FERC-923, Communication of Operational Information between Natural Gas Pipelines and Electric Transmission Operators

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
FERC-923 supporting statement (updated 1-19-2017)v4_Final.docx Supporting Statement A	2017-01-19
16 USC 824d.pdf Supplementary Document	2016-10-26
15 USC 717c.pdf Supplementary Document	2016-10-26
18 CFR 284.12.pdf Supplementary Document	2016-10-26
18 CFR 38.2.pdf Supplementary Document	2016-10-26
IC16-14 (604 923) 30-day notice.pdf Supplementary Document	2016-10-26
IC16-14 (604 923) 60-day notice.pdf Supplementary Document	2016-10-26

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
209342	Transmission Operator (Elec. and Natural Gas)--Tariff filings to enable communications	Removed
207855	Pub. Utility Transmission Providers & Interstate Nat. Gas Pipelines -Communications	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 1902-0265	ICR Reference No: 201610-1902-012
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201311-1902-002
Agency/Subagency: FERC	Agency Tracking No: FERC-923
Title: FERC-923, Communication of Operational Information between Natural Gas Pipelines and Electric Transmission Operators
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved with change	Conclusion Date: 01/19/2017
	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	3,828	0	3,660
Time Burden (Hours)	1,914	0	1,920
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

---

Abstract: In recent years, reliance on natural gas as a fuel for electric generation has steadily increased. This trend is expected to continue into the future, resulting in greater interdependence between the natural gas and electric industries. Several events over the last few years demonstrated the crucial interconnection between natural gas pipelines and electric transmission operators and the need for robust communication between these industry sectors to ensure that both systems operate safely and effectively for the benefit of their customers. The applicable regulations are in 18 CFR: • Part 38.2 which applies to any public utility that owns, operates, or controls facilities used for the transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce subject to a No-Conduit Rule, and • Part 284.12(b)(4) which applies to any interstate natural gas pipeline. These sections (Parts 38.2 and 284.12(b)(4) authorize public utilities providing transmission service and interstate natural gas pipelines to share non-public, operational information when such information is for the purpose of promoting reliable service or operational planning. Entities from both electric and natural gas industries have already begun efforts to improve coordination, however further sharing of non-public, operational information between transmission operators could enhance system reliability and contingency planning in both industries. The information sharing and communications between industry entities are voluntary; there are restrictions on providing the non-public information to third parties or marketing entities.

---

Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 16 USC 824d(b) Name of Law: Federal Power Act
   US Code: 15 USC 717c(b) Name of Law: Natural Gas Act
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

---

Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

---

Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	81 FR 54574	08/16/2016
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	81 FR 73092	10/24/2016
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

---

Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Transmission Operator (Elec. and Natural Gas)--Tariff filings to enable communications
Pub. Utility Transmission Providers & Interstate Nat. Gas Pipelines -Communications

---

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	3,828	3,660	0	-12	180	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	1,914	1,920	0	-96	90	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: Yes

Burden Reduction Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Short Statement: The Commission is making slight modifications to the reporting burden for the FERC-923 information collection. The increase in responses is due to a slight increase in the number of respondents. The increase in respondents is due to normal market fluctuation. It is not a result of any program change or change in reporting requirements. After the initial implementation of information sharing and communications between entities , burden associated with tariffs is no longer included in the FERC-923 information collection. The remaining burden is associated only with non-public information sharing between respondent entities. These changes (the removal of burden associated with tariff filings and the small increase in the number of respondents involved in information sharing) result in a slight increase in responses and a slight reduction in total annual burden.

---

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $28,679

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

---

Common Form ICR:  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:

(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

---