) = (5) (5) ÷ (1) FERC–60 18 ............. FERC–61 19 ............. FERC–555A 20 ........ 39 100 100 1 1 1 39 100 100 75 hrs.; $4,280 ............... 0.5 hrs.; $18.75 .............. 1,080 hrs.; $33,166.80 ... 2,925 hrs.; $166,930 ...... 50 hrs.; $1,875 ............... 108,000 hrs.; $3,316,680 $4,280 18.75 33,166.80 Total ................. ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................................ 110,975 hrs.; $3,485,485 ........................ In addition to the labor (burden hour cost, provided above) for FERC–555A,21 there are additional costs for records retention and storage: • 50% of the records are paper. Paper storage costs (using an estimate of 6,000 ft3): $38,763.75 • 50% of the records are electronic. Electronic storage cost is $15.25/year 22 for each entity, or $1,525 for all entities. Total record storage cost for FERC– 555A for all entities is $40,288.75. The total annual cost (including burden hours [from table above] and record storage cost) of FERC–555A is $3,356,958.75. Dated: February 24, 2016. Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2016–04956 Filed 3–4–16; 8:45 am] asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES BILLING CODE 6717–01–P 18 For the FERC–60, the $57.07/hour figure is based on the average cost (wages plus benefits) of a management analyst (Occupation Code 13–1111) and an accountant (Occupation Code 13–2011) as posted on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Web site (https://www/bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_ 22.htm). 19 For the FERC–61 the $37.50 hourly cost figure comes from the cost of a records clerk (Occupation Code 43–4199) as posted on the BLS Web site (https://www/bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm). 20 For the FERC–555A, the $30.71/hour figure is based on the cost (wages plus benefits) of a file clerk (Occupation Code 43–4071) as posted on the BLS Web site (https://www/bls.gov/oes/current/ naics2_22.htm). The estimates use the $30.71/hour (rather than the rounded $31/hour provided in the 60-day Notice. 21 Internal analysis assumes 50% electronic and 50% paper storage 22 Per entity; the Commission bases this figure on the estimated cost to service and to store 1 GB of data (based on the aggregated cost of an advanced data protection server). VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:37 Mar 04, 2016 Jkt 238001 DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP16–73–000] Port Barre Investments, LLC (d/b/a Bobcat Gas Storage); Notice of Application Take notice that on February 12, 2016, Port Barre Investments, L.L.C. (d/b/a Bobcat Gas Storage) (Bobcat), 5400 Westheimer Court, Houston, Texas 77056–5310, filed an application, pursuant to section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act and Part 157 of the Commission’s regulations for an amendment to a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity issued to Bobcat on March 19, 2009 in Docket No. CP09–19–000, as amended by Commission orders on March 31, 2010 in Docket No. CP10–30–000, and on April 8, 2011 in Docket No. CP11–124– 000. The March 19 Order authorized Bobcat to construct, own, operate, and maintain three additional natural gas storage facilities (Cavern Nos. 3, 4, and 5) at the salt dome in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana. With this application, Bobcat is seeking authorization to amend its certificate to reflect a change in the base gas capacity for Cavern Well No. 4 from 2.5 billion cubic feet (Bcf) to 3.5 Bcf, and a change in total gas capacity for Cavern Well No. 4 from 12.4 Bcf to 13.4 Bcf, all as more fully set forth in the application which is on file with the Commission and open to public inspection. No changes are proposed by Bobcat to the certificated working gas capacity for any of the caverns. Any questions regarding this application should be directed to Lisa A. Connolly, General Manager, Rates PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 and Certificates, Bobcat Gas Storage, P.O. Box 1642, Houston, Texas 77251– 1642, or by calling (713) 627–4102 (telephone) or by email at laconnolly@ spectraenergy.com. Pursuant to Section 157.9 of the Commission’s rules, 18 CFR. 157.9, within 90 days of this Notice the Commission staff will either: Complete its environmental assessment (EA) and place it into the Commission’s public record (eLibrary) for this proceeding; or issue a Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review. If a Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review is issued, it will indicate, among other milestones, the anticipated date for the Commission staff’s issuance of the final environmental impact statement (FEIS) or EA for this proposal. The filing of the EA in the Commission’s public record for this proceeding or the issuance of a Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review will serve to notify federal and state agencies of the timing for the completion of all necessary reviews, and the subsequent need to complete all federal authorizations within 90 days of the date of issuance of the Commission staff’s FEIS or EA. There are two ways to become involved in the Commission’s review of this project. First, any person wishing to obtain legal status by becoming a party to the proceedings for this project should, on or before the comment date stated below, file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426, a motion to intervene in accordance with the requirements of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.214 or 385.211) and the Regulations under the NGA (18 CFR 157.10). A person obtaining party status will be placed on the service list E:\FR\FM\07MRN1.SGM 07MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 44 (Monday, March 7, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11781-11785]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04956]



