The FERC Form 2-A is a financial and
operating report for natural gas rate regulation for major pipeline
owners. A nonmajor pipeline owner is one that has combined gas
sales for resale and has gas transported or stored for a fee that
exceeds 200,000 Dth but which is less than 50 million Dth, in each
of the three previous calendar years. Under the Form 2-A, the
Commission investigates, collects and records data, and prescribes
rules and regulations concerning accounts, records and memoranda as
necessary to administer the NGA. The Commission is empowered to
prescribe a system of accounts for jurisdictional gas pipelines and
after notice and opportunity for hearing, may determine the
accounts in which particular outlays and receipts will be entered,
charged or credited.
The information maintained and
collected under the requirements of Part 260 is essential to the
Commissions oversight duties. The data now reported in the forms
does not provide sufficient information to the Commission and the
public to permit an evaluation of the filers jurisdictional rates.
Since the triennial restatement of rates requirement was abolished
and pipelines are no longer required to submit this information,
the need for current and relevant data is greater than in the past.
The information collection proposed in the Final Rule will increase
the forms usefulness to both the public and the Commission.
Without this information, it is difficult for the Commission and
the public to perform an assessment of pipeline costs, and thereby
help to ensure that rates are just and reasonable. The Commission
has determined that dependable, affordable, competitive wholesale
energy markets require an adequate infrastructure, balanced market
rules, and vigilant oversight. This proposed rule helps in
achieving the goal of vigilant oversight by providing the
Commission with more timely, relevant, reliable and understandable
information from jurisdictional participants in the energy
markets.
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.