Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC Forms 6 and 580); Comment Request, 62112-62116 [2016-21567]

Download as PDF 62112 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 174 / Thursday, September 8, 2016 / Notices the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214). Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. Such notices, motions, or protests must be filed on or before the comment date. On or before the comment date, it is not necessary to serve motions to intervene or protests on persons other than the Applicant. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the ‘‘eFiling’’ link at https://www.ferc.gov. Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 5 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426. This filing is accessible on-line at https://www.ferc.gov, using the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link and is available for review in the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an ‘‘eSubscription’’ link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive email notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please email FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, or call (866) 208–3676 (toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502–8659. Comment Date: 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on September 26, 2016. Dated: September 1, 2016. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2016–21561 Filed 9–7–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES Combined Notice of Filings #1 Take notice that the Commission received the following electric rate filings: Docket Numbers: ER10–1257–006; ER10–1258–006; ER11–3117–002. Applicants: Wabash Valley Power Association, Inc., Wabash Valley Energy Marketing, Inc., Lively Grove Energy Partners, LLC. Description: Supplement to July 18, 2016 Notice of Change of Status of Wabash Valley Power Association, et al. Filed Date: 8/29/16. Accession Number: 20160829–5321. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:34 Sep 07, 2016 Jkt 238001 Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 9/19/16. Docket Numbers: ER10–1777–009; ER15–718–004. Applicants: Sundevil Power Holdings, LLC, West Valley Power, LLC. Description: Notification of Change in Status of the Wayzata Entities, et al. Filed Date: 8/29/16. Accession Number: 20160829–5320. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 9/19/16. Docket Numbers: ER15–1499–003. Applicants: Southwest Power Pool, Inc. Description: Compliance filing: City of Independence Stated Rate Compliance Filing to be effective 6/1/2015. Filed Date: 8/29/16. Accession Number: 20160829–5275. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 9/19/16. Docket Numbers: ER16–1830–001. Applicants: AEP Texas Central Company. Description: Tariff Amendment: TCCRio Grande EC TSA Deficiency Response to be effective 5/6/2016. Filed Date: 8/29/16. Accession Number: 20160829–5309. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 9/19/16. Docket Numbers: ER16–1831–001. Applicants: AEP Texas North Company. Description: Tariff Amendment: TNCRio Grande EC TSA Concurrence Deficiency Response to be effective 5/6/2016. Filed Date: 8/29/16. Accession Number: 20160829–5305. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 9/19/16. Docket Numbers: ER16–2185–001. Applicants: Westar Energy, Inc. Description: Tariff Amendment: Amendment, Cost-Based Tariff Filing to be effective 3/1/2014. Filed Date: 8/29/16. Accession Number: 20160829–5312. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 9/19/16. Docket Numbers: ER16–2372–002. Applicants: ITC Midwest LLC. Description: Tariff Amendment: Second Errata to Master Joint Use Agreement to be effective 10/4/2016. Filed Date: 8/29/16. Accession Number: 20160829–5250. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 9/19/16. Docket Numbers: ER16–2506–000. Applicants: Oliver Wind III, LLC. Description: Baseline eTariff Filing: Oliver Wind III, LLC Application for Market-Based Rates to be effective 11/1/2016. Filed Date: 8/29/16. Accession Number: 20160829–5311. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 9/19/16. Docket Numbers: ER16–2507–000. Applicants: NorthWestern Corporation. Description: Section 205(d) Rate Filing: SA 243 10th Rev—NITSA with CHS Inc. to be effective 8/30/2016. PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Filed Date: 8/29/16. Accession Number: 20160829–5313. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 9/19/16. Docket Numbers: ER16–2508–000. Applicants: H.Q. Energy Services (U.S.) Inc. Description: Section 205(d) Rate Filing: HQUS MBR Tariff Update Filing to be effective 8/31/2016. Filed Date: 8/30/16. Accession Number: 20160830–5143. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 9/20/16. The filings are accessible in the Commission’s eLibrary system by clicking on the links or querying the docket number. Any person desiring to intervene or protest in any of the above proceedings must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission’s Regulations (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214) on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on the specified comment date. Protests may be considered, but intervention is necessary to become a party to the proceeding. eFiling is encouraged. More detailed information relating to filing requirements, interventions, protests, service, and qualifying facilities filings can be found at: https://www.ferc.gov/ docs-filing/efiling/filing-req.pdf. For other information, call (866) 208–3676 (toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502–8659. Dated: August 30, 2016. Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2016–21529 Filed 9–7–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. IC16–11–000] Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC Forms 6 and 580); Comment Request Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Comment request. AGENCY: The Commission previously issued a Notice in the Federal Register (81 FR 38169, 6/13/2016) requesting public comments on FERC Forms 6, 580, 1, 1–F, and 3–Q. The Commission received no comments regarding FERC Forms 6 and 580. This 30-day notice only solicits comments on FERC Forms 6 and 580. FERC received comments regarding FERC Forms 1, 1–F, and 3–Q and will address those comments in a subsequent notice also in Docket No. IC16–11–000. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\08SEN1.SGM 08SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 174 / Thursday, September 8, 2016 / Notices 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 these information collections (FERC Form 6 [Annual Report of Oil Pipeline Companies] and FERC Form 580 [Interrogatory on Fuel and Energy Purchase Practices]) 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. DATES: Comments on the FERC Forms 6 and 580 are due by October 11, 2016. ADDRESSES: Comments filed with OMB, identified by the OMB Control Nos. 1902–0022 (FERC Form 6) or 1902–0137 (FERC–580) should be sent via email to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs: oira_submission@omb.gov, Attention: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Desk Officer. A copy of the comments should also be sent to the Commission, in Docket No. IC16–11–000, 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. 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 collection requirements for all collections described below with no changes to the current reporting requirements. There are some non-substantive corrections being made to the instructions (such as reflecting the current estimated burden mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:34 Sep 07, 2016 Jkt 238001 hours and updating addresses). 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 Form No. 6, Annual Report of Oil Pipeline Companies 1 OMB Control No.: 1902–0022. Abstract: Under the Interstate Commerce Act (ICA), (Section 20, 54 Stat. 916), the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) was authorized and empowered to make investigations and to collect and record data to the extent considered necessary or useful for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of the ICA. In 1977, the Department of Energy Organization Act transferred to the Commission from the ICC the responsibility to regulate oil pipeline companies. In accordance with the transfer of authority, the Commission was delegated the responsibility to require oil pipelines to file annual reports of information necessary for the Commission to exercise its statutory responsibilities.2 The transfer included the Form P, the predecessor to the FERC Form No. 6, Annual Report of Oil Pipeline Companies (Form 6).3 1 The renewal request for the FERC Form No. 6 in Docket No. IC16–11 is for the current form, with no change to the reporting requirements. None of the comments received in Docket No. IC16–11 pertained to FERC Form 6. The FERC Form No. 6 is also part of the Forms Refresh effort (Docket No. AD15–11), which is a separate activity and not addressed in this Notice. In addition, there is a pending Docket No. RM15–19 which is a separate activity and is not addressed in this Notice. 2 Section 402(b) of the Department of Energy Organization Act (DOE Act), 42 U.S.C. 7172 provides that; ‘‘[t]here are hereby transferred to, and vested in, the Commission all functions and authority of the Interstate Commerce Commission or any officer or component of such Commission where the regulatory function establishes rates or charges for the transportation of oil by pipeline or established the valuation of any such pipeline.’’ 3 The ICC developed the Form P to collect information on an annual basis to enable it to carry out its regulation of oil pipeline companies under the Interstate Commerce Act. A comprehensive review of the reporting requirements for oil pipeline PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 62113 To reduce burden on industry, the FERC Form No. 6 has three tiers of reporting requirements: 1. Each oil pipeline carrier whose annual jurisdictional operating revenues has been $500,000 or more for each of the three previous calendar years must file FERC Form No. 6. Oil pipeline carriers submitting a complete FERC Form No. 6 must submit FERC Form 6–Q.4 Newly established entities must use projected data to determine whether FERC Form No. 6 must be filed. 2. Oil pipeline carriers exempt from filing FERC Form No. 6 whose annual jurisdictional operating revenues have been more than $350,000 but less than $500,000 for each of the three previous calendar years must prepare and file page 301, ‘‘Operating Revenue Accounts (Account 600), and page 700, ‘‘Annual cost of Service Based Analysis Schedule,’’ of FERC Form No. 6. When submitting pages 301 and 700, each exempt oil pipeline carrier must include page 1 of the FERC Form No. 6, the Identification and Attestation schedules. 3. Oil pipeline carriers exempt from filing FERC Form No. 6 and page 301 and whose annual jurisdictional operating revenues were $350,000 or less for each of the three previous calendar years must prepare and file page 700, ‘‘Annual Cost of Service Based Analysis Schedule,’’ of FERC Form No. 6. The Commission uses the FERC Form No. 6 information in: • Implementation of its financial audits and programs, the continuous review of the financial condition of regulated companies, and the assessment of energy markets • various rate proceedings and economic analyses • background research for use in litigation • programs relating to the administration of the ICA • computation of annual charges, which are required by Section 3401 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986. Type of Respondent: Oil Pipelines. Estimate of Annual Burden: The Commission estimates the annual public companies was performed on September 21, 1982, when the Commission issued Order 260 revising the former ICC Form P, ‘‘Annual Report of Carriers by Pipeline’’ and re-designating it as FERC Form No. 6, ‘‘Annual Report of Oil Pipeline Companies’’. 4 FERC Form 6–Q is covered separately and is approved by OMB under OMB Control No. 1902– 0206. It is not a subject of this Notice; FERC Form 6–Q is being addressed separately in Docket No. IC16–7–000. E:\FR\FM\08SEN1.SGM 08SEN1 62114 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 174 / Thursday, September 8, 2016 / Notices reporting burden 5 and cost 6 for the FERC Form No. 6 information collection as follows. FERC Form No. 6 information collection as follows. FERC FORM NO. 6, ANNUAL REPORT OF OIL PIPELINE COMPANIES Number of respondents 7 Annual number of responses per respondent Total number of responses Average burden & cost per response Total annual burden hours & total annual cost Cost per respondent ($) (1) (2) (1) * (2) = (3) (4) (3) * (4) = (5) (5) ÷ (1) 161 hrs.; .................... $11,995 ..................... 31,878 hrs.; ............... $2,375,010 ................ 