FERC-577 (Natural Gas Facilities: Environmental Review and Compliance)

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
FERC-577 supporting statement.docx Supporting Statement A	2016-10-27
42 USC 4321.pdf Supplementary Document	2016-10-27
15 USC 717a-z.pdf Supplementary Document	2016-10-27
18 CFR 380.7.pdf Supplementary Document	2016-10-27
18 CFR 380.5.pdf Supplementary Document	2016-10-27
18 CFR 380.3.pdf Supplementary Document	2016-10-27
18 CFR 380.1.pdf Supplementary Document	2016-10-27
18 CFR 2.80.pdf Supplementary Document	2016-10-27
18 CFR 157.21.pdf Supplementary Document	2016-10-27
FERC-577 30-day notice (published).pdf Supplementary Document	2016-10-27
FERC-577 60-day notice (published).pdf Supplementary Document	2016-10-27

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
44001	Gas Pipeline Certificates: Environmental Impact Statement	Unchanged
209303	Landowner Notification	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 1902-0128	ICR Reference No: 201610-1902-009
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201403-1902-001
Agency/Subagency: FERC	Agency Tracking No: FERC-577
Title: FERC-577 (Natural Gas Facilities: Environmental Review and Compliance)
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: 01/03/2017
	Date Received in OIRA: 10/27/2016
Terms of Clearance: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for three years.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	01/31/2020	36 Months From Approved	01/31/2017
Responses	25,232	0	25,232
Time Burden (Hours)	332,378	0	332,378
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: Environmental concerns play a significant role in the review of certificate construction applications. Pipelines are facing increased opposition from landowners as new projects are proposed, especially in more heavily populated areas. FERC has to balance the benefits of alternative supplies of natural gas with the environmental impact of a project. Critical to the Commission’s efforts to balance benefits and environmental impacts are the general and project-specific environmental conditions the Commission applies to jurisdictional facilities. Applicants have to conduct appropriate studies which are necessary to evaluate the impact of the construction and/or operation of the proposed jurisdictional facilities on human and natural resources and the measures which may be necessary to protect the values of the affected area. In 2013 , FERC added new sections in its regulations (18 CFR) under Sections 2.55(c) and 380.15(b)(1) whereby a natural gas company must notify affected landowners at least five days prior to coming onto their property. The notifications were to include: (1) a brief description of the activity to be conducted or facilities to be constructed/replaced and the effects that the activities are expected to have on the landowner’s property; (2) the name and phone number of the company representative that is knowledgeable about the project; and (3) a description of the Commission’s Dispute Resolution Service Helpline, as explained in Section 1b.21(g) of the Commission’s regulations, and the Dispute Resolution Service Helpline number. FERC defined “affected landowners” as owners of property interests, as noted in their most recent tax notice, whose property is directly affected (i.e. crossed or used) by the proposed activity, including all rights-of-way, facility sites, access roads, pipe and contractor yards, and temporary workspace. The Commission collects the bulk of the information under the FERC-577 in order to comply with applicable environmental statutes. The Commission needs to know about the consequences of companies’ activities to be able to ensure that FERC is complying with NEPA requirements. In particular, FERC wants to ensure that construction and operation activities are done in a manner that does not violate FERC’s findings that there are no significant adverse impacts. The FERC-577 cannot be discontinued or conducted less frequently.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 15 USC 717 to 717w Name of Law: Natural Gas Act
   US Code: 42 USC 4321 Name of Law: National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA)
  

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:
	81 FR 55456	08/19/2016
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	81 FR 74424	10/26/2016
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 2

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Landowner Notification
Gas Pipeline Certificates: Environmental Impact Statement

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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	25,232	25,232	0	0	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	332,378	332,378	0	0	0	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:

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $5,263,479

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: 10/27/2016

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