FERC-537, Gas Pipeline Certificates: Construction, Acquisition and Abandonment
Revision of a currently approved collection
No
Regular
Comment filed on proposed rule and continue
09/16/2026
06/15/2026
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 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, 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
11/30/2027
11/30/2027
11/30/2027
444
0
444
49,091
0
49,091
0
0
0
The NOPR seeks stakeholder perspectives on a Commission proposal to revise its part 157, subpart F blanket certificate regulations, 18 CFR sections 157.208(d) and 157.215(a)(5), to increase the cost limitations for projects that interstate natural gas pipelines may construct without a case-specific authorization order.
The FERC 537 collection includes the requirements to obtain FERC approval for construction, acquisition, or abandonment of natural gas pipelines. Under the Natural Gas Act (NGA) a natural gas company must obtain FERC authorization to engage in the transportation of natural gas in interstate commerce, to undertake the construction or extension of any facilities, or to acquire or operate any such facilities or extensions in accordance with Section 7(c) of the NGA. A natural gas company must also obtain FERC approval under Section 7(b) of the NGA prior to abandoning any jurisdictional facility or service. Under the Natural Gas Policy Act (NGPA) (Public Law 96-621) interstate pipelines must also obtain FERC authorization for certain transportation arrangements. If a certificate is granted, the natural gas company can engage in the interstate transportation of natural gas and construct, acquire, or operate facilities. Conversely, approval of an abandonment application permits the pipeline to cease service and discontinue the operation of such facilities. Authorization under NGPA Section 311(a) allows the interstate or intrastate pipeline applicants to render certain transportation services.
This proposed rule would reduce the reporting burden because it expands exemptions to submitting a full application by natural gas pipelines pursuant to NGA section 7(c) permission to acquire, build, or abandon pipelines and / or state facilities. As a result, there would be more entities that would not need to submit full applications and they would either submit abbreviated fillings or only report activities on an annual report (already required).
The other changes to the ICs are due to FERC revising our approach to documenting the reporting burden so that it more clearly matches to regulatory requirements.
$860,416
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Chrystal Martin 202 502-6043
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.
FERC-537 supporting statement - RM25-12-000.docx
RM25-12-000 Notice of Inquiry Blanket Certification Cost Limitations.pdf
Gas Pipeline Certificates: Construction, Acquisition and Abandonment