[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 60 (Wednesday, March 27, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13418-13421]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-7430]



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[[Page 13419]]


DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

18 CFR Parts 2, 153, 157, 201, 375 and 382

[Docket No. RM96-9-000]


Editorial Changes to Various Regulations To Conform References to 
Revised Part 154; Order No. 586; Final Rule

Issued March 21, 1996.
AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Final Rule.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is amending various 
regulations under the Natural Gas Act to conform to revisions to part 
154 of the Commission's regulations under the Natural Gas Act which 
reorganized the filing requirements for interstate natural gas 
pipelines.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This final rule is effective April 26, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard A. White, Office of the 
General Counsel, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street 
NE., Washington, DC 20426, (202) 208-0491.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In addition to publishing the full text of 
this document in the Federal Register, the Commission also provides all 
interested persons an opportunity to inspect or copy the contents of 
this document during normal business hours at 888 First Street, NE., 
Washington, DC 20426.
    The Commission Issuance Posting System (CIPS), an electronic 
bulletin board service, provides access to the texts of formal 
documents issued by the Commission. CIPS is available at no charge to 
the user and may be accessed using a personal computer with a modem by 
dialing (202) 208-1397 if dialing locally or 1-800 856-3920 if dialing 
long distance. To access CIPS, set your communications software to 
19200, 14400, 12000, 9600, 7200, 4800, 2400 or 1200bps, full duplex, no 
parity, 8 data bits, and 1 stop bit. The full text of this document 
will be available on CIPS indefinitely in ASCII and WordPerfect 5.1 
format. The complete text on diskette in Wordperfect format may also be 
purchased from the Commission's copy contractor, La Dorn Systems 
Corporation, located in Room 2-A, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 
20426.

    Before Commissioners: Elizabeth Anne Moler, Chair; Vicky A. 
Bailey, James J. Hoecker, William L. Massey, and Donald F. Santa, 
Jr.

I. Introduction

    The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) is amending 
parts 2, 153, 157, 201, and 382 of its regulations to conform to 
changes in part 154 promulgated by the final rule issued September 28, 
1995, in Docket No. RM95-3-000 (60 FR 52960, October 11, 1995). The 
changes to the Commission regulations are to be effective April 26, 
1996.

II. The Revised Regulations

    The final rule in Docket No. RM95-3-000 completely reorganized the 
regulations governing the filing requirements for interstate natural 
gas pipelines. Therefore, other regulations that reference part 154 
must be conformed to reference the appropriate section of the revised 
regulations. Accordingly, the Commission is adopting these conforming 
changes to its regulations.
    Section 2.55 contains a reference to former Sec. 154.91 which 
contained the definition of ``independent producer.'' Since former 
Sec. 154.91 has been removed, the definition will be incorporated into 
paragraph (d) of revised Sec. 2.55. This modification does not 
represent a change in Commission policy.
    Section 2.64 concerns producer certificates. Producers no longer 
have to file for certificates with the Commission. The entire section 
has been removed.
    Section 153.8 references former Secs. 154.31 through 154.41. This 
section is modified to refer to revised Secs. 154.101 through 154.111, 
and 154.301 through 154.403.
    Section 157.103(d)(8) refers to former Sec. 154.63. This section is 
modified to refer to subpart D of part 154.
    Section 157.301(d) concerns waiver of requirements formerly 
required by Secs. 154.92 through 154.94. These sections have been 
removed from the Commission's regulations by Order No. 567.1 
Accordingly, Sec. 157.301(d) is removed.

    \1\ 68 FERC para. 61,135 (1994). Order No. 567 deleted certain 
regulations related to natural gas producer rate regulation that 
were either obsolete or nonessential in light of the deregulation of 
wellhead gas prices under the Natural Gas Wellhead Decontrol Act of 
1989. Pub. L. No. 101-60; 103 Stat. 157 (1989).
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    Part 201, General Instruction 16, refers to former Secs. 2.66 and 
154.42. Section 2.66 was removed by Order No. 542 2 and 
Sec. 154.42 was removed by Order No 567.3 These sections were 
removed because the Natural Gas Wellhead Decontrol Act of 1989 4 
made all ``first sales'' of natural gas no longer subject to Federal 
regulation. Because General Instruction 16 is predicated on the 
requirements of former Secs. 2.66 and 154.42, General Instruction No. 
16 is being removed.

