The FERC Form 2-A is a financial and operating report for natural gas rate regulation for major pipeline owners. A nonmajor pipeline owner is one that has combined gas sales for resale and has gas transported or stored for a fee that exceeds 200,000 Dth but which is less than 50 million Dth, in each of the three previous calendar years. Under the Form 2-A, the Commission investigates, collects and records data, and prescribes rules and regulations concerning accounts, records and memoranda as necessary to administer the NGA. The Commission is empowered to prescribe a system of accounts for jurisdictional gas pipelines and after notice and opportunity for hearing, may determine the accounts in which particular outlays and receipts will be entered, charged or credited.
The information maintained and collected under the requirements of Part 260 is essential to the Commissions oversight duties. The data now reported in the forms does not provide sufficient information to the Commission and the public to permit an evaluation of the filers jurisdictional rates. Since the triennial restatement of rates requirement was abolished and pipelines are no longer required to submit this information, the need for current and relevant data is greater than in the past. The information collection proposed in the Final Rule will increase the forms usefulness to both the public and the Commission. Without this information, it is difficult for the Commission and the public to perform an assessment of pipeline costs, and thereby help to ensure that rates are just and reasonable.
The Commission has determined that dependable, affordable, competitive wholesale energy markets require an adequate infrastructure, balanced market rules, and vigilant oversight. This proposed rule helps in achieving the goal of vigilant oversight by providing the Commission with more timely, relevant, reliable and understandable information from jurisdictional participants in the energy markets.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.