Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC Form No. 60, FERC-61, and FERC-555A); Consolidated Comment Request; Extension, 10308-10310 [2019-05208]

Download as PDF 10308 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 54 / Wednesday, March 20, 2019 / Notices Online service, please email FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov. or call (866) 208–3676 (toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502–8659. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Dated: March 14, 2019. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [Docket No. ER19–1280–000] jbell on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES Broadlands Wind Farm LLC; Supplemental Notice That Initial Market-Based Rate Filing Includes Request for Blanket Section 204 Authorization [FR Doc. 2019–05205 Filed 3–19–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P This is a supplemental notice in the above-referenced Broadlands Wind Farm LLC’s application for marketbased rate authority, with an accompanying rate tariff, noting that such application includes a request for blanket authorization, under 18 CFR part 34, of future issuances of securities and assumptions of liability. Any person desiring to intervene or to protest should file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426, in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214). Anyone filing a motion to intervene or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant. Notice is hereby given that the deadline for filing protests with regard to the applicant’s request for blanket authorization, under 18 CFR part 34, of future issuances of securities and assumptions of liability, is April 3, 2019. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper, using the FERC Online links at https:// www.ferc.gov. To facilitate electronic service, persons with internet access who will eFile a document and/or be listed as a contact for an intervenor must create and validate an eRegistration account using the eRegistration link. Select the eFiling link to log on and submit the intervention or protests. Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 5 copies of the intervention or protest to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426. The filings in the above-referenced proceeding are accessible in the Commission’s eLibrary system by clicking on the appropriate link in the above list. They are also available for electronic review in the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an eSubscription link on the website that enables subscribers to receive email notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:27 Mar 19, 2019 Jkt 247001 DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. IC19–17–000] Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC Form No. 60, FERC– 61, and FERC–555A); Consolidated Comment Request; Extension Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Department of Energy. ACTION: Notice of information collections and request for comments. AGENCY: In compliance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC) is soliciting public comment on the requirements and burden of the information collections described below. DATES: Comments on the collections of information are due May 20, 2019. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments (identified by Docket No. IC19–17–000) by either of the following methods: • eFiling at Commission’s Website: https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ efiling.asp. • Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426. Please reference the specific collection number and/or title in your comments. Instructions: All submissions must be formatted and filed in accordance with submission guidelines at: https:// www.ferc.gov/help/submissionguide.asp. For user assistance contact FERC Online Support by email at ferconlinesupport@ferc.gov, or by phone at: (866) 208–3676 (toll-free), or (202) 502–8659 for TTY. Docket: Users interested in receiving automatic notification of activity in this docket or in viewing/downloading comments and issuances in this docket may do so at https://www.ferc.gov/docsfiling/docs-filing.asp. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Brown may be reached by email at DataClearance@FERC.gov, telephone SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 at (202) 502–8663, and fax at (202) 273– 0873. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Type of Request: Three-year extension of the information collection requirements for all collections described below with no changes to the current reporting requirements. Please note the three collections are distinct. 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. 60 1 (Annual Report of Centralized Service Companies), FERC– 61 (Narrative Description of Service Company Functions), and FERC–555A (Preservation of Records Companies and Service Companies Subject to PUHCA) OMB Control No.: 1902–0215. Abstract: In accordance with the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005), the Commission implemented the repeal of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 (PUHCA 1935) and implemented the provisions of a newly enacted Public Utility Holding Company Act 2005 (PUHCA 2005). Pursuant to PUHCA 2005, the Commission requires centralized service companies to file the Form No. 60, unless the company is exempted or granted a waiver pursuant to the Commission’s regulations. The information collected in Form No. 60 1 The Form No. 60 is also part of a Commission Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) issued on January 17, 2019 in Docket No. RM19–12 that includes 10 information collections. See Revisions to the Filing Process for Commission Forms, 166 FERC ¶ 61,027 (2019). The NOPR proposes to change the format of the information that is being collected from a Commission-distributed software application called Visual FoxPro (VFP) to a standard built on eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL). Under the NOPR, the Commission is not proposing to change the information currently collected in the Form No. 60 (or in any of the VFP Forms), but rather to change the format of the information that is being collected from VFP to XBRL. Because there can be only one pending item per OMB Control No. pending OMB review at one time, the Form No. 60 is represented in the RM19–12 NOPR process as the ‘‘Form No. 60–A.’’ E:\FR\FM\20MRN1.SGM 20MRN1 10309 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 54 / Wednesday, March 20, 2019 / Notices enables better monitoring for crosssubsidization, and aids the Commission in carrying out its statutory responsibilities. In addition, centralized service companies are required to follow the Commission’s preservation of records requirements for centralized service companies. FERC Form No. 60 Form No. 60 is an annual reporting requirement for centralized service companies set forth in 18 CFR 366.23. The report’s function is to collect financial information (including balance sheet, assets, liabilities, billing and charges for associated and nonassociated companies) from centralized service companies subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction. Unless the Commission 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 the FERC Form No. 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 The Commission’s regulations prescribe a mandated preservation of records requirements 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 No. 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 the Commission to review and determine cost allocations (among holding company members) for certain non-power goods and services, (3) aids the Commission in meeting its oversight and market monitoring obligations, and (4) benefits the public, both as ratepayers and investors. In addition, the Commission’s audit staff uses these records during compliance reviews and special analyses. If data from the FERC Form No. 60, FERC–61, and FERC–555A were not available, it would be difficult for the Commission to meet its statutory responsibilities under EPAct 1992, EPAct of 2005, and PUHCA 2005, and the Commission would have fewer of the regulatory mechanisms necessary to ensure transparency and protect ratepayers. Type of Respondent: Centralized service companies Estimate of Annual Burden: The Commission estimates the annual public reporting burden for the information collection as: FERC FORM NO. 60 (ANNUAL REPORT OF CENTRALIZED SERVICE COMPANIES), FERC–61 (NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE COMPANY FUNCTIONS), AND FERC–555A (PRESERVATION OF RECORDS HOLDING COMPANIES AND SERVICE COMPANIES SUBJECT TO PUHCA) Number of respondents Annual number of responses per respondent Total number of responses Average Burden & cost per response 2 Total annual burden hours & total annual cost Cost per respondent ($) (1) (2) (1) * (2) = (3) (4) (3) * (4) = (5) (5) ÷ (1) 3 Form No. 60 4 ............................... Form No. 61 5 ............................... Form No. 555A 6 ........................... 39 78 117 1 1 1 39 78 117 75 hrs.; $4,749 .................... 0.5 hrs.; $19.84 ................... 1,080 hrs.; $36,061 ............. 2,925 hrs.; $185,211 ........... 39 hrs.; $1,548 .................... 126,360 hrs.; $4,219,160 .... 4,749 19.84 36,061 Total Paperwork Burden ....... ........................ ........................ 234 .............................................. 129,324 hrs.; $4,405,919 .... ........................ FERC–555A RECORD RENTENTION REQUIREMENTS Total number of respondents Cost per respondent Total annual burden hours & total annual costs (1) * (2) = (3) (4) (3) * (4) = (5) jbell on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES Paper Storage .............................................................................................................................. Electronic Storage ....................................................................................................................... 2 The estimates for cost per response are derived using the following formula: Average Burden Hours per Response * $79.00/hour = Average cost/ response. The figure is the 2018 FERC average hourly cost (for wages and benefits) of $79.00 (and an average annual salary of $164,820/year). Commission staff is using the FERC average salary because we consider any reporting requirements completed in response to the FERC–537 to be compensated at rates similar to the work of FERC employees. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:27 Mar 19, 2019 Jkt 247001 3 Each of the figures in this column are rounded to the nearest dollar. 4 For the FERC Form No. 60, the $63.32 hourly cost figure comes from the average cost (wages plus benefits) of a utility management analyst (Occupation Code 13–1111) and an accountant (Occupation Code 13–2011) as posted on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) website (https:// www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm). 5 For the FERC–61, the $39.68 hourly cost figure comes from the cost of a records clerk (Occupation PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 117 117 $387.60 15.25 $45,349.20 1,784.25 Code 43–4199) as posted on the BLS website (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm). 6 For the FERC–555A, the $33.39 hourly cost figure comes from the average cost (wages plus benefits) of a file clerk (Occupation Code 43–4071) as posted on the BLS website (https://www.bls.gov/ oes/current/naics2_22.htm). E:\FR\FM\20MRN1.SGM 20MRN1 10310 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 54 / Wednesday, March 20, 2019 / Notices FERC–555A RECORD RENTENTION REQUIREMENTS—Continued Total number of respondents Cost per respondent Total annual burden hours & total annual costs (1) * (2) = (3) (4) (3) * (4) = (5) jbell on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES Total Storage Burden ........................................................................................................... Total Annual Cost: $4,409,919 (Paperwork Burden) + $47,133.45 (Record Retention) = $4,453,052.45. A more accurate breakdown of the FERC–60/61/555A cost categories follows: Labor Cost: The total estimated annual cost for labor burden to respondents is $4,405,919 [$185,211 (FERC Form No. 60) + $1,548 (FERC–61) + $4,219,160 (FERC–555A)]. FERC Form No. 60: 2925 hours (75 hours × 39 respondents) * $63.32/hour = $185,211. FERC–61: 39 hours (.5 hours × 78 respondents) * $39.68/hour = $1,548. FERC–555A: 126,360 hours (1080 hours × 117 respondents) * $33.39/hour = $4,219,160. Storage Cost: 8 In addition to the labor (burden cost provided above) the table reflects an additional cost for record retention and storage: • Paper storage costs (using an estimate of 60 cubic feet × $6.46 per cubic foot): $387.60 per respondent annually. Total annual paper storage cost to industry ($387.60 × 117 respondents): $45,349.20. This estimate assumes that a respondent stores the same volume of paper as it did in the past and that the cost of such storage has not changed. We expect that this estimate should trend downward over time as more companies move away from paper storage and rely more heavily on electronic storage. • Electronic storage costs: $15.25 per respondent annually. Total annual electronic storage cost to industry ($15.25 × 117 respondents): $1,784.25. This calculation retains the previous estimate that storage of 1GB per year cost of $15.25. We expect that this estimate should trend downward over time as the cost of electronic storage technology, including cloud storage, continues to decrease. For example, external hard drives of approximately 500GB are available for approximately $50. In addition, cloud storage plans from multiple providers for 1TB of storage (with a reasonable amount of 7 Each of the 117 entities is assumed to have both paper and electronic record retention. 8 Internal analysis assumes 50% paper storage and 50% electronic storage. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:27 Mar 19, 2019 Jkt 247001 requests and data transfers) are available for less than $35 per month. Dated: March 14, 2019. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2019–05208 Filed 3–19–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Combined Notice of Filings Take notice that the Commission has received the following Natural Gas Pipeline Rate and Refund Report filings: Filings Instituting Proceedings Docket Number: PR19–22–001. Applicants: Boston Gas Company. Description: Tariff filing per 284.123(b),(e)/: Amendment to Revised Statement of Operating Conditions to be effective 1/1/2019. Filed Date: 3/12/19. Accession Number: 201903125109. Comments/Protests Due: 5 p.m. ET 4/ 2/19. Docket Numbers: RP19–829–000. Applicants: Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America. Description: § 4(d) Rate Filing: Negotiated Rate Agreement—Occidental Energy to be effective 4/1/2019. Filed Date: 3/13/19. Accession Number: 20190313–5000. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 3/25/19. Docket Numbers: RP19–830–000. Applicants: Horizon Pipeline Company, L.L.C. Description: § 4(d) Rate Filing: Negotiated Rate Agreement FilingNatural Gas Pipeline Company of America to be effective 4/1/2019. Filed Date: 3/13/19. Accession Number: 20190313–5001. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 3/25/19. Docket Numbers: RP19–831–000. Applicants: Iroquois Gas Transmission System, L.P. Description: § 4(d) Rate Filing: 031319 Negotiated Rates—Macquarie Energy LLC R–4090–18 to be effective 4/1/2019. Filed Date: 3/13/19. PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 117 ........................ 47,133.45 Accession Number: 20190313–5005. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 3/25/19. 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: March 14, 2019. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2019–05202 Filed 3–19–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP19–26–000] Dominion Energy Transmission, Inc.; Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review of the West Loop Project On December 18, 2018, Dominion Energy Transmission, Inc. (DETI) filed an application in Docket No. CP19–26– 000 requesting a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity pursuant to Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act to construct and operate certain natural gas pipeline facilities. The proposed project is known as the West Loop Project (Project), and would provide 150,000 dekatherms per day of natural gas to a new power plant that is being built in Columbiana County, Ohio to replace retiring coal-fired power and help meet the increasing demand for electricity in the Midwest. E:\FR\FM\20MRN1.SGM 20MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 54 (Wednesday, March 20, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10308-10310]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-05208]


