[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 16 (Wednesday, January 24, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 7635]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-2070]



[[Page 7635]]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[IC01-556-000, FERC Form 556]


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.

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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 
556 ``Cogeneration and Small Power Production'' (OMB No. 1902-0075) is 
used by the Commission to implement statutory provisions governed by 
section 3 of the Federal Power Act (FPA), (16 U.S.C. 792-828c), and 
sections 201 and 210 of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 
1978 (PURPA). The reporting requirements associated with FERC Form 556 
require owners or operations of small power production or cogeneration 
facilities, who seek qualifying status for their facilities, to file 
the information requested in Form 556 for Commission certification as a 
qualifying facility (QF).
    A primary objective of PURPA is the conservation of energy through 
efficient use of energy resources in the generation of electric power. 
One means of achieving this objective is to encourage electric power 
production by cogeneration facilities which make use of reject heat 
associated with commercial or industrial processes, and by small power 
production facilities which use waste and renewable resources as fuel. 
PURPA, through the establishment of various regulatory benefits, 
encourages the development of small power production facilities and 
cogeneration facilities which meet certain technical and corporate 
criteria. Facilities that meet these criteria are called QFs.
    Owners and operators of small power production and cogeneration 
facilities desiring QF certification for their facilities must file the 
information prescribed in FERC 556 with the Commission. In addition to 
identifying the required filing information, FERC 556 also outlines the 
QF certification procedure,and specifies the criteria which must be met 
for QF certification. The Commission's QF regulations are published in 
18 CFR 262. Respondents who comply with the Form 556 criteria and are 
granted QF certification by the Commission are exempt from certain 
sections of the FPA and the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 
as listed in 18 CFR 262.601 and 262.602.
    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:

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   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)
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                      100                            1                           4                        400.
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    The estimated total cost to respondents is $22,184, (400 hours 
divided by 2,080 hours per year per employee times $115,357\1\ per year 
per average employee = $22,184). The cost per respondent is $222. These 
estimates reflect a reduction in the number of filings submitted to the 
Commission and an adjustment from its last submission to OMB.
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    \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.
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    The reporting burden includes the total time, effort, or financial 
resources expended by the respondent to assemble and disseminate the 
information including: (1) Reviewing the instructions; (2) developing 
or acquiring appropriate technological support systems needed for 
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 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,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 01-2070 Filed 1-23-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M