Pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.11(c), OMB files this comment on this information collection request (ICR) associated with the RM 96-1-037 proposed rule. In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, OMB is withholding approval at this time. The agency shall examine public comment in response to the proposed rule and will include in the supporting statement of the ICR, to be submitted to OMB at the final rule stage, a description of how the agency has responded to any public comments received on the ICR.
table that charts list comparision
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
09/30/2013
36 Months From Approved
09/30/2013
630
0
630
922,660
0
922,660
0
0
0
The business practice standards under FERC-549C are required to carry out the Commission's policies in accordance with the general authority in Sections 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 14, 16, and 20 of the Natural Gas Act (NGA) (15 U.S.C. 717c-717o), and sections 311, 501, and 504 of the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 (NGPA) (15 U.S.C. 3301-3432).
The Commission adopted these business practice standards in order to update and standardize the natural gas industry's business practices and procedures to improve the efficiency of the gas market and the means by which the gas industry conducts business across the interstate pipeline grid.
The proposals in the NOPR would, if implemented, upgrade the Commission's current business practices and communication standards by specifically: (1) adding and revising standards allowing the elimination of EDI requirements for Capacity Release Upload information; (2) creating and modifying existing information posting requirements for websites and browsers; (3) requiring pipelines to provide security information; (4) providing for the posting of information on waste heat recovery feasibility on the Internet; (5) modifying pipeline notice content and creating new pipeline notice types; and (6) creating standards to ensure NAESB data format is consistent with other data reporting via the Internet by using CSV.
The implementation of these data requirements will provide additional transparency to informational posting web sites and will improve communication standards, including gas-electric communications. The implementation of these standards and regulations will promote the additional efficiency and reliability of the gas industries' operations thereby helping the Commission to carry out its responsibilities under the Natural Gas Act of promoting the efficiency and reliability of the gas industries' operations. In addition, the Commission's Office of Enforcement will use the data for general industry oversight.
In addition to the program changes in the burden due to the NOPR, the Commission is making adjustments for changes in the number of respondents.
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.
RM96-1-037 NOPR SS v4.doc
NAESB report v2-0 of standards.pdf
Standards for Business Practices of Interstate Natural Gas Pipelines