[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 173 (Wednesday, September 8, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48824-48825]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-23260]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission


Notice of Intent to Eliminate the Remote Public Access System 
(RPA) and the Records Information Management System-Remote Public 
Access System (RIMS-RPA)

September 1, 1999.
    The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (the Commission), hereby 
gives notice that it intends to eliminate the Commission's dial up 
systems effective on or about September 30, 1999. These systems include 
the Remote Public Access System (RPA) and the Records Information 
Management System-Remote Public Access System (RIMS-RPA). The majority 
of the data and information currently available on these dial up 
systems is available through the Commission's Internet website.\1\
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    \1\ The one system not yet available on the Commission's website 
is the Rates and Tariff Indexing System (RATIS). The Commission is 
currently revising RATIS to make it compatible with the web. The 
successor to RATIS will be known as the Automated Numbering System 
(ANS). Every effort is being made to make it available by the 
Commission's deadline for discontinuing the dial up systems. See 
Appendix A for the location on the Internet of the information 
currently on the dial up systems.
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    Government agencies are required to be ``Y2K'' compliant. However, 
the dial up systems are not year 2000 compliant. In addition, OMB 
Circular A-130, Section 8(a)(5)(d)(i) directs agencies, when 
disseminating information, to achieve ``the best balance between the 
goals of maximizing the usefulness of the information and minimizing 
the cost to the government and the public.'' Eliminating the two dial 
up systems, RIMS-RPA and RPA, is consistent with these goals and will 
eliminate costly duplication.
    These systems rely on technology that is being used less and less 
popular with the advent of the Internet. Moreover, accessing the 
systems available through the Internet is much simpler than accessing 
the same systems by dialing in.\2\ Since the Commission has limited 
resources, we must eliminate the cost of supporting duplicative systems 
that rely on older technology. Moreover, given the Commission's fiscal 
year ends on September 30, the greatest cost savings to the taxpayer 
will accrue if these systems are eliminated but the end of the fiscal 
year. Therefore, the

[[Page 48825]]

Commission intends to discontinue RPA and RIMS-RPA in the next fiscal 
year.
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    \2\ The dial-up technology requires users to obtain a password 
and user ID to access the systems. Anyone with access to the 
Internet may use RIMS and the Docket Sheet and Service List System 
without obtaining a user ID and password.
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    The Commission invites interested persons to submit written 
comments on the matters and issues in this notice. The original and 14 
copies of such comments must be received by the Commission before 5:00 
p.m. on September 15, 1999. Comments should be submitted to the Office 
of the Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First 
Street, NE, Washington, DC 20426.
    All written comments will be placed in the Commission's public 
files and will be available for inspection in the Commission's Public 
Reference room at 888 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20426, during 
regular business hours. Additionally, comments may be viewed and 
printed remotely via the Internet through FERC's Homepage using the 
RIMS link or the Energy Information Online icon. RIMS user assistance 
is available at 202-208-2222, or by E-Mail to [email protected].
Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.

                                                   Appendix A
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 System or Document Available on dial-up
                  system                                        Location on the internet\1\
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RIMS.....................................  htt://rimsweb1.ferc.fed.us/rims/
Docket Sheets and Service Lists..........  http://fercdocket.ferc.fed.us/pa/pa.htm
Sunshine Notice..........................  http://www.ferc.fed.us/sec/sec1.htm
RATIS (to be renamed ANS)................  Available approximately October 1, 1999. \2\
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\1\ Helplines (202-208-2222 or 202-208-1371) for technical assistance or questions about using the systems
  available on the Commission's website are staffed during the Commission's official business hours (8:30 a.m.
  to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time). Users may also send an e-mail message at any time to [email protected] for
  inquiries about RIMS and [email protected] for other types of inquiries.
\2\ Monitor What's New on the Commission's website for the future location of RATIS (to be renamed ANS) on the
  web.

[FR Doc. 99-23260 Filed 9-7-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M