[[Page 11781]]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. IC16-2-000]


Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-538, FERC-740, 
FERC-729, FERC-715, FERC-592, FERC-60, FERC-61, and FERC-555A); Comment 
Request

AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Comment request.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D), the Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission (Commission or FERC) is submitting information collections 
FERC-538, FERC-740, FERC-729, FERC-715, FERC-592, FERC-60, FERC-61, and 
FERC-555A to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review of 
the information collection requirements. Any interested person may file 
comments directly with OMB and should address a copy of those comments 
to the Commission as explained below. The Commission previously issued 
a Notice in the Federal Register (80 FR 68312, 11/4/2015) requesting 
public comments. The Commission received no comments on the FERC-538, 
FERC-740, FERC-729, FERC-715, FERC-592, FERC-60, FERC-61, or FERC-555A 
and is making this notation in its submittals to OMB.

DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due by April 6, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: Comments filed with OMB, identified by the OMB Control Nos. 
1902-0061 (FERC-538), 1902-0254 (FERC-740), 1902-0238 (FERC-729), 1902-
0171 (FERC-715), 1902-0157 (FERC-592), or 1902-0215 (FERC-60, FERC-61, 
and FERC-555A) should be sent via email to the Office of Information 
and Regulatory Affairs: oira_submission@omb.gov. Attention: Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission Desk Officer. The Desk Officer may also be 
reached via telephone at 202-395-0710.
    A copy of the comments should also be sent to the Commission, in 
Docket No. IC16-2-000, by either of the following methods:
     eFiling at Commission's Web site: https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp.
     Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier: Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 888 First Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20426.
    Instructions: All submissions must be formatted and filed in 
accordance with submission guidelines at: https://www.ferc.gov/help/submission-guide.asp. For user assistance contact FERC Online Support 
by email at ferconlinesupport@ferc.gov, or by phone at: (866) 208-3676 
(toll-free), or (202) 502-8659 for TTY.
    Docket: Users interested in receiving automatic notification of 
activity in this docket or in viewing/downloading comments and 
issuances in this docket may do so at https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/docs-filing.asp.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Type of Request: Three-year extension of the information 
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 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-538, Gas Pipeline Certificates: Section 7(a) Mandatory Initial 
Service

    OMB Control No.: 1902-0061.
    Abstract: Under sections 7(a), 10(a) and 16 of Natural Gas Act 
(NGA),\1\ upon application by a person or municipality authorized to 
engage in the local distribution of natural gas, the Commission may 
order a natural gas company to extend or improve its transportation 
facilities, and sell natural gas to the municipality or person and, for 
such purpose, to extend its transportation facilities to communities 
immediately adjacent to such facilities or to territories served by the 
natural gas pipeline company. The Commission uses the application data 
in order to be fully informed concerning the applicant, and the service 
the applicant is requesting.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 717f-w.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Type of Respondent: Persons or municipalities authorized to engage 
in the local distribution of natural gas.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: The Commission estimates the annual 
public reporting burden for the information collection as:

