In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, OMB is withholding approval at this time. Prior to publication of the final rule, the agency must submit to OMB a summary of all comments related to the information collection contained in the proposed rule and the agency response. The agency should clearly indicate any changes made to the information collection as a result of these comments.
table that charts list comparision
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
11/30/2010
36 Months From Approved
11/30/2010
451
0
451
857,087
0
857,087
0
0
0
In the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) amends its regulations governing standards for business practices and electronic communications with interstate natural gas pipelines. The FERC is incorporating by reference certain standards promulgated by the Wholesale Gas Quadrant (WGQ) that would upgrade the CommissionÂs current business practice and communications standards to the latest version 1.8 as approved by the North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB) Wholesale Gas Quadrant (WGQ) group. The implementation of these standards is necessary to increase the efficiency of the natural gas pipeline grid, make pipelines electronic communications more secure, and is consistent with the mandate agencies have to provide for electronic disclosure of information. Requiring such information ensures both a common means of communication and common business practices in order to provide participants engaged in transactions with interstate pipelines the ability to have timely information and also ensure uniform business procedures across multiple pipelines. The new set of standards are for Internet Electronic Transport as applicable to the retail gas and electric markets as well as the wholesale gas market; changes to the Electronic Delivery Mechanism Related Standards, an additional standard related to reporting on gas quality, and maintenance changes to the Nomination Related Standards and Flowing Gas Related Standards. The standards update and refine the standards adopted by the Commission in its Order No. 587-S. Compliance with these standards will require certain changes in interstate pipeline day-to-day business operations.
This proposed rule, if implemented, would upgrade the Commission's current business practice and communication standards to the latest edition approved by the NAESB WGQ (i.e., the Version 1.8 Standards). The implementation of these standards is necessary to increase the efficiency of the pipeline grid, make pipelines electronic communications more secure. Requiring such information ensures both a common means of communication and common business practices that provide participants engaged in transactions with interstate pipelines with timely information and uniform business procedures across multiple pipelines
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.
1bklet0906_mc121306_012908_052908.pdf
RM96-1-029 NOPR OMB Just.doc
Standards for Business Practices of Interstate Natural Gas Pipelines