[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 137 (Wednesday, July 19, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33102-33105]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-15089]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. IC17-9-000]


Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-510, FERC-520, 
FERC-561, and FERC-583); Comment Request

AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Comment request.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or 
FERC) is submitting its information collection [FERC-510 (Application 
for Surrender of a Hydropower License), FERC-520 (Application for 
Authority to Hold Interlocking Directorate Positions), FERC-561 (Annual 
Report of Interlocking Positions), and FERC-583 (Annual Kilowatt 
Generating Report (Annual Charges))] 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 (82 
FR 16191, 4/3/2017) requesting public comments. The Commission received 
no comments on the FERC-510, the FERC-520, the FERC-561, or the FERC-
583 and is making this notation in its submittal to OMB.

DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due by August 18, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: Comments filed with OMB, identified by the OMB Control No. 
1902-0068 (FERC-510), 1902-0083 (FERC-520), 1902-0099 (FERC-561), or 
1902-0136 (FERC-583) 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. IC17-9-000, 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:

[[Page 33103]]

    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-510 [Application for Surrender of a Hydropower License]

    OMB Control No.: 1902-0068.
    Abstract: The information collected under the requirements of FERC-
510 is used by the Commission to implement the statutory provisions of 
sections 4(e), 6 and 13 of the Federal Power Act (FPA) (16 U.S.C. 
797(e), 799 and 806). Section 4(e) gives the Commission authority to 
issue licenses for the purposes of constructing, operating and 
maintaining dams, water conduits, reservoirs, powerhouses, transmission 
lines or other power project works necessary or convenient for 
developing and improving navigation, transmission and utilization of 
power using bodies of water over which Congress has jurisdiction. 
Section 6 gives the Commission the authority to prescribe the 
conditions of licenses including the revocation or surrender of the 
license. Section 13 defines the Commission's authority to delegate time 
periods for when a license must be terminated if project construction 
has not begun. Surrender of a license may be desired by a licensee when 
a licensed project is retired or not constructed or natural 
catastrophes have damaged or destroyed the project facilities.
    FERC-510 is the application for the surrender of a hydropower 
license. The information is used by Commission staff to determine the 
broad impact of such surrender. The Commission will issue a notice 
soliciting comments from the public and other agencies and conduct a 
careful review of the application before issuing an order for Surrender 
of a License. The order is the result of an analysis of the information 
produced (i.e., dam safety, public safety, and environmental concerns, 
etc.), which is examined to determine whether any conditions must be 
satisfied before granting the surrender. The order implements the 
existing regulations and is inclusive for surrender of all types of 
hydropower licenses issued by FERC and its predecessor, the Federal 
Power Commission. The Commission implements these mandatory filing 
requirements in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) under 18 CFR 6.1-
6.4.
    Type of Respondent: Private or Municipal Hydropower Licensees.
    Estimate of Annual Burden \1\: The Commission estimates the total 
annual burden and cost \2\ for this information collection as follows:
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    \1\ Burden is the total time, effort, or financial resources 
expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or 
provide information to or for a Federal agency. For additional 
information, refer to Title 5 Code of Federal Regulations 1320.3.
    \2\ The Commission staff thinks that the average respondent for 
this collection is similarly situated to the Commission, in terms of 
salary plus benefits. Based upon FERC's 2017 annual average of 
$158,754 (for salary plus benefits), the average hourly cost is 
$76.50/hour.

