[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 223 (Friday, November 18, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 81759-81761]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-27808]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. IC16-12-000]


Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-511, FERC-515, 
& FERC-574); Comment Request

AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Comment request.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D), the Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission (Commission or FERC) is submitting its information 
collections [FERC-511 (Transfer of Electric License), FERC-515 (Rules 
of Practice and Procedure: Declaration of Intention), and FERC-574 (Gas 
Pipeline Certificates: Hinshaw Exemption)] to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for review of the information collection requirements. 
Any interested person may file comments directly with OMB and should 
address a copy of those comments to the Commission as explained below. 
The Commission previously issued a Notice in the Federal Register (81 
FR 45145, 7/12/2016) requesting public comments. The Commission 
received no comments on the FERC-511, the FERC-515, or the FERC-574 and 
is making this notation in its submittal to OMB.

DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due by December 
19, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Comments filed with OMB, identified by the OMB Control No. 
1902-0069 (FERC-511), 1902-0079 (FERC-515), or 1902-0116 (FERC-574) 
should be sent via email to the Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs: [email protected]. Attention: Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission Desk Officer. The Desk Officer may also be reached via 
telephone at 202-395-4718.
    A copy of the comments should also be sent to the Commission, in 
Docket No. IC16-12-000, by either of the following methods:
     eFiling at Commission's Web site: http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp.
     Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier: Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 888 First Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20426.
    Instructions: All submissions must be formatted and filed in 
accordance with submission guidelines at: http://www.ferc.gov/help/submission-guide.asp. For user assistance contact FERC Online Support 
by email at [email protected], or by phone at: (866) 208-3676 
(toll-free), or (202) 502-8659 for TTY.
    Docket: Users interested in receiving automatic notification of 
activity in this docket or in viewing/downloading comments and 
issuances in this docket may do so at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/docs-filing.asp.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Brown may be reached by email at 
[email protected], by telephone at (202) 502-8663, and by fax at 
(202) 273-0873.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Type of Request: Three-year extension of the information collection 
requirements for all collections described below with no changes to the 
current reporting requirements. Please note that each collection is 
distinct from the next.
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the collections of 
information are 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 estimates of the 
burden and cost of the collections of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility and clarity of the information collections; and 
(4) ways to minimize the burden of the collections of information on 
those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.

FERC-511, Transfer of Electric License

    OMB Control No.: 1902-0069.
    Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC-511 information 
collection requirements with no changes to the current reporting 
requirements.
    Abstract: The Commission uses the information collected under the 
requirements of FERC-511 to implement the statutory provisions of 
Sections 4(e) and 8 of the Federal Power Act (FPA).\1\ Section 4(e) 
authorizes the Commission to issue licenses for the construction, 
operation and maintenance of reservoirs, powerhouses, and transmission 
lines or other facilities necessary for the development and improvement 
of navigation and for the development, transmission, and utilization of 
power.\2\ Section 8 of the FPA provides that the voluntary transfer of 
any license is made only with the written approval of the Commission. 
Any successor to the licensee may assign the rights of the original 
licensee but is subject to all of the conditions of the license. The 
information filed with the Commission is a mandatory requirement 
contained in the format of a written application for transfer of 
license, executed jointly by the parties of the proposed transfer. The 
sale or merger of a licensed hydroelectric project may occasion the 
transfer of a license. The Commission's staff uses the information 
collection to determine the qualifications of the proposed transferee 
to hold the license and to prepare the transfer of the license order. 
Approval by the Commission of transfer of a license is contingent upon 
the transfer of title to the properties under license, delivery of all 
license instruments, and evidence that such transfer is in the public 
interest. The Commission implements these filing requirements in the 
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) under 18 CFR part 9.
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    \1\ 16 U.S.C. 797(e) and 801.
    \2\ Refers to facilities across, along, from, or in any of the 
streams or other bodies of water over which Congress has 
jurisdiction under its authority to regulate commerce with foreign 
nations and among the several States, or upon any part of public 
lands and reservations of the United States, or for the purpose of 
utilizing the surplus water or water power from any Government dam.
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    Type of Respondents: Hydropower Project Licensees.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: The Commission estimates the annual 
public reporting burden for the information collection as:

[[Page 81760]]



                                                         FERC-511--Transfer of Electric License
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                                                    Annual  number                                               Total annual  burden
                                     Number of      of  responses     Total number    Average  burden hrs.  &    hours &  total annual       Cost per
                                    respondents    per  respondent    of responses      cost per  response               cost               respondent
                                             (1)              (2)   (1) * (2) = (3)  (4).....................  (3) * (4) = (5).........       (5) / (1)
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Hydropower Project Licensees....              46                1               46   40 hrs.; $2,980.........  1,840 hrs.; $137,080....          $2,980
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FERC-515, Rules of Practice and Procedure: Declaration of Intention

