[Federal Register: July 21, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 139)] [Notices] [Page 39082-39083] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr21jy98-53] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [FERC-537 IC98-537-000] Proposed Information Collection and Request for Comments July 15, 1998. AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice of proposed information collection and request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In compliance with the requirements of Section 3506(c)(2)(a) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. No. 104-13), the Federal Energy Regulatory (Commission) is soliciting public comment on the specific aspects of the information collection described below. DATES: Consideration will be given to comments submitted on or before September 21, 1998. ADDRESSES: Copies of the proposed collection of information can be obtained from and written comments may be submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Attn: Michael Miller, Office of the Chief Information Officer, CI-1, 888 First Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20426. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Miller may be reached by telephone at (202) 208-1415, by fax at (202) 273-0873, and by e-mail at michael.miller@ferc.fed.us. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The information collected under the requirements of FERC-537 ``Gas Pipeline Certificates: Construction, Acquisition, and Abandonment'' (OMB No. 1902-0060) is used by the Commission to implement the statutory provisions of the Natural Gas Policy Act (NGPA), (15 U.S.C. 3301-3432), and of the Natural Gas Act (NGA) (15 U.S.C. 717-717w). Under the NGA a natural gas company must obtain Commission authorization to engage in the transportation or sale of natural gas in interstate commerce, to undertake the construction or extension of any facilities, or to acquire or operate any such facilities or extensions in accordance with Section 7c of the NGA. A natural gas company must also obtain Commission approval under Section 7(b) of the NGA prior to abandoning any jurisdictional facility or service. Under the Natural Gas Policy Act (NGPA) interstate and intrastate pipelines must also obtain Commission authorization for certain transportation arrangements. Information collection is necessary to certificate interstate pipelines engaged in the transportation and sale of natural gas, and the construction, acquisition, and operation of facilities to be used for those activities, to authorize the abandonment of facilities and services and to authorize certain NGPA transportations. If a certificate is granted, the natural gas company can engage in the interstate transportation or sale of natural gas and construct, acquire, or operate facilities therefore. Conversely, approval of an abandonment application permits the pipeline to cease service and discontinue the operation of such facilities. Authorization under NGPA Section 311(a) allows the interstate or intrastate pipeline applicants to render certain transportation services. [[Page 39083]] The natural gas companies file the necessary information with the Commission so that a determination can be made from the data as to whether the requested certificate should be authorized. The data required to be submitted consists of identification of the company and responsible officials, factors considered in the location of the facilities, and impact on the area for environmental considerations. Also, to be submitted are flow diagrams showing design capacity of engineering design verification and safety determination, and gas reserves data for appraisal of the feasibility of the project. Market data presenting the economic basis for the proposed action are included when appropriate as cost of proposed facilities, plans for financing, and estimated revenues and expenses related to the proposed facility for financial and accounting evaluation. The Commission implements these information collection requirements in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) under 18 CFR Part 2.69; 157.5-11; 157.13-.21; 157.102-.103; 157.106; 157.201-.208; 157.210-.218; 284.8-.9; 284.11; 284.126; 284.221-.224; Part 284 Subpart H. Action: The Commission is requesting a three-year extension of the current expiration date. Burden Statement: Public reporting burden for this collection is estimated as: No. of No. of respondents annually responses per Average burden hours per response Total annual burden hours respondent (1) (2) (3)................................ (1)x(2)x(3) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 50............................ 11.6 252 hours.......................... 146,160 hours. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Estimated cost burdens to respondents: 141,160 hours divided by 2088 hours per year times $109,889 equals $7,429,086. The cost per respondent is equal to $148,582. 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 base upon salaries for professionals 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. Linwood A. Watson, Jr., Acting Secretary. [FR Doc. 98-19336 Filed 7-20-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-M