In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for three years
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
08/31/2019
36 Months From Approved
02/28/2019
5,807
0
5,806
499,907
0
499,804
0
0
0
The Federal Power Act Section 205 requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to ensure that the rates and charges for the wholesale sale of electric energy are just and reasonable. Section 205 also requires that the rules and regulations affecting or pertaining to the rates and charges for the wholesale sale of electric energy be just and reasonable.
Industry-wide business practice standards help the industry achieve increased levels of efficiency. Version 003 builds on the Commission's work in preventing undue discrimination and preference in transmission service (in Order Nos. 890, 890-A, 890-B and 890-C) and its previous work related to incorporating by reference standards for business practices and communication protocols for public utilities (Order Nos. 676, 676-A, 676-E and 717).
(The Proposed Policy Statement, issued 1/27/2015, requested public comments on PRA issues and estimates.) FERC issues this Policy Statement (in Docket PL15-3) to provide guidance regarding future implementation of hold harmless commitments offered by applicants as ratepayer protection mechanisms to mitigate adverse effects on rates that may result from transactions that are subject to section 203 of the Federal Power Act (FPA).
The Commission adopts the following policies regarding future implementation of hold harmless commitments offered by applicants as ratepayer protection mechanisms to mitigate adverse effects on rates that may result from transactions subject to section 203 of the Federal Power Act (FPA). First, the Commission clarifies the scope and definition of the costs that should be subject to hold harmless commitments. Second, the Commission adopts the proposal that applicants offering hold harmless commitments should implement controls and procedures to track the costs from which customers will be held harmless. The Commission identifies the types of controls and procedures that applicants offering hold harmless commitments should implement. Third, the Commission declines to adopt its proposal to no longer accept hold harmless commitments that are limited in duration. Fourth, the Commission clarifies that, in connection with certain types of FPA section 203 transactions, an applicant may be able to demonstrate that the transaction will not have an adverse effect on rates without the need to make any hold harmless commitment.
The majority of the current estimated OMB-approved burdens for FERC-516, -519, and -555 are not affected by the Policy Statement in PL15-3.
Below, we discuss the reasons and expected increases in burden as a result of this Policy Statement.
FERC-516. Entities that previously recovered costs of their hold harmless commitment without additional scrutiny will now be required to prepare a filing to justify the recovery of such costs. Preparing such a filing will increase the burden on those entities who wish to recover certain transaction-related costs and show the effected rate to be just and reasonable. We estimate one additional FERC-516 filing per year.
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.
PL15-3_516_519_555_FRpub_2016-12426.pdf
PL15-3 final supp state_516_519_555_PRA_8-16-2016.docx
16 USC 824d.doc
Electric Rates Schedules and Tariff Filings