[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 239 (Thursday, December 12, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76397-76399]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-31317]


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

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. RM00-12-000]


Electronic Filing of Documents; Notice of New Release and 
Additional Qualified Documents for Electronic Filing

December 6, 2002.
    1. Take notice that on Saturday, December 7, 2002, the Commission 
will upgrade its electronic filing system to Release 4.0 and begin 
accepting additional types of documents for filing via the Internet in 
lieu of paper copies. Release 4.0 also contains several notable system 
enhancements.
    2. New Qualified Documents in Release 4.0: 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\ In Release 4.0 of the 
electronic filing system, the following additional documents are 
``qualified documents'' for the purposes of electronic filing:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ III FERC Stats. & Regs., Regulations Preambles ] 31,107.
    \2\ 18 CFR 385.2003(c)(2), 65 FR 57088.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    a. General Filings in Docketed Proceedings:
    i. Briefs.
    ii. Interlocutory Appeals: Motions and Answer/Responses.
    iii. Request for Change in Service List
    iv. Withdrawal of Application.
    b. Filings Specific to the Electric Industry:
    i. Accounting Filing or Request.
    ii. Annual Charges Report.
    iii. Complaint.
    iv. Qualifying Facility Notice of Self-Certification.
    v. Qualifying Facility Notice of Self-Recertification.
    c. Filings Specific to the Natural Gas Industry:
    i. Accounting Filing or Request.
    ii. Complaint.
    iii. Peak Day Capacity Report.
    iv. Semi-Annual Storage Report Under part 157.
    v. Semi-Annual Storage Report Under part 284.
    d. Filings Specific to the Oil Pipeline Industry:
    i. Accounting Filing or Request.
    ii. Complaint.
    e. Filings Specific to Hydropower projects:
    i. Annual Conveyance Report.
    ii. Annual Generation Report.
    iii. Complaint.
    iv. Progress Report.
    3. Attachment A to this notice contains a complete list of all 
qualified documents and a description of each filing type.
    4. Qualified documents may be combined and submitted in the same 
document. 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.
    5. Non-qualified documents may not be included in an electronic 
submission with other qualified documents. For example, an Electric 
Rate Compliance Filing may not be electronically filed together with or 
under the filing type ``Compliance Electric Refund Report''.
    6. Release 4.0 Enhancements: Release 4.0 of the Electronic Filing 
System contains the following enhancements:
    f. Multiple file submission: Filers may now select and submit up to 
five unzipped files with a maximum file size of 10 Mb per file. The 
files may also be submitted in .zip file format, provided that the 
total number of unzipped files does not exceed five files. The File 
Upload screen allows the filer to select, review, and attach up to five 
files per submission. The screens also provides for deleting and 
replacing files, as well as ordering them in the proper sequence for 
filing.
    For multiple file submissions, the first (text) file should include 
a list of the additional files to be submitted with a brief description 
of the contents of each file.
    g. Filings Requiring a New Docket or Subdocket Number(s): Certain 
of the new ``qualified documents'' for e-filing require a new docket 
number. The filer will not see the Docket Entry screen for these 
filings. The FERC Dockets Staff will assign the new docket number and 
initiate a service list. The new docket number will appear in the 
Notice of Acceptance e-mail that is sent to the filer after Dockets 
reviews the submission. As with previous releases, the Dockets staff 
will assign a new subdocket number to your submission if one is 
required.
    h. Additional file formats: The multiple file submission feature 
will

[[Page 76398]]

enable filers to include one or more attachments to the Microsoft Word 
(.doc), Corel WordPerfect (.wpd), Adobe Portable Document Format 
(.pdf), ASCII (.txt), or Rich Text Format (.rtf) text file, in one or 
more of the following formats:
    i. Microsoft Excel (.xls, .xlb).
    ii. Lotus (.wk1, .wk3, .wk4).
    iii. Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt, .pps).
    iv. Zipped files, provided that the total number of unzipped files 
does not exceed five files and each unzipped file does not exceed 5 Mb 
(.zip).
    v. Graphic Interchange Format (.gif).
    vi. Joint Photographic Experts Group (.jpg).
    vii. Moving Picture Experts Group (.mpg).
    i. Filing Type Selection: The menu for selecting the filing type 
has been revised and is arranged according to filings common to all 
program areas and those that are specific to the electric, natural gas, 
oil, or hydropower programs.
    7. We are revising the User Guide to reflect the additions to the 
qualified documents list. The guide contains the instructions for 
electronic submission and provides more detail on the system 
enhancements. The User Guide is accessible via the eFiling link at 
www.ferc.gov.
    8. If you have questions about this notice or the new release for 
electronic filing, please contact Brooks Carter at (202) 502-8145or by 
e-mail at [email protected].

Magalie R. Salas,
Secretary.

