[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 146 (Monday, August 1, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46957-46958]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-16424]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. IC22-22-000]


Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-539) Comment 
Request; Extension

AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

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-539 (Gas Pipeline Certificates: Import & 
Export Related Applications), which will be submitted to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB).

DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due September 30, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments on FERC-539 (IC22-22-000) to the 
Commission. You may submit copies of your comments by one of the 
following methods:
    Electronic filing through https://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 to: Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission, Office of the Secretary, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, 
Rockville, MD 20852.
    Instructions: FERC submissions must be formatted and filed in 
accordance with submission guidelines at: https://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 https://www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: FERC-539 (Gas Pipeline Certificates: Import & Export Related 
Applications).
    OMB Control No.: 1902-0062.
    Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC-539 with no 
changes to the current reporting requirements.
    Abstract: The purpose of FERC-539 is to implement information 
collections pursuant to Section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (NGA).\1\ This 
statute provides, in part, that ``. . . no person shall export any 
natural gas from the United States to a foreign country or import any 
natural gas from a foreign country without first having secured an 
order from the Commission authorizing it to do so.'' \2\ This statute 
applies not only to natural gas imported and/or exported via pipeline 
but also to any import and/or export of liquefied natural gas via a 
liquefied natural gas terminal. The 1992 amendments to Section 3 of the 
NGA concern importation or exportation from/to a nation which has a 
free trade agreement with the United States, and requires that such 
importation or exportation: (1) Shall be deemed to be a ``first sale'', 
i.e., not a sale for a resale, and (2) Shall be deemed to be consistent 
with the public interest, and applications for such importation or 
exportation shall be granted without modification or delay.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 717-717w.
    \2\ 15 U.S.C. 717b.
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    Estimate of Annual Burden: \3\ The Commission estimates the annual 
public reporting burden for the information collection as:
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    \3\ Burden is defined as 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. See 5 
CFR 1320 for additional information on the definition of information 
collection burden.

[[Page 46958]]



                    FERC-539, Gas Pipeline Certificates: Import & Export Related Applications
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                                                         Average  burden
      Number of          Number of     Total number     hours  & average    Total annual  burden     Cost per
     respondents       responses per   of responses       cost \4\ per         hours  & total       respondent
                        respondent                        response  ($)       annual cost  ($)          ($)
(1)                              (2)     (1) * (2) =  (4).................  (3) * (4) = (5).....     (5) / (1) =
                                                 (3)                                                         (6)
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6...................               2              12  15 hours; $1,305....  180 hours; $28,800..          $2,610
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    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.
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    \4\ The Commission staff estimates that industry is similarly 
situated in terms of hourly cost (for wages plus benefits). Based on 
the Commission's FY (Fiscal Year) 2021 average cost (for wages plus 
benefits), $87.00/hour is used.

    Dated: July 26, 2022.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-16424 Filed 7-29-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P