                                                    FERC-510
                               [Application for surrender of a hydropower license]
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                    Annual number of                       Average burden      Total annual
    Number of        responses per     Total number of     and  cost per     burden hours and       Cost per
   respondents         respondent         responses           response      total annual cost    respondent ($)
(1)                             (2)    (1) * (2) = (3)                (4)    (3) * (4) = (5)          (5) / (1)
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              14                  1                 14   80 hrs.; 3 $6,120       1,120 hrs.;             $6,120
                                                                                     $85,680
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FERC-520 [Application for Authority To Hold Interlocking Directorate 
Positions]

    OMB Control No.: 1902-0083.
    Abstract: The Federal Power Act (FPA), as amended by the Public 
Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA), mandates federal 
oversight and approval of certain electric corporate activities to 
ensure that neither public nor private interests are adversely 
affected. Accordingly, the FPA proscribes related information filing 
requirements to achieve this goal. Such filing requirements are found 
in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), specifically in 18 CFR part 
45, and serve as the basis for FERC-520.
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    \3\ Based on additional information, we are revising the 
estimated average burden per response to 80 hours (rather than 10 
hours). The reporting requirements have not changed.
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    FERC-520 is divided into two types of applications: Full and 
informational. The full application, as specified in 18 CFR 45.8, 
implements the FPA requirement under section 305(b) that it is unlawful 
for any person to concurrently hold the positions of officer or 
director of more than one public utility; or a public utility and a 
financial institution that is authorized to underwrite or participate 
in the marketing of public utility securities; or a public utility and 
an electrical equipment supplier to that public utility, unless 
authorized by order of the Commission. In order to obtain 
authorization, an applicant must demonstrate that neither public nor 
private interests will be adversely affected by the holding of the 
position. The full application provides the Commission with information 
about any interlocking position for which the applicant seeks 
authorization including, but not limited to, a description of duties 
and the estimated time devoted to the position.
    An informational application, specified in 18 CFR 45.9, allows an 
applicant to receive automatic authorization for an interlocked 
position upon receipt of the filing by the Commission. The 
informational application applies only to those individuals who seek 
authorization as: (1) An officer or director of two or more

[[Page 33104]]

public utilities where the same holding company owns, directly or 
indirectly, that percentage of each utility's stock (of whatever class 
or classes) which is required by each utility's by-laws to elect 
directors; (2) an officer or director of two public utilities, if one 
utility is owned, wholly or in part, by the other and, as its primary 
business, owns or operates transmission or generation facilities to 
provide transmission service or electric power for sale to its owners; 
or (3) an officer or director of more than one public utility, if such 
person is already authorized under part 45 to hold different positions 
as officer or director of those utilities where the interlock involves 
affiliated public utilities.
    Pursuant to 18 CFR 45.5, in the event that an applicant resigns or 
withdraws from Commission-authorized interlocked positions or is not 
re-elected or re-appointed to such interlocked positions, the 
Commission requires that the applicant submit a notice of change within 
30 days from the date of the change.
    Type of Respondents: Individuals who plan to concurrently become 
officers or directors of public utilities and of certain other covered 
entities must request authorization to hold such interlocking positions 
by submitting a FERC-520.
    Estimate of Annual Burden \1\: The Commission estimates the total 
annual burden and cost \2\ for this information collection as follows:

                                                                        FERC-520
                                         [Application for authority to hold interlocking directorate positions]
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                                                        Annual number                                              Total annual  burden      Cost per
                                          Number of     of responses    Total number    Average burden and cost    hours (Total Annual      respondent
                                         respondents   per respondent   of responses         per response                 Cost)                 ($)
                                                  (1)             (2)     (1) * (2) =  (4).....................  (3) * (4) = (5)........       (5) / (1)
                                                                                  (3)
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Full.................................              16               1              16  50 hrs.; $3,825.........  800 hrs.; $61,200......          $3,825
Informational........................             500               1             500  8 hrs.; $612............  4,000 hrs.; $306,000...            $612
Notice of Change.....................             200               1             200  0.25 hrs.; $19.13.......  50 hrs.; $3,825........          $19.13
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    Total............................  ..............  ..............  ..............  ........................  4,850 hrs.; $371,025...  ..............
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FERC-561 [Annual Report of Interlocking Positions]

