FERC-545 (Final Rule in RM14-21-000) Gas Pipeline Rates: Rate Change (Non-formal)

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
RM14-21 Supporting Statement1-22-2015docx.docx Supporting Statement A	2015-01-22
15 USC 717o.pdf Supplementary Document	2015-01-15
15 USC 717d.pdf Supplementary Document	2015-01-15
15 USC 717c-1.pdf Supplementary Document	2015-01-15
15 USC 717c.pdf Supplementary Document	2015-01-15
18 CFR 284.221.pdf Supplementary Document	2015-01-15
18 CFR 284.12.pdf Supplementary Document	2015-01-15
18 CFR 154 Subpart G.pdf Supplementary Document	2015-01-15
18 CFR 154 Subpart E.pdf Supplementary Document	2015-01-15
18 CFR 154 Subpart C.pdf Supplementary Document	2015-01-15
18 CFR 154.106.pdf Supplementary Document	2015-01-13
18 CFR 154.103.pdf Supplementary Document	2015-01-13

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
44004	Gas Pipeline Rates: Rate Change (Non-formal)	Modified
214620	One-time Tariff Filing for Pipeline Map URL (RM14-21-000 Final Rule)	New

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 1902-0154	ICR Reference No: 201501-1902-003
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201305-1902-001
Agency/Subagency: FERC	Agency Tracking No: FERC-545
Title: FERC-545 (Final Rule in RM14-21-000) Gas Pipeline Rates: Rate Change (Non-formal)
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 03/16/2015
	Date Received in OIRA: 01/22/2015
Terms of Clearance: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for three years.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	03/31/2018	36 Months From Approved	08/31/2016
Responses	2,305	0	2,151
Time Burden (Hours)	281,720	0	280,445
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: 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) NAESB Activity (tariff portion only related to pipeline activity). The changes to the FERC-545 in the final rule in Docket RM14-21 are under the first item, "tariff filings and any related compliance filings". Currently, pursuant to sections 154.103 and 154.106 of our regulations, natural gas pipelines must have a system map in their tariffs on file with the Commission and, pursuant to section 284.12(a)(1)(v), on the tariff section of their websites. In order to reduce regulatory burden on these pipelines, the Commission eliminates the requirement that natural gas pipelines have a system map on file with the Commission but retains the requirement to post the system map on their websites. In order to promote transparency, the Commission is modifying its requirement from an annual update to a quarterly deadline for updating pipeline maps on the pipeline's website. In this Final Rule in Docket RM14-21, the Commission revises its Part 154 regulations concerning interstate natural gas pipeline maps. First, as proposed at the NOPR stage, the Commission is permanently eliminating the requirements that pipelines include system maps in their tariffs. This requires a one-time filing to update those system maps by April 30 of any year following a major system change. Second, while the Commission is retaining the requirement that pipelines maintain a system map on their Internet websites, we revise our regulations to require pipelines to update the online maps no later than the end of the next calendar quarter after a major system change. This Final Rule is designed to reduce the regulatory burden on pipelines and to enhance transparency.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 15 USC 717-717w Name of Law: Natural Gas Act
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
1902-AE89	Final or interim final rulemaking	79 FR 75047	12/17/2014

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Federal Register Notices & Comments

Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 2

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Gas Pipeline Rates: Rate Change (Non-formal)
One-time Tariff Filing for Pipeline Map URL (RM14-21-000 Final Rule)

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	2,305	2,151	0	154	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	281,720	280,445	0	1,275	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Changing Regulations

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Reduction Due to: Changing Regulations

Short Statement: The burden estimates presented within this clearance package reflect the time necessary for respondents to update their tariffs according to the final rule, as well as the burden reduction because respondents will no longer have to file system map adjustments. Also, there is a small burden increase to account for the approved requirement that pipelines update their system maps on a more frequent basis than annually. The Commission bases the estimated number of respondents on the number of Natural Gas Act jurisdictional companies with tariffs on file, accounting for companies that have waivers. The Commission assumes that in the first year the only difference in burden for respondents is to make the one time tariff changes estimated at eight hours per respondent. In each year, starting in the second, the Commission estimates that approximately 21 respondents per year will experience a four hour reduction in burden from no longer filing annual system map adjustments with the Commission. Also starting in the second year, the Commission estimates that approximately four respondents will see an increase of four hours per year in order to update their maps more frequently.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $2,876,510

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Is the Supporting Statement intended to be a Privacy Impact Assessment required by the E-Government Act of 2002? No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

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Common Form ICR:  No

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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:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(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;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

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.

Certification Date: 01/22/2015

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