[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 14, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14897-14902]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-6324]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. RM00-12-000]


Electronic Filing of Documents; Notice of Additional Qualified 
Documents for Electronic Filing

March 8, 2001.
    Take notice that beginning March 12, 2001, the Commission will 
accept Motions to Intervene and Comments on Proposed Rulemakings for 
filing via the Internet in lieu of paper copies.

[[Page 14898]]

    Order No. 619,\1\ authorized the Secretary of the Commission to 
issue and amend a list of qualified documents that, at the filer's 
option, may be submitted via the Internet without also filing paper 
copies.\2\ The Commission defined the initial set of qualified 
documents and issued electronic filing instructions in a notice issued 
October 6, 2000.\3\ That notice identified the initial set of qualified 
documents, including:
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    \1\ III FERC Stats. & Regs., Regulations Preambles para. 31,107.
    \2\ 18 CFR 385.2003(c)(2), 65 FR 57088.
    \3\ ``Notice of Qualified Documents for Electronic Filing'', 
Docket No. RM00-12-000, issued October 6, 2000.

1. Comments on applications and other filings
2. Comments on technical conferences
3. Comments filed in connection with environmental documents (Notices, 
Environmental Assessments, and Environmental Impact Statements) \4\
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    \4\ 18 CFR 380.10(a).
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4. Protests \5\ and responses to certain protests.\6\
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    \5\ 18 CFR 385.211 and 18 CFR 343.3 (see also 18 CFR 4.5, 4.13, 
4.23, 35.8(a), 154,210(a), 157.10, and 157.205(e)).
    \6\ 18 CFR 343.3(b).
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5. Reply comments.

    Beginning March 12, 2001, the following additional filings may, at 
the filer's option, be submitted via the Internet in lieu of paper 
copies:

1. Comments in response to Notices of Proposed Rulemakings \7\
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    \7\ 18 CFR 385.1903 and 18 CFR 380.10(b).
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2. Motion/Notice of Intervention \8\
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    \8\ 18 CFR 385.214, 385.1306 (See also 18 CFR 35.8(a), 
154.210(a) and (b), 157.210, 157.106, 343.2(a), and 380.10).
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3. Motion/Notice of Intervention Out-of-Time \9\
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    \9\ 18 CFR 385.214(b)(3).
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4. Withdrawal of Intervention \10\
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    \10\ 18 CFR 385.216.
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5. Reply Comments and Responses to Motions to Intervene

    The Commission also confirms that responses to Notices of Inquiry 
are qualified documents for filing via the Internet.
    The Commission is not yet accepting comments on settlements, 
comments on litigated cases, or complaints over the Internet. Those 
documents must be filed in the traditional manner with the required 
number of paper copies.
    Qualified documents may be combined and submitted in the same 
document (electronic file). For example, a motion to intervene may also 
include comments and/or a protest in the same document and be eligible 
for filing via the Internet.
    Non-qualified documents may not be included in an electronic 
submission with other qualified documents. For example a complaint (not 
a qualified document) combined with a Motion to Intervene is not 
eligible for electronic submission via the Internet.
    We are revising and reissuing Attachments A \11\ and B,\12\ 
originally issued on October 6, 2000, to reflect the additions to the 
qualified documents list. These attachments contain the technical 
requirements and filing instructions, respectively, for electronic 
submission of qualified documents.
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    \11\ ``Technical Requirements for Electronic Filing'', 
originally issued as Attachment A to ``Notice of Qualified Documents 
for Electronic Filing'', Docket No. RM00-12-000, October 6, 2000.
    \12\ ``FERC Electronic Filing of Interventions, Comments, and 
Protests: User Guide (version 2.1)'', March 12, 2001.

David P. Boergers,
Secretary.

Attachment A

Technical Requirements for Electronic Filing

I. Purpose

    The Commission's regulations at 18 CFR Part 385.2003(c) permit 
participants to voluntarily file certain qualified documents in 
electronic format via the Internet in lieu of filing paper 
copies.\1\
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    \1\ 18 CFR 385.2003(c), 65 FR 57088 (Sept. 21, 2000).
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II. Who May Submit

    Anyone desiring to comment on or participate in a Commission 
proceeding may voluntarily submit a qualified document in electronic 
format via the Internet, in lieu of paper copies.