    OMB Control No.: 1902-0099
    Abstract: The FERC Form 561 responds to the FPA requirements for 
annual reporting of similar types of positions which public utility 
officers and directors hold with financial institutions, insurance 
companies, utility equipment and fuel providers, and with any of an 
electric utility's 20 largest purchasers of electric energy (i.e., the 
20 entities with high expenditures of electricity). The FPA 
specifically defines most of the information elements in the Form 561 
including the information that must be filed, the required filers, the 
directive to make the information available to the public, and the 
filing deadline.
    The Commission uses the information required by 18 CFR 131.31 and 
collected by the Form 561 to implement the FPA requirement that those 
who are authorized to hold interlocked directorates annually disclose 
all the interlocked positions held within the prior year. The Form 561 
data identifies persons holding interlocking positions between public 
utilities and other entities, allows the Commission to review these 
interlocking positions, and allows identification of possible conflicts 
of interest.
    Type of Respondents: Public utility officers and directors holding 
financial positions, insurance companies, security underwriters, 
electrical equipment suppliers, fuel provider, and any entity which is 
controlled by these.
    Estimate of Annual Burden \1\: The Commission estimates the total 
annual burden and cost \2\ for this information collection as follows:

                                                                      FERC Form 561
                                                        [Annual report of interlocking positions]
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                                            Annual number
          Number of respondents              of responses   Total number of   Average burden and cost per    Total annual burden hours       Cost per
                                            per respondent     responses               response                and total annual cost      respondent ($)
(1)                                                   (2)   (1) * (2) = (3)  (4).........................  (3) * (4) = (5).............       (5) / (1)
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2,700....................................               1            2,700   0.25 hrs.; $19.13...........  675.00 hrs.; $51,637.50.....          $19.13
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FERC-583 [Annual Kilowatt Generating Report (Annual Charges)]

    OMB Control No.: 1902-0136.
    Abstract: The FERC-583 is used by the Commission to implement the 
statutory provisions of section 10(e) of the Federal Power Act (FPA) 
(16 U.S.C. 803(e)), which requires the Commission to collect annual 
charges from hydropower licensees for, among other things, the cost of 
administering part I of the FPA and for the use of United States dams. 
In addition, section 3401 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 
1986 (OBRA) authorizes the Commission to ``assess and collect fees and 
annual charges in any fiscal year in amounts equal to all of the costs 
incurred by the Commission in that fiscal year.'' The information is 
collected annually and used to determine the amounts of the annual 
charges to be assessed licensees for reimbursable government 
administrative costs and for the use of government dams. The Commission 
implements these filing requirements in the Code of

[[Page 33105]]

Federal Regulations (CFR) under 18 CFR part 11.1 through 11.8.\4\
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    \4\ As discussed in 18 CFR part 11, selected federal agencies 
(such as the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the 
National Marine Fisheries Service) submit annual reports to the 
Commission on their federal costs in administering part I of the 
Federal Power Act. The filing requirements imposed on those federal 
agencies are not collected for general statistical purposes and are 
not a collection of information as defined by 5 CFR 1320.3(c)(3). 
(The form and additional information on the information provided by 
those agencies is posted at https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/forms.asp#ofa.)
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    Type of Respondent: FERC-regulated private and public hydropower 
licensees.
    Estimate of Annual Burden\1\: The Commission estimates the total 
annual burden and cost \2\ for this information collection as follows:

                                   FERC-583, Annual Kilowatt Generating Report
                                                [Annual charges]
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                    Annual number of                       Average burden      Total annual
    Number of        responses per     Total number of     and  cost per     burden hours and       Cost per
  respondents\5\       respondent         responses           response      total annual cost    respondent ($)
(1)                             (2)    (1) * (2) = (3)                (4)    (3) * (4) = (5)          (5) / (1)
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             520                  1                520       2 hrs.; $153        1,040 hrs.;               $153
                                                                                     $79,560
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    Dated: July 12, 2017.
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    \5\ Based on data from Fiscal Year 2016, there were 520 project, 
owned by 242 FERC-regulted private and public licensees. Many of the 
licensees owned multiple projects.
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Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-15089 Filed 7-18-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P