    \2\ Deletion of Certain Outdated or Nonessential Regulations 
Pertaining to the Commission's Jurisdiction over Natural Gas, III 
FERC Stats. & Regs. para. 30,945 (1992).
    \3\ Removal of Outdated Regulations Pertaining to the Sales of 
Natural Gas Production, III FERC Stats. & Regs. para. 30,999 (1994).
    \4\ Pub. L. 101-60; 103 Stat. 157 (1989).
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    Part 201, Gas Plant Instruction, 3.(17)(b) refers to former 
Sec. 154.63. This reference will be changed to subpart D of revised 
part 154.
    In part 375, the title of Sec. 375.307 must be changed to reflect 
the renaming of the Office of Pipeline and Producer Regulation to the 
Office of Pipeline Regulation. The reference to Secs. 154.303(e) and 
154.63(a)(2) is changed to reference subpart D of part 154 in 
Sec. 375.307(b)(1). In paragraph (b)(5), the reference to Sec. 154.91 
has been removed. Paragraph (f)(3), concerns applications for waiver of 
various fees. However, the fees are no longer required. Therefore, the 
references to Secs. 381.201-206, 381.208, 381.209, 381.401, and 381.404 
have been removed. Paragraph (f)(5) has been changed to refer to 
Sec. 154.403.
    The reference in Sec. 382.103(c) to former Sec. 154.67(c)(2)(iii) 
is modified to reflect that the subject of this section, interest 
calculations, is now found in revised Sec. 154.501(d).

III. Public Reporting Burden

    The Commission estimates the public reporting burden for the 
collection of information under the rule will not be affected.
    Interested persons may send comments regarding this burden estimate 
or any other aspect of this information collection, including 
suggestions for reducing the burden by contacting the Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20426 
[Attention: Michael Miller, Information Services Division, (202) 208-
1415], and to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office 
of Management and Budget, Washington DC 20503 (Attention: Desk Officer 
for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission), FAX: (202) 395-5167.

IV. Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification

[[Page 13420]]


    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) 5 requires agencies to 
prepare certain statements, descriptions and analyses of proposed rules 
that will have a ``significant economic impact on a substantial number 
of small entities.'' The Commission is not required to make such 
analyses if a rule would not have such an effect.

    \5\ 5 U.S.C. 601-612.
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    The Commission believes that this rule will not have such an impact 
on small entities. Most filing companies regulated by the Commission do 
not fall within the RFA's definition of small entity.6 Further, 
this rule merely changes the section number referenced within an 
existing regulation. Therefore, the Commission certifies that this rule 
will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities.

    \6\ 5 U.S.C. 601(3), citing to section 3 of the Small Business 
Act, 15 U.S.C. 632. Section 3 of the Small Business Act defines a 
``small-business concern'' as a business which is independently 
owned and operated and which is not dominant in its field of 
operation.
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V. Environmental Statement

    The Commission has excluded certain actions not having a 
significant effect on the human environment from the requirement to 
prepare an environmental assessment or an environmental impact 
statement.7 No environmental consideration is raised by the 
promulgation of a rule that is clarifying, corrective, or procedural or 
that does not substantially change the effect of legislation or 
regulations being amended.8 The instant rule is purely procedural. 
Accordingly, no environmental consideration is necessary.

