FERC-920 (NOPR in RM12-3 [Refresh]), Electric Quarterly Report (EQR) [EQR currently part of FERC-516]

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
table existing 516 burdenOMB_followup_questions_of_10_22_12final.docx Supplementary Document	2012-11-01
Notice_XML Schema Availability20120727-3036.doc Supplementary Document	2012-11-01
EQRuser guide_1_1_2008.pdf Supplementary Document	2012-11-01
eqr data dictionary10_28_2008.pdf Supplementary Document	2012-11-01
10_31_12RM12_3 table.xlsx Supplementary Document	2012-11-01
16 USC824t.doc Supplementary Document	2012-07-23
18CFR35_10b.doc Supplementary Document	2012-07-23
RM12-3-000 NOPR final supp state_update10_31_12.doc Supporting Statement A	2012-11-01
tech conf issued 7_3_12_20120703-3010.doc Supplementary Document	2012-07-06

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
197630	FERC-920, Electric Quarterly Report (EQR in NOPR in RM12-3, Refresh) [EQR is currently contained in FERC-516]	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 1902-0255	ICR Reference No: 201206-1902-003
Status: Historical Inactive	Previous ICR Reference No: 201104-1902-003
Agency/Subagency: FERC	Agency Tracking No: FERC-920
Title: FERC-920 (NOPR in RM12-3 [Refresh]), Electric Quarterly Report (EQR) [EQR currently part of FERC-516]
Type of Information Collection: Existing collection in use without an OMB Control Number	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Withdrawn	Conclusion Date: 11/08/2012
	Date Received in OIRA: 07/23/2012
Terms of Clearance: The agency has requested the collection to be withdrawn in order to resubmit in order to correct ceratin errors with the submission designations.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date		36 Months From Approved
Responses	0	0	0
Time Burden (Hours)	0	0	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: For years, the Electric Quarterly Report (EQR) has been included within the FERC-516 requirements(OMB Control No. 1902-0096). Because the FERC-516 is at OMB for review in another docket (final rule), we provide the information on EQR and the proposed changes in this NOPR in Docket RM12-3 to OMB under the FERC-920. We expect to split the EQR into this separate standalone collection no. (FERC-920) with its own OMB control no. and to remove EQR from FERC-516 at the final rule stage. FERC proposes to amend Rule 35.10b of 18 CFR Part 35, to change the process for filing EQRs. Currently, EQRs are filed by downloading EQR software from the Commission's website, installing it on the filer's Microsoft Windows-based computer, entering the EQR data into the software, and then submitting the EQR data to the Commission. The EQR software is designed in Microsoft Visual FoxPro. Technological changes and limitations will render the current filing process outmoded, ineffective, and unsustainable. Microsoft has discontinued Visual FoxPro and will not support the software after 2015. Visual FoxPro also is constrained by data size limitations that will soon restrict the FERC's ability to add data fields in the EQR. Therefore, the Commission proposes a new filing system that will provide EQR filers with two new options for filing EQRs. One option would allow an EQR filer to use a web interface on the Commission's website to file its EQR. This web interface would look and operate like the current EQR software that uses Visual FoxPro. However, an EQR filer would not need to download and install software from the Commission's website to file because the data would be filed directly with the Commission through the web interface. The other option would allow an EQR filer to file its EQR in an Extensible Mark-Up Language (XML) format via the Commission's website. By proposing a process with two options for filing EQRs, the Commission seeks to provide the flexibility needed to accommodate EQR filers' technical preferences. Under both options, the Commission proposes to require EQR filers to use the company identification number (Company Identifier) assigned through the Commission's Company Registration System, which was developed for the Commission's eTariff system. The Company Identifier would replace the personal identification numbers that are currently used and that are unique to the existing EQR filing process. FERC also proposes that implementation of any changes to the process for filing EQRs will apply to EQR filings beginning with the third quarter 2013 EQR, providing data for July through September 2013.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 16 USC 824t Name of Law: Federal Power Act
   PL: Pub.L. 109 - 58 119 Stat. 594 (2005) Name of Law: EPAct 2005 (Energy Policy Act of 2005)
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
1902-AD52	Proposed rulemaking	77 FR 39447	07/03/2012

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Federal Register Notices & Comments

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
FERC-920, Electric Quarterly Report (EQR in NOPR in RM12-3, Refresh) [EQR is currently contained in FERC-516]

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Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

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

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: [The existing burden for the quarterly EQR filings is currently included in FERC-516 (OMB 1902-0096). FERC expects to remove the EQR and corresponding existing burden from the FERC-516 upon issuance of the final rule and OMB approval of the FERC-920.] FERC proposes changes to the method for filing Electric Quarterly Reports (EQRs). Due to technological changes that will render the current filing process outmoded, ineffective, and unsustainable, the Commission proposes to discontinue the use of FERC software to file an EQR. Instead, the Commission proposes to allow an EQR filer to file EQR data directly through the FERC's website, either through a web interface or by submitting an Extensible Mark-Up Language (XML)-formatted file. FERC also proposes to require the EQR filer to identify itself with a company identification number (Company Identifier) rather than the existing software-based EQR identifiers.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $719,054

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: 07/23/2012

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