[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 41 (Thursday, March 2, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13109-13110]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-04308]


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

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. IC23-5-000]


Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-730); Comment 
Request; Extension

AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of information collection and request for comments.

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

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-730 (Report of Transmission Investment 
Activity) which will be submitted to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for a review of the information collection requirements.

DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due April 3, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments on FERC-730 to OMB through 
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain, Attention: Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission Desk Officer. Please identify the OMB control number (1902-
0239) in the subject line. Your comments should be sent within 30 days 
of publication of this notice in the Federal Register.
    Please submit copies of your comments (identified by Docket No. 
IC23-5-000) to the Commission as noted below. 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: Deliver to: Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, MD 20852.
    Instructions: OMB submissions must be formatted and filed in 
accordance with submission guidelines at www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain; using the search function under the ``Currently Under Review 
field,'' select Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; click ``submit'' 
and select ``comment'' to the right of the subject collection.
    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.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: FERC-730, Report of Transmission Investment Activity.
    OMB Control No.: 1902-0239.
    Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC-730 information 
collection requirements with no changes to the current reporting 
requirements.
    Abstract: This collection of information assists the Commission in 
implementing section 219 of the Federal Power Act (FPA) \1\ and 18 CFR 
35.35(h), which address incentive-based rate treatments for 
transmission infrastructure investment. FERC-730

[[Page 13110]]

consists of an annual report that includes projections, details on the 
level and status of transmission investment, and the reason for delay 
(if any).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 16 U.S.C. 824s.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The regulation at 18 CFR 35.35(h) requires public utilities that 
have been granted incentive rate treatment for specific transmission 
projects to file FERC Form 730 annually, beginning with the calendar 
year incentive rate treatment is granted by the Commission. Such 
filings are due by April 18 of the following calendar year and are due 
April 18 each year thereafter. The following information must be filed:
    (1) In dollar terms, actual transmission investment for the most 
recent calendar year, and projected, incremental investments for the 
next five calendar years; and
    (2) For all current and projected investments (except projects with 
projected costs less than $20 million) over the next five calendar 
years, a project-by-project listing that specifies for each project the 
most up-to-date, expected completion date, percentage completion as of 
the date of filing, and reasons for delays.
    For good cause shown, the Commission may extend the time within 
which any FERC-730 filing is to be filed or waive the requirements 
applicable to any such filing.
    The Commission uses the FERC-730 information collection to 
determine an accurate assessment of the state of transmission 
investment by public utilities. Filers are strongly encouraged to 
submit the FERC-730 electronically via eFiling.
    Type of Respondents: Public utilities that have been granted 
incentive based rate treatment for specific transmission projects under 
provisions of 18 CFR 35.35.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: \2\ The Commission estimates 63 
responses annually, and per-response burdens of 30 hours and $2,370. 
The total estimated burdens per year are 1,890 hours and $171,990. 
These burdens are itemized in the following table.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ 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. For 
further explanation of what is included in the information 
collection burden, refer to 5 CFR 1320.3.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Annual number
          Number of respondents            of responses        Total number of       Average burden & cost per response    Total annual burden  hours & total annual     Cost per respondent ($)
                                          per respondent          responses                         \3\                                       cost
A.                                                    B.                        C.  D..................................  E............................................                        F.
                                                             (Column A x Column B)                                       (Column C x Column D)........................     (Column E / Column A)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
63......................................               1                        63  30 hours; $2,730...................  1,890 hours; $171,990........................                     2,730
                                         -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals..............................  ..............                        63  ...................................  1,890 hours; $171,990........................  ........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ The Commission staff estimates that the industry's hourly 
cost for wages plus benefits is similar to the Commission's $91.00 
FY 2022 average hourly cost for wages and benefits.

    Dated: February 24, 2023.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-04308 Filed 3-1-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P