[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 122 (Thursday, June 25, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34640-34641]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-16895]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[IC98-574-000 FERC-574]


Proposed Information Collection and Request for Comments

June 19, 1998.
AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

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

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 on or before 
August 24, 1998.

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, Office of the Chief 
Information Officer, CI-1, 888 First Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 
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-574 ``Gas Pipeline Certificates: Hinshaw 
Exemption'' (OMB No. 1902-0116) is used by the Commission to implement 
the statutory provisions of Sections 1(c), 4 and 7 of the Natural Gas 
Act (NGA) Pub. L. 75-688) (15 U.S.C. 717-717w). Natural Gas Pipeline 
companies file applications with the Commission furnishing information 
in order for a determination to be made as to whether the applicant 
qualifies for an exemption from the provisions of the Natural Gas Act 
(Section 1(c). If the exemption is granted, the pipeline is not 
required to file certificate applications, rate schedules, or any other 
applications or forms otherwise prescribed by the Commission.
    The exemption applies to companies engaged in the transportation or 
sale for resale or natural gas in interstate commerce if: (a) it 
receives gas at or within the boundaries of the state from another 
person; (b) such gas is transported, sold, consumed within such state; 
and (c) the rates, service and facilities of such company are subject 
to regulation by a State Commission. The data required to be filed by 
pipeline companies for an exemption is specified by 18 Code of Federal 
Regulations (CFR) Part 152.
    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          number of       Average burden                   
   respondents       responses per        hours per       Total annual  
     annually          respondent         response        burden hours  
(1)                            (2)                (3)   (1) x (2) x (3) 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1................                1                245               245 
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 34641]]

    The estimated total cost to respondents is $12,907, (245 hours 
divided by 2,088 hours per year per employee times $110,000 per year 
per average employee=$12,907). The cost per respondent is $12,907.
    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.
David P. Boergers,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-16895 Filed 6-24-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M