                                       FERC-538--Gas Pipeline Certificates: Section 7(a) Mandatory Initial Service
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                Annual  number
                                   Number of     of  responses   Total number   Average burden and cost per   Total annual burden hours      Cost per
                                  respondents   per respondent   of responses           response \2\            and total annual cost     respondent ($)
                                           (1)             (2)     (1) * (2) =  (4)........................  (3) * (4) = (5)............       (5) / (1)
                                                                           (3)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gas Pipeline Certificates.....               1               1               1  240 hrs.; $17,280..........  240 hrs.; $17,280..........         $17,280
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FERC-740, Availability of e-Tag Information to Commission Staff

    OMB Control No.: 1902-0254.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ The estimates for cost per response are derived using the 
following formula: Average Burden Hours per Response * $72.00 per 
Hour = Average Cost per Response. The hourly cost figure comes from 
the FERC average salary plus benefits of $149,489/year because FERC 
staff believes industry wages plus benefits are similar.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Abstract: In Order 771,\3\ the FERC-740 information collection 
(providing Commission staff access to e-Tag data) was implemented to 
provide the Commission, Market Monitoring Units (MMUs), Regional 
Transmission Organizations (RTOs), and Independent System Operators 
(ISOs) with information that allows them to perform market surveillance 
and analysis more

[[Page 11782]]

effectively. The e-Tag information is necessary to understand the use 
of the interconnected electricity grid, particularly transactions 
occurring at interchanges. Due to the nature of the electricity grid, 
an individual transaction's impact on an interchange cannot be assessed 
adequately in all cases without information from all connected systems, 
which is included in the e-Tags. The details of the physical path of a 
transaction included in the e-Tags helps the Commission to monitor, in 
particular, interchange transactions effectively, detect and prevent 
price manipulation over interchanges, and ensure the efficient and 
orderly use of the transmission grid. For example, the e-Tag data 
allows the Commission to identify transmission reservations as they go 
from one market to another and link the market participants involved in 
that transaction.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ Order 771 was issued in Docket No. RM11-12 (77 FR 76367, 12/
28/2012).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Order No. 771 provided the Commission access to e-Tags by requiring 
that Purchasing-Selling Entities \4\ (PSEs) and Balancing Authorities 
(BAs), list the Commission on the ``CC'' list of e-Tags so that the 
Commission can receive a copy of the e-Tags. The Commission accesses 
the e-Tags by contracting with a commercial vendor, OATI.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ A Purchasing-Selling Entity is the entity that purchases or 
sells, and takes title to, energy, capacity, and Interconnected 
Operations Services. Purchasing-Selling Entities may be affiliated 
or unaffiliated merchants and may or may not own generating 
facilities. Purchasing-Selling Entities are typically E-Tag Authors.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In early 2014, the North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB) 
incorporated the requirement that the Commission be added to the ``CC'' 
list on e-Tags as part of the tagging process.\5\ Even before NAESB 
added the FERC requirement to the tagging standards, the rules behind 
the ``CC'' list requirement had already been programmed into the 
industry standard tagging software so as to make the inclusion of FERC 
in the ``CC'' list automatic. The Commission expects that PSEs and BAs 
will continue to use existing, automated procedures to create and 
validate the e-Tags in a way that provides the Commission with access 
to them. In the rare event that a new BA would need to alert e-Tag 
administrators that certain tags it generates qualify for exemption 
under the Commission's regulations (e.g., transmissions from a new 
Canadian BA into another Canadian BA), this administrative function 
would be expected to require less than an hour of effort total from 
both the BA and an e-Tag administrator to include the BA on the 
exemption list. New exempt BAs occur less frequently than every year, 
but for the purpose of estimation we will conservatively assume one 
appears each year creating an additional burden associated with the 
Commission's FERC-740 requirement of $60.59.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ NAESB Electronic Tagging Functional Specifications, Version 
1.8.2.
    \6\ The estimated hourly cost (salary plus benefits) provided in 
this section is based on the figures for May 2014 posted by the 
Bureau of Labor Statistics for the Utilities sector (available at 
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm#13-0000) assuming:
     15 minutes legal (code 23-0000), $129.87 hourly.
     45 minutes information and record clerk (code 43-4199), 
$37.50 hourly.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Type of Respondent: Purchasing-Selling Entities and Balancing 
Authorities.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: The Commission estimates the annual 
public reporting burden (rounded) for the information collection as:

                                             FERC-740--Availability of e-Tag Information to Commission Staff
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Annual  number                                                                              Cost per
              FERC-740                Number of    of responses    Total number     Average burden and cost     Total annual burden hours    respondent
                                     respondents  per respondent   of responses           per response            and total annual cost          ($)
                                             (1)             (2)     (1) * (2) =  (4)........................  (3) * (4) = (5)............     (5) / (1)
                                                                             (3)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Purchasing-Selling Entities (e-Tag           369           4,404       1,625,326  0..........................  0..........................            $0
 Authors).
Balancing Authorities..............          101          16,092       1,625,326  0..........................  0..........................             0
New Balancing Authority [as noted              1               1               1  1 hr.; $60.59..............  1 hr.; $60.59..............         60.59
 above].
                                    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total..........................          471  ..............  ..............  ...........................  1 hr.; 60.59...............         60.59
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FERC-729, Electric Transmission Facilities

    OMB Control No.: 1902-0238.
    Abstract: This information collection implements the Commission's 
mandates under EPAct 2005 section 1221 which authorizes the Commission 
to issue permits under FPA section 216(b) for electric transmission 
facilities and the Commission's delegated responsibility to coordinate 
all other federal authorizations under FPA section 216(h). The related 
FERC regulations seek to develop a timely review process for siting of 
proposed electric transmission facilities. The regulations provide for 
(among other things) an extensive pre-application process that will 
facilitate maximum participation from all interested entities and 
individuals to provide them with a reasonable opportunity to present 
their views and recommendations, with respect to the need for and 
impact of the facilities, early in the planning stages of the proposed 
facilities as required under FPA section 216(d).
    Additionally, FERC has the authority to issue a permit to construct 
electric transmission facilities if a state has withheld approval for 
more than a year or has conditioned its approval in such a manner that 
it will not significantly reduce transmission congestion or is not 
economically feasible.\7\ FERC envisions that, under certain 
circumstances, the Commission's review of the proposed facilities may 
take place after one year of the state's review. Under section 
50.6(e)(3) the Commission will not accept applications until one year 
after the state's review and then from applicants who can demonstrate 
that a state may withhold or condition approval of proposed facilities 
to such an extent that the facilities will not be constructed.\8\ In 
cases where FERC's jurisdiction rests on FPA section 216(b)(1)(C),\9\ 
the pre-filing process should not commence until one year

[[Page 11783]]

after the relevant State applications have been filed. This will give 
states one full year to process an application without any intervening 
Federal proceedings, including both the pre-filing and application 
processes. Once that year is complete, an applicant may seek to 
commence FERC's pre-filing process. Thereafter, once the pre-filing 
process is complete, the applicant may submit its application for a 
construction permit.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ FPA section 216(b)(1)(C).
    \8\ However, the Commission will not issue a permit authorizing 
construction of the proposed facilities until, among other things, 
it finds that the state has, in fact, withheld approval for more 
than a year or had so conditioned its approval.
    \9\ In all other instances (i.e. where the state does not have 
jurisdiction to act or otherwise to consider interstate benefits, or 
the applicant does not qualify to apply for a permit with the State 
because it does not serve end use customers in the State), the pre-
filing process may be commenced at any time.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Type of Respondent: Electric transmission facilities.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: The Commission estimates the annual 
public reporting burden for the information collection as:

                                                       FERC-729--Electric Transmission Facilities
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Annual number
                                       Number of     of responses    Total number    Average burden and cost   Total annual burden hours     Cost per
                                      respondents   per respondent   of responses       per  response \10\       and total annual cost    respondent ($)
                                               (1)             (2)     (1) * (2) =  (4)......................  (3) * (4) = (5)..........         (5)/(1)
                                                                               (3)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Electric Transmission Facilities..               1               1               1  9,600 hrs.; $691,200.....  9,600 hrs.; $691,200.....        $691,200
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FERC-715, Annual Transmission Planning and Evaluation Report
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ The estimates for cost per response are derived using the 
following formula: Average Burden Hours per Response * $72.00 per 
Hour = Average Cost per Response. The hourly cost figure comes from 
the FERC average salary of $149,489/year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    OMB Control No.: 1902-0171.
    Abstract: Acting under FPA section 213,\11\ FERC requires each 
transmitting utility that operates integrated transmission system 
facilities rated above 100 kilovolts (kV) to submit annually:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ 16 U.S.C. 8241.

     Contact information for the FERC-715;
     Base case power flow data (if it does not participate 
in the development and use of regional power flow data);
     Transmission system maps and diagrams used by the 
respondent for transmission planning;
     A detailed description of the transmission planning 
reliability criteria used to evaluate system performance for time 
frames and planning horizons used in regional and corporate 
planning;
     A detailed description of the respondent's transmission 
planning assessment practices (including, but not limited to, how 
reliability criteria are applied and the steps taken in performing 
transmission planning studies); and
     A detailed evaluation of the respondent's anticipated 
system performance as measured against its stated reliability 
criteria using its stated assessment practices.
    The FERC-715 enables the Commission to use the information as 
part of their regulatory oversight functions which includes:
     The review of rates and charges;
     The disposition of jurisdictional facilities;
     The consolidation and mergers;
     The adequacy of supply and;
     Reliability of nation's transmission grid

    The FERC-715 enables the Commission to facilitate and resolve 
transmission disputes. Additionally, the Office of Electric Reliability 
(OER) uses the FERC-715 data to help protect and improve the 
reliability and security of the nation's bulk power system. OER 
oversees the development and review of mandatory reliability and 
security standards and ensures compliance with the approved standards 
by the users, owners, and operators of the bulk power system. OER also 
monitors and addresses issues concerning the nation's bulk power system 
including assessments of resource adequacy and reliability.
    Without the FERC-715 data, the Commission would be unable to 
evaluate planned projects or requests related to transmission.
    Type of Respondent: Integrated transmission system facilities rated 
at or above 100 kilovolts (kV).
    Estimate of Annual Burden: The Commission estimates the annual 
public reporting burden for the information collection as:

                                              FERC-715--Annual Transmission Planning and Evaluation Report
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Annual number
                                 Number of     of responses    Total number     Average burden and cost    Total annual burden hours and     Cost per
                                respondents   per respondent   of responses        per response \12\             total annual cost        respondent ($)
                                         (1)             (2)     (1) * (2) =  (4).......................  (3) * (4) = (5)...............       (5) / (1)
                                                                         (3)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Transmission Planning             115               1             115  160 hrs.; $11,520.........  18,400 hrs.; $1,324,800.......         $11,520
 and Evaluation Report.
                             ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total...................  ..............  ..............             115  ..........................  18,400 hrs.; $1,324,800.......          11,520
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FERC-592: Standards of Conduct for Transmission Provider and Marketing 
Affiliates of Interstate Pipelines
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ The estimates for cost per response are derived using the 
following formula: Average Burden Hours per Response * $72 per Hour 
= Average Cost per Response. The hourly cost figure comes from the 
FERC average salary plus benefits of $149,489/year because FERC 
staff believes industry wages plus benefits are similar. Subject 
matter experts found that industry employment costs closely resemble 
FERC's regarding the FERC-715 information collection.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    OMB Control No.: 1902-0157.
    Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC-592 information 
collection requirements with no changes to the current reporting 
requirements.
    Abstract: The Commission uses the information maintained and posted 
by the respondents to monitor the pipeline's transportation, sales, and 
storage activities for its marketing affiliate to deter undue 
discrimination by pipeline companies in favor of their marketing 
affiliates. Non-affiliated shippers and other entities (e.g. state 
commissions) also use information to

[[Page 11784]]

determine whether they have been harmed by affiliate preference and to 
prepare evidence for proceedings following the filing of a complaint.

