Coordination of Federal Authorization for Electric Transmission Facilities
Revision of a currently approved collection
No
Regular
Approved with change
09/10/2024
05/09/2024
In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for three years. OMB is approving for the full 3-year cycle because DOE solicited comment on the full collection in its NPRM. OMB notes that the information collection instruments in this package entirely replace the existing information collection under 1910-5185.
table that charts list comparision
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
09/30/2027
36 Months From Approved
09/30/2024
3
0
15
6,487
0
55
421,720
0
3,113
Section 216(h) of the Federal Power Act, as implemented by a 2009 Memorandum of Understanding, requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to issue regulations governing the coordination of Federal authorizations for proposed interstate electric transmission facilities. The regulations allow applicants to request information on the completeness of an application for authorization or permit, as well as the likelihood of project approval based on early submission, compilation, and documentation of information needed to identify potential siting constraints or opportunities discussed in the proposed process (section 900.4), which is required by section 216(h)(4)(C). The regulations also allow applicants to request DOE coordination assistance for projects other than qualifying projects (section 900.2), as authorized by section 216(h)(3). This information collection package accounts for the requirements of these regulatory provisions.
Pursuant to the 2023 Memorandum of Understanding , DOE will serve as the lead agency responsible for coordinating one or more Federal authorizations for proposed interstate electric transmission facilities. The mandatory pre-application IIP Process is comprehensive and designed to reduce duplicative efforts and administrative burdens across multiple Federal permitting and environmental review authorities and necessitates more information from applicants at the outset of the process. Compared to the previous version of the OMB Form 83-I, the burden is higher, but DOE believes that identifying and addressing issues throughout the IIP Process will expedite DOEâs preparation of an EIS and ensure that a project proponentâs applications for federal authorizations are complete. Additionally, with DOE serving as the lead agency coordinating other Federal agencies, the burden on the Federal Government as a whole will be reduced through the IIP Process.
The burden has been updated to increase the expected time for Resource Report 8 by 4 hours per applicant to meet the requirements of the updated definition for specially designated areas. The Initial Meeting burden has been updated from 2 to 8 hours to reflect the request made of applicants to provide alternative development processes and clarification on analysis areas for the 13 resource reports; the discussion of these processes and clarifications may require the increase of 6 hours so that relevant federal agencies may perform their due diligence. The Review Meeting burden has been updated from 2 to 4 hours and the Close-Out Meeting burden has been increased from 1 to 2 hours: both of these burden increases are tied to the alternative development processes and clarification changes for the 13 resource reports.
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.