View Information Collection Request (ICR) Package

OMB Control No: 1902-0060	ICR Reference No: 202605-1902-007
Status: Historical Inactive	Previous ICR Reference No: 202409-1902-006
Agency/Subagency: FERC	Agency Tracking No: FERC-537
Title: FERC-537, Gas Pipeline Certificates: Construction, Acquisition and Abandonment
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR: No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Comment filed on proposed rule and continue	Conclusion Date: 09/16/2026
	Date Received in OIRA: 06/15/2026
Terms of Clearance: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, OMB is filing comment and withholding approval at this time. The agency shall examine public comment in response to the proposed rulemaking and include in the supporting statement of the next ICR--to be submitted to OMB at the final rule stage--a description of how the agency has responded to any public comments on the ICR, including comments on maximizing the practical utility of the collection and minimizing the burden.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	11/30/2027	11/30/2027	11/30/2027
Responses	444	0	444
Time Burden (Hours)	49,091	0	49,091
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

Abstract: The NOPR seeks stakeholder perspectives on a Commