FERC-512, Preliminary Permit

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
FERC-512 supporting statement4-10-2018.doc Supporting Statement A	2018-04-10
FERC-512 30-day notice.pdf Supplementary Document	2018-01-11
FERC-512 60-day notice.pdf Supplementary Document	2018-01-11
16 USC 800.pdf Supplementary Document	2018-01-11
16 USC 798.pdf Supplementary Document	2018-01-11
16 USC 797.pdf Supplementary Document	2018-01-11
18 CFR Part 4.pdf Supplementary Document	2018-01-11
HydroEfficAct bills-113hr267enr.pdf Supplementary Document	2014-12-15

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
23011	FERC-512, Preliminary Permit	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 1902-0073	ICR Reference No: 201801-1902-001
Status: Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201412-1902-002
Agency/Subagency: FERC	Agency Tracking No: FERC-512
Title: FERC-512, Preliminary Permit
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 with change	Conclusion Date: 04/11/2018
	Date Received in OIRA: 01/16/2018
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	04/30/2021	36 Months From Approved	04/30/2018
Responses	50	0	205
Time Burden (Hours)	1,200	0	4,945
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: The FERC-512 is an application for a preliminary permit or to extend a preliminary permit term. Preliminary permits, issued for up to three years, preserve the right of permit holders to have first priority in applying for a license for a project being studied, but do not authorize construction of any facilities. Nor does a preliminary permit allow the use of eminent domain to acquire lands for the project. The preliminary permits are issued pursuant to sections 4(f), 5, and 7 of the FPA. Preliminary permits can be extended one time for up to two additional years, pursuant to section 5 of the FPA. The application for a preliminary permit is used by Commission staff to assess the scope of the proposed project, the technology to be used, and jurisdictional aspects of the project. The staff assessment includes a review of the proposed hydro development for conflicts with other permits or existing projects and public notice of the application to solicit public and agency comments. The application for a one-time extension, up to two years, of a preliminary permit is used by Commission staff to determine if a permittee has met the Hydropower Efficiency Act’s good faith and reasonable diligence standards. An application for a preliminary permit includes an initial statement and three numbered exhibits, per 18 CFR 4.81. The initial statement includes information on the applicant, the project, the requested term of the permit, affected political jurisdictions, and a verification of the facts presented. The initial statement includes information on the applicant, the project, the requested term of the permit, affected political jurisdictions, and a verification of the facts presented. The three numbered exhibits are as follows: • Exhibit One is a description of the proposed project and includes a characterization of the project structures, transmission facilities, and reservoir; estimates of energy and capacity; identification of affected United States lands; and any other information that demonstrates how the proposed development of the water resource would be in the public interest. • Exhibit Two is a description of project studies, either completed or planned, for the purpose of assessing project feasibility, determining environmental impacts, and preparing an application for license including a proposed schedule for completing each study. The exhibit includes a statement of costs and financing that includes an estimate of the costs of doing the project studies described above and the source of funding for these studies. • Exhibit Three includes a map or series of maps that clearly show the location of the project, the location and relationship of the principal project features, a proposed boundary for the project, any lands or reservations of the United States needed for project purposes, and areas which are specially protected.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 16 USC 797 et. al. Name of Law: Federal Power Act
  

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:
	82 FR 46231	10/04/2017
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	82 FR 60978	12/26/2017
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-512, Preliminary Permit

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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	50	205	0	0	-155	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	1,200	4,945	0	0	-3,745	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: The total annual burden for the FERC-512 information collection decreased by 155 responses and 3,745 hours from previously approved information collection requests . The decrease is due entirely to a reduction in the number of applications filed to the Commission over the past three years. The current annual number of responses (50) is more representative of recent years of activity concerning this collection. The reduction in the number of applications received is due to multiple factors: • Expiration of federal production tax credits that previously benefited hydropower projects; • Natural gas production has driven electric rates down and has rendered hydropower uneconomical; and • Reduced interest in hydropower projects due to most viable locations having already been developed or investigated for development. Overall, there is less demand for preliminary permits.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $799,493

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     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: 01/16/2018

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