198 ............................................................... The reporting requirements are not changing. However we are making nonsubstantive corrections to update the number of burden hours and addresses in the instructions, as detailed in Attachment A. FERC Form No. 580, Interrogatory on Fuel and Energy Purchase Practices OMB Control No.: 1902–0137. Abstract: FERC Form No. 580 is collected in even numbered years. The Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA) 8 amended the Federal Power Act (FPA) and directed the Commission to make comprehensive biennial reviews of certain matters related to 1 198 automatic adjustment clauses (AACs) in wholesale rate schedules used by public utilities subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction. Specifically, the Commission is required to examine whether the clauses effectively provide the incentives for efficient use of resources and whether the clauses reflect only those costs that are either ‘‘subject to periodic fluctuations’’ or ‘‘not susceptible to precise determinations’’ in rate cases prior to the time the costs are incurred. The Commission is also required to review the practices of each public utility under AACs ‘‘to insure efficient use of resources under such clauses.’’ 9 $11,995 In response to the PURPA directive, the Commission (Docket Number IN79–6– 000) established an investigation. Beginning in 1982, the Commission collected ‘‘Interrogatory on Fuel and Energy Purchase Practices’’ data every other year. Based on filer comments in response to the new electronic form used in the 2014 collections, FERC recommends the following changes to the instructions. FERC is not changing the requirements of the information collection. Question 2a —Revise Question 2a columns as follows: From To Docket number under which rate schedule containing AAC through which costs were passed during 2012 and/or 2013 was accepted for filing by FERC. Was rate schedule superseded or abandoned during 2012–2013? If so, provide dates. Docket number under which rate schedule containing AAC through which costs were passed during 2014 and/or 2015 was accepted for filing by FERC. Was rate schedule superseded or abandoned during 2014–2015? If so, provide dates. Question 2b —Revise the paragraph under Question 2b to read: To If any of the Utility’s wholesale rate and/or service agreements containing an AAC listed in Question 2a, that was used during 2012 and/or 2013, was filed with the Commission before January 1, 1990, attach an electronic copy of it with this filing. List the documents you are submitting below. Note: Once this information is submitted electronically in a text-searchable format it will not be necessary to submit it in future Form 580 filings. See: https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ elibrary/accept-file-formats.asp for listing of Commission accepted document types. mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES From If any of the Utility’s wholesale rate and/or service agreements containing an AAC listed in Question 2a, that was used during 2014 and/or 2015, was filed with the Commission before January 1, 1990, attach an electronic copy of it with this filing. List the documents you are submitting below. Note: Once this information is submitted electronically in a text-searchable format it will not be necessary to submit it in future Form 580 filings. See: https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ elibrary/accept-file-formats.asp for listing of Commission accepted document types. Question 3 —Revise the paragraph under Question 3 to read: 5 The burden associated with the one-time refiling of Page 700 data for Years 2009–2011 has been completed and is not included. 6 The cost is based on FERC’s 2016 average cost (salary plus benefits) of $74.50/hour. The VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:34 Sep 07, 2016 Jkt 238001 Commission staff believes that the industry’s level and skill set is comparable to FERC. 7 The number of respondents (and responses) is subject to change because of normal fluctuations in the industry (e.g., companies merging, splitting, entering into and exiting the industry). PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 8 Enacted November 8, 1978. review requirement is set forth in two paragraphs of Section 208 of PURPA, 49 Stat. 851; 16 U.S.C. 824d. 9 The E:\FR\FM\08SEN1.SGM 08SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 174 / Thursday, September 8, 2016 / Notices 62115 From To If during the 2012–2013 period, the Utility had any contracts or agreements for the purchase of either energy or capacity under which all or any portion of the purchase costs were passed through a fuel adjustment clause (FAC), for each purchase from a PURPA Qualifying Facility (QF) or Independent Power Producer (IPP) provide the information requested in the non-shaded columns of the table below. Provide the information separately for each reporting year 2012 and 2013. Do not report purchased power where none of the costs were recovered through an FAC. For each purchase where costs were flowed through an FAC, fill-in the non-shaded columns and either ‘‘Only energy charges’’ or ‘‘The total cost of the purchase of economic power’’ columns, whichever apply. If during the 2014–2015 period, the Utility had any contracts or agreements for the purchase of either energy or capacity under which all or any portion of the purchase costs were passed through a fuel adjustment clause (FAC), for each purchase from a PURPA Qualifying Facility (QF) or Independent Power Producer (IPP) provide the information requested in the non-shaded columns of the table below. Provide the information separately for each reporting year 2014 and 2015. Do not report purchased power where none of the costs were recovered through an FAC. For each purchase where costs were flowed through an FAC, fill-in the non-shaded columns and either ‘‘Only energy charges’’ or ‘‘The total cost of the purchase of economic power’’ columns, whichever apply. Question 4a —Revise Question 4a columns as follows: From To If emission allowance costs were incurred by the Utility in 2012 and/or 2013 and were recovered through a FAC, provide the following information. Dollar value of emission allowance cost passed through a FAC: 2012|2013. If emission allowance costs were incurred by the Utility in 2014 and/or 2015 and were recovered through a FAC, provide the following information. Dollar value of emission allowance cost passed through a FAC: 2014|2015. Question 5 —Revise the paragraph under Question 5 as follows: From To Provide the information requested below regarding the Utility’s fuel procurement policies and practices in place during 2012 and/or 2013 for fuels whose costs were subject to 18 CFR 35.14. Note: Responses to this question may be filed as Privileged. To do so, skip this question now and answer it via the Fuel Procurement Policies and Practices Privileged Addendum provided. Otherwise, answer it here and your responses will be made public. Provide the information requested below regarding the Utility’s fuel procurement policies and practices in place during 2014 and/or 2015 for fuels whose costs were subject to 18 CFR 35.14. Note: Responses to this question may be filed as Privileged. To do so, skip this question now and answer it via the Fuel Procurement Policies and Practices Privileged Addendum