III. What To Submit

    A document filed with the Commission via the Internet must be a 
``qualified document.''
    For the purpose of filing via the Internet, ``qualified 
documents'' are those categories of documents listed in instructions 
issued by the Secretary. More than one qualified document type may 
be combined in a single file. For example, a Motion to Intervene may 
also contain comments and/or a protest.
    Documents that are not ``qualified documents'' cannot be filed 
via the Internet, even if combined with other ``qualified 
documents''. Such filings must be submitted with an original and the 
applicable number of paper copies. Similarly, documents requiring 
privileged or protected treatment by the Commission may not be filed 
via the Internet.
    Persons filing ``qualified documents'' via the Internet should 
not file paper copies.
    The list of qualified documents will be included in instructions 
for filing issued by the Secretary of the Commission and available 
on the Commission's web site (www.ferc.fed.us) at the link ``Make An 
E-Filing.''

IV. Technical Requirements

A. Filing Format

    Participants may submit electronic documents in the following 
formats:
    1. Microsoft Word: Versions up to MS Office 2000. The file name 
extension must be ``.doc''.
    2. Corel WordPerfect: Versions up to 9.0. The file name 
extension must be ``.wpd''.
    3. Portable Document Format (PDF); all versions. The file name 
extension must be ``.pdf''.
    4. Rich Text Format. The file name extension must be ``.rtf''.
    5. ASCII. The file name extension must be ``.txt''.
    We do not currently accept spreadsheet or presentation software 
formats.
    Participants may submit files with long file names not exceeding 
25 characters. Do not include blank spaces or ampersands in the 
name. Use a period to delimit the file name and the extension. The 
underscore character is acceptable if you need to delimit a file 
name. You will receive an error message if the file name contains 
spaces, or does not have the correct extension.

C. Method of Submission

    The system for electronic filing of interventions, comments, and 
protests is a file attachment process. You must first prepare your 
submission in one of the acceptable file formats. We do not at this 
time provide a text box for submitting brief comments.
    The following steps outline the procedure for filing a qualified 
document with the Commission via the Internet. Instructions for e-
filing are on the Commission's web site (www.ferc.fed.us) under the 
link ``Make An E-Filing''.
    1. Access the Commission's web site and click on ``Make An E-
Filing''.
    2. Enter your User Name and Password or click on ``New User 
Account''.
    3. After login, select the type of filing, specify the signer of 
the document and the organization on whose behalf the filing is 
made; specify the Docket Number(s) for the submission. Accept or 
amend the default description of the filing and select the 
appropriate file to submit.
    4. Upon successful transmission of the file, the Commission's 
computer system will immediately generate a web-based response 
confirming receipt. The Commission's computer system will shortly 
thereafter send an e-mail message confirming receipt (first e-mail).
    5. The Commission's computer system will convert native file 
formats to Portable Document Format (PDF) and send a second e-mail 
to the filer with a link to the PDF file.
    6. The Commission's Docket Staff will review the filing and, if 
accepted for filing, the filer will receive a third e-mail with a 
``Notice of Acceptance'' and a link to GIF image files created from 
the PDF file.
    7. If the filing is not accepted, the Dockets Staff will send a 
``Notice of Rejection'', with the reason for the rejection, to the 
filer's e-mail address.
    8. The Commission will make available on its web site, through 
its Records and Information Management System (RIMS), electronic 
versions of the accepted document in native (as filed), PDF, and GIF 
image formats. Interested persons can download any or all versions 
of the file or view it on screen if they have the appropriate 
viewer.

[[Page 14899]]

D. Authentication and Verification

    Participants must establish a User Name and Password prior to 
their first submission. The User Name and Password validate the 
identity of the person submitting the electronic filing.
    The typed name of the person responsible for the filing must be 
included in the text of the electronic submission where the filing 
would normally be ``signed.'' The string of characters representing 
the name of the person responsible for the filing satisfies the 
``signature'' requirement of 18 CFR 385.2005 (e.g., \S\ John Doe).

