[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 193 (Tuesday, October 6, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 53650]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26667]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[IC98-537-001 FERC-537]


Information Collection Submitted for Review and Request for 
Comments

September 30, 1998.
AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice of submission for review by the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) has 
submitted the information collection listed in this notice to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review under provisions of 
Section 3507 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13). 
Any interested person may file comments on the collection of 
information directly with OMB and should address a copy of those 
comments to the Commission as explained below. The Commission did not 
receive any comments in response to an earlier notice issued July 15, 
1998, 63 FR 39082, July 21, 1998.

DATES: Comments regarding this collection of information are best 
assured of having their full effect if received on or before November 
5, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Address comments to Office of Management and Budget, Office 
of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission, Desk Officer, 725 17th Street, NW., Washington, 
DC 20503. A copy of the comments should also be sent to Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission, Office of the Chief Information Officer, 
Attention: Mr. Michael Miller, 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 michael.millerferc.fed.us.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Description

    The energy information collection submitted to OMB for review 
contains:
    1. Collection of Information: FERC-537 ``Gas Pipeline Certificates: 
Construction, Acquisition, and Abandonment''.
    2. Sponsor: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
    3. Control No.: OMB No. 1902-0060. The Commission is now requesting 
that OMB approve a three-year extension of the current expiration date, 
with no changes to the existing requirements of this information 
collection. This information collection will be the subject of two 
proposed rules to be issued shortly by the Commission calling for the 
modification of these requirements. The Commission will provide 
separate submissions for each proposed rule for OMB review. This is a 
mandatory information collection requirement.
    4. Necessity of Collection of Information: Submission of the 
information is necessary to fulfill the requirements of the Natural Gas 
Act (NGA) (Pub. L. 75-688) (15 U.S.C. 717-717w) and the Natural Gas 
Policy Act (NGPA) (15 U.S.C. 3301-3432). Under the NGA, natural gas 
pipeline companies must obtain Commission authorization to undertake 
the construction or extension of any facilities 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 Commission approval under Section 7(b) of the NGA prior to 
abandoning any jurisdictional facility or service. Under the NGPA 
Interstate and intrastate pipelines must also obtain authorization for 
certain transportation arrangements.
    The information collected is necessary to certificate interstate 
pipelines engaged in the transportation and sale of natural gas, and 
the construction, acquisition, and operation of facilities to be used 
for those activities, to authorize the abandonment of facilities and 
services and to authorize certain NGPA transportations. If a 
certificate is granted, the natural gas company can construct, acquire, 
or operate facilities plus engage in interstate transportation or sale 
of natural gas. 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.
    The data required to be submitted consists of identification of the 
company and responsible officials, factors considered in the location 
of the facilities and the impact on the area for environmental 
considerations. Also to be submitted are flow diagrams showing design 
capacity of engineering design verification and safety determination, 
and gas reserves data for appraisal of the feasibility of the project. 
Market data presenting the economic basis for the proposed action are 
included when appropriate as cost of proposed facilities, plans for 
refinancing, and estimated revenues and expenses related to the 
proposed facility for financial and accounting evaluation. The 
Commission implements these information collection requirements in the 
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) under 18 Sections 2.69; 157.5-11; 
157.13-.21; 157.102-103; 157.106; 157.201-208; 157.210-218; 284.8-9; 
284.11; 284.126; 284.221; 284.223-224; part 284, subpart H.
    5. Respondent Description: The respondent universe currently 
comprises on average, 50 respondents subject to the Commission's 
jurisdiction.
    6. Estimated Burden: 146.160 total burden hours, 50 respondents, 
11.6 responses annually, 252 hours per response (average).
    7. Estimated Cost Burden to Respondents: 146,160 hours  
2,088 hours per x $109,889 per year=$7,692,230.

    Statutory Authority: Sections 7(b) and (c) of the Natural Gas 
Act (NGA), 15 U.S.C. 717-717w and Section 311(a) of the Natural Gas 
Policy Act (15 U.S.C. 3301-3432).
David P. Boergers,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-26667 Filed 10-5-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M