In accordance
with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for three
years. OMB clearance is contingent upon whether the form associated
with FERC-730 continues to comply with 5 CFR 1320, particularly
display of the expiration date and inclusion of a paperwork burden
statement.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
03/31/2023
36 Months From Approved
03/31/2020
63
0
63
1,890
0
1,890
0
0
0
The information collected in the
FERC-730 is necessary for the Commission to evaluate its incentive
rates policies, and to demonstrate the effectiveness of these
policies. The FERC-730 filing requirement allows the Commission to
track the progress of electric transmission projects that have been
granted incentive-based rates, providing an accurate assessment of
the state of the industry with respect to transmission investment,
and ensuring that incentive rates are effective in encouraging the
development of appropriate transmission infrastructure. To promote
the development of needed energy infrastructure, Congress enacted
section 1241 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which added a new
section 219 to the Federal Power Act (FPA). Section 219 of the FPA
required that the Commission issue a rule allowing incentive-based
rate treatments to promote capital investment in the enlargement,
improvement, maintenance, and operation of transmission facilities.
To comply with these FPA requirements, the Commission issued Order
No. 679 in 2006. Order 679 allowed public utilities participating
in interstate commerce to apply for certain incentives, including:
(1) a rate of return on equity sufficient to attract new investment
in transmission facilities, (2) 100% of prudently incurred
Construction Work in Progress (CWIP) in rate base, (3) recovery of
prudently incurred pre-commercial operations costs, (4) accelerated
depreciation, (5) hypothetical capital structure, and (6) recovery
of 100% of prudently incurred costs of transmission facilities that
are cancelled or abandoned due to factors beyond the control of the
public utility. The Commission's incentive rates policies under
Order No. 679 aim to ensure reliability and reduce the cost of
delivered power by decreasing transmission congestion. The
Commission created FERC-730 to better inform its incentive rate
policies, ensuring that they encourage appropriate infrastructure
development and meet the requirements of FPA section 219. FERC-730
is an annual filing requirement for utilities that have been
granted incentive-based rates. Utilities must file the following
information in FERC-730: actual monetary investment for the most
recent calendar year; planned investments for the next five years;
and a project-by-project listing that includes each project planned
for investment over the next five years and specifies expected
completion date, percentage completion as of the filing date, and
any reasons for delay. The filing requirements of FERC-730 are
codified under 18 CFR §35.35(h).
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.
Form Docket No. RM20-11 FERC-730, Report of Transmission Investment Activity
730 Final Supporting Statement_3-20-20.docx
18 CFR 35.35.pdf
FERC-730, Report of Transmission Investment Activity