E. Filing Date

    The same rules that establish the filing date for paper filings 
also apply to electronic filings. Electronic filings received after 
5:00 p.m. Eastern time will be considered received as of 8:30 a.m. 
on the next business day.

F. Document Content Standards

    There are some limitations on the content of documents submitted 
to the Commission via the Internet. Documents must satisfy the 
following criteria:
    1. Documents must be submitted as a single file, which is 
neither zipped nor compressed. The file size limit is five 
megabytes. Only documents in approved filing formats with the proper 
file name extension will be accepted. Cover letters and/or 
certificates of service, if applicable, should be included in the 
same file as the rest of your submission.
    2. Documents filed via the Internet must generally conform to 
the same document formatting specifications that apply to paper 
submissions. They should have double-spaced lines, left margins not 
less than 1\1/2\ inch, indented and single-spaced quotations that 
exceed 50 words; and not less than 10-point fonts (See 18 CFR 
385.2003).
    3. The document must include the Docket Number of the proceeding 
in which you are filing. Qualified documents may be filed in one or 
more dockets. Use the Commission Issuance Posting System (CIPS) or 
the Records and Information Management System (RIMS) to determine 
the correct docket number and format. Both systems are accessible 
from the Commission's web site (www.ferc.fed.us).
    4. The document must contain the name and address of the person 
responsible for the filing.
    5. Documents must not contain auto-text functions (such as 
``today's date'') or macros that change the content of the document 
after submission.
    6. Documents must not contain hyperlinks to external documents.
    7. All documents submitted electronically will be public. Non-
public or proprietary documents may not be submitted electronically.
    8. Paragraph numbers are not required; however, if you are 
filing in a format other than PDF, we encourage you to use paragraph 
numbers.

F. Additional Contacts

    For assistance or to discuss problems with making electronic 
filings, contact the Helpline at 202-208-0258 during the 
Commission's business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time) or 
e-mail [email protected].
    To obtain general information about the program and accessing 
the documents filed electronically (viewing, printing, and 
downloading), contact the public Helplines during business hours at:

202-208-1371 (and press ``0'') or e-mail 
[email protected]
202-208-2222 or e-mail [email protected].

    Note: The Commission does not accept filings via e-mail. Do not 
use any of the above e-mail addresses to submit comments or other 
filings to the Commission. Materials submitted via e-mail will not 
be placed in the record for a proceeding.

V. Paperwork Reduction Act

    No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply 
with this collection of information if the collection of information 
does not display a valid control number.\2\
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    \2\ 44 U.S.C. 3512.
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Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Electronic Filing of Interventions, Comments, and Protests, v2.1

User Guide

March 12, 2001.

Table of Contents

I. Introduction
II. E-Filing Procedures
    A. Before You Login to File
    B. Access FERC's E-Filing System
    C. Login to Make a Filing
    If you have a User Name
    If you do not have a User Name
    D. Select the Type of Filing You Are Making
    E. Specify the Signer of the Document
    F. Specify the Organization on Whose Behalf You Are Filing
    G. Specify the Docket Number(s) Applicable to Your Filing
    H. Enter a Description of Filing and Select the File to Submit
III. Receipt and Acknowledgment
IV. User Assistance
Attachment A: How to Intervene in Commission Proceedings
Attachment B: Privacy Act Statement and the Use of Cookies
    Privacy Act Statement
    Use of Cookies

I. Introduction

    Pursuant to Order No. 619,\1\ the Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission (FERC) now accepts the following ``qualified documents'' 
via the Internet in lieu of paper filing.
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    \1\ III FERC Stats. & Regs., Regulations Preambles para. 31,107.

Comments on Filings
    1. Comments on applications and other filings
    2. Comments on technical conferences
    3. Comments filed in connection with environmental documents 
(Notices, Environmental Assessments, and Environmental Impact 
Statements) \2\
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    \2\ 18 CFR 380.10(a) (2000).
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    4. Protests \3\ and responses to certain protests.\4\
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    \3\ 18 CFR 385.211 and 18 CFR 343.3 (see also 18 CFR 4.5, 4.13, 
4.23, 35.8(a), 154,210(a), 157.10, and 157.205(e)) (2000).
    \4\ 18 CFR 343.3(b) (2000).
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    5. Comments on Notices of Inquiry (PL Dockets)
    6. Reply comments.

