
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 40 (Thursday, February 28, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13657-13658]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-04655]


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

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. IC13-12-000]


Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-577); Comment 
Request; Extension

AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, DOE.

[[Page 13658]]


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-577, Natural Gas Facilities: Environmental 
Review and Compliance (formerly Gas Pipeline Certificates: 
Environmental Impact Statement). The FERC is proposing to change the 
title of the report to more accurately reflect the nature of the 
information being collected.

DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due April 29, 
2013.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments (identified by Docket No. IC13-12-
000) by either of the following methods:
     eFiling at Commission's Web Site: http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp.
     Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier: Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 888 First Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20426.
    Instructions: All submissions must be formatted and filed in 
accordance with submission guidelines at: http://www.ferc.gov/help/submission-guide.asp. For user assistance contact FERC Online Support 
by email at ferconlinesupport@ferc.gov, or by phone at: (866) 208-3676 
(toll-free), or (202) 502-8659 for TTY.
    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 http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/docs-filing.asp.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Brown may be reached by email at 
DataClearance@FERC.gov, telephone at (202) 502-8663, and fax at (202) 
273-0873.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Natural Gas Facilities: Environmental Review and Compliance.
    OMB Control No.: 1902-0128.
    Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC-577 information 
collection requirements with no changes to the current reporting 
requirements.
    Abstract: Section 102(2)(c) of the of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) \1\ requires that all Federal agencies must 
include in every recommendation or report on proposals for legislation 
and other major federal actions significantly affecting the quality of 
the human environment, a detailed statement on: the environmental 
impact on the proposed actions; any adverse environmental effects which 
cannot be avoided should the proposal be implemented; alternatives to 
the proposed action; the relationship between local short-term uses of 
man's environment and the maintenance and enhancement of long term 
productivity; and any irreversible and irretrievable commitment of 
resources which would be involved in the proposed action should it be 
implemented.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Public Law 91-190.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission's regulations implementing NEPA in 18 CFR part 380 
require applicants seeking authorization for the construction and 
abandonment of facilities to provide a detailed environmental report 
with their application that describes the impact the project is likely 
to have and the measures the applicant will implement to mitigate those 
impacts. This environmental report normally consists of at least twelve 
separate reports, each addressing a particular resource area.
    Type of Respondents: The respondents include all jurisdictional 
natural gas companies seeking authorization from the Commission to 
construct or abandon facilities.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: \2\ The Commission estimates the total 
Public Reporting Burden for this information collection as:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ The Commission defines burden 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, reference 5 Code of Federal 
Regulations 1320.3.

                                          FERC-577--Natural Gas Facilities: Environmental Review and Compliance
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                         Number of                      Average  burden
                         Type of respondent                             Number of      responses per   Total number of     hours  per    Estimated total
                                                                       respondents       respondent       responses         response      annual burden
                                                                                (A)              (B)    (A) x (B) = (C)            (D)                (C) x (D)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Natural Gas Companies..............................................              92               16            1,472              193          284,096
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The total estimated annual cost burden to respondents is 
$19,886,720 [284,096 hours * $70/hour \3\ = $19,886,720].
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ Average salary (per hour) plus benefits per full-time 
equivalent employee.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Comments: 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.

    Dated: February 21, 2013.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013-04655 Filed 2-27-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


