[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 141 (Friday, July 23, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39972-39973]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-18785]


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

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. IC99-585-000, FERC-585]


Proposed Information Collection and Request for Comments

July 19, 1999.
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 1195 (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 
September 21, 1999.

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 NE, Washington, DC 20426.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Miller may be reached by 
telephone at (202) 208-1415, by fax at (202) 208-2425, and by e-mail at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Abstract: The information collected under the requirements of FERC-
585 ``Reporting of Electric Energy Shortages and Contingency Plans 
under PURPA 206'' (OMB No. 1902-0138) is used by the Commission to 
implement the statutory provisions of sections 206 of the Public 
Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1979 (PURPA) Pub. L. 95-617, 92 
Stat. 3117 added to the Federal Power Act (FPA) section 202, subsection 
(g). FPA section 202(g) requires the Commission to establish rules 
requiring each public utility to report to FERC and appropriate State 
regulatory authorities any anticipated shortage of electric energy or 
capacity which would affect

[[Page 39973]]

the utility's ability to serve its wholesale customers; and submit to 
the Commission and the appropriate State regulatory authority, and 
periodically revise contingency plans respecting shortages of electric 
energy or capacity which would equitably accommodate service to both 
direct retail customers and those served by utilities supplied at 
wholesale by the public utility.
    The Commission uses the information to evaluate and formulate 
appropriate options for action in the event an anticipated shortage is 
reported and/or materializes. The Commission implements these filing 
requirements in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) under 18 CFR Part 
294.
    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     Total  annual
   respondents       responses per        hours per       burden hours
  annually  (1)     respondent  (2)     response  (3)    (1) x (2) x (3)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              7                  1                 73               511
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Estimated cost burden to respondents: 511 hours / 2,080 hours per 
year  x  $109,889 per year = $26,997.
    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 overheard 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.
Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-18785 Filed 7-22-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M