    Comments on Notices of Proposed Rulemakings (RM Dockets) \5\
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    \5\ 18 CFR 385.1903 and 18 CFR 380.10(b) (2000).

Interventions
    1. Motion/Notice of Intervention \6\
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    \6\ 18 CFR 385.214, 385.1306 (See also 18 CFR 35.8(a), 
154.210(a) and (b), 157.210, 157.106, 343.2(a), and 380.10) (2000).
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    2. Motion/Notice of Intervention Out-of-Time \7\
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    \7\ 18 CFR 385.214(b)(3) (2000).
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    3. Withdrawal of Intervention \8\
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    \8\ 18 CFR 385.216 (2000).
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    4. Responses to Motions To Intervene

    The Electronic Filing System is a file attachment process; we do 
not yet have a text box for filing brief comments. So you should 
prepare your submission in the same manner as you would if filing on 
paper. Your filing must include the docket number(s) applicable to 
your submission as well as the name and address of the person 
responsible for the filing.
    Two or more qualified documents may be combined in a single 
document (e.g., a motion to intervene may also include comments and 
a protest) and submitted using FERC's electronic filing system. But 
``non-qualified documents'' (e.g., a complaint), may not be 
electronically submitted at this time, even if they also contain 
qualified documents.

II. E-Filing Procedures

    The same filing deadlines that apply to paper submissions also 
apply to electronic submissions. Your electronic submission must be 
received by 5:00 p.m. Eastern time in order to be considered filed 
on that day. Otherwise, it will be considered filed at 8:30 a.m. on 
the next business day.

A. Before You Login To File

    1. Electronic filing is limited to certain ``qualified 
documents'' identified in Notices issued by the Office of the 
Secretary in Docket No. RM00-12-000. The types of documents eligible 
for electronic filing are summarized in the Introduction to this 
Guide. Be sure that your submission contains only qualified 
documents.
    2. Prepare your submission in one of the following file formats:

MS Word (.doc)
WordPerfect (.wpd)
Portable Document Format (.pdf)
Rich Text Format (.rtf) or
ASCII Text format (.txt)

    3. Save the file to a diskette or other drive that you can 
access when you make your submission. Long file names can be used, 
provided they do not exceed 25 characters and do not contain spaces 
or ampersands. Use the appropriate file name extension.
    4. Submissions currently are limited to a single file. So you 
should combine a cover

[[Page 14900]]

letter, and certificate of service, if applicable, in one file with 
your submission.
    5. Check to ensure your browser's Cookie settings are correct. 
The Commission uses a session cookie to enable you to make your 
filings electronically. Refer to Attachment B for more information 
on the use of cookies to access Commission systems. To check your 
cookie settings to enable electronic filing:
    Microsoft Internet Explorer: in the Menu Bar, click on Tools, 
Internet Options, the Security tab, and then select Custom Level. 
Scroll down to the Cookies section, and make sure the ``Enable'' 
radio button is clicked for both user and session statements. Click 
OK until you return to your original screen.
    Netscape: in the Menu Bar, click on Edit, Preferences, and then 
on Advanced in the left column. In the right column, in the Cookies 
section, make sure the ``Accept all cookies'' radio button is 
clicked. Click OK until you return to your original screen.

B. Access FERC's E-Filing System

    From your chosen browser, go to www.ferc.fed.us
    1. On the FERC Home Page, click on ``Make an E-Filing.''
    2. Review any messages on the Welcome screen for e-filing.
    3. Click on LOGIN TO FILE to begin the file submission process.

C. Login to Make a Filing

    You must have a User Name and password to use this system.
    1. If you have a User Name and Password, enter your User Name 
and Password, then click on the Login icon below the password box 
(Skip to Part D below).
    2. If you do not have a User Name, you must create one.
    a. On the Login screen, select New User Account.
    b. At the Contact Information Screen, fill in the First Name, 
Middle Initial (optional), and Last Name. You must complete all 
fields with labels in Bold text.
    In the Company field, enter the company, association, or 
organization that you are employed by or associated with, provided 
that you wish to be affiliated with that organization in the filing 
you are submitting to FERC. Leave the Company field blank if you are 
submitting a filing as an individual and not as an employee of your 
company or a member of any association or organization.
    Click on Submit.
    c. Specify a User Name & Password. Caution: The user name and 
password are case sensitive.
    d. Type the same password again. Click on Login. Retain your 
User Name and password for future use.

