The FERC-577 data is necessary for the Commission to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.
Pursuant to NEPA compliance the Commission requires applicants seeking authorization to construct and abandon natural gas facilities to provide a detailed environmental report with their application that describes the impact the project is likely to have and the measures the applicant will implement to mitigate those impacts. This environmental report consists of at least twelve separate reports, each addressing a particular resource area.
Under authority of the Natural Gas Act the Commission requires some environmental information from applicants during pre-filing, in addition to the information that is part of the application review and any information necessary after the Commission's authorization.
In Docket No. AD12-2-000 the Commission has revised two documents related to environmental review and compliance:
• Upland Erosion Control, Revegetation, and Maintenance Plan (Plan)
• Wetland and Waterbody Construction and Mitigation Procedures (Procedures)
Total reporting burden under FERC-577 is expected to increase by 762 hours per year due to the changes to the Plan and Procedures.
US Code:
42 USC 4321
Name of Law: National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA)
US Code:
15 USC 717 to 717w
Name of Law: Natural Gas Act
The FERC-577 burden is changing due to revisions to the Plan and Procedures. The revisions to the Plan and Procedures are primarily modifications and clarifications to the content of information collections required by the current versions.
For example, revisions to Plan sections III.I and VII.B.2 clarify staff's expectations for the content of winter construction plans and quarterly activity reports.
We estimate that certain revisions will reduce reporting burden on jurisdictional natural gas companies by providing guidance that is frequently requested during report preparations; directions to provide information that frequently results in data requests; and improved flexibility to reduce variance requests for construction practices the staff has determined are acceptable.
For example, frequently requested guidance on beneficial reuse of construction materials is provided in revised Plan sections II.B.17 and III.E.
We revised terminology to be inclusive of prior notice, advanced notice, and automatic authorization projects to address the wider net of project types subject to the Plan and Procedure requirements. The revisions clarify applicability for projects constructed under the Commission's blanket certificate program (18 CFR 157, Subpart F) and construction of facilities for transportation services under the Natural Gas Policy Act (NGPA) section 311 (18 CFR 284, Subpart A). We expect these clarifications to improve the efficiency of the environmental review process, and reduce labor hours required of jurisdictional natural gas companies to prepare reports.
We implement a new record retention requirement regarding drainage system repairs or improvements (see revised Plan section VII.B.1.e). In addition, we also put in place a new annual report for affected wetlands that do not successfully revegetate within three years after construction (see revised Procedure section VI.D.6).
We expect that the revisions will lead to additional filings for blanket certificate projects, subject to our prior notice regulations (see revised Applicability discussions in section I of the Plan and Procedures).
Overall, in consideration of the revisions to reporting requirements and the increased efficiency that would be realized during the environmental review process, we expect the net effect of the revised Plan and Procedures to constitute a minor increase in information collection burden.
$4,960,062
No
No
No
No
No
Uncollected
Shannon Jones 202 502-6410
No
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.
Burden Assessment Updated with FY12 data for Revised Plan and Procedures.xls
FINAL Supporting Statement (AD12-2) FERC-577 (9-30-13).docx
Wetland Procedures Guidance.pdf
Gas Pipeline Certificates: Environmental Impact Statement