In accordance
with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for three
years.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
01/31/2016
36 Months From Approved
01/31/2013
1,982
0
168
280,276
0
169,955
0
0
0
[This is the 2nd of 2 ICRs related to
the final rule in Docket RM96-1-037; the other one was for
FERC-549C.] FERC-545, Gas Pipeline Rates: Rate Change Non-Formal is
required to implement sections 4, 5, and 16 of the Natural Gas Act
(NGA), (15 USC 717c 717o, PL 75 688, 52 Stat. 822 and 830). NGA
Sections 4, 5, and 6 authorize the Commission to inquire into rate
structures and methodologies and to set rates at a just and
reasonable level. Specifically, a natural gas company must obtain
Commission authorization for all rates and charges made, demanded,
or received in connection with the transportation or sale of
natural gas in interstate commerce. Under the NGA, a natural gas
company's rates must be just and reasonable and not unduly
discriminatory or preferential. When a natural gas company decides
to construct and operate a jurisdictional pipeline, it files an
application with the Commission and receives a certificate of
public convenience and necessity from FERC. In the certificate
proceeding, the Commission authorizes initial rates for the
transportation service to be provided by the pipeline. Initial
rates are established for new services authorized in certificate
proceedings and must meet a public convenience and necessity
standard. Initial rates established in the certificate proceeding
remain in effect until the rates are changed by a Commission order.
After the pipeline has been in operation for a set period, it files
a cost and revenue study justifying the continuation of its initial
rates or for a rate change under NGA section 4. Pipelines adjust
their tariffs to meet market and customer needs. Commission review
of these proposed changes is required to ensure rates remain just
and reasonable and that services are not provided in an unduly
discriminatory or preferential manner. The Commisssion's
regulations in 18 C.F.R. Part 154, Subparts C, E and G specify what
changes are allowed and the procedures for requesting Commission
approval. The Commission uses the FERC-545 information to examine
service and tariff provisions related to natural gas transportation
and storage services. The following information is the subject of
the FERC-545: (1) tariff filings and any related compliance
filings; (2) rate case filings and any related compliance filings;
(3) informational reports; (4) negotiated rates (5) non-conforming
agreement filings and (6) North American Energy Standards Board
(NAESB) Activity (tariff portion only) In the Final Rule in
RM96-1-037, FERC amends its regulations at 18 CFR 284.12 to
incorporate by reference the latest version (Version 2.0) of
certain business practice standards adopted by the Wholesale Gas
Quadrant (WGQ) of the North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB)
applicable to natural gas pipelines. To implement these standards,
natural gas pipelines will be required to file tariff sheets to
reflect the changed standards. The FERC-545 accounts for the
preparation and filing of tariff sheets. Compliance with the
standards is contained in the FERC-549C (OMB Control No. 1902-074)
which FERC is being submitted concurrently with this package, and
in a separate ICR.
As stated in item 12 of the
supporting statement, the FERC-545 data collection includes filings
made to implement FERC rulemakings related to NAESB's work. In many
instances these rulemakings have automatically triggered the
renewal of FERC authority to collect all types of FERC-545 filings,
as set out by OMB policy for authorization to implement data
collections. There are 3 parts to the burden changes made in this
supporting statement. A program decrease to account for the
completion of several completed one-time tariff filing
requirements. The FERC-545 burden estimate in this supporting
statement is provided by component for the first time in over a
decade. FERC found through looking at each component separately
that the overall burden estimate was too low, and is adjusting the
total burden accordingly. FERC also proposes a program increase in
burden hours due to the RM96-1-037 Final Rule discussed previously
in this document. The significant increase in the number of
responses in the adjustment column is mainly due to FERC breaking
out the individual elements of the collection instead of
generalizing to one response per respondent per year for the whole
collection (including the one-time filings that have already been
completed). The program increase is due to the Final Rule and is
necessary in order for the Commission to evaluate the rates and
operations of interstate pipelines.
$2,872,388
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-545 (RM96-1-037) Supporting Statement FINAL.doc
NAESB report v2-0 of standards.pdf
RM96-1-037 News Release 7-19-12.docx
Gas Pipeline Rates: Rate Change (Non-formal)