D. Select the Type of Filing You Are Making

    From the Filing Type Selection Screen, click on the radio button 
that identifies the type of filing you are making. Electronic filing 
is limited to certain ``qualified documents'' identified in notices 
issued by the Office of the Secretary in Docket No. RM00-12-000. The 
list of qualified documents is summarized in the Introduction to 
this Guide.
    Your submission must include one or more ``qualified documents'' 
in a single file (e.g., comments and/or a protest may be filed in 
conjunction with a motion to intervene if you intend to become a 
party to a proceeding).
    The blue information icons briefly describe each filing type. 
You may select only one type.
    If you're filing a Motion to Intervene, then you should click on 
that selection, even though your submission may also contain a 
protest or comments. Refer to the attachment to this Guide for 
additional information on interventions. Intervenors incur a legal 
obligation to serve copies of filings on other parties in a 
proceeding.

E. Specify the Signer of the Document

    You must specify the signer of the document you are submitting, 
and the signer's organization. At the present time, you can enter 
only one signer name. For a Motion to Intervene, the name you 
specify will also be added to the service list for the docket you 
are filing under.
    The Search screen for Specify the Document Signer defaults to 
the person and the organization associated with the user's login 
account (organization will display ``Individual'' if you did not 
specify an organization when you set up your user account).
    1. If the default entries for Signer and Signer's Organization 
are correct, click on Next (Skip to Part F below).
    2. If the default entries are not the desired names for the 
signer and/or the signer's organization, you must search FERC's list 
of filers for the correct entries.
    a. Edit the first and last name of the signer and/or the 
signer's organization. You do not need to change entries that are 
correct. If you want to change the signer's organization, enter a 
character string that the organization name either ``starts with'' 
or ``contains'', and click on the appropriate radio button (``starts 
with'' is the default). Note for Netscape users: the search query 
returns results for ``contains'' only.
    Use Clear to erase all default entries; use Reset to restore the 
default entries.
    Click on Next when you finish editing the entries.
    b. On the Search Results screen for Specify the Signer of the 
Document, use the down arrows to select the signer name and/or the 
organization name from the pick list. When you have made the 
selections, Click on Next.
    (1) If the Signer Name has been changed and the new name and 
associated address are not found or are incorrect, click on Create a 
New Contact.
    Enter the information for the signer, including the signer's 
organization, if applicable (Leave blank if you are signing as an 
Individual). You must complete all fields with Bold labels.
    Click on Submit. You will see the signer name (but not the 
address) and the organization (or ``Individual'' if you left 
organization blank). Click on Next to submit the new entries. Skip 
to Section F below.
    (2) If the Signer Organization is not found or is incorrect, 
fill in a new Organization name in the space provided. Click on 
Submit.

    Note: The signer's organization may be different from the 
organization on whose behalf the filing is made, e.g., an attorney 
at a law firm (signer's organization) filing on behalf of a client.