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

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. IC19-17-000]


Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC Form No. 60, 
FERC-61, and FERC-555A); Consolidated Comment Request; Extension

AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of information collections and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: In compliance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or 
FERC) is soliciting public comment on the requirements and burden of 
the information collections described below.

DATES: Comments on the collections of information are due May 20, 2019.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments (identified by Docket No. IC19-17-
000) by either of the following methods:
     eFiling at Commission's Website: https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp.
     Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier: Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 888 First Street NE, 
Washington, DC 20426.
    Please reference the specific collection number and/or title in 
your comments.
    Instructions: All submissions must be formatted and filed in 
accordance with submission guidelines at: https://www.ferc.gov/help/submission-guide.asp. For user assistance contact FERC Online Support 
by email at ferconlinesupport@ferc.gov, or by phone at: (866) 208-3676 
(toll-free), or (202) 502-8659 for TTY.
    Docket: Users interested in receiving automatic notification of 
activity in this docket or in viewing/downloading comments and 
issuances in this docket may do so at https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/docs-filing.asp.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Type of Request: Three-year extension of the information collection 
requirements for all collections described below with no changes to the 
current reporting requirements. Please note the three collections are 
distinct.
    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. 60 1 (Annual Report of Centralized Service 
Companies), FERC-61 (Narrative Description of Service Company 
Functions), and FERC-555A (Preservation of Records Companies and 
Service Companies Subject to PUHCA)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The Form No. 60 is also part of a Commission Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) issued on January 17, 2019 in Docket No. 
RM19-12 that includes 10 information collections. See Revisions to 
the Filing Process for Commission Forms, 166 FERC ] 61,027 (2019). 
The NOPR proposes to change the format of the information that is 
being collected from a Commission-distributed software application 
called Visual FoxPro (VFP) to a standard built on eXtensible 
Business Reporting Language (XBRL). Under the NOPR, the Commission 
is not proposing to change the information currently collected in 
the Form No. 60 (or in any of the VFP Forms), but rather to change 
the format of the information that is being collected from VFP to 
XBRL. Because there can be only one pending item per OMB Control No. 
pending OMB review at one time, the Form No. 60 is represented in 
the RM19-12 NOPR process as the ``Form No. 60-A.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    OMB Control No.: 1902-0215.
    Abstract: In accordance with the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 
2005), the Commission implemented the repeal of the Public Utility 
Holding Company Act of 1935 (PUHCA 1935) and implemented the provisions 
of a newly enacted Public Utility Holding Company Act 2005 (PUHCA 
2005). Pursuant to PUHCA 2005, the Commission requires centralized 
service companies to file the Form No. 60, unless the company is 
exempted or granted a waiver pursuant to the Commission's regulations. 
The information collected in Form No. 60

[[Page 10309]]

enables better monitoring for cross-subsidization, and aids the 
Commission in carrying out its statutory responsibilities. In addition, 
centralized service companies are required to follow the Commission's 
preservation of records requirements for centralized service companies.

FERC Form No. 60

    Form No. 60 is an annual reporting requirement for centralized 
service companies set forth in 18 CFR 366.23. 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 
Commission's jurisdiction. Unless the Commission 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 the FERC Form No. 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

    The Commission's regulations prescribe a mandated preservation of 
records requirements 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 No. 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 the Commission 
to review and determine cost allocations (among holding company 
members) for certain non-power goods and services, (3) aids the 
Commission in meeting its oversight and market monitoring obligations, 
and (4) benefits the public, both as ratepayers and investors. In 
addition, the Commission's audit staff uses these records during 
compliance reviews and special analyses.
    If data from the FERC Form No. 60, FERC-61, and FERC-555A were not 
available, it would be difficult for the Commission to meet its 
statutory responsibilities under EPAct 1992, EPAct of 2005, and PUHCA 
2005, and the Commission would have fewer of the regulatory mechanisms 
necessary to ensure transparency and protect ratepayers.
    Type of Respondent: Centralized service companies
    Estimate of Annual Burden: The Commission estimates the annual 
public reporting burden for the information collection as:

  FERC Form No. 60 (Annual Report of Centralized Service Companies), FERC-61 (Narrative Description of Service Company Functions), and FERC-555A (Preservation of Records Holding Companies and
                                                                               Service Companies Subject to PUHCA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Annual  number
                                             Number of     of  responses   Total number     Average Burden & cost per response \2\     Total annual burden hours & total annual      Cost per
                                            respondents   per respondent   of responses                                                                  cost                     respondent ($)
                                                     (1)             (2)     (1) * (2) =  (4).......................................  (3) * (4) = (5)...........................   (5) / (1) \3\
                                                                                     (3)
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Form No. 60 \4\.........................              39               1              39  75 hrs.; $4,749...........................  2,925 hrs.; $185,211......................           4,749
Form No. 61 \5\.........................              78               1              78  0.5 hrs.; $19.84..........................  39 hrs.; $1,548...........................           19.84
Form No. 555A \6\.......................             117               1             117  1,080 hrs.; $36,061.......................  126,360 hrs.; $4,219,160..................          36,061
                                         -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total Paperwork Burden..............  ..............  ..............             234  ..........................................  129,324 hrs.; $4,405,919..................  ..............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    \2\ The estimates for cost per response are derived using the 
following formula: Average Burden Hours per Response * $79.00/hour = 
Average cost/response. The figure is the 2018 FERC average hourly 
cost (for wages and benefits) of $79.00 (and an average annual 
salary of $164,820/year). Commission staff is using the FERC average 
salary because we consider any reporting requirements completed in 
response to the FERC-537 to be compensated at rates similar to the 
work of FERC employees.
    \3\ Each of the figures in this column are rounded to the 
nearest dollar.
    \4\ For the FERC Form No. 60, the $63.32 hourly cost figure 
comes from the average cost (wages plus benefits) of a utility 
management analyst (Occupation Code 13-1111) and an accountant 
(Occupation Code 13-2011) as posted on the Bureau of Labor 
Statistics (BLS) website (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm).
    \5\ For the FERC-61, the $39.68 hourly cost figure comes from 
the cost of a records clerk (Occupation Code 43-4199) as posted on 
the BLS website (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm).
    \6\ For the FERC-555A, the $33.39 hourly cost figure comes from 
the average cost (wages plus benefits) of a file clerk (Occupation 
Code 43-4071) as posted on the BLS website (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm).

                                    FERC-555A Record Rentention Requirements
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                   Total annual
                                                                   Total number      Cost per     burden hours &
                                                                  of respondents    respondent     total annual
                                                                                                       costs
                                                                     (1) * (2) =             (4)     (3) * (4) =
                                                                             (3)                             (5)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paper Storage...................................................             117         $387.60      $45,349.20
Electronic Storage..............................................             117           15.25        1,784.25
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------

[[Page 10310]]

 
    Total Storage Burden........................................             117  ..............       47,133.45
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total Annual Cost: $4,409,919 (Paperwork Burden) + $47,133.45 
(Record Retention) = $4,453,052.45.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ Each of the 117 entities is assumed to have both paper and 
electronic record retention.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A more accurate breakdown of the FERC-60/61/555A cost categories 
follows:
    Labor Cost: The total estimated annual cost for labor burden to 
respondents is $4,405,919 [$185,211 (FERC Form No. 60) + $1,548 (FERC-
61) + $4,219,160 (FERC-555A)].
    FERC Form No. 60: 2925 hours (75 hours x 39 respondents) * $63.32/
hour = $185,211.
    FERC-61: 39 hours (.5 hours x 78 respondents) * $39.68/hour = 
$1,548.
    FERC-555A: 126,360 hours (1080 hours x 117 respondents) * $33.39/
hour = $4,219,160.
    Storage Cost: \8\ In addition to the labor (burden cost provided 
above) the table reflects an additional cost for record retention and 
storage:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ Internal analysis assumes 50% paper storage and 50% 
electronic storage.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Paper storage costs (using an estimate of 60 cubic feet x 
$6.46 per cubic foot): $387.60 per respondent annually. Total annual 
paper storage cost to industry ($387.60 x 117 respondents): $45,349.20. 
This estimate assumes that a respondent stores the same volume of paper 
as it did in the past and that the cost of such storage has not 
changed. We expect that this estimate should trend downward over time 
as more companies move away from paper storage and rely more heavily on 
electronic storage.
     Electronic storage costs: $15.25 per respondent annually. 
Total annual electronic storage cost to industry ($15.25 x 117 
respondents): $1,784.25. This calculation retains the previous estimate 
that storage of 1GB per year cost of $15.25. We expect that this 
estimate should trend downward over time as the cost of electronic 
storage technology, including cloud storage, continues to decrease. For 
example, external hard drives of approximately 500GB are available for 
approximately $50. In addition, cloud storage plans from multiple 
providers for 1TB of storage (with a reasonable amount of requests and 
data transfers) are available for less than $35 per month.

    Dated: March 14, 2019.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2019-05208 Filed 3-19-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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