Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC Form Nos. 60, 60A, FERC-61, and FERC-555A); Consolidated Comment Request; Extension, 67048-67051 [2021-25675]

Download as PDF 67048 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 224 / Wednesday, November 24, 2021 / Notices socioeconomics and environmental justice communities, greenhouse gas emissions, climate change, surface and groundwater quality, and karst terrain. All substantive comments will be addressed in the EA. Additional Information In order to receive notification of the issuance of the EA and to keep track of all formal issuances and submittals in specific dockets, the Commission offers a free service called eSubscription. This can reduce the amount of time you spend researching proceedings by automatically providing you with notification of these filings, document summaries, and direct links to the documents. Go to https://www.ferc.gov/ ferc-online/overview to register for eSubscription. Additional information about the Project is available from the Commission’s Office of External Affairs at (866) 208–FERC or on the FERC website (www.ferc.gov). Using the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link, select ‘‘General Search’’ from the eLibrary menu, enter the selected date range and ‘‘Docket Number’’ excluding the last three digits (i.e., CP21–474), and follow the instructions. For assistance with access to eLibrary, the helpline can be reached at (866) 208–3676, TTY (202) 502–8659, or at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov. The eLibrary link on the FERC website also provides access to the texts of formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rule makings. Dated: November 17, 2021. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2021–25620 Filed 11–23–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. IC22–5–000] Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC Form Nos. 60, 60A, 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. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: In compliance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC) is soliciting SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:05 Nov 23, 2021 Jkt 256001 public comment on the currently approved information collections, FERC Form Nos. 60 and 60A (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). DATES: Comments on the collections of information are due January 24, 2022. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments (identified by Docket No. IC22–5–000 and the form) by either of the following methods: • Electronic Filing: Documents must be filed in acceptable native applications and print-to-PDF, but not in scanned or picture format. • For those unable to file electronically, comments may be filed by USPS mail or by hand (including courier) delivery: Æ Mail via U.S. Postal Service only, addressed to: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426. Æ Hand (including courier) delivery to: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, MD 20852. 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. For user assistance contact FERC Online Support by email at ferconlinesupport@ferc.gov, or by phone at (866) 208–3676 (toll-free). 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. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Brown may be reached by email at DataClearance@FERC.gov, and telephone at (202) 502–8663. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:1 Type of Request: Three-year extension of the information collection requirements for FERC Form Nos. 60 and 60A, FERC–61, and FERC–555A 1 Due to expiration dates in 2019 for many of the Commission’s financial forms, the renewal work for several of the forms was in process or pending at OMB during the 2019 Forms Refresh rulemaking effort in Docket No. RM19–12–000. The simultaneous OMB processes required the assignment of alternate temporary information collection numbers (e.g., 60A) at the NOPR and/or final rule stages. Accordingly, FERC Form No. 60A represents the additional burden associated with the final rule in RM19–12–000. Revisions to the Filing Process for Comm’n Forms, Order No. 859, 167 FERC ¶ 61,241 (2019). PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 with no changes to the current reporting requirements. Please note the three collections (60 including 60A, 61, and 555A) are distinct.2 FERC Form No. 60 (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 Nos. and Titles: 1902– 0215 ((FERC Form Nos. 60 (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)), and 1902–0308 (FERC Form No. 60A, Annual Report of Centralized Service Companies—Modifications to FERC Form No. 60 due to Final Rule in Docket No. RM19–12–000). 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 FERC Form No. 60, unless the company is exempted or granted a waiver pursuant to the Commission’s regulations. The information collected in FERC Form No. 60 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 FERC 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 2 For purposes of this notice, unless otherwise stated, FERC Form Nos. 60 and 60A are collectively referred to as ‘‘FERC Form No. 60.’’ Because this renewal will incorporate the requirements and burden represented by FERC Form No. 60A into FERC Form No. 60, it is anticipated that the Commission will eventually seek to retire the 60A as duplicative. E:\FR\FM\24NON1.SGM 24NON1 67049 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 224 / Wednesday, November 24, 2021 / Notices 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 Commission the FERC 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 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 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 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. XBRL, Order No. 859, and FERC Form No. 60 Previously, FERC Form No. 60 filers would transmit the information in the form to the Commission using a software application called Visual FoxPro (VFP). This application is no longer supported by its developer, Microsoft Corporation. As a result, in April 2015, the Commission issued an order announcing its intention to replace the VFP filing format for certain Commission forms (including FERC Form No. 60) with an eXtensible Markup Language (XML)-based filing format. On June 20, 2019, the Commission issued Order No. 859, which adopted eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) as the standard for filing FERC Form No. 60 and certain other Commission forms.3 Type of Respondent: Centralized service companies. Estimate of Annual Burden: 4 The Commission estimates the annual public reporting burden and cost 5 (rounded in the tables) for the information collection as: Form60 42 42 75 $6,525 3,150 $274,050 $6,525 Form60A 42 42 3 $261 126 $10,962 $261 3,276 $285,012 Total 3 Revisions to the Filing Process for Comm’n Forms, Order No. 859, 167 FERC ¶ 61,241 (2019). 4 Burden is defined as the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, disclose, or provide information to or for a Federal agency. For further explanation of what is included in the information VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:05 Nov 23, 2021 Jkt 256001 collection burden, refer to Title 5 Code of Federal Regulations 1320.3. The burden hours and costs are rounded for ease of presentation. 