The FERC-577 data is necessary for the
Commission to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969. Pursuant to NEPA compliance the Commission requires
applicants seeking authorization to construct and abandon natural
gas facilities to provide a detailed environmental report with
their application that describes the impact the project is likely
to have and the measures the applicant will implement to mitigate
those impacts. This environmental report consists of at least
twelve separate reports, each addressing a particular resource
area. Under authority of the Natural Gas Act the Commission
requires some environmental information from applicants during
pre-filing, in addition to the information that is part of the
application review and any information necessary after the
Commission's authorization. In Docket No. AD12-2-000 the Commission
has revised two documents related to environmental review and
compliance: • Upland Erosion Control, Revegetation, and Maintenance
Plan (Plan) • Wetland and Waterbody Construction and Mitigation
Procedures (Procedures) Total reporting burden under FERC-577 is
expected to increase by 762 hours per year due to the changes to
the Plan and Procedures.
US Code:
42
USC 4321 Name of Law: National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA)
US Code:
15 USC 717 to 717w Name of Law: Natural Gas Act
The FERC-577 burden is changing
due to revisions to the Plan and Procedures. The revisions to the
Plan and Procedures are primarily modifications and clarifications
to the content of information collections required by the current
versions. For example, revisions to Plan sections III.I and VII.B.2
clarify staff's expectations for the content of winter construction
plans and quarterly activity reports. We estimate that certain
revisions will reduce reporting burden on jurisdictional natural
gas companies by providing guidance that is frequently requested
during report preparations; directions to provide information that
frequently results in data requests; and improved flexibility to
reduce variance requests for construction practices the staff has
determined are acceptable. For example, frequently requested
guidance on beneficial reuse of construction materials is provided
in revised Plan sections II.B.17 and III.E. We revised terminology
to be inclusive of prior notice, advanced notice, and automatic
authorization projects to address the wider net of project types
subject to the Plan and Procedure requirements. The revisions
clarify applicability for projects constructed under the
Commission's blanket certificate program (18 CFR 157, Subpart F)
and construction of facilities for transportation services under
the Natural Gas Policy Act (NGPA) section 311 (18 CFR 284, Subpart
A). We expect these clarifications to improve the efficiency of the
environmental review process, and reduce labor hours required of
jurisdictional natural gas companies to prepare reports. We
implement a new record retention requirement regarding drainage
system repairs or improvements (see revised Plan section
VII.B.1.e). In addition, we also put in place a new annual report
for affected wetlands that do not successfully revegetate within
three years after construction (see revised Procedure section
VI.D.6). We expect that the revisions will lead to additional
filings for blanket certificate projects, subject to our prior
notice regulations (see revised Applicability discussions in
section I of the Plan and Procedures). Overall, in consideration of
the revisions to reporting requirements and the increased
efficiency that would be realized during the environmental review
process, we expect the net effect of the revised Plan and
Procedures to constitute a minor increase in information collection
burden.
$4,960,062
No
No
No
No
No
Uncollected
Shannon Jones 202
502-6410
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.
Burden Assessment Updated with FY12 data for Revised Plan and Procedures.xls
FINAL Supporting Statement (AD12-2) FERC-577 (9-30-13).docx
Wetland Procedures Guidance.pdf
Gas Pipeline Certificates: Environmental Impact Statement