Attachment A--Complete List of Qualified Documents for Electronic 
Filing (Effective December 4, 2002)

    For multiple file submissions, the first (text) file should include 
a list of the additional files to be submitted with a brief description 
of the contents of each file. There is a maximum of five unzipped files 
per submission.
    1. Filings Common to Docketed Proceedings in All or Most Program 
Areas:
    Answer/Response to a Pleading/Motion: An answer (18 CFR 385.213) 
may be made to any pleading (18 CFR 385.202) except a protest, answer, 
motion for oral argument, or request for rehearing. Select Response to 
Complaint if you are responding to a complaint or show cause order.
    Briefs/Statement of Position: Any brief filed before (Rule 706) or 
after (Rule 711) an initial decision (18 CFR 385.706 and 385.711).
    Comment on Filing: Comments on Filing is a document filed in 
response to a FERC public notice or order in a specific FERC docketed 
proceeding (any docket prefix except RM). It may include a protest. 
This filing type does not add contact names to the service list. You 
must select Motion/Notice of Intervention (or Motion to Intervene Out-
of-Time) to be included on the service list for a docket. Comment on 
Filing includes:
    a. Comments on applications and other filings.
    b. Comments on technical conferences
    c. Comments filed in connection with environmental documents 
(Notices, Environmental Assessments, and Environmental Impact 
Statements) (18 CFR 380.10(a))
    d. Protests \3\ and responses to certain protests \4\.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \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)).
    \4\ 18 CFR 343.3(b).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    e. Reply comments.
    f. Mandatory and recommended terms and conditions or prescriptions 
on a hydropower application for exemption or license.
    Interlocutory Appeal--Motion: Motions to the presiding officer in a 
proceeding to permit appeal of a ruling by the presiding officer (18 
CFR 385.715(b)) or an appeal of a presiding officer's denial of a 
motion to permit appeal (18 CFR 385.715(c)).
    Interlocutory Appeal--Response: Responses to a Motion to Permit 
Interlocutory Appeal (18 CFR 385.213(a)(2) and (a)(3).
    Motion to Compel Production: A motion to compel production is a 
petition or request for an order directing another party in a 
proceeding to produce documents and records in discovery (18 CFR 
385.410(b)).
    Motion to Intervene Out of Time: Motion to intervene out of time is 
a pleading filed with the Commission by a party requesting permission 
for intervenor status after the deadline for filing has passed (18 CFR 
385.214(b)(3)).
    Motion/Notice of Intervention: Motion/notice of intervention is a 
pleading filed with the Commission by a party requesting intervenor 
status (legal basis to participate in proceeding). The motion or notice 
may also include comments, a protest, or other pleading.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ 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).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Objection to Motion to Compel Production: An objection to a motion 
to compel production is a pleading by the respondent named in a motion 
to compel production stating the basis for objection to producing the 
requested documents and records (18 CFR 385.410).
    Procedural Motion: A procedural motion is a pleading by any party 
to a proceeding before an Administrative Law Judge or the Commission 
concerning the scope, procedures, or schedule established by the 
presiding judge or by FERC's rules of procedure (18 CFR 385.212).
    Production of Document: This is a transmittal letter advising the 
Commission that documents or records have been provided to the 
requesting party, or as directed by the presiding officer, in the 
discovery phase of a proceeding (18 CFR 385.406).
    Request for Change in Service List: A request to make a change to 
the service list for specific dockets. The change may be to revise a 
contact or information about a contact.
    Request for Hearing: A request for hearing is a motion to the 
Commission that a matter within the jurisdiction of the Commission be 
set for hearing.
    Request for Rehearing or Appeal: A request of rehearing or appeal 
is a pleading by any party to a proceeding before the Commission 
petitioning the Commission to reconsider an order in that proceeding; 
includes Motions for Clarification (18 CFR 385.713 and 18 CFR 385.715). 
There are statutory deadlines for filing requests for rehearing. Be 
advised that the Commission cannot waive these deadlines.
    Response to Complaint: Any respondent to a complaint or order to 
show cause must make an answer, unless the Commission directs otherwise 
(18 CFR 385.206(f) and 385.213(a)).
    Rulemaking Comment: Rulemaking comment is a document filed in 
response to a Notice of Inquiry or Notice of Proposed Rulemaking issued 
by the Commission (RM docket prefix only; 18 CFR 385.1903 and 18 CFR 
380.10(b)).
    Settlement Comment: Settlement comment is a document prepared by 
any party to a proceeding before the Commission that sets forth the 
views and position of the party on a proposed agreement or settlement 
to resolve any of the issues in dispute (18 CFR 385.602(f)).
    Withdrawal of Application: A request to withdraw an application or 
other pleading previously filed with the Commission.
    Withdrawal of Intervention: Withdrawal of intervention is a request 
by a party to a proceeding (one who has been granted intervenor status) 
to withdraw from that proceeding (18 CFR 385.216).
    2. Filings Specific to Electric Program Area:
    Accounting Filing or Request: Any request for approval of 
accounting

