In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the nonsubstantive change request is approved. The terms of the previous remain in effect.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
11/30/2015
11/30/2015
11/30/2015
13
0
13
1,140
0
1,140
0
0
0
The following list outlines the circumstances under which the FERC-546 information collection requirements for certificated rates must be met.
A natural gas pipeline company decides to:
1. Construct and operate a new jurisdictional pipeline ;
2. Expand its certificated pipeline capacity by constructing a lateral pipeline, adding compression or providing storage at incremental or cost-based rates;
3. Build a new liquefied natural gas facility; or
4. Provide gas storage and negotiate market based rates.
Under the circumstances 1– 3, the company must file its FERC-546 cost data along with an application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity under the statutory requirements of NGA Section 7(c). For circumstance 4, the company must file its FERC-546 information with an application under NGA Section 4(f)5.
The FERC-546 includes the following:
• Supporting information for proposed initial rates (e.g. cost-based, market based, incremental rates);
• Pro forma tariffs;
• Motions to put proposed initial rates into effect subject to Commission findings on the related certificate;
• Unexecuted precedent agreements; and
• Full general rate cases under NGA Section 4.
The Commission's goal has been to reduce natural gas price volatility and encourage development of natural gas storage capacity in the United States. The 2006 and 2009 clearance packages for the FERC-546 estimated 77 pipeline respondents would each submit about 4 applications and 3 storage operators would each submit 1 application with FERC 546 information. Actual numbers for the FERC-546 filings were both significantly lower than previously proposed filing estimates due to the state of the economy and the current natural gas industry's infrastructure being sufficient to meet required supplies. The Commission, therefore, reduced the burden estimates in the currently proposed clearance package in accordance with the aforementioned analysis of actual filings received of the FERC-546. Commission staff made this adjustment to the total estimated burden via reductions in filing numbers while leaving the average respondent burden hours/response static for both pipeline companies and storage operators (40 and 350 hours respectively). Thus, the Commission reduced the total public reporting burden imposed upon the respondent universe for this information collection. However, the Commission changed nothing regarding burden imposed upon individual respondents.
Despite any changes to the estimated burden, the FERC-546 requirements remain unchanged from previously approved clearance packages.
$73,358
No
No
No
No
No
Uncollected
Norma McOmber 202 502-8022
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.
FERC-546 Non-subst change request (2014).docx
implementation-guide eTariff (April 2014).pdf
Certificated Rate Filings: Gas Pipeline Rates