[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 16 (Wednesday, January 24, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 7634]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-2069]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. IC01-542-000, FERC Form 542]


Proposed Information Collection and Request for Comments

January 18, 2001.
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 
March 26, 2001.

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: The information collected under FERC Form 
542 ``Gas Pipeline Rates: Rate Tracking'' (OMB No. 1902-0070) is used 
by the Commission to implement the statutory provisions governed by 
Title IV of the Natural Gas Policy Act (NGPA), 15 U.S.C. 3301-3432, and 
sections 4, 5, and 16 of the Natural Gas Act (NGA) (15 U.S.C. 717-
717w). These statutes empower the Commission to collect natural gas 
transmission cost information from interstate natural gas transporters 
for the purposes of verifying that these costs, which are passed on to 
pipeline customers, are just and reasonable. The Commission implements 
FERC 542 filing requirements in 18 CFR Parts 154.4, 154.7, 154.101, 
154.107, 154.201, 154.207-.209 and 154.401-.403.
    Interstate natural gas pipelines are required by the Commission to 
track their transportation associated costs to allow for the 
Commission's review and where appropriate, approval of the pass through 
of these costs to pipeline customers. Most of these FERC 542 tracking 
filings are monthly accountings of the cost of fuel or electric power 
necessary to operate compressor stations. Others track the costs of: 
(1) Gas Research Institute fees; (2) annual charges of various types, 
and (3) other types of rate adjustments.
    Tracking filings may be submitted at any time or on a regularly 
scheduled basis in accordance with the pipeline company's tariff. 
Filings may be either: (1) Accepted; (2) suspended and set for hearing; 
(3) suspended, but not set for hearing; or (4) suspended for further 
review, such as a technical conference or some other type of Commission 
action.
    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   Total annual burden hours
       annually  (1)               respondent  (2)               response  (3)              (1) x (2) x (3)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       55                            3                         140                      23,100
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Estimated Cost Burden to Respondents: 23,100 hours/2,080 hours per 
year  x  $115,357 \1\ per year=$1,281,128. The cost per respondent is 
equal to $23,293.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The cost per year per average employee estimate is based on 
the annual allocated cost per Commission employee for fiscal year 
2001. The estimated $115,357 cost consists of approximately $92,286 
in salary and $23,071 in benefits and overhead.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The reporting burden includes the total time, effort, or financial 
resources expended to assemble and disseminate the information 
including: (1) Reviewing the instructions; (2) developing, or acquiring 
appropriate technological support systems necessary for the purposes of 
collecting, validating, processing, and disseminating the information; 
(3) administration; and (4) transmitting, or otherwise disclosing the 
information.
    The cost estimate 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 burden estimate 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,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 01-2069 Filed 1-23-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M