In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for three years.
table that charts list comparision
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
01/31/2016
36 Months From Approved
01/31/2013
1,982
0
168
280,276
0
169,955
0
0
0
[This is the 2nd of 2 ICRs related to the final rule in Docket RM96-1-037; the other one was for FERC-549C.]
FERC-545, Gas Pipeline Rates: Rate Change Non-Formal is required to implement sections 4, 5, and 16 of the Natural Gas Act (NGA), (15 USC 717c 717o, PL 75 688, 52 Stat. 822 and 830). NGA Sections 4, 5, and 6 authorize the Commission to inquire into rate structures and methodologies and to set rates at a just and reasonable level. Specifically, a natural gas company must obtain Commission authorization for all rates and charges made, demanded, or received in connection with the transportation or sale of natural gas in interstate commerce. Under the NGA, a natural gas company's rates must be just and reasonable and not unduly discriminatory or preferential.
When a natural gas company decides to construct and operate a jurisdictional pipeline, it files an application with the Commission and receives a certificate of public convenience and necessity from FERC. In the certificate proceeding, the Commission authorizes initial rates for the transportation service to be provided by the pipeline. Initial rates are established for new services authorized in certificate proceedings and must meet a public convenience and necessity standard. Initial rates established in the certificate proceeding remain in effect until the rates are changed by a Commission order. After the pipeline has been in operation for a set period, it files a cost and revenue study justifying the continuation of its initial rates or for a rate change under NGA section 4.
Pipelines adjust their tariffs to meet market and customer needs. Commission review of these proposed changes is required to ensure rates remain just and reasonable and that services are not provided in an unduly discriminatory or preferential manner. The Commisssion's regulations in 18 C.F.R. Part 154, Subparts C, E and G specify what changes are allowed and the procedures for requesting Commission approval.
The Commission uses the FERC-545 information to examine service and tariff provisions related to natural gas transportation and storage services. The following information is the subject of the FERC-545: (1) tariff filings and any related compliance filings; (2) rate case filings and any related compliance filings; (3) informational reports; (4) negotiated rates (5) non-conforming agreement filings and (6) North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB) Activity (tariff portion only)
In the Final Rule in RM96-1-037, FERC amends its regulations at 18 CFR 284.12 to incorporate by reference the latest version (Version 2.0) of certain business practice standards adopted by the Wholesale Gas Quadrant (WGQ) of the North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB) applicable to natural gas pipelines. To implement these standards, natural gas pipelines will be required to file tariff sheets to reflect the changed standards. The FERC-545 accounts for the preparation and filing of tariff sheets.
Compliance with the standards is contained in the FERC-549C (OMB Control No. 1902-074) which FERC is being submitted concurrently with this package, and in a separate ICR.
As stated in item 12 of the supporting statement, the FERC-545 data collection includes filings made to implement FERC rulemakings related to NAESB's work. In many instances these rulemakings have automatically triggered the renewal of FERC authority to collect all types of FERC-545 filings, as set out by OMB policy for authorization to implement data collections. There are 3 parts to the burden changes made in this supporting statement.
A program decrease to account for the completion of several completed one-time tariff filing requirements.
The FERC-545 burden estimate in this supporting statement is provided by component for the first time in over a decade. FERC found through looking at each component separately that the overall burden estimate was too low, and is adjusting the total burden accordingly.
FERC also proposes a program increase in burden hours due to the RM96-1-037 Final Rule discussed previously in this document.
The significant increase in the number of responses in the adjustment column is mainly due to FERC breaking out the individual elements of the collection instead of generalizing to one response per respondent per year for the whole collection (including the one-time filings that have already been completed).
The program increase is due to the Final Rule and is necessary in order for the Commission to evaluate the rates and operations of interstate pipelines.
$2,872,388
No
No
No
No
No
Uncollected
Norma McOmber 202 502-8022
Reginfo record details
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.
FERC-545 (RM96-1-037) Supporting Statement FINAL.doc
NAESB report v2-0 of standards.pdf
RM96-1-037 News Release 7-19-12.docx
Gas Pipeline Rates: Rate Change (Non-formal)