[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 191 (Thursday, October 2, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 51648]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-26071]



[[Page 51648]]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[FERC-549]


Proposed Information Collection and Request for Comments

September 26, 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. 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 on or before 
December 1, 1997.

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 Miller, Information 
Services Division, ED-12.4, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michael 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-549 ``Gas Pipeline Rates: Natural Gas Policy Act, 
Title III Transactions and Natural Gas Act Blanket Certificates 
Transactions'' (OMB No. 1902-0086) is used by the Commission to 
implement the statutory provisions of the Sections 311 and 312 of the 
Natural Gas Policy Act (NGPA) (15 U.S.C. 3371-3372), and Section 7 of 
the Natural Gas Act (NGA) (15 U.S.C. 717-717w). Under Part 284 of the 
Commission's regulations non-interstate pipelines that perform 
transportation service under NGPA Section 311 (intrastate pipelines) or 
blanket certificates issued under section 7 of the NGA (Hinshaw 
pipelines) are required to file an annual report containing specific 
details of each transaction initiated during the reporting year. 
Interstate pipelines performing unbundled sales service under a blanket 
certificate granted under Part 284 of the regulations are required to 
file an annual report detailing specific information for each 
transaction initiated during the reporting year. The Commission uses 
the information collected in these reports to monitor the 
jurisdictional transportation activities of interstate pipelines and 
the unbundled sales activities of interstate pipelines.
    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 respondents       Number of responses per     Average burden hours per                             
          annually                    respondent                   response            Total annual burden hours
(1)                                                (2)                         (3)             (1) x (2) x (3)  
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90.........................                        1.0                        8.83                         795  
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    The estimated total cost to respondents is $41,902, (795 hours 
divided by 2,087 hours per year per employee times $110,000 per year 
per average employee=$41,902). The cost per respondent is $466.
    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.
    Comments 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 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. 97-26071 Filed 10-1-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M