FERC-545B (RM96-1-041 NOPR) Gas Pipeline Rates: Rate Change Non-Formal

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
NAESB report- 3.1 gas standards.pdf Supplementary Document	2018-11-14
NAESB v3.1 standards.pdf Supplementary Document	2018-11-14
RM96-1-041 supporting statement.docx Supporting Statement A	2018-09-21
18 CFR 157.pdf Supplementary Document	2018-09-19
18 CFR 284.pdf Supplementary Document	2018-09-19
15 USC 717.pdf Supplementary Document	2018-09-19

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
233010	RM96-1-041 NOPR (Standards for Business Practices of Interstate Natural Gas Pipelines)	New

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 1902-0305	ICR Reference No: 201809-1902-011
Status: Historical Inactive	Previous ICR Reference No:
Agency/Subagency: FERC	Agency Tracking No: FERC-545B
Title: FERC-545B (RM96-1-041 NOPR) Gas Pipeline Rates: Rate Change Non-Formal
Type of Information Collection: New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Comment filed on proposed rule	Conclusion Date: 11/14/2018
	Date Received in OIRA: 09/21/2018
Terms of Clearance: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, OMB is filing comment and withholding approval at this time. With submission of the final rule ICR, OMB requests that FERC submit the ICR in context with the larger ICR encompassing all of FERC-545 and FERC-549C to better understand what the total information collection impact will be on both collections. In addition, OMB requests that FERC provide more transparency on what the new information collection requirements will be for the public to comment on by being clearer on 1) what information is being collected and 2) how the public can access additional information on the standards being incorporated by reference.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date		36 Months From Approved
Responses	0	0	0
Time Burden (Hours)	0	0	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: On September 29, 2017, the North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB) filed a report informing the Commission that it had adopted and ratified Wholesale Gas Quadrant (WGQ) Version 3.1 of its business practice standards applicable to natural gas pipelines. The NAESB report identifies all the changes made to the Version 3.0 Standards and summarizes the deliberations that led to the changes being made. It also identifies changes to the existing standards that were considered but not adopted due to a lack of consensus or other reasons. In this NOPR, the Commission proposes to incorporate by reference, in its regulations, Version 3.1 of the NAESB WGQ consensus business practice standards, with certain exceptions. We propose that any compliance filings made in accordance with a final rule on this subject be made 90 days after issuance of any final rule in this proceeding or on the first business day thereafter if falling on a weekend or holiday. This will allow time for the Commission to process the compliance filings before the effective date of the new standards. Adoption of the Version 3.1 Standards will continue the process of updating and improving NAESB’s business practice standards for the benefit of the entire wholesale natural gas market and were developed and supported by a consensus of all segments of the industry. The NOPR in RM96-1-041 proposes to incorporate by reference, in the Commission’s regulations, Version 3.1 of the NAESB WGQ consensus business practice standards, with certain exceptions. This updates and revises the Version 3.0 NAESB WGQ business practice standards that the Commission incorporated by reference, with certain exceptions, on Oct. 16, 2015. The following information is the subject of the FERC-545B: (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) NAESB Activity (tariff portion only). In summary, the Commission uses the FERC-545B information to (1) ensure there are adequate customer protections under section 4 of the NGA; (2) review rates and terms and conditions of service changes by natural gas companies for the transportation and storage of natural gas; (3) provide general industry oversight; and (4) supplement documentation during FERC’s audits process.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 15 USC 717-717z Name of Law: Natural Gas Act
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
1902-AF54	Proposed rulemaking	83 FR 44521	08/31/2018

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Federal Register Notices & Comments

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
RM96-1-041 NOPR (Standards for Business Practices of Interstate Natural Gas Pipelines)

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Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Changing Regulations

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: The NOPR in RM96-1-041 proposes to require interstate natural gas pipelines to make a one-time tariff filing to reflect the changes resulting from Version 3.1 of the NAESB WGQ consensus business practice standards.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $41,205

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: 09/21/2018

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