    \7\ 18 CFR 380.4.
    \8\ 18 CFR 380.4(a)(2)(ii).
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VI. Information Collection Statement

    The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) regulations 9 
require that OMB approve certain information and recordkeeping 
requirements imposed by an agency. The following existing data 
collections are affected by this final rule but with no change in 
industry reporting burden: FERC-541, Gas Pipeline Certificates: 
Curtailment Plan (1902-0066); FERC-542, Gas Pipeline Rates: Initial 
Rates, Rate Change & Tracking Filing (1902-0070): FERC-544, Gas 
Pipeline Rates: Rate Change (formal) (1902-0153); FERC-545, Gas 
Pipeline Rates: Rate Change (NonFormal) (1902-0154); FERC-577, 
Environmental Impact Statement (1902-0128); FERC Form 2, Annual Report 
of Major Natural Gas Companies (1902-0028); and, FERC Form 2A, Annual 
Report of Nonmajor Natural Gas Companies (1902-0030); and, FERC-582, 
Oil, Gas and Electric Annual Charges (1902-0132).

    \9\ 5 CFR 1320.12.
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    The Commission is issuing this final rule to change the section 
references in existing regulations to conform to the revised part 154. 
The Commission uses the information to carry out its regulatory 
responsibilities pursuant to the Natural Gas Act. The Commission's 
Office of Pipeline Regulation uses the information to review rate 
filings by natural gas pipelines for the transportation of gas.
    The Commission is submitting to the Office of Management and Budget 
a notification of these collections of information. Interested persons 
may obtain information on these reporting requirements by contacting 
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20426 [Attention: Michael Miller, Information Services 
Division, (202) 208-1415]. Comments on the requirements of this rule 
can be sent to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB, 
Washington, DC 20503, (Attention: Desk Officer for Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission) FAX: (202) 395-5167.

VII. Administrative Findings and Effective Date

    The Administrative Procedure Act (APA) exempts certain rules from 
notice and comment requirements.10 Specifically, the APA exempts 
``rules of agency organization, procedure, or practice'' from the 
requirements for notice and comment.11 This change to referenced 
sections of part 154 to conform to changes in part 154 qualifies for 
exemption as a procedural rule because it does not affect the 
substantive rights of a party.

    \10\ 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3).
    \11\ 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(A).
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    This order is effective April 26, 1996.

List of Subjects

18 CFR Part 2

    Administrative practice and procedure, Electric power, Natural gas, 
Pipelines, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

18 CFR Part 153

    Exports, Imports, Natural Gas, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

18 CFR Part 157

    Administrative practice and procedure, Natural gas, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

18 CFR Part 201

    Natural gas, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Uniform 
System of Accounts.

18 CFR Part 375

    Authority delegations (Government agencies), Seals and insignia, 
Sunshine Act.

18 CFR Part 382

    Administrative practice and procedure, Electric utilities 
Pipelines, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    By the Commission.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Commission is amending parts 
2, 153, 157, 201, 375 and 382, Chapter I, Title 18, Code of Federal 
Regulations, as set forth below.

PART 2--GENERAL POLICY AND INTERPRETATIONS

    1. The authority citation for part 2 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 717-717w, 3301-3432; 16 U.S.C. 791a-825r, 
2601-2645; 42 U.S.C. 4321-4361, 7101-7352.

    2. Section 2.55 is amended by revising paragraph (d) to read as 
follows:


Sec. 2.55  Definition of terms used in section 7(c).

* * * * *
    (d) Taps. Taps on existing transmission pipelines which are 
installed solely for the purpose of enabling a purchaser or transporter 
to take delivery of gas from an independent producer. An independent 
producer means any person as defined in the Natural Gas Act who is 
engaged in the production or gathering of natural gas and who sells 
natural gas in interstate commerce for resale, but who is not engaged 
in the transportation of natural gas (other than gathering) by pipeline 
in interstate commerce.


Sec. 2.64  [Removed]

    3. Section 2.64 is removed.

PART 153--APPLICATION FOR AUTHORIZATION TO EXPORT OR IMPORT NATURAL 
GAS

    4. The authority citation for part 153 is revised to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 717b, 717o; E.O. 10485, 3 CFR, 1949-1953 
Comp., p. 970, as amended by E.O. 12038, 3 CFR, 1978 Comp., p. 136.

