FERC-545, Gas Pipeline Rates: Rate Change (Non-formal) (Modification from RM21-18-000)

Forms and Documents

Forms and supporting documents for this ICR

Document	Type	Status	Availability
Form FERC-545 Sample Tariff Filing	Form	Unchanged	Available
Form FERC-545 Tariff Filings	Form	Unchanged	Repair queued
Modified FERC-545 supporting statement_RM21-18_Final (1).docx	Supporting Statement A	Uploaded 2022-06-02	Repair queued
20220519-3093_RM21-18-000 Press Release.pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2022-05-20	Repair queued
20200817-5251_Final Draft Report to FERC on WGQ V 3.2 w Appendices.PDF	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2021-09-07	Repair queued
implementation-guide_0.pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2021-09-07	Repair queued
RM96-1-042-sample tariff.docx	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2021-08-12	Repair queued
43 USC 1331.pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2021-04-15	Repair queued
42 USC 7101-7352.pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2021-04-15	Repair queued
15 USC 3301-3432.pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2021-04-15	Repair queued
18 CFR 284.pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2021-04-15	Repair queued
15 USC 717.pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2021-04-15	Repair queued

IC Document Collections

Information collection document groups

IC ID	Collection	Type	Status	Form
44004	Negotiated Rates and Non-Conforming Agreement Filings		Unchanged
253762	Section 4 Rate Cases (RM21-18-000)		New
250375	Final Rule RM96-1-42 (one-time average over 1-3 years)	Instruction	Unchanged
234454	Tariff Filings	Form	Unchanged	Sample Tariff Filing
234454	Tariff Filings	Form	Unchanged
234453	Information Reports		Unchanged
217379	Market-Based Rates for Storage Filings		Unchanged
216315	Rate Filings		Unchanged

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 1902-0154	ICR Reference No: 202205-1902-007
Status: Historical Inactive	Previous ICR Reference No: 202201-1902-003
Agency/Subagency: FERC	Agency Tracking No: FERC-545
Title: FERC-545, Gas Pipeline Rates: Rate Change (Non-formal) (Modification from RM21-18-000)
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Comment filed on proposed rule and continue	Conclusion Date: 11/28/2022
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 06/02/2022
Terms of Clearance: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, OMB is filing comment and withholding approval at this time. The agency shall examine public comment in response to the proposed rulemaking and will include in the supporting statement of the next ICR—which is 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, including comments on maximizing the practical utility of the collection and minimizing the burden.

table that charts list comparision

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	05/31/2025	36 Months From Approved	05/31/2025
Responses	1,363	0	1,363
Time Burden (Hours)	305,812	0	305,812
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: FERC-545 is required to implement sections 4, 5, and 16 of the Natural Gas Act (NGA) (15 U.S.C. 717c, 717d, and 717o). NGA Sections 4, 5, and 16 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 https://www.rocis.gov/rocis/LoadICR.do?menu=currentICRPackage&requestId=419022&recordOwnerFlag=A#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. The Commission may act under different sections of the NGA to effect a change in a natural gas company’s rates. When the Commission reviews changes in rates that a natural gas company has proposed, it is subject to the requirement of section 4(e) of the NGA. Under section 4(e), the natural gas company bears the burden of proving that its proposed rates are just and reasonable. For example, when a pipeline files to increase its rates, it makes a filing with the Commission under section 4 of the NGA. These types of filings are referred to as general section 4 rate cases. In the proceedings, the Commission reviews all of a pipeline’s rates and services. A pipeline can file a general section 4 rate case anytime it wishes, provided the pipeline did not agree otherwise in a settlement. A pipeline must demonstrate that the new rates it proposes to charge are just and reasonable. When a rate increase filing is made pursuant to section 4, the application is typically suspended and set for hearing by a Commission Order. On the other hand, when the Commission seeks to impose its own rate determination, it must do so in compliance with section 5(a) of the NGA. Under section 5, the Commission must first establish that its alternative rate proposal is both just and reasonable. Docket No. RM21-18-000 revises the implementation of section 4 rate cases. The proposed rule in RM21-18-000 proposes updating and revising the regulations implementing section 4 rate cases to be filed in native format with all links and formulas intact.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 15 USC 717-717z 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-AF98	Proposed rulemaking	87 FR 31783	05/25/2022

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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: 7

table that charts list of burden

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Final Rule RM96-1-42 (one-time average over 1-3 years)
Information Reports
Market-Based Rates for Storage Filings
Negotiated Rates and Non-Conforming Agreement Filings
Rate Filings
Section 4 Rate Cases (RM21-18-000)
Tariff Filings	FERC-545	Sample Tariff Filing

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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: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: The estimated burden of FERC 545 increased by 800 hours due to the proposed rule in Docket No. RM21-18-000. The proposed rule modifies the existing collection to require entities seeking a rate change under section 4 of the NGA to submit their calculations (for a rate case) in native format, including all links and formulas.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $143,806

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

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     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? No

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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: 06/02/2022

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