    OMB Control No.: 1902-0079.
    Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC-515 information 
collection requirements with no changes to the current reporting 
requirements.
    Abstract: The Commission uses the information collected under the 
requirements of FERC-515 to implement the statutory provisions of 
Section 23(b) of the Federal Power Act (FPA).\3\ Section 23(b) 
authorizes the Commission to make a determination as to whether it has 
jurisdiction over a proposed water project \4\ not affecting navigable 
waters \5\ but across, along, over, or in waters over which Congress 
has jurisdiction under its authority to regulate commerce with foreign 
nations and among the several States. Section 23(b) requires that any 
person intending to construct project works on such waters must file a 
declaration of their intention with the Commission. If the Commission 
finds the proposed project will have an impact on interstate or foreign 
commerce, then the entity intending to construct the project must 
obtain a Commission license or exemption before starting 
construction.\6\ The information is collected in the form of a written 
application, containing sufficient details to allow the Commission 
staff to research the jurisdictional aspects of the project. This 
research includes examining maps and land ownership records to 
establish whether or not there is Federal jurisdiction over the lands 
and waters affected by the project. A finding of non-jurisdictional by 
the Commission eliminates a substantial paperwork burden for the 
applicant who might otherwise have to file for a license or exemption 
application. The Commission implements these filing requirements under 
18 CFR part 24.
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    \3\ 16 U.S.C. 817
    \4\ Dams or other project works. (See 16 U.S.C. 817.)
    \5\ See 16 U.S.C. 796 (8) for the definition of ``Navigable 
Waters.''
    \6\ Upon a finding of non-jurisdictional by the Commission, and 
if the project does not utilize surplus water or waterpower from a 
government dam and no public lands or reservations are affected, 
permission is granted upon compliance with State laws.
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    Type of Respondents: Persons intending to construct project works 
on certain waters described above.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: The Commission estimates the annual 
public reporting burden for the information collection as:

                                           FERC-515--Rules of Practice and Procedure: Declaration of Intention
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                                         Annual  number
         Number of respondents           of  responses     Total number    Average  burden hrs.  & cost    Total annual  burden hours &      Cost per
                                        per  respondent    of responses            per  response                total annual cost        respondent  ($)
(1)                                                (2)   (1) * (2) = (3)  (4)...........................  (3) * (4) = (5)..............       (5) / (1)
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6.....................................               1                6   80 hrs.; $5,960...............  480 hrs.; $35,760............          $5,960
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FERC-574, Gas Pipeline Certificates: Hinshaw Exemption

    OMB Control No.: 1902-0116.
    Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC-574 information 
collection requirements with no changes to the current reporting 
requirements.
    Abstract: The Commission uses the information collected under the 
requirements of FERC-574 to implement the statutory provisions of 
Sections 1(c), 4 and 7 of the Natural Gas Act (NGA).\7\ Natural gas 
pipeline companies file applications with the Commission furnishing 
information in order to facilitate a determination of an applicant's 
qualification for an exemption under the provisions of the Section 
1(c). If the Commission grants exemption, the natural gas pipeline 
company is not required to file certificate applications, rate 
schedules, or any other applications or forms prescribed by the 
Commission.
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    \7\ 15 U.S.C. 717-717w.
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    The exemption applies to companies engaged in the transportation, 
sale, or resale of natural gas in interstate commerce if: (a) They 
receive gas at or within the boundaries of the state from another 
person at or within the boundaries of that state; (b) such gas is 
ultimately consumed in such state; (c) the rates, service and 
facilities of such company are subject to regulation by a State 
Commission; and (d) that such State Commission is exercising that 
jurisdiction. 18 CFR part 152 specifies the data required to be filed 
by pipeline companies for an exemption.
    Type of Respondents: Pipeline companies.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: The Commission estimates the annual 
public reporting burden for the information collection as:

[[Page 81761]]



                                                 FERC-574--Gas Pipeline Certificates: Hinshaw Exemption
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                                                    Annual  number                                               Total annual  burden
                                     Number of      of  responses     Total number    Average  burden hrs.  &   hours  & total  annual       Cost per
                                    respondents    per  respondent    of responses      cost per  response               cost               respondent
                                             (1)              (2)   (1) * (2) = (3)  (4).....................  (3) * (4) = (5).........       (5) / (1)
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Pipeline Companies..............               1                1                1   60 hrs.; $4,470.........  60 hrs.; $4,470.........          $4,470
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Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-27808 Filed 11-17-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P