Federal Register: May 4, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 85)
DOCID: FR Doc E5-2153
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Docket ID: [Docket No. IC05-545-000; FERC-545]
NOTICE: NOTICES
DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice of proposed information collection and request for comments.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Commission Information Collection Activities, Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Extension
DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due by June 27, 2005.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
In compliance with the requirements of section 3506(c)(2)(a) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 10413), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) is soliciting public comment on the specific aspects of the information collection described below.
SUMMARY:
Agency information collection activities; proposals, submissions, and approvals,
DOCUMENT BODY 2:
April 27, 2005.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
The information collected under the requirements of FERC545 ``Gas Pipeline Rates: Rate Change (Non formal)'' (OMB No. 19020154) is used by the Commission to implement the statutory provisions of sections 4, 5, 8, 10 and 16 of the Natural Gas Act (NGA) (15 U.S.C. 717c717o, PL 75688, 52 Stat. 822 and 830) and Title III of the Natural Gas Policy Act (15 U.S.C. 33013432, Pl. 95621). A natural gas company must obtain Commission authorization for all rates and charges made, demanded or received in connection with the transportation of natural gas in interstate commerce. The Commission is authorized to investigate the rates charged by natural gas pipeline companies subject to its jurisdiction. If, after the investigation, the Commission is of the opinion that the rates are ``unjust or unreasonable or unjustly discriminatory or unduly preferential,'' it is authorized to determine and prescribe just and reasonable rates. The NGA also provides the Commission with a means for considering the reasonableness of rates through settlement conferences or hearings.
The data filed in rate change applications for all rates and
charges made, demanded, or received in connection with the
transportation of natural gas are used by the Commission to establish a
basis for determining just and reasonable rates that should be charged,
and the rate of return which can be earned by the regulated natural gas
company. However rate regulation, combined with the obligations of
major natural gas companies to serve all customers fairly and
equitably, also prevents rate discrimination. Major natural gas
companies and others engaged in the transportation of natural gas must
file this information for ratemaking purposes and certain NGPA [[Page 23145]]
authorizations approval. The reporting requirements for this
information collection are found in 18 CFR part 154 of the Commission's regulations. These reporting requirements are mandatory.
Action: The Commission is requesting a threeyear extension of the current expiration date, with no changes to the existing collection of data.
Burden Statement: Public reporting burden for this collection is estimated as:
Number of Average burden Total annual
Number of respondents annually (1) responses per hours per burden hours
respondent (2) response (3) (1)x(2)x(3)
152.................................................... 12.77 58.38 113,318
Estimated cost burden to respondents is $5,9142,219. (113,318 hours/2080 hours per year times $108,558 per year average per employee). The cost per respondent is $38,909.
The reporting burden includes the total time, effort, or financial resources expended to generate, maintain, retain, disclose, or provide the information including: (1) Reviewing instructions; (2) developing, acquiring, installing, and utilizing technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, verifying, processing, maintaining, disclosing and providing information; (3) adjusting the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements; (4) training personnel to respond to a collection of information; (5) searching data sources; (6) completing and reviewing the collection of information; and (7) transmitting, or otherwise disclosing the information.
The estimate of cost for respondents is based upon salaries for professional and clerical support, as well as direct and indirect overhead costs. Direct costs include all costs directly attributable to providing this information, such as administrative costs and the cost for information technology. Indirect or overhead costs are costs incurred by an organization in support of its mission. These costs apply to activities which benefit the whole organization rather than any one particular function or activity.
Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of
information is 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 estimate of the burden of the
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality,
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are
to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic,
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms
of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.
Linda Mitry,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E52153 Filed 5305; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 671701P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Michael Miller may be reached by
telephone at (202) 5028415, by fax at (202) 2730873, and by email at
michael.miller@ferc.gov.