provided. Otherwise, answer it here and your responses will be made public. Question 6 —Revise the paragraph under Question 6 as follows: To For each fuel supply contract, of longer than one year in duration, in force at any time during 2012 and/or 2013, where costs were subject to 18 CFR 35.14, (including informal agreements with associated companies), provide the requested information. Report the information individually for each contract, for each calendar year. [No response to any part of Question 6 for fuel oil no. 2 is necessary.] Report all fuels consumed for electric power generation and thermal energy associated with the production of electricity. Information for only coal, natural gas, and oil should be reported. mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES From For each fuel supply contract, of longer than one year in duration, in force at any time during 2014 and/or 2015, where costs were subject to 18 CFR 35.14, (including informal agreements with associated companies), provide the requested information. Report the information individually for each contract, for each calendar year. [No response to any part of Question 6 for fuel oil no. 2 is necessary.] Report all fuels consumed for electric power generation and thermal energy associated with the production of electricity. Information for only coal, natural gas, and oil should be reported. Question 7 —Revise the paragraph under Question 6 as follows: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:34 Sep 07, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\08SEN1.SGM 08SEN1 62116 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 174 / Thursday, September 8, 2016 / Notices From To For each fuel supply contract, including informal agreements with associated or affiliated companies in force at any time during 2012 or 2013 WHERE CONTRACT SHORTFALL COSTS WERE PASSED THROUGH an FAC subject to 18 CFR 35.14, provide for each contract separately the information requested below. Only report the information requested for shortfalls that occurred under your contracts during reporting years 2012 or 2013 and that are not under dispute i.e., parties agree there was indeed a shortfall. For each fuel supply contract, including informal agreements with associated or affiliated companies in force at any time during 2014 or 2015 WHERE CONTRACT SHORTFALL COSTS WERE PASSED THROUGH an FAC subject to 18 CFR 35.14, provide for each contract separately the information requested below. Only report the information requested for shortfalls that occurred under your contracts during reporting years 2014 or 2015 and that are not under dispute i.e., parties agree there was indeed a shortfall. Question 8 —Revise the paragraph under Question 8 as follows: From To For each fuel supply contract that was bought-out or bought-down, including informal agreements with associated or affiliated companies in force at any time during 2012 or 2013 WHERE CONTRACT BUYOUT AND/OR BUY-DOWN COSTS WERE PASSED THROUGH an FAC subject to 18 CFR 35.14, provide for each contract separately the information requested below. Only report the information requested for contract buy-downs and buy-outs that occurred under your contracts during reporting years 2012 or 2013 and that are not under dispute i.e., parties agree there was indeed a shortfall. For each fuel supply contract that was bought-out or bought-down, including informal agreements with associated or affiliated companies in force at any time during 2014 or 2015 WHERE CONTRACT BUYOUT AND/OR BUY-DOWN COSTS WERE PASSED THROUGH an FAC subject to 18 CFR 35.14, provide for each contract separately the information requested below. Only report the information requested for contract buy-downs and buy-outs that occurred under your contracts during reporting years 2014 or 2015 and that are not under dispute i.e., parties agree there was indeed a shortfall. can see these materials electronically as part of this notice in FERC’s eLibrary (https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ elibrary.asp) by searching Docket No. IC16–11–000. Access to the Revised Materials: A copy of the revised form (which includes instructions and glossary) and desk reference will be publically available in Docket No. IC16–11–000, but they will not be published in the Federal Register.10 Interested parties Type of Respondent: Large electric public utilities within FERC jurisdiction. Estimate of Annual Burden: 11 The Commission estimates the annual 12 public reporting burden for the information collection as: FERC FORM 580 [Interrogatory on fuel and energy purchase practices] Number of respondents Annual number of responses per respondent Total number of responses Average burden & cost per response 13 Total annual burden hours & total annual cost Annual cost per respondent ($) (1) (2) (1) * (2) = (3) (4) (3) * (4) = (5) (5) ÷ (1) Respondents with FACs .................. 37 0.5 18.5 5 103 hrs.; $7,673.50. 20 hrs.; $1,490 .. 1,905.5 hrs.; $141,959.75. 100 hrs.; $7,450 Respondents with AACs, but no FACs. Respondents with no AACs nor FACs. 10 0.5 35 0.5 17.5 2 hrs.; $149 ....... 35 hrs.; $2,607.50. Total ......................................... ........................ ........................ 41 ............................ 2,040.5 hrs.; $152,017.25. 3,836.75 745 74.50 ........................ Dated: September 1, 2016. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2016–21567 Filed 9–7–16; 8:45 am] mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES BILLING CODE 6717–01–P 10 The revised form is intended to illustrate superficial changes only and does not include all the interactive features of the actual form. 11 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:34 Sep 07, 2016 Jkt 238001 information collection burden, reference 5 Code of Federal Regulations 1320.3. 12 The FERC Form 580 data is collected on a biennial basis. In order to represent the burden appropriately, the ‘‘Annual Number of Responses per Respondent’’ is assigned a figure of 0.5. This figure means that one response per respondent is received on average for each two year period. The ‘‘Total Annual Burden Hours & Total Annual Cost’’ PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 figures are all annual figures based on the biennial frequency assumption. 13 The estimates for cost per response are derived using the 2016 FERC average salary plus benefits of $154,647/year (or $74.50/hour). Commission staff finds that the work done for this information collection is typically done by wage categories similar to those at FERC. E:\FR\FM\08SEN1.SGM 08SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 174 (Thursday, September 8, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62112-62116]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-21567]

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

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. IC16-11-000]

Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC Forms 6 and
580); Comment Request

AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Comment request.

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

SUMMARY: The Commission previously issued a Notice in the Federal
Register (81 FR 38169, 6/13/2016) requesting public comments on FERC
Forms 6, 580, 1, 1-F, and 3-Q. The Commission received no comments
regarding FERC Forms 6 and 580. This 30-day notice only solicits
comments on FERC Forms 6 and 580. FERC received comments regarding FERC
Forms 1, 1-F, and 3-Q and will address those comments in a subsequent
notice also in Docket No. IC16-11-000.

[[Page 62113]]

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 these information
collections (FERC Form 6 [Annual Report of Oil Pipeline Companies] and
FERC Form 580 [Interrogatory on Fuel and Energy Purchase Practices]) 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.

DATES: Comments on the FERC Forms 6 and 580 are due by October 11,
2016.

ADDRESSES: Comments filed with OMB, identified by the OMB Control Nos.
1902-0022 (FERC Form 6) or 1902-0137 (FERC-580) should be sent via
email to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs:
oira_submission@omb.gov, Attention: Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission Desk Officer.
A copy of the comments should also be sent to the Commission, in
Docket No. IC16-11-000, 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: 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 collection
requirements for all collections described below with no changes to the
current reporting requirements. There are some non-substantive
corrections being made to the instructions (such as reflecting the
current estimated burden hours and updating addresses). 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 Form No. 6, Annual Report of Oil Pipeline Companies \1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\1\ The renewal request for the FERC Form No. 6 in Docket No.
IC16-11 is for the current form, with no change to the reporting
requirements. None of the comments received in Docket No. IC16-11
pertained to FERC Form 6. The FERC Form No. 6 is also part of the
Forms Refresh effort (Docket No. AD15-11), which is a separate
activity and not addressed in this Notice. In addition, there is a
pending Docket No. RM15-19 which is a separate activity and is not
addressed in this Notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

OMB Control No.: 1902-0022.
Abstract: Under the Interstate Commerce Act (ICA), (Section 20, 54
Stat. 916), the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) was authorized and
empowered to make investigations and to collect and record data to the
extent considered necessary or useful for the purpose of carrying out
the provisions of the ICA.
In 1977, the Department of Energy Organization Act transferred to
the Commission from the ICC the responsibility to regulate oil pipeline
companies. In accordance with the transfer of authority, the Commission
was delegated the responsibility to require oil pipelines to file
annual reports of information necessary for the Commission to exercise
its statutory responsibilities.\2\ The transfer included the Form P,
the predecessor to the FERC Form No. 6, Annual Report of Oil Pipeline
Companies (Form 6).\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\2\ Section 402(b) of the Department of Energy Organization Act
(DOE Act), 42 U.S.C. 7172 provides that; ``[t]here are hereby
transferred to, and vested in, the Commission all functions and
authority of the Interstate Commerce Commission or any officer or
component of such Commission where the regulatory function
establishes rates or charges for the transportation of oil by
pipeline or established the valuation of any such pipeline.''
\3\ The ICC developed the Form P to collect information on an
annual basis to enable it to carry out its regulation of oil
pipeline companies under the Interstate Commerce Act. A
comprehensive review of the reporting requirements for oil pipeline
companies was performed on September 21, 1982, when the Commission
issued Order 260 revising the former ICC Form P, ``Annual Report of
Carriers by Pipeline'' and re-designating it as FERC Form No. 6,
``Annual Report of Oil Pipeline Companies''.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

