FERC-546, Certificated Rate Filings: Gas Pipeline Rates

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
FERC-546 supporting statement 10-26-2015.doc Supporting Statement A	2015-10-26
FERC-546 30-day notice.pdf Supplementary Document	2015-10-23
FERC-546 60-day notice.pdf Supplementary Document	2015-10-23
Implementation Guide for eTariff.pdf Supplementary Document	2015-10-23
15 USC 717 et al.pdf Supplementary Document	2015-10-23
18 CFR 154.1-154.8.pdf Supplementary Document	2015-10-23
18 CFR 154.201-154.210.pdf Supplementary Document	2015-10-23
18 CFR 154.600-154.603.pdf Supplementary Document	2015-10-23
18 CFR 284.500-284.505.pdf Supplementary Document	2015-10-23

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
44005	Certificated Rate Filings: Gas Pipeline Rates	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 1902-0155	ICR Reference No: 201510-1902-001
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201405-1902-001
Agency/Subagency: FERC	Agency Tracking No: FERC-546
Title: FERC-546, Certificated Rate Filings: Gas Pipeline Rates
Type of Information Collection: Extension without change of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 02/18/2016
	Date Received in OIRA: 10/26/2015
Terms of Clearance: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, this renewal request is approved.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	02/28/2019	36 Months From Approved	02/29/2016
Responses	51	0	13
Time Burden (Hours)	2,350	0	1,140
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: The Commission reviews the FERC-546 materials in order to determine an initial rate associated with an application for a certificate under NGA Section 7(c). More specifically, the Commission reviews FERC-546 materials in 4(f) storage applications to evaluate market power and decide whether to grant, deny, or condition market based rate authority for the applicant. The Commission also uses the FERC-546 information to monitor jurisdictional transportation, natural gas storage, and unbundled sales activities of interstate natural gas pipelines and Hinshaw pipelines. In addition to fulfilling the Commission’s obligations under the NGA, the FERC-546 enables the Commission to monitor activities, evaluate transactions, ensure competitiveness, and improved efficiency of the gas industry's operations. In summary, the Commission uses the FERC-546 information to: • Ensure adequate customer protections under section 4(f) of the NGA; • Review rate and tariff changes by natural gas companies for the transportation of natural gas and natural gas storage services; • Provide general industry oversight; and • Supplement documentation during its audits process. Failure to collect this information would prevent the Commission from being able to monitor and evaluate transactions and operations of interstate pipelines and perform its regulatory functions.

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Authorizing Statute(s): PL: Pub.L. 109 - 58 312 Name of Law: Energy Policy Act 2005
   US Code: 15 USC 717c-717o Name of Law: Natural Gas Act (NGA)
   US Code: 15 USC 3393 Name of Law: Natural Gas Policy Act (NGPA)
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	80 FR 44094	07/24/2015
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	80 FR 61800	10/14/2015
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Certificated Rate Filings: Gas Pipeline Rates

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	51	13	0	0	38	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	2,350	1,140	0	0	1,210	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: 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 2012 clearance packages for the FERC-546 estimated 11 pipeline respondents would each submit about 1 applications and 11 storage operators would each submit 1 application with FERC 546 information. Actual numbers for the FERC-546 filings were both significantly higher than previously proposed filing estimates due to increases in the natural gas industry’s infrastructure to transport numerous new discoveries of shale gas. The Commission, therefore, increased 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 increases 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 public reporting burden has increased for this information collection. However, the Commission changed nothing regarding burden imposed upon individual respondents and the FERC-546 requirements remain unchanged from previously approved clearance packages.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $79,938

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Is the Supporting Statement intended to be a Privacy Impact Assessment required by the E-Government Act of 2002? No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

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Common Form ICR:  No

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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:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(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;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

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.

Certification Date: 10/26/2015

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