[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 152 (Wednesday, August 11, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44013-44014]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-17134]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. IC21-37-000]


Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-520); Comment 
Request; Extension

AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of information collection and request for comments.

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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 soliciting public comment on the currently approved 
information collection, FERC-520 (Application for Authority to Hold 
Interlocking Directorate Positions).

DATES: Comments on the collections of information are due October 12, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: You may submit your comments (identified by Docket No. IC21-
37-000) on FERC-520 by one of the following methods:
    Electronic filing through http://www.ferc.gov is preferred.
     Electronic Filing: Documents must be filed in acceptable 
native applications and print-to-PDF, but not in scanned or picture 
format.
     For those unable to file electronically, comments may be 
filed by USPS mail or by hand (including courier) delivery:
    [cir] Mail via U.S. Postal Service Only: Addressed to: Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 888 First 
Street NE, Washington, DC 20426.
    [cir] Hand (Including Courier) Delivery: Deliver to: Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, MD 20852.
    Instructions: All submissions must be formatted and filed in 
accordance with submission guidelines at: http://www.ferc.gov. For user 
assistance, contact FERC Online Support by email at 
[email protected], or by phone at (866) 208-3676 (toll-free).
    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.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: FERC-520 (Application for Authority to Hold Interlocking 
Directorate Positions).
    OMB Control No.: 1902-0083.
    Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC-520 information 
collection requirements with no revisions to the current requirements.
    Abstract: FERC Form No. 520 is an application requesting FERC 
authorization for officers and directors of regulated public utilities 
to simultaneously hold positions of officers and directors of certain 
other entities. Section 305(b)(1) of the Federal Power Act (FPA) \1\ 
prohibits the holding of specific interlocking positions unless the 
Commission has authorized the holding of such interlocks upon a 
determination that neither public nor private interests will be 
adversely affected.
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    \1\ 16 U.S.C 825d(b)(1).
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    FERC-520 consists of three information collection activities. A 
``full application,'' in accordance with 18 CFR 45.8, provides detailed 
information about the positions for which authorization is sought, 
including a description of duties. Submission of a more streamlined 
``informational report,'' in accordance with 18 CFR 45.9, is a 
condition for an automatic grant of authorization to hold interlocking 
directorates. This automatic authorization is available only to certain 
types of officers and directors. Finally, a ``notice of change,'' in 
accordance with 18 CFR 45.5, is required within 60 days after an 
officer or director resigns or withdraws from Commission-authorized 
interlocked positions or if the applicant is not re-elected or 
reappointed to the interlocked position. However, no notice of change 
is required if the only change is: (1) A resignation or withdrawal from 
fewer than all position held between or among affiliated public 
utilities; (2) a reelection or reappointment to a position that was 
previously authorized; or (3) holding a different or additional 
interlocking position that would qualify for automatic authorization 
under 18 CFR 45.9.
    Types of Respondents: Officers and directors of public utilities 
seeking authorization to hold interlocking directorates.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: For full applications, 16 responses 
annually, and per-response burdens of 50 hours and $69,600. For 
informational reports, 500 responses annually, and per-response burdens 
of 8 hours and $348,000. For notices of change, 100 responses annually, 
and per-response burdens of 0.25 of an hour and $2,175. The total 
estimated burdens per year are 616 responses, 4,825 hours and $419,775. 
These burdens are itemized in the following table:
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    \2\ Commission staff estimates that the average industry hourly 
cost for this information collection is approximated by the current 
FERC 2021 average hourly costs for wages and benefits, i.e., $87.00/
hour.

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                                                                Total  number                                                                Cost per
                                  Number of    Annual  number   of  responses    Average  burden & cost     Total annual burden hours &     respondent
    Number of respondents        respondents    of  responses    (column A x        per response \2\       total annual  cost  (column C    (column E /
                                               per respondent     column B)                                         x column D)              column A)
                                            A               B               C  D........................  E.............................               F
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Full Application.............              16               1              16  50 hrs.; $4,350..........  800 hrs.; $69,600.............          $4,350
Informational Report.........             500               1             500  8 hrs.; $696.............  4,000 hrs.; $348,000..........            $696
Notice of Change.............             100               1             100  0.25 hrs.; $21.75........  25 hrs.; $2,175...............          $21.75
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[[Page 44014]]

 
    Totals...................             616             N/A             616  N/A......................  4,825 hrs.; $419,775..........             N/A
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    Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the 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 and 
cost of the collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information collection; and (4) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.

    Dated: August 5, 2021.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-17134 Filed 8-10-21; 8:45 am]
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