[[Page 76399]]

procedures or a filing related to accounting issues.
    Annual Charges Report: FERC Reporting Requirement No. 582: The 
report due annually by April 30 that must be filed by a public utility, 
as defined in Sec.  382.102(b), on transmission of electric energy in 
interstate commerce, for the purpose of computing annual charges (18 
CFR 382.201(c)).
    Complaint: Any complaint under Rule 206 that does not include 
privileged (non-public) information (18 CFR 385.206). Answers to 
complaints should also be filed under this category within 20 days of 
date the complaint is filed (18 CFR 385.206(f).
    Electric Quarterly Report: The Electric Quarterly Report is filed 
by all jurisdictional utilities, listing all contracts in effect and 
all power sales made during the previous quarter, as required by Order 
2001.
    Electric Refund Report (Compliance Only): A report of refund of any 
increased rates or charges either found by the Commission not to be 
justified, or approved for refund by the Commission as part of a 
settlement.
    Qualifying Facility Notice of Self-Certification: Notice of self 
certification as a qualifying facility filed by a small power 
production facility or cogeneration facility that meets the 
requirements of 18 CFR 292.203 [18 CFR 292.207 and 131.80 (Form 556)].
    Qualifying Facility Notice of Self-Recertification: A subsequent 
notice of self-recertification as a qualifying facility filed by a 
small power production facility or cogeneration facility (18 CFR 
292.207).
    3. Natural Gas Program Area Filings:
    Accounting Filing or Request: Any request for approval of 
accounting procedures or a filing related to accounting issues.
    Complaint: Any complaint under Rule 206 that does not include 
privileged (non-public) information (18 CFR 385.206). Answers to 
complaints should also be filed under this category within 20 days of 
date the complaint is filed (18 CFR 385.206(f).
    Peak Day Capacity Report: A report of available capacity filed by 
an interstate pipeline by March 1 each year, showing the estimated peak 
day capacity of the pipeline's system, and the estimated storage 
capacity and maximum daily delivery capability of storage facilities 
and the assignment of that capacity to the various firm services 
provided by the pipeline (18 CFR 284.13(d)).
    Semi-Annual Storage Report Under part 157: Reports of storage 
activity filed by interstate pipelines for facilities under a blanket 
certificate or a certificate of public convenience and necessity (18 
CFR 157.214; docket number known)
    Semi-Annual Storage Report Under part 284: Reports of storage 
activity by interstate pipelines (18 CFR 284.13) and intrastate 
pipelines (18 CFR 284.126) filed at the end of each complete storage 
injection and withdrawal season (no docket number).
    4. Oil Pipeline Program Area Filings:
    Accounting Filing or Request: Any request for approval of 
accounting procedures or a filing related to accounting issues.
    Complaint: Any complaint under Rule 206 that does not include 
privileged (non-public) information (18 CFR 385.206). Answers to 
complaints should also be filed under this category within 20 days of 
date the complaint is filed (18 CFR 385.206(f).
    5. Hydropower Program Area Filings:
    Annual Conveyance Report: A report filed by the licensee of a 
hydropower project, if required by its license, of conveyances of 
easements or rights-of-way across, or leases of, project lands that 
occurred in the previous year (18 CFR 141.15).
    Annual Generation Report: A report filed by licensees of hydropower 
projects of more than 1.5 megawatts of installed capacity to enable the 
Commission to determine annual charges (18 CFR 11.1(c)(4)).
    Complaint: Any complaint under Rule 206 that does not include 
privileged (non-public) information (18 CFR 385.206). Answers to 
complaints should also be filed under this category within 20 days of 
date the complaint is filed (18 CFR 385.206(f)).
    Progress Report: Progress reports filed by a hydropower project 
licensee or preliminary permit holder in accordance with a license or 
preliminary permit requirement (file under 000 sub-docket for the 
project).
    Request for Extension of Time (Hydro: Post-Licensing Only, 
Excluding Dam Safety-Related Extension Requests): Requests for 
extension of time to comply with filing schedules defined in the terms 
and conditions of a license or exemption and (e.g., requests to extend 
due dates in license articles and settlement agreements incorporated 
into a license) and requests to extend due dates specified in 
postlicensing Commission and delegated orders.
    Surrender of Exemption: Application filed requesting surrender of a 
conduit exemption (18 CFR 4.95) or for a 5MW exemption (18 CFR 4.102).
    Surrender of License: Application filed requesting surrender of a 
license (18 CFR 6.1).
    Surrender of Preliminary Permit: Petition requesting surrender of a 
preliminary permit (18 CFR 4.84).

[FR Doc. 02-31317 Filed 12-11-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P