FERC-547, Gas Pipeline Rates: Refund Report Requirements

OMB Control No: 1902-0084	ICR Reference No: 201908-1902-007
Status: Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201611-1902-004
Agency/Subagency: FERC	Agency Tracking No: FERC-547
Title: FERC-547, Gas Pipeline Rates: Refund Report Requirements
Type of Information Collection: Extension without change of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved with change	Conclusion Date: 02/24/2020
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 12/23/2019
Terms of Clearance: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for three years.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	02/28/2023	36 Months From Approved	02/29/2020
Responses	38	0	11
Time Burden (Hours)	76	0	825
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: FERC-547 is required to implement the statutory refund provisions governed by sections 4, 5, and 16 of the Natural Gas Act (NGA) (15 U.S.C. 717-717w). Sections 4 and 5 authorize the Commission to order a refund, with interest, for any portion of a natural gas company increased rate or charge found to be unjust or unreasonable. Refunds may also be instituted by a natural gas company as a stipulation to a Commission-approved settlement agreement or a provision under the company’ tariff. Section 16 authorizes the Commission to prescribe the rules and regulations necessary to administer its refund mandates. The Commission’ refund reporting requirements are set forth in 18 CFR 154.501 and 154.502.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 15 USC 717-717w Name of Law: Natural Gas Act

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	84 FR 41708	08/15/2019
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	84 FR 69739	12/19/2019
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title Form No. Form Name Gas Pipeline Rates: Refund Report Requirements

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	38	11	0	0	27	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	76	825	0	0	-749	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: Program changes. No program changes are being made to the reporting requirements at this time. Adjustments in Estimates. The following adjustments are being made to estimates due to better accountability and normal fluctuations in industry (e.g., companies entering or leaving the field, or merging or splitting). • The number of respondents increased to 19 (rather than 11). • The number of annual responses per respondent increased to 2 (rather than 1) because we have better estimates. • The number of responses increased to 38 (rather than 11). The number of responses increased since the last renewal to include reports that were omitted from the last renewal. • The average burden and cost per response decreased to 2 hours (rather than 75 hours). Consequently, the adjustment in the annual burden is due to an adjustment made to correct the overestimation from the last renewal. The annual time burden presented here is more reflective of the actual burden time needed for the preparation of the responses required for FERC-547.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $88,378

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

Agency Contact: Tracy DeMarr 202 502-8187

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Common Form ICR:  No

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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:
		(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;
		(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;
		(c) It reduces burden on small entities;
		(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;
		(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;
		(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;
		(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:
			(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;
		(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.
		(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and
		(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.
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.
Certification Date: 12/23/2019

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