[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 43 (Wednesday, March 5, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10029-10030]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-5392]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[FERC-544]


Proposed Information Collection and Request for Comments

February 28, 1997.
AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice of proposed information collection and request for 
comments.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the requirements of Section 3506(c)(2)(a) 
of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. No. 104-13), the 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) is soliciting public 
comment on the specific aspects of the information collection described 
below.

DATES: Consideration will be given to comments submitted within 60 days 
of the publication of this notice.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the proposed collection of information can be 
obtained from and written comments may be submitted to the Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission, Attn: Michael P. Miller, Information 
Services Division, ED-12.4, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michael P. Miller may be reached by telephone at (202) 208-1415, by fax 
at (202) 273-0873, and by e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The information collected under the 
requirements of FERC-544 ``Gas Pipeline Rates: Rate Change (Formal)'' 
OMB No. 1902-0153) is used by the Commission to implement the statutory 
provisions of the Sections 4, 5, and 16 of the Natural Gas Act (NGA) 
(15 U.S.C. 717-717w). Under FERC-544 the Commission investigates the 
rates charged by natural gas pipeline companies subject to its 
jurisdiction. If, after its investigation, the Commission is of the 
opinion that the rates are ``unjust or unreasonable or unjustly 
discriminatory or unduly preferential,'' it is authorized to determine 
and prescribe just and reasonable rates.
    Formal rate change filings (FERC-544) are suspended and set for 
hearing. When the Section 4(e) filing is suspended, the rate becomes 
the subject of a hearing process and may go into effect subject to 
refund with interest. All suspended filings that go through the hearing 
process are considered formal cases and an investigation is instituted 
to determine the reasonableness of the rate filing. If the rates and 
charges are deemed unjust, unreasonable or unduly discriminatory, the 
appropriate rate, charge or service condition is ascertained by the 
Commission and a final order issued.
    Action: The Commission is requesting a three-year extension of the 
current expiration date, with no changes to the existing collection of 
data.
    Burden Statement: Public reporting burden for this collection is 
estimated as:

                                                                                                                
                                                                Number of      Average burden                   
              Number of respondents annually                  responses per       hours per       Total annual  
                                                               respondent         response        burden hours  
(1)                                                                      (2)               (3)   (1) x (2) x (3)
                                                                                                                
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25........................................................               1.0           4,582.5           114,563
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    The estimated total cost to respondents is $5,728,150, (114,563 
hours divided by 2,087 hours per year per employee times $104,350 per 
year per average employee=$5,728,150). The cost per respondent is 
$229,125.
    The reporting burden includes the total time, effort, or financial 
resources expended to generate, maintain, retain, disclose, or provide 
the information including: (1) Reviewing instructions; (2) developing, 
acquiring, installing, and utilizing technology and systems for the 
purposes of collecting, validating, verifying, processing, maintaining, 
disclosing and providing information; (3) adjusting the existing ways 
to comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements; 
(4) training personnel to respond to a collection of information; (5) 
searching data sources; (6) completing and reviewing the collection of 
information; and (7) transmitting, or otherwise disclosing the 
information.
    The estimate of cost for respondents is based upon salaries for 
professional and clerical support, as well as direct and indirect 
overhead costs. Direct costs include all costs directly attributable to 
providing this information, such as administrative costs and the cost 
for information technology. Indirect or overhead costs are costs 
incurred by an organization in support of its mission. These costs 
apply to activities which benefit the whole organization rather than 
any one particular function or activity.
    Commetns are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the Commission, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (2) the accuracy of

[[Page 10030]]

the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on those who are to respond, including the 
use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other 
technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology e.g. permitting electronic submission of responses.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-5392 Filed 3-4-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M