Pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.11(c) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, OMB files this comment on this information collection request (ICR). In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, OMB is withholding approval at this time. The agency shall examine public comment in response to the NPRM and will describe in the preamble of the final rule how the agency has maximized the practical utility of the collection and minimized the burden. The next submission to OMB must include the draft final rule.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
08/31/2016
36 Months From Approved
08/31/2016
2,151
0
2,151
280,445
0
280,445
0
0
0
FERC-545, Gas Pipeline Rates: Rate Change Non-Formal is required to implement sections 4, 5, and 16 of the Natural Gas Act (NGA), (15 USC 717c 717o, PL 75 688, 52 Stat. 822 and 830). NGA Sections 4, 5, and 6 authorize the Commission to inquire into rate structures and methodologies and to set rates at a just and reasonable level. Specifically, a natural gas company must obtain Commission authorization for all rates and charges made, demanded, or received in connection with the transportation or sale of natural gas in interstate commerce. Under the NGA, a natural gas company's rates must be just and reasonable and not unduly discriminatory or preferential.
Pipelines adjust their tariffs to meet market and customer needs. Commission review of these proposed changes is required to ensure rates remain just and reasonable and that services are not provided in an unduly discriminatory or preferential manner. The Commission's regulations in 18 CFR Part 154, Subparts C, E and G specify what changes are allowed and the procedures for requesting Commission approval.
The Commission uses the FERC-545 information to examine service and tariff provisions related to natural gas transportation and storage services. The following information is the subject of the FERC-545: (1) tariff filings and any related compliance filings; (2) rate case filings and any related compliance filings; (3) informational reports; (4) negotiated rates (5) non-conforming agreement filings and (6) North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB) Activity (tariff portion only).
The program changes reflect the time necessary for respondents to update their tariffs according to the proposed rule, as well as the burden reduction as respondents will no longer have to file system map adjustments. Also, there is a small burden increase to account for the proposed requirement that pipelines update their system maps on a more frequent basis than annually. The Commission bases the estimated number of respondents on the number of Natural Gas Act jurisdictional companies with tariffs on file, accounting for companies that have waivers. The Commission assumes that in the first year the only difference in burden for respondents is to make the one time tariff changes estimated at eight hours per respondent. In each year, starting in the second, the Commission estimates that approximately 21 respondents per year will experience a four hour reduction in burden from no longer filing system map adjustments with the Commission. Also starting in the second year, the Commission estimates that approximately four respondents will see an increase of four hours per year in order to update their maps more frequently.
$2,876,510
No
No
No
No
No
Uncollected
Norma McOmber 202 502-8022
No
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
RM14-21 (545) NOPR OMB Supporting Statement.docx
CFR-2012-title18-vol1-sec284-221.pdf
Gas Pipeline Rates: Rate Change (Non-formal)