18 CFR Part 358 (Standards of Conduct)

    Respondents maintain and provide the information required by Part 
358 on their internet Web sites. When the Commission requires a 
pipeline to post information on its Web site following a disclosure of 
non-public information to its marketing affiliate, non-affiliated 
shippers obtain comparable access to the non-public transportation 
information, which allows them to compete with marketing affiliates on 
a more equal basis.

18 CFR 250.16, and the FERC-592 Log/Format

    This form (log/format) provides the electronic formats for 
maintaining information on discounted transportation transactions and 
capacity allocation to support monitoring of activities of interstate 
pipeline marketing affiliates. Commission staff considers discounts 
given to shippers in litigated rate cases.
    Without this information collection:
     The Commission would be unable to effectively monitor 
whether pipelines are giving discriminatory preference to their 
marketing affiliates; and
     non-affiliated shippers and state commissions and others 
would be unable to determine if they have been harmed by affiliate 
preference or prepare evidence for proceedings following the filing of 
a complaint.
    Type of Respondents: Natural gas pipelines.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: \13\ The Commission estimates the annual 
public reporting burden for the information collection as:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ 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-592--Standards of Conduct for Transmission Providers and Marketing Affiliates of Interstate Pipelines
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Annual number
                                             Number of     of responses    Total number    Average burden and cost per response \14\  Total annual burden hours and total annual     Cost per
                                            respondents   per respondent   of responses                                                                  cost                     respondent ($)
                                                     (1)             (2)     (1) * (2) =  (4).......................................  (3) * (4) = (5)...........................       (5) / (1)
                                                                                     (3)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FERC 592 \15\...........................              85               1              85  116.62 hrs.; $8,396.64....................  9,913 hrs.; $713,736......................       $8,396.64
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FERC-60 (Annual Report of Centralized Service Companies), FERC-61 
(Narrative Description of Service Company Functions), and FERC-555A 
(Preservation of Records of Holding Companies and Service Companies 
Subject to PUHCA 2005)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ The estimates for cost per response are derived using the 
FERC average salary of $149,489/year (or $72.00/hour). The hourly 
cost figure comes from the FERC average salary plus benefits of 
$149,489/year because FERC staff believes industry wages plus 
benefits are similar.
    \15\ The requirements for this collection are contained in 18 
CFR Part 358 and 18 CFR Part 250.16.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    OMB Control No.: 1902-0215.
    Abstract: On August 8, 2005, the Energy Policy Act of 2005, was 
signed into law, repealing the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 
1935 (PUHCA 1935) and enacting the Public Utility Holding Company Act 
of 2005 (PUHCA 2005). Section 1264 \16\ and section 1275 \17\ of PUHCA 
2005 supplemented FERC's existing ratemaking authority under the 
Federal Power Act (FPA) to protect customers against improper cross-
subsidization or encumbrances of public utility assets, and similarly, 
FERC's ratemaking authority under the Natural Gas Act (NGA). These 
provisions of PUHCA 2005 supplemented the FERC's broad authority under 
FPA section 301 and NGA section 8 to obtain the books and records of 
regulated companies and any person that controls or is under the 
influence of such companies if relevant to jurisdictional activities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ Federal Books and Records Access Provision.
    \17\ Non-Power Goods and Services Provision.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

FERC Form 60

    Form No. 60 is an annual reporting requirement under 18 CFR 366.23 
for centralized service companies. The report's function is to collect 
financial information (including balance sheet, assets, liabilities, 
billing and charges for associated and non-associated companies) from 
centralized service companies subject to the jurisdiction of the FERC. 
Unless Commission rule exempts or grants a waiver pursuant to 18 CFR 
366.3 and 366.4 to the holding company system, every centralized 
service company in a holding company system must prepare and file 
electronically with the FERC the Form No. 60, pursuant to the General 
Instructions in the form.

FERC-61

    FERC-61 is a filing requirement for service companies in holding 
company systems (including special purpose companies) that are 
currently exempt or granted a waiver of FERC's regulations and would 
not have to file FERC Form 60. Instead, those service companies are 
required to file, on an annual basis, a narrative description of the 
service company's functions during the prior calendar year (FERC-61). 
In complying, a holding company may make a single filing on behalf of 
all of its service company subsidiaries.

FERC-555A

    FERC prescribed a mandated preservation of records requirement for 
holding companies and service companies (unless otherwise exempted by 
FERC). This requires them to maintain and make available to FERC, their 
books and records. The preservation of records requirement provides for 
uniform records retention by holding companies and centralized service 
companies subject to PUHCA 2005.
    Data from the FERC Form 60, FERC-61, and FERC-555A provide a level 
of transparency that: (1) Helps protect ratepayers from pass-through of 
improper service company costs, (2) enables FERC to review and 
determine cost allocations (among holding company members) for certain 
non-power goods and services, (3) aids FERC in meeting its oversight 
and market monitoring obligations, and (4) benefits the public, both as 
ratepayers and investors. In addition, the FERC's audit staff uses 
these records during compliance reviews and special analyses.

[[Page 11785]]

    If data from the FERC Form 60, FERC-61, and FERC-555A were not 
available, FERC would not be able to meet its statutory 
responsibilities, under EPAct 1992, EPAct of 2005, and PUHCA 2005, and 
FERC would not have all of the regulatory mechanisms necessary to 
ensure customer protection.
    Type of Respondent: Electric transmission facilities.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: The Commission estimates the annual 
public reporting burden for the information collection as:

  FERC-60 (Annual Report of Centralized Service Companies), FERC-61 (Narrative Description of Service Company Functions), & FERC-555A (Preservation of Records of Holding Companies and Service
                                                                                Companies Subject to PUHCA 2005)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Annual number
                                             Number of     of responses    Total number      Average burden and cost per response     Total annual burden hours and total annual     Cost per
                                            respondents   per respondent   of responses                                                                  cost                     respondent ($)
                                                     (1)             (2)     (1) * (2) =  (4).......................................  (3) * (4) = (5)...........................       (5) / (1)
                                                                                     (3)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FERC-60 \18\............................              39               1              39  75 hrs.; $4,280...........................  2,925 hrs.; $166,930......................          $4,280
FERC-61 \19\............................             100               1             100  0.5 hrs.; $18.75..........................  50 hrs.; $1,875...........................           18.75
FERC-555A \20\..........................             100               1             100  1,080 hrs.; $33,166.80....................  108,000 hrs.; $3,316,680..................       33,166.80
                                         -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total...............................  ..............  ..............  ..............  ..........................................  110,975 hrs.; $3,485,485..................  ..............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition to the labor (burden hour cost, provided above) for 
FERC-555A,\21\ there are additional costs for records retention and 
storage:

    \18\ For the FERC-60, the $57.07/hour figure is based on the 
average cost (wages plus benefits) of a management analyst 
(Occupation Code 13-1111) and an accountant (Occupation Code 13-
2011) as posted on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Web site 
(https://www/bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm).
    \19\ For the FERC-61 the $37.50 hourly cost figure comes from 
the cost of a records clerk (Occupation Code 43-4199) as posted on 
the BLS Web site (https://www/bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm).
    \20\ For the FERC-555A, the $30.71/hour figure is based on the 
cost (wages plus benefits) of a file clerk (Occupation Code 43-4071) 
as posted on the BLS Web site (https://www/bls.gov/oes/current/
naics2_22.htm). The estimates use the $30.71/hour (rather than the 
rounded $31/hour provided in the 60-day Notice.
    \21\ Internal analysis assumes 50% electronic and 50% paper 
storage
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

 50% of the records are paper. Paper storage costs (using an 
estimate of 6,000 ft\3\): $38,763.75
 50% of the records are electronic. Electronic storage cost is 
$15.25/year \22\ for each entity, or $1,525 for all entities.

    \22\ Per entity; the Commission bases this figure on the 
estimated cost to service and to store 1 GB of data (based on the 
aggregated cost of an advanced data protection server).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total record storage cost for FERC-555A for all entities is 
$40,288.75.
    The total annual cost (including burden hours [from table above] 
and record storage cost) of FERC-555A is $3,356,958.75.

    Dated: February 24, 2016.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-04956 Filed 3-4-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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