OMB files this comment in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.11(c) of the Paperwork Reduction Act and is withholding approval of this collection at this time. This OMB action is not an approval to conduct or sponsor an information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The agency shall examine public comment in response to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and will include in the supporting statement of the next ICR, to be submitted to OMB at the final rule stage, a description of how the agency has responded to any public comments on the ICR. This action has no effect on any current approvals.
table that charts list comparision
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
08/31/2016
36 Months From Approved
08/31/2016
2,151
0
2,151
280,445
0
280,445
0
0
0
The NOPR in Docket RM14-2 affects subsets of two OMB Control Nos. (FERC-545, 1902-0154; and FERC-549C, 1902-0174). FERC is submitting this consolidated supporting statement to OMB with one ICR for each of the 2 separate OMB Control Numbers.
This NOPR states that the Commission is proposing certain revisions to its regulations, but also providing the natural gas and electric industries, through NAESB, with a period of 180 days after publication in the Federal Register to reach consensus on any revisions to these proposals. Although we present specific proposed reforms to existing natural gas industry scheduling practices in this Proposed Rule, we continue to recognize that the natural gas and electricity industries are best positioned to work out the details of how changes in scheduling practices can most efficiently be made and implemented, consistent with the policies discussed in the NOPR. Therefore, participants in the NAESB process should explore whether consensus can be reached on any reforms to these practices that would address the policy concerns identified. In addition, while the proposals in this Proposed Rule focus on natural gas industry regulations, we expect the electric industry (particularly the ISOs and RTOs) to participate in these efforts to help ensure that the resulting consensus reasonably accommodates the interests of both industries. Comments on any consensus proposals, as well as comments on the Commission's proposals, are to be filed 240 days after publication in the Federal Register.
General background on the collection: 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 Commission'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 this NOPR in RM14-2, FERC proposes to amend its regulations at 18CFR section 284.12 relating to the scheduling of transportation service on interstate natural gas pipelines to better coordinate the scheduling practices of the natural gas and electricity industries (in light of increased reliance on natural gas for electric generation), as well as to provide additional scheduling flexibility to all shippers on interstate natural gas pipelines. The proposed revisions deal principally with revision of the operating day and scheduling practices used by interstate pipelines to schedule natural gas transportation service. These proposed revisions affect the business practices of the natural gas industry, which the industry has developed through the North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB), and which the Commission has incorporated by reference into its regulations.
The Commission, therefore, is providing the natural gas and electric industries with 180 days to reach consensus on detailed standards, consistent with the Commission's guidance, including any revisions or modifications to these proposals. FERC's NOPR includes specific proposed reforms to existing natural gas industry scheduling practices, but we continue to recognize that the natural gas and electricity industries are best positioned to work out the details of how changes in scheduling practices can most efficiently be made and implemented, consistent with the policies discussed in the proposed rule. Therefore, stakeholders in the NAESB process should explore whether consensus can be reached on any reforms to these practices that would address the identified policy concerns. In addition, while the proposals in this Proposed Rule focus on natural gas industry regulations, FERC expects the electric industry (particularly the ISOs and RTOs) to participate in these efforts to help ensure that the resulting consensus reasonably accommodates the interests of both industries. Comments on any consensus proposals, as well as comments on the Commission's proposals, are to be filed 240 days after publication of the NOPR in the Federal Register.
This NOPR would require a one-time tariff filing (FERC-545) to reflect the proposed changes (e.g., process, timing, and frequency of the nomination cycle) .
$2,914,431
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.
RM14-2NOPR_supp state 3_28_2014_549C_545.docx
RM14-2-Norris Statement-20140320-3093.pdf
Gas Pipeline Rates: Rate Change (Non-formal)