5 The cost for the Form 60 and FERC–61 is based on FERC’s 2021 Commission-wide average salary cost (salary plus benefits) of $87.00/hour. The Commission staff believes the FERC FTE (full-time PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4725 equivalent) average cost for wages plus benefits is representative of the corresponding cost for the industry respondents. For the FERC–555A, the $35.83 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\24NON1.SGM 24NON1 EN24NO21.052</GPH> khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES $6,786 67050 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 224 / Wednesday, November 24, 2021 / Notices FERC-61 $3,520 Total 40 $3,520 $44 $44 FERC-555A $4,720,912 Total 131,760 $4,720,912 $38,696 VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:05 Nov 23, 2021 Jkt 256001 $47,287 $15.25 $1,861 $402.85 $49,148 FERC–61: 80 respondents × $44 per respondent = $3,520. FERC–555A: 122 respondents × $38,696 per respondent = $4,720,912. Storage Cost: 6 In addition to the labor (burden cost provided above), there are additional costs that represent record retention and storage costs: • Paper storage costs (using an estimate of 60 cubic feet × $6.46 per 6 Internal analysis assumes 50% paper storage and 50% electronic storage. PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 cubic foot): $387.60 per respondent annually. Total annual paper storage cost to industry ($387.60 × 122 respondents): $47,287. 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. E:\FR\FM\24NON1.SGM 24NON1 EN24NO21.054</GPH> EN24NO21.055</GPH> Total Annual Cost: $5,009,444 (Paperwork Burden) + $49,148 (Record Retention storage cost) = $5,058,592. A more granular breakdown of the FERC–60/61/555A cost categories follows: Labor Cost: The total estimated annual cost for labor burden to respondents is $5,009,444 [$285,012 (FERC Form No. 60) + $3,520 (FERC–61) + $4,720,912 (FERC–555A)]. FERC Form No. 60: 42 respondents × $6,786 per respondent = $285,012. $387.60 EN24NO21.053</GPH> khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES $38,696 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 224 / Wednesday, November 24, 2021 / Notices • Electronic storage costs: $15.25 per respondent annually. Total annual electronic storage cost to industry ($15.25 × 122 respondents): $1,861. This calculation retains the previous estimate that storage of 1GB per year is $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. 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. Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Deputy Secretary. readiness of generating units, including best practices, lessons learned and increased use of the NERC Guidelines, as recommended in the Joint February 2021 Cold Weather Outages Report.1 The conference will be open for the public to attend, and there is no fee for attendance. Supplemental notices will be issued prior to the conference with further details regarding the agenda, how to register to participate, and the format (including whether the technical conference will be held in-person or electronically). Information on this technical conference will also be posted on the Calendar of Events on the Commission’s website, www.ferc.gov, prior to the event. The conference will also be transcribed. Transcripts will be available for a fee from Ace Reporting, (202) 347–3700. Commission conferences are accessible under section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. For accessibility accommodations, please send an email to accessibility@ferc.gov, call toll-free (866) 208–3372 (voice) or (202) 208–8659 (TTY), or send a fax to (202) 208–2106 with the required accommodations. For more information about this technical conference, please contact Lodie White at Lodie.White@ferc.gov or (202) 502–8453. For information related to logistics, please contact Sarah McKinley at Sarah.Mckinley@ferc.gov or (202) 502–8368. Dated: November 18, 2021. Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2021–25675 Filed 11–23–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P [FR Doc. 2021–25674 Filed 11–23–21; 8:45 am] DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY BILLING CODE 6717–01–P Federal Energy Regulatory Commission DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY [Docket No. AD22–4–000] khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Improving Winter-readiness of Generating Units; Notice of Technical Conference Take notice that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) will convene a Joint Technical Conference with NERC and the Regional Entities in the above-referenced proceeding on Thursday, April 28, 2022 from approximately 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. The conference will be held either in-person—at the Commission’s headquarters at 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426 in the Commission Meeting Room (with a WebEx option available)—or electronically. The purpose of this conference is to discuss how to improve the winter- VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:05 Nov 23, 2021 Jkt 256001 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP21–45–000] Florida Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Big Bend Project The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) has prepared an environmental impact statement (EIS) 1 See The February 2021 Cold Weather Outages in Texas and the South Central United States—FERC, NERC and Regional Entity Staff Report at pp 18, 192 (November 16, 2021). file:///C:/Users/ldwer41/ Documents/Technical%20Conference%20on% 20Improving%20Generating%20Units%20WinterReadiness/The%20February% 202021%20Cold%20Weather%20Outages% 20Final%20Report.pdf. PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 67051 for the Big Bend (Project), proposed by Florida Gas Transmission Company, LLC (FGT) in the above-referenced docket. The Project would increase FGT’s certificated capacity by 29,000 million British thermal units per day (MMBtu/d) and is designed to serve the expanding need for additional firm transportation service in Hillsborough County, Florida for current and future electricity generation. FGT also requests approval to construct/modify certain mainline pipeline and appurtenant facilities including installation of new pipeline loops located on FGT’s existing pipeline system in Calhoun and Jefferson Counties, Florida, and compression facilities located in Gadsden, Gilchrist, Santa Rosa, and Taylor Counties, Florida. The draft EIS assesses the potential environmental effects of the construction and operation of the Project in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). As described in the draft EIS, the FERC staff concludes that approval of the Project would result in some adverse environmental impacts; however, with the exception of climate change impacts, these impacts would be reduced to less-than-significant levels because of the impact avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures proposed by FGT and those recommended by staff in the EIS. FERC staff is unable to determine significance with regards to climate change impacts. The Project would consist of the following facilities in Florida: • West Loop—installing approximately 1.7 miles of 36-inchdiameter pipe looping 1 in Calhoun County; • East Loop—installing approximately 1.5 miles of 36-inchdiameter pipe looping in Jefferson County; • Calhoun Receiver Station Relocation—remove the existing 36inch-diameter mainline pig 2 receiver located at the beginning of the West Loop and relocate to a proposed pig receiver site to be installed at the terminus of the proposed West Loop in Calhoun County; • Jefferson Receiver Station Relocation—remove the existing 36inch-diameter mainline loop pig receiver located at the beginning of the East Loop and relocate to a proposed pig 1 A pipeline loop is a segment of pipe constructed parallel to an existing pipeline to increase capacity. 2 A ‘‘pig’’ is a tool that the pipeline company inserts into and pushes through the pipeline for cleaning the pipeline, conducting internal inspections, or other purposes. E:\FR\FM\24NON1.SGM 24NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 224 (Wednesday, November 24, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67048-67051]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-25675]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. IC22-5-000]


Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC Form Nos. 60, 
60A, 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 currently approved 
information collections, FERC Form Nos. 60 and 60A (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).

DATES: Comments on the collections of information are due January 24, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments (identified by Docket No. IC22-5-000 
and the form) by either of the following methods:
     Electronic Filing: Documents must be filed in acceptable 
native applications and print-to-PDF, but not in scanned or picture 
format.
     For those unable to file electronically, comments may be 
filed by USPS mail or by hand (including courier) delivery:
    [cir] Mail via U.S. Postal Service only, addressed to: Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 888 First 
Street NE, Washington, DC 20426.
    [cir] Hand (including courier) delivery to: Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, MD 20852.
    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. For user 
assistance contact FERC Online Support by email at 
[email protected], or by phone at (866) 208-3676 (toll-free).
    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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Brown may be reached by email at 
[email protected], and telephone at (202) 502-8663.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Due to expiration dates in 2019 for many of the Commission's 
financial forms, the renewal work for several of the forms was in 
process or pending at OMB during the 2019 Forms Refresh rulemaking 
effort in Docket No. RM19-12-000. The simultaneous OMB processes 
required the assignment of alternate temporary information 
collection numbers (e.g., 60A) at the NOPR and/or final rule stages. 
Accordingly, FERC Form No. 60A represents the additional burden 
associated with the final rule in RM19-12-000. Revisions to the 
Filing Process for Comm'n Forms, Order No. 859, 167 FERC ] 61,241 
(2019).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:\1\