To reduce burden on industry, the FERC Form No. 6 has three tiers
of reporting requirements:
1. Each oil pipeline carrier whose annual jurisdictional operating
revenues has been $500,000 or more for each of the three previous
calendar years must file FERC Form No. 6. Oil pipeline carriers
submitting a complete FERC Form No. 6 must submit FERC Form 6-Q.\4\
Newly established entities must use projected data to determine whether
FERC Form No. 6 must be filed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\4\ FERC Form 6-Q is covered separately and is approved by OMB
under OMB Control No. 1902-0206. It is not a subject of this Notice;
FERC Form 6-Q is being addressed separately in Docket No. IC16-7-
000.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Oil pipeline carriers exempt from filing FERC Form No. 6 whose
annual jurisdictional operating revenues have been more than $350,000
but less than $500,000 for each of the three previous calendar years
must prepare and file page 301, ``Operating Revenue Accounts (Account
600), and page 700, ``Annual cost of Service Based Analysis Schedule,''
of FERC Form No. 6. When submitting pages 301 and 700, each exempt oil
pipeline carrier must include page 1 of the FERC Form No. 6, the
Identification and Attestation schedules.
3. Oil pipeline carriers exempt from filing FERC Form No. 6 and
page 301 and whose annual jurisdictional operating revenues were
$350,000 or less for each of the three previous calendar years must
prepare and file page 700, ``Annual Cost of Service Based Analysis
Schedule,'' of FERC Form No. 6.
The Commission uses the FERC Form No. 6 information in:
Implementation of its financial audits and programs, the
continuous review of the financial condition of regulated companies,
and the assessment of energy markets
various rate proceedings and economic analyses
background research for use in litigation
programs relating to the administration of the ICA
computation of annual charges, which are required by
Section 3401 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986.
Type of Respondent: Oil Pipelines.
Estimate of Annual Burden: The Commission estimates the annual
public

[[Page 62114]]

reporting burden \5\ and cost \6\ for the FERC Form No. 6 information
collection as follows.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\5\ The burden associated with the one-time re-filing of Page
700 data for Years 2009-2011 has been completed and is not included.
\6\ The cost is based on FERC's 2016 average cost (salary plus
benefits) of $74.50/hour. The Commission staff believes that the
industry's level and skill set is comparable to FERC.

FERC Form No. 6, Annual Report of Oil Pipeline Companies
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual number
Number of respondents \7\ of responses Total number Average burden & cost per Total annual burden hours & Cost per
per respondent of responses response total annual cost respondent ($)
(1) (2) (1) * (2) = (4).............................. (3) * (4) = (5)................. (5) / (1)
(3)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
198................................ 1 198 161 hrs.;........................ 31,878 hrs.;.................... $11,995
$11,995.......................... $2,375,010......................
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The reporting requirements are not changing. However we are making
non-substantive corrections to update the number of burden hours and
addresses in the instructions, as detailed in Attachment A.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\7\ The number of respondents (and responses) is subject to
change because of normal fluctuations in the industry (e.g.,
companies merging, splitting, entering into and exiting the
industry).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

FERC Form No. 580, Interrogatory on Fuel and Energy Purchase Practices

OMB Control No.: 1902-0137.
Abstract: FERC Form No. 580 is collected in even numbered years.
The Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA) \8\ amended the
Federal Power Act (FPA) and directed the Commission to make
comprehensive biennial reviews of certain matters related to automatic
adjustment clauses (AACs) in wholesale rate schedules used by public
utilities subject to the Commission's jurisdiction. Specifically, the
Commission is required to examine whether the clauses effectively
provide the incentives for efficient use of resources and whether the
clauses reflect only those costs that are either ``subject to periodic
fluctuations'' or ``not susceptible to precise determinations'' in rate
cases prior to the time the costs are incurred.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\8\ Enacted November 8, 1978.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Commission is also required to review the practices of each
public utility under AACs ``to insure efficient use of resources under
such clauses.'' \9\ In response to the PURPA directive, the Commission
(Docket Number IN79-6-000) established an investigation. Beginning in
1982, the Commission collected ``Interrogatory on Fuel and Energy
Purchase Practices'' data every other year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\9\ The review requirement is set forth in two paragraphs of
Section 208 of PURPA, 49 Stat. 851; 16 U.S.C. 824d.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Based on filer comments in response to the new electronic form used
in the 2014 collections, FERC recommends the following changes to the
instructions. FERC is not changing the requirements of the information
collection.

