[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 48 (Thursday, March 13, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Page 11964]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-03986]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. RM01-5-000]


Notice Regarding Inclusion of OLE Objects in Tariff Records and 
Use of ALJ Settlement Codes; Electronic Tariff Filings

I. Embedded OLE Objects

    A number of eTariff filings recently contained tariff records with 
OLE objects (an object created in one application that can be embedded 
in another application). For example, some filings have included what 
were intended to be pictures or line drawings but were in fact embedded 
program files, .PDF files and PowerPoint (.pptx) files. Since the 
inception of eTariff, the Commission has not permitted the use of 
embedded objects in tariff records (when those tariff records were 
filed as .rtf files).\1\ Commission staff is working to create a check 
that will similarly reject tariff record files in other applications 
that contain OLE objects.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Validation Code 170 results in rejections of .RTF filings 
with embedded objects. Commission eTariff website, Validation Error 
Codes (updated 11/25/2024) (``If a record binary data is provided 
then the rtf file should not have any embedded OLE objects''), 
https://www.ferc.gov/sites/default/files/2024-11/validation_error_code.csv; Electronic Tariff Filings, Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking, 108 FERC Sec.  61,021, at P 36 (2004) (``The 
electronic tariff may not include embedded objects.'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the meantime, if filings are made with OLE embedded objects, the 
filing may be rejected, or the filer may be contacted to remake the 
filing if the embedded object does not render. Filers and third-party 
software providers also should check their tariff records to make sure 
they do not contain an OLE object.\2\ Filers should be careful not to 
click on the Insert/Object tab to import pictures into the document. 
Pictures still can be included in the tariff record if the picture is 
pasted into the document or inserted using the Insert tab.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ Clicking Control G in Word or Excel permits a search for 
embedded objects. Also running the Document Inspector will reveal 
whether the document contains OLE objects.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. ALJ Settlement Codes

    The ALJ Settlement filing type codes \3\ should be used only when 
filing settlements in matters set for hearing and settlement judge 
procedures as these filings are directed to the Office of 
Administrative Law Judges. When parties reach a settlement outside of 
the hearing and settlement process (e.g., settlements of proceedings 
with paper hearing procedures), the settlement must be filed using the 
standard compliance codes applicable to the filer to ensure the filing 
is properly assigned. Filing of pro forma tariff records are preferred 
to avoid overlapping tariff records in future filings.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ Filing type codes 1380, 1385, 1390, 1395, 1400, 1405, 1410, 
1415, 1420, and 1425.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For more information, contact [email protected], 
[email protected], or the eTariff Advisory Staff at 202-502-6501 
or at [email protected].

    Dated: March 7, 2025.
Carlos D. Clay,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2025-03986 Filed 3-12-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P