Agency adjusted and revised burden estimates to reflect effects of a previously OMB approved but not recorded submission.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
07/31/2012
03/31/2012
03/31/2012
4,330
0
4,330
457,749
0
436,241
0
0
0
In RM01-5-000 a Final Rule, FERC revised its regulations to require that all tariffs, tariff revisions and rate change applications for the public utility, natural gas pipeline and oil pipeline industries be filed according to a set of standards developed in conjunction with the North American Standards Board. The standards will assist in FERCÂs goal of establishing a robust electronic filing environment for tariffs and tariff related material and will make it possible for FERC staff and the public to retrieve this material from a data base. Adoption of these standards and protocols will provide each company with enhanced flexibility to develop software to better integrate tariff filings with their individual tariff maintenance and business needs. These standards and protocols will also provide an open platform permitting third-party software developers to create more efficient tariff filing and maintenance applications, which will spread the development costs over larger numbers of companies.
This Final Rule is a continuation of the CommissionÂs efforts to meet its responsibilities in implementing the goals of the legislative and executive branches of the federal government with respect to substituting electronic means of communication and information storage for paper means. For example, the Government Paperwork Elimination Act directs agencies to provide for the optional use and acceptance of electronic documents and signatures, and electronic recordkeeping, where practical. Likewise, OMBÂs Circular A-130 requires agencies to use electronic information collection techniques, where such means will reduce the burden on the public, increase efficiency, reduce costs, and help provide better service. The benefits of this endeavor for all concernedÂregulated industries, state commissions, parties to Commission proceedings, Commission staff, other persons impacted by the tariffs and tariff filings and the general public are to provide for easier access, a more efficient delivery and distribution system for the information filed with the Commission and to provide for historical research.
As a result, the Commission is revising its regulations and procedures to accommodate the way industry maintains tariffs. The Commission believes that the protocols and standards that have been developed will provide a robust framework for the filing of tariff and tariff related materials with the Commission and the development of a Commission database to enable staff, industry, and the public to access and search those data.
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.