F. Specify the Organization on Whose Behalf You Are Filing

    You must specify the organization or group on whose behalf you 
are filing, if you are making the filing on behalf of anyone other 
than yourself (as an individual). You can enter only one 
organization or group name. The FERC Dockets staff will manually add 
the names of any additional parties to a filing when they review 
your submission.
    At your option, you may specify a contact person associated with 
or representing the organization or group on whose behalf you are 
filing. For a Motion to Intervene, the name you specify will be 
placed on the service list for the docket you are filing under.
    The Search screen for the Specify the Organization on Whose 
Behalf You Are Filing defaults to the organization associated with 
your User Name account. If you changed that organization in Section 
E above, then the screen defaults to the revised organization.
    1. If you're submitting the filing as an Individual, and 
``Individual'' appears in the Organization Name field, click on Next 
to continue (Skip to Part G below).
    2. If the default entry for the organization name is correct, 
but you wish to add a contact person for that organization, add the 
first and last name of the contact person and click on Next (Skip to 
#4 in this section).
    3. If the default entry for the organization name is not 
correct, enter a character string that the desired organization name 
either ``starts with'' or ``contains'', and click on the appropriate 
radio button (``starts with'' is the default). Note for Netscape 
users: the search query returns results for ``contains'' only.
    4. You may, at your option, enter the first and last name of a 
contact at the organization on whose behalf you are filing. Click on 
Next when you finish adding or editing the entries. This will 
initiate a search of the FERC list of filers for names that match 
the name you entered.
    5. On the search results screen, use the down arrows to select 
the proper entry(ies) from the search results. Click on Next after 
you select the desired entries.
    6. If you do not find the correct entry(ies), follow the 
procedures in Section E, part 2(b)(1) and 2(b)(2) to Create a New 
Contact or enter a new organization.

G. Specify the Docket Number(s) Applicable to Your Filing

    You must specify at least one docket number for your filing. 
Comments are generally filed in response to notices issued by the 
Commission. The notices identify the Docket Number and set the 
deadline for filing comments or motions to intervene.
    If you do not know the applicable Docket Number, or the correct 
format for the number, you should query either the Commission 
Issuance Posting System (CIPS) at http://cips.ferc.fed.us/cips/default.htm) or the Records Information Management System (RIMS) at 
http://www.ferc.fed.us/online/rims.htm on the Commission's web site.

[[Page 14901]]

    On the Enter Docket Number screen, enter the correct docket and 
sub-docket number. Most docket numbers have the format ppyy-ddd-sss, 
where pp is the docket prefix, yy is the last two characters of the 
fiscal year, ddd is a one to five-digit sequential case number 
(project number for the ``P'' prefix), and sss is the sub-docket 
number. The system will not accept an incomplete entry or one that 
is not in the proper format.
    1. If you're filing in a single docket, click on Continue after 
you enter the docket number. Note for Netscape users: You must click 
on Add to Docket List and then click on Continue
    2. If you're filing in more than one docket, click on Add to 
Docket List after each entry to build a complete Docket Number List 
for your submission. Click on Continue after you've entered all of 
the applicable docket numbers.

H. Enter a Description of Filing and Select the File to Submit

    The title of the next screen will display the type of filling 
that you selected in Part D. The default description is based on the 
Filing Type Selection, the organization that you specified as the 
Organization on Whose Behalf You Are Filing, and the Docket 
Number(s) that you entered.
    You may amend the description to more accurately describe the 
content of your submission. For example, if you're filing a protest 
and/or comments in conjunction with a Motion to Intervene, change 
``Motion/Notice of Intervention * * *'' to ``Motion to Intervene 
with Comments and Protest * * *.'' There is a limit of 255 
characters. Do not use this field for your actual comments; it is a 
description field only.
    After accepting or amending the default description, click on 
the Browser icon to select the file you intend to submit.
    1. From the Choose File box, use the down arrow to select the 
drive where the file is located.
    2. Continue selecting the directory and subdirectory until you 
locate the file name.
    3. Highlight the desired file name and click on Open 
(alternatively, you can double-click on the file name). The path and 
file name will appear in the Add File box.
    4. Click on Post File to submit your filing to FERC.

III. Receipt and Acknowledgment

    Upon receipt of your submission, the E-filing system will 
automatically acknowledge that your filing has been received by 
FERC. The following information should appear on your computer 
screen within a few seconds after you submit your filing:

1. FERC Accession Number (document control number assigned to your 
submission)
2. File Name
3. File Size (so you can verify a complete transmission)
4. File Date (official filing date; filings received after 5:00 p.m. 
will be considered filed at 8:30 a.m. on the next business day. See 
18 CFR 385.2001(a)(2)).
5. Filing Description
6. Docket Number(s) that you filed against
7. The Filing Type that you selected
8. Submission Date and Time (the date and time we received your 
submission)
9. Signer's Name
10. The ``Filed By'' Organization (organization/individual on whose 
behalf you are filing)

    For a Motion to Intervene, the on-screen acknowledgment will 
also indicate the entries on the Commission's service list for the 
applicable docket(s). Print the acknowledgment.
    Whether you print the on-screen acknowledgment or not, we send 
the same information via automatic e-mail response to the e-mail 
address specified in the user's login account. You should receive 
this e-mail within a minute of receipt.
    We'll automatically convert your file to Portable Document 
Format (PDF) and send a second e-mail with a hyperlink to the PDF 
version. You should receive this e-mail within minutes of receipt.
    The FERC Dockets staff will review each submission to ensure 
that it is in the correct format and is filed in the correct docket. 
Once they accept your submission, you will receive a third e-mail 
notifying you of the acceptance. At this time, the system adds your 
submission to the applicable Docket Sheet(s) and loads the native 
file format, the PDF file, and image files created from the PDF file 
in RIMS, where it is available to the public via the Commission's 
web site (http://www.ferc.fed.us/online/rims.htm). Dockets will 
attempt to review all electronic submissions within one hour of 
receipt.
    If the Dockets staff cannot process your submission or there are 
deficiencies, you will receive an e-mail rejecting the filing. You 
may resubmit the filing after correcting any errors noted by the 
Dockets staff.

IV. User Assistance

    For assistance or to discuss problems with making electronic 
filings, contact the Helpline at 202-208-0258 during the 
Commission's business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time) or 
e-mail [email protected].
    To obtain general information about the program and accessing 
the documents filed electronically (viewing, printing, and 
downloading), contact the public Helplines during business hours at:

202-208-1371 (and press ``0'') or e-mail 
[email protected]
202-208-2222 or e-mail [email protected].

    Note: The Commission does not accept filings via e-mail. Do not 
use any of the above e-mail addresses to submit comments or other 
filings to the Commission. Materials submitted via e-mail will not 
be placed in the record for a proceeding.

Attachment A: How to Intervene in Commission Proceedings

    There are two alternatives available to those wishing to 
participate in FERC proceedings involving the interstate sale and 
transportation of natural gas, hydroelectric dams, wholesale 
transactions of electric transmissions, and rates for the interstate 
transportation of petroleum products.
    One alternative is to file a protest or letter of support with 
the Commission. While protests and letters of support are helpful in 
the Commission's deliberation of a case, these filings do not 
constitute part of the record upon which a decision is made if the 
case is set for hearing before the Commission's administrative law 
judges.
    The Commission's rules require that protestors provide copies of 
their protests to the party or parties directly involved.
    The second approach is to file as an intervenor. An intervenor 
is an official party to a proceeding and enjoys distinct advantages 
over those who only file comments.
    Intervenors have the right to participate in hearings before 
FERC's administrative law judges; file briefs; file for rehearing of 
a Commission decision; have legal standing to be heard by the Court 
of Appeals if they press their opposition to the Commission's final 
order; be placed on a service list to receive copies of case-related 
Commission documents and filings by other intervenors.
    Filing for intervenor status is not complicated. There is no 
form to complete. Interested parties must file a motion requesting 
permission to intervene. The motion must identify the case by name 
and docket number and must clearly state your position and interest 
in the case.
    For example, intervenors may demonstrate they are directly 
affected consumers, or they are elected representatives of affected 
parties, or that they own land near a proposed hydroelectric or 
pipeline site.
    In addition to filing with the Commission, a motion to intervene 
must be served on the applicant and any other parties to the 
proceeding. The Commission's Secretary maintains the service list. 
Service lists are available by docket number on the FERC web site at 
the following link: http://fercdocket.ferc.fed.us/pa/pa.htm. If you 
do not have Internet access, requests for service lists should be 
directed to the Public Reference Room, (202) 208-1371.
    Parties that agree to be served by specified electronic means 
may be served in that manner in lieu of first class mail or other 
means of physical delivery.
    Notices of proposed rate changes, applications for hydro 
development, proposed natural gas pipelines, and other filings 
submitted to the Commission are printed daily in the Federal 
Register (www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/aces140.htm).
    Notices issued by the Commission are also available on the 
Commission Issuance Posting System (CIPS), which can be accessed 
through the Commission's web site at http://cips.ferc.fed.us/cips/default.htm.
    Each notice includes a deadline for filing requests for 
intervention. If the request to intervene is filed on time and there 
is no opposition to the request within 15 days of filing, intervenor 
status is granted automatically.
    Disputed requests for intervenor status must be resolved by the 
Commission.
    Anyone filing a motion to intervene out-of-time must show good 
cause why the motion should be accepted late.
    If the intervention is filed after the matter has been set for 
hearing and is pending before an administrative law judge, the