    Type of Request: Three-year extension of the information collection 
requirements for FERC Form Nos. 60 and 60A, FERC-61, and FERC-555A with 
no changes to the current reporting requirements. Please note the three 
collections (60 including 60A, 61, and 555A) are distinct.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ For purposes of this notice, unless otherwise stated, FERC 
Form Nos. 60 and 60A are collectively referred to as ``FERC Form No. 
60.'' Because this renewal will incorporate the requirements and 
burden represented by FERC Form No. 60A into FERC Form No. 60, it is 
anticipated that the Commission will eventually seek to retire the 
60A as duplicative.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

FERC Form No. 60 (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 Nos. and Titles: 1902-0215 ((FERC Form Nos. 60 (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)), and 
1902-0308 (FERC Form No. 60A, Annual Report of Centralized Service 
Companies--Modifications to FERC Form No. 60 due to Final Rule in 
Docket No. RM19-12-000).
    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 FERC Form No. 60, unless the company is 
exempted or granted a waiver pursuant to the Commission's regulations. 
The information collected in FERC Form No. 60 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

    FERC 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

[[Page 67049]]

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 Commission the FERC 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 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 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 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.

XBRL, Order No. 859, and FERC Form No. 60

    Previously, FERC Form No. 60 filers would transmit the information 
in the form to the Commission using a software application called 
Visual FoxPro (VFP). This application is no longer supported by its 
developer, Microsoft Corporation. As a result, in April 2015, the 
Commission issued an order announcing its intention to replace the VFP 
filing format for certain Commission forms (including FERC Form No. 60) 
with an eXtensible Markup Language (XML)-based filing format. On June 
20, 2019, the Commission issued Order No. 859, which adopted eXtensible 
Business Reporting Language (XBRL) as the standard for filing FERC Form 
No. 60 and certain other Commission forms.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ Revisions to the Filing Process for Comm'n Forms, Order No. 
859, 167 FERC ] 61,241 (2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Type of Respondent: Centralized service companies.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: \4\ The Commission estimates the annual 
public reporting burden and cost \5\ (rounded in the tables) for the 
information collection as:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ Burden is defined as the total time, effort, or financial 
resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, 
disclose, or provide information to or for a Federal agency. For 
further explanation of what is included in the information 
collection burden, refer to Title 5 Code of Federal Regulations 
1320.3. The burden hours and costs are rounded for ease of 
presentation.
    \5\ The cost for the Form 60 and FERC-61 is based on FERC's 2021 
Commission-wide average salary cost (salary plus benefits) of 
$87.00/hour. The Commission staff believes the FERC FTE (full-time 
equivalent) average cost for wages plus benefits is representative 
of the corresponding cost for the industry respondents. For the 
FERC-555A, the $35.83 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).
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN24NO21.052


[[Page 67050]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN24NO21.053

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN24NO21.054

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN24NO21.055

    Total Annual Cost: $5,009,444 (Paperwork Burden) + $49,148 (Record 
Retention storage cost) = $5,058,592.
    A more granular breakdown of the FERC-60/61/555A cost categories 
follows:
    Labor Cost: The total estimated annual cost for labor burden to 
respondents is $5,009,444 [$285,012 (FERC Form No. 60) + $3,520 (FERC-
61) + $4,720,912 (FERC-555A)].
    FERC Form No. 60: 42 respondents x $6,786 per respondent = 
$285,012.
    FERC-61: 80 respondents x $44 per respondent = $3,520.
    FERC-555A: 122 respondents x $38,696 per respondent = $4,720,912.
    Storage Cost: \6\ In addition to the labor (burden cost provided 
above), there are additional costs that represent record retention and 
storage costs:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ 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 122 respondents): $47,287. 
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.

[[Page 67051]]

     Electronic storage costs: $15.25 per respondent annually. 
Total annual electronic storage cost to industry ($15.25 x 122 
respondents): $1,861. This calculation retains the previous estimate 
that storage of 1GB per year is $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.
    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.

Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-25675 Filed 11-23-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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