Federal Register: June 16, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 115)
DOCID: fr16jn10-51 FR Doc 2010-14438
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Docket ID: [Docket No. IC10-547-000]
NOTICE: NOTICES
DOCID: fr16jn10-51
DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice of proposed information collection and request for comments.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-547); Comment Request; Extension
DATES: Comments in consideration of the collection of information are due August 16, 2010.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
In compliance with the requirements of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A) (2006), (Pub. L. 10413), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC) is soliciting public comment on the proposed information collection described below.
SUMMARY:
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals
DOCUMENT BODY 2:
June 9, 2010.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
The information collected under the requirements of FERC547, ``Gas Pipeline Rates: Refund Report Requirements'' (OMB No. 19020084), is used by the Commission to implement the statutory refund provisions governed by sections 4, 5 and 16 of the Natural Gas Act (NGA).\1\ Sections 4 and 5 authorize the Commission to order a refund, with interest, for any portion of a natural gas company's increased rate or charge found to be unjust or unreasonable. Refunds may also be instituted by a natural gas company as a stipulation to a Commissionapproved settlement agreement or a provision under the company's tariff. Section 16 of the NGA authorizes the Commission to prescribe rules and regulations necessary to administer its refund mandates. The Commission's refund reporting requirements are found in 18 CFR 154.501 and 154.502.
\1\ 15 U.S.C. 717717w.
The Commission uses the data to monitor refunds owed by natural gas companies to ensure that the flowthrough of refunds owed by these companies are made as expeditiously as possible and to assure that refunds are made in compliance with the Commission's regulations.
Action: The Commission is requesting a threeyear extension of the FERC547 reporting requirements, with no changes.
Burden Statement: The estimated annual public reporting burden for
FERC547 is reduced from the estimate made three years ago due to a
reduction in the average number of filings received annually, from 60 in 2007, to 30 presently.
Average number of
FERC data collection Number of responses per Average burden Total annual
respondents respondent hours per response burden hours
(1)............... (2)............... (3)............... (1) x (2) x (3)
FERC547........................ 30 1 75 2,250
The total estimated annual cost burden to respondents is $149,143 (2,250 hours/2,080 hours \2\ per year, times $137,874 \3\).
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.
\2\ Estimated number of hours an employee works each year. \3\ Estimated average annual cost per employee.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 201014438 Filed 61510; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 671701P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Ellen Brown may be reached by e-mail at DataClearance@FERC.gov, telephone at (202) 5028663, and fax at (202) 2730873.