FERC-546, Certificated Rate
Filings: Gas Pipeline Rates
Extension without change of a currently approved collection
No
Regular
03/13/2025
Requested
Previously Approved
36 Months From Approved
05/31/2025
64
91
24,240
37,723
0
0
The following list outlines four
circumstances under which the FERC-546 information collection
requirements for certificated rates must be met: A company decides
to: 1. Construct and operate a new jurisdictional pipeline; 2.
Expand its certificated pipeline capacity by constructing a lateral
pipeline, adding compression or providing storage at incremental or
cost-based rates; 3. Build a new liquefied natural gas facility; or
4. Provide gas storage and negotiate market based rates. Under the
circumstances 1-3, the company must file its FERC-546 cost data
along with an application for a certificate of public convenience
and necessity under the statutory requirements of NGA Section 7(c).
For circumstance 4, the company must file its FERC-546 information
with an application under NGA Section 4(f). The FERC-546 includes
the following: • Supporting information for proposed initial rates
(e.g. cost-based, market based, incremental rates); • Pro forma
tariffs; • Motions to put proposed initial rates into effect
subject to Commission findings on the related certificate; and •
Unexecuted precedent agreements. Section 16 of the NGA grants the
Commission administrative powers including the ability to define
accounting, technical and trade terms, prescribe forms, statements,
declarations or reports and to prescribe rules and regulations.
Section 403 of the Department of Energy Organization Act authorizes
the Commission to establish and review priorities for curtailments
under the Natural Gas Act. The Commission reviews the FERC-546
materials in order to approve rates and tariff changes associated
with an application for a certificate under NGA Section 7(c).
Additionally, the Commission reviews FERC-546 materials in 4(f)
storage applications to evaluate market power and decide whether to
grant, deny, or condition market based rate authority for the
applicant. The Commission also uses the FERC-546 information to
monitor jurisdictional transportation, natural gas storage, and
unbundled sales activities of interstate natural gas pipelines and
Hinshaw pipelines. In addition to fulfilling the Commission’s
obligations under the NGA, the FERC-546 enables the Commission to
monitor activities, evaluate transactions, ensure competitiveness,
and improved efficiency of the gas industry's operations. In
summary, the Commission uses the FERC-546 information to: • Ensure
adequate customer protections under section 4(f) of the NGA; •
Review rate and tariff changes by natural gas companies for the
transportation of natural gas and natural gas storage services; •
Provide general industry oversight; and • Supplement documentation
during its audits process. Failure to collect this information
would prevent the Commission from being able to monitor and
evaluate transactions and operations of interstate pipelines and
perform its regulatory functions.
The decrease in burden is due
to less filers submitting the FERC-546 in comparison to historical
trends.
$164,235
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Tracy DeMarr 202
502-8187
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.
Final_FERC-546 supporting statement_3_7_25.docx
FERC 519, 520, 546, 580_30 Day Notice_pub.pdf
Certificated Rate Filings: Gas Pipeline Rates