[[Page 14902]]

presiding judge has the authority to rule on contested motions to 
intervene.
    Interventions, protests, or comments may be filed on paper or in 
electronic format via the Internet in lieu of paper copies. If 
filing on paper, you must either mail or deliver a signed original 
and 14 copies of the intervention, comment, and/or protest to the 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Office of the Secretary, 888 
First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426.
    If filing via the Internet, access the Commission's web site 
(www.ferc.fed.us) and select the link to ``Make An E-Filing''. 
First-time users will have to create a User Name and password. Once 
you login, follow the instructions on the screens to submit the file 
containing your intervention, comment, and or protest. You need not 
submit paper copies if you file via the Internet.
    As noted, these filings must cite the case name and docket 
number.

Attachment B: Privacy Act Statement and the Use of Cookies

Privacy Act Statement

    The Commission's Privacy Act Statement is available on its web 
site at: http://www.ferc.fed.us/disclmer.htm.
    In the electronic filing system, you provide personal 
information to us in two ways.
    First, you must provide your name, address, telephone number, 
and e-mail address in order to establish a User Name and Password to 
use the system. We use this information to authenticate the source 
of an electronic filing. When you login to the system, we display 
this information for you so that you can verify that the information 
has not changed since your last session. We also use your name and 
organization, if any, to pre-fill certain fields to simplify data 
entry. You can change the default entries if they are not correct.
    The information associated with your User Name is not used for 
any other purpose, nor is it disclosed to others. We use Secure 
Sockets Layer (SSL) software to protect passwords so that no one 
else can access your account or make a filing using your account.
    The second source of personal information is the identifying 
information that you must include in the document (file) that you 
submit to the Commission. The information in the document, including 
any personal identification information, is a public record and will 
be accessible by any member of the public via the Commission's web 
site. These requirements apply to both electronic and paper 
submissions.
    All filings must be signed. For electronic filings, the 
Commission's rules provide that the typed characters representing 
the name of a person shall be sufficient to show that such person 
signed the document. All filings with the Commission must contain: 
the docket number, if any; the title of the proceeding if one has 
been initiated; a heading which describes the filing; and the name 
of the participant for whom the filing is made.
    In most cases, you must also include the name, address, and 
telephone number of the person responsible for the filing. Motions 
to Intervene must include the name, address, and telephone number of 
the person(s) to be included on the Commission's official service 
list for the proceeding. The service lists are also accessible to 
the public via the Commission's web site.
    If you need additional information on the content requirements 
for specific filings, refer to the Commission's Procedural Rules in 
18 CFR 385.

Use of Cookies

    Cookies are short text files placed on your computer's hard 
drive by a web site, usually without your knowledge. The cookie is 
not an executable program and cannot do anything to your computer. 
There are two kinds of cookies:
    A session cookie is one that continues in operation only for the 
duration of the browser session--when the user shuts down the 
browser the cookie is released and goes away.
    A persistent cookie continues in operation after the close of 
the individual session. Shutting down the browser will cause the 
cookie to be written into a special cookie file on the user's 
computer, so that the next time the user visits the web site that 
generated the cookie, the cookie will be sent to the web site's 
server again.
    The Commission uses a session cookie to enable you to make 
filings electronically. We do not use persistent cookies for 
electronic filing.
    The session cookie is used for no other purpose than to enable 
you to make an electronic submission. You can prevent any cookies 
from being sent to your system using the browser options. However, 
if you do so, or already have your browser set to do so, you will 
not be able to submit filings electronically. If you prefer not to 
allow session cookies on your computer, you will have to submit your 
filing on paper by sending an original and fourteen copies of your 
filing to: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Office of the 
Secretary, 888 First St., NE., Washington, DC 20426.
[FR Doc. 01-6324 Filed 3-13-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P