Question 2a

--Revise Question 2a columns as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
From To
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Docket number under which rate schedule Docket number under which rate
containing AAC through which costs schedule containing AAC
were passed during 2012 and/or 2013 through which costs were
was accepted for filing by FERC. Was passed during 2014 and/or 2015
rate schedule superseded or abandoned was accepted for filing by
during 2012-2013? If so, provide dates. FERC. Was rate schedule
superseded or abandoned during
2014-2015? If so, provide
dates.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Question 2b

--Revise the paragraph under Question 2b to read:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
From To
------------------------------------------------------------------------
If any of the Utility's wholesale rate If any of the Utility's
and/or service agreements containing wholesale rate and/or service
an AAC listed in Question 2a, that was agreements containing an AAC
used during 2012 and/or 2013, was listed in Question 2a, that
filed with the Commission before was used during 2014 and/or
January 1, 1990, attach an electronic 2015, was filed with the
copy of it with this filing. List the Commission before January 1,
documents you are submitting below. 1990, attach an electronic
Note: Once this information is copy of it with this filing.
submitted electronically in a text- List the documents you are
searchable format it will not be submitting below. Note: Once
necessary to submit it in future Form this information is submitted
580 filings. See: https://www.ferc.gov/ electronically in a text-
docs-filing/elibrary/accept-file- searchable format it will not
formats.asp for listing of Commission be necessary to submit it in
accepted document types. future Form 580 filings. See:
https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/elibrary/accept-file-formats.asp for listing of
Commission accepted document
types.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Question 3

--Revise the paragraph under Question 3 to read:

[[Page 62115]]

------------------------------------------------------------------------
From To
------------------------------------------------------------------------
If during the 2012-2013 period, the If during the 2014-2015 period,
Utility had any contracts or the Utility had any contracts
agreements for the purchase of either or agreements for the purchase
energy or capacity under which all or of either energy or capacity
any portion of the purchase costs were under which all or any portion
passed through a fuel adjustment of the purchase costs were
clause (FAC), for each purchase from a passed through a fuel
PURPA Qualifying Facility (QF) or adjustment clause (FAC), for
Independent Power Producer (IPP) each purchase from a PURPA
provide the information requested in Qualifying Facility (QF) or
the non-shaded columns of the table Independent Power Producer
below. Provide the information (IPP) provide the information
separately for each reporting year requested in the non-shaded
2012 and 2013. Do not report purchased columns of the table below.
power where none of the costs were Provide the information
recovered through an FAC. For each separately for each reporting
purchase where costs were flowed year 2014 and 2015. Do not
through an FAC, fill-in the non-shaded report purchased power where
columns and either ``Only energy none of the costs were
charges'' or ``The total cost of the recovered through an FAC. For
purchase of economic power'' columns, each purchase where costs were
whichever apply. flowed through an FAC, fill-in
the non-shaded columns and
either ``Only energy charges''
or ``The total cost of the
purchase of economic power''
columns, whichever apply.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Question 4a

--Revise Question 4a columns as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
From To
------------------------------------------------------------------------
If emission allowance costs were If emission allowance costs
incurred by the Utility in 2012 and/or were incurred by the Utility
2013 and were recovered through a FAC, in 2014 and/or 2015 and were
provide the following information. recovered through a FAC,
provide the following
information.
Dollar value of emission allowance cost Dollar value of emission
passed through a FAC: 2012[verbar]2013. allowance cost passed through
a FAC: 2014[verbar]2015.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Question 5

--Revise the paragraph under Question 5 as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
From To
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Provide the information requested below Provide the information
regarding the Utility's fuel requested below regarding the
procurement policies and practices in Utility's fuel procurement
place during 2012 and/or 2013 for policies and practices in
fuels whose costs were subject to 18 place during 2014 and/or 2015
CFR 35.14. Note: Responses to this for fuels whose costs were
question may be filed as Privileged. subject to 18 CFR 35.14. Note:
To do so, skip this question now and Responses to this question may
answer it via the Fuel Procurement be filed as Privileged. To do
Policies and Practices Privileged so, skip this question now and
Addendum provided. Otherwise, answer answer it via the Fuel
it here and your responses will be Procurement Policies and
made public. Practices Privileged Addendum
provided. Otherwise, answer it
here and your responses will
be made public.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Question 6

--Revise the paragraph under Question 6 as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
From To
------------------------------------------------------------------------
For each fuel supply contract, of For each fuel supply contract,
longer than one year in duration, in of longer than one year in
force at any time during 2012 and/or duration, in force at any time
2013, where costs were subject to 18 during 2014 and/or 2015, where
CFR 35.14, (including informal costs were subject to 18 CFR
agreements with associated companies), 35.14, (including informal
provide the requested information. agreements with associated
Report the information individually companies), provide the
for each contract, for each calendar requested information. Report
year. [No response to any part of the information individually
Question 6 for fuel oil no. 2 is for each contract, for each
necessary.] Report all fuels consumed calendar year. [No response to
for electric power generation and any part of Question 6 for
thermal energy associated with the fuel oil no. 2 is necessary.]
production of electricity. Information Report all fuels consumed for
for only coal, natural gas, and oil electric power generation and
should be reported. thermal energy associated with
the production of electricity.
Information for only coal,
natural gas, and oil should be
reported.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Question 7

--Revise the paragraph under Question 6 as follows:

[[Page 62116]]

------------------------------------------------------------------------
From To
------------------------------------------------------------------------
For each fuel supply contract, For each fuel supply contract,
including informal agreements with including informal agreements
associated or affiliated companies in with associated or affiliated
force at any time during 2012 or 2013 companies in force at any time
WHERE CONTRACT SHORTFALL COSTS WERE during 2014 or 2015 WHERE
PASSED THROUGH an FAC subject to 18 CONTRACT SHORTFALL COSTS WERE
CFR 35.14, provide for each contract PASSED THROUGH an FAC subject
separately the information requested to 18 CFR 35.14, provide for
below. Only report the information each contract separately the
requested for shortfalls that occurred information requested below.
under your contracts during reporting Only report the information
years 2012 or 2013 and that are not requested for shortfalls that
under dispute i.e., parties agree occurred under your contracts
there was indeed a shortfall. during reporting years 2014 or
2015 and that are not under
dispute i.e., parties agree
there was indeed a shortfall.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Question 8

--Revise the paragraph under Question 8 as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
From To
------------------------------------------------------------------------
For each fuel supply contract that was For each fuel supply contract
bought-out or bought-down, including that was bought-out or bought-
informal agreements with associated or down, including informal
affiliated companies in force at any agreements with associated or
time during 2012 or 2013 WHERE affiliated companies in force
CONTRACT BUY-OUT AND/OR BUY-DOWN COSTS at any time during 2014 or
WERE PASSED THROUGH an FAC subject to 2015 WHERE CONTRACT BUY-OUT
18 CFR 35.14, provide for each AND/OR BUY-DOWN COSTS WERE
contract separately the information PASSED THROUGH an FAC subject
requested below. Only report the to 18 CFR 35.14, provide for
information requested for contract buy- each contract separately the
downs and buy-outs that occurred under information requested below.
your contracts during reporting years Only report the information
2012 or 2013 and that are not under requested for contract buy-
dispute i.e., parties agree there was downs and buy-outs that
indeed a shortfall. occurred under your contracts
during reporting years 2014 or
2015 and that are not under
dispute i.e., parties agree
there was indeed a shortfall.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Access to the Revised Materials: A copy of the revised form (which
includes instructions and glossary) and desk reference will be
publically available in Docket No. IC16-11-000, but they will not be
published in the Federal Register.\10\ Interested parties can see these
materials electronically as part of this notice in FERC's eLibrary
(https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/elibrary.asp) by searching Docket No.
IC16-11-000.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\10\ The revised form is intended to illustrate superficial
changes only and does not include all the interactive features of
the actual form.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Type of Respondent: Large electric public utilities within FERC
jurisdiction.
Estimate of Annual Burden: \11\ The Commission estimates the annual
\12\ public reporting burden for the information collection as:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\11\ 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.
\12\ The FERC Form 580 data is collected on a biennial basis. In
order to represent the burden appropriately, the ``Annual Number of
Responses per Respondent'' is assigned a figure of 0.5. This figure
means that one response per respondent is received on average for
each two year period. The ``Total Annual Burden Hours & Total Annual
Cost'' figures are all annual figures based on the biennial
frequency assumption.
\13\ The estimates for cost per response are derived using the
2016 FERC average salary plus benefits of $154,647/year (or $74.50/
hour). Commission staff finds that the work done for this
information collection is typically done by wage categories similar
to those at FERC.

FERC Form 580
[Interrogatory on fuel and energy purchase practices]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual number Total annual burden Annual cost
Number of of responses Total number Average burden & cost hours & total annual per respondent
respondents per respondent of responses per response \13\ cost ($)
(1) (2) (1) * (2) = (4)..................... (3) * (4) = (5)........ (5) / (1)
(3)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Respondents with FACs................ 37 0.5 18.5 103 hrs.; $7,673.50..... 1,905.5 hrs.; 3,836.75
$141,959.75.
Respondents with AACs, but no FACs... 10 0.5 5 20 hrs.; $1,490......... 100 hrs.; $7,450....... 745
Respondents with no AACs nor FACs.... 35 0.5 17.5 2 hrs.; $149............ 35 hrs.; $2,607.50..... 74.50
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total............................ .............. .............. 41 ........................ 2,040.5 hrs.; ..............
$152,017.25.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dated: September 1, 2016.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-21567 Filed 9-7-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.