    5. Section 153.8 is revised to read as follows:
    
[[Page 13421]]



Sec. 153.8  Filing of contracts, rate schedules, etc.

    Persons authorized to export natural gas from the United States to 
a foreign country or to import natural gas from a foreign country must 
file two full and complete copies of every contract and the amendments 
thereto, presently or hereafter effective, for such export or import, 
together with all rate schedules, agreements, leases or other writings, 
tariffs, classifications, rules and regulations relative to such export 
or import in the manner specified in part 154 of this chapter, except 
that the requirements of Sec. 154.101 through Sec. 154.111 and 
Sec. 154.301 through 154.403 shall not be applicable.

PART 157--APPLICATIONS FOR CERTIFICATES OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND 
NECESSITY AND FOR ORDERS PERMITTING AND APPROVING ABANDONMENT UNDER 
SECTION 7 OF THE NATURAL GAS ACT

    6. The authority citation for part 157 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 717-717w, 3301-3432; 42 U.S.C. 7101-7352.

    7. Section 157.103 is amended by revising paragraph (d)(8) to read 
as follows:


Sec. 157.103  Terms and conditions; other requirements.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (8) Prohibitions against cost shifting. No costs originally 
allocated to a new service may subsequently be allocated to any other 
services without a filing under Subpart D of Part 154 and a 
determination by the Commission that the costs sought to be reallocated 
are in fact being incurred for the benefit of the other services.
* * * * *


Sec. 157.301  [Removed]

    8. Section 157.301 is removed.

PART 201--UNIFORM SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTS PRESCRIBED FOR NATURAL GAS 
COMPANIES SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE NATURAL GAS ACT

    9. The authority citation for Part 201 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 717-717w, 3301-3432; 42 U.S.C. 7101-7352, 
7651-7651o.

    10. In Part 201, General Instructions, paragraph 16 is removed and 
reserved.
    11. In Part 201, Gas Plant Instructions, paragraph 3(17)(b) remove 
the words ``Sec. 154.63'' and add, in their place, the words ``subpart 
D of part 154''.

PART 375--THE COMMISSION

    12. The authority citation for Part 375 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 551-557; 15 U.S.C. 717-717w, 3301-3432; 16 
U.S.C. 791-825r, 2601-2645; 42 U.S.C. 7101-7352.

    13. In section 375.307, the section heading and paragraphs (b)(1), 
(b)(5), (f)(3) and (f)(5) are revised to read as follows:


Sec. 375.307  Delegations to the Director of the Office of Pipeline 
Regulation.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (1) Accept a tariff or rate schedule filing, except a major 
pipeline rate increase under section 4(e) of the Natural Gas Act and 
under subpart D of part 154, if it complies with all applicable 
statutory requirements, and with all applicable Commission rules, 
regulations, and orders for which a waiver has not been granted, or if 
a waiver has been granted by the Commission, if it complies with the 
terms of such waiver;
* * * * *
    (5) Accept statements of eligibility filed under Sec. 2.56(p) of 
this chapter by producers of natural gas, as defined in Sec. 157.40 of 
this chapter.
* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (3) Fees prescribed in Secs. 381.207, 381.402, and 381.403 of this 
chapter in accordance with Sec. 381.106(b) of this chapter;
* * * * *
    (5) Section 154.403 of this chapter, as necessary, in order to rule 
on out-of-cycle purchased gas adjustment filings.
* * * * *

PART 382--ANNUAL CHARGES

    14. The authority citation for part 382 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 551-557; 15 U.S.C. 717-717w, 3301-3432; 16 
U.S.C. 791a-825r, 2601-2645; 42 U.S.C. 7101-7352; 49 U.S.C. 60502; 
49 App. U.S.C. 1-85.


Sec. 382.103  [Amended]

    15. In Sec. 382.103(c), the words ``Sec. 154.67(c)(2)(iii)'' are 
removed and the words ``Sec. 154.501(d)'' are added in their place.

[FR Doc. 96-7430 Filed 3-26-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P