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OMB Control No: 1902-0155	ICR Reference No: 202403-1902-015
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 202201-1902-005
Agency/Subagency: FERC	Agency Tracking No: FERC-546
Title: FERC-546, Certificated Rate Filings: Gas Pipeline Rates (PL24-1-000)
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR: No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 06/04/2024
	Date Received in OIRA: 04/10/2024
Terms of Clearance: Because the agency sought comments only on the changes associated with the regulation, the existing expiration date remains the same for this collection. In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	05/31/2025	36 Months From Approved	05/31/2025
Responses	91	0	75
Time Burden (Hours)	37,723	0	37,483
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

Abstract: The following list outlines four circumstances under which the FERC-546 information collection requirements for certificated rates must be met: A company decides to: 1. Construct and operate a new jurisdictional pipeline; 2. Expand its certificated pipeline capacity by constructing a lateral pipeline, adding compression or providing storage at incremental or cost-based rates; 3. Build a new liquefied natural gas facility; or 4. Provide gas storage and negotiate market based rates. Under the circumstances 1-3, the company must file its FERC-546 cost data along with an application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity under the statutory requirements of NGA Section 7(c). For circumstance 4, the company must file its FERC-546 information with an application under NGA Section 4(f). The FERC-546 includes the following: • Supporting information for proposed initial rates (e.g. cost-based, market based, incremental rates); • Pro forma tariffs; • Motions to put proposed initial rates into effect subject to Commission findings on the related certificate; and • Unexecuted precedent agreements. Section 16 of the NGA grants the Commission administrative powers including the ability to define accounting, technical and trade terms, prescribe forms, statements, declarations or reports and to prescribe rules and regulations. Section 403 of the Department of Energy Organization Act authorizes the Commission to establish and review priorities for curtailments under the Natural Gas Act. The Commission reviews the FERC-546 materials in order to approve rates and tariff changes associated with an application for a certificate under NGA Section 7(c). Additionally, the Commission reviews FERC-546 materials in 4(f) storage applications to evaluate market power and decide whether to grant, deny, or condition market based rate authority for the applicant. The Commission also uses the FERC-546 information to monitor jurisdictional transportation, natural gas storage, and unbundled sales activities of interstate natural gas pipelines and Hinshaw pipelines. In addition to fulfilling the Commission’s obligations under the NGA, the FERC-546 enables the Commission to monitor activities, evaluate transactions, ensure competitiveness, and improved efficiency of the gas industry's operations. In summary, the Commission uses the FERC-546 information to: • Ensure adequate customer protections under section 4(f) of the NGA; • Review rate and tariff changes by natural gas companies for the transportation of natural gas and natural gas storage services; • Provide general industry oversight; and • Supplement documentation during its audits process. Failure to collect this information would prevent the Commission from being able to monitor and evaluate transactions and operations of interstate pipelines and perform its regulatory functions.

Authorizing Statute(s): PL: Pub.L. 109 - 58 312 Name of Law: Energy Policy Act 2005
   US Code: 15 USC 717c-717o Name of Law: Natural Gas Act (NGA)
   US Code: 15 USC 3393 Name of Law: Natural Gas Policy Act (NGPA)

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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

Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	88 FR 73833	10/27/2023
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	89 FR 21503	03/28/2024
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 2

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Certificated Rate Filings: Gas Pipeline Rates
Project Area Labor Wage

ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to Agency Discretion
Annual Number of Responses	91	75	16
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	37,723	37,483	240
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

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

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: There is an increase in both burden and responses related to project area wage rates as described in the final policy statement PL24-1-000. Specifically, responses are increasing by 16 and burden hours are increasing by 240 hours.

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $164,235

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? No

Agency Contact: Tracy DeMarr 202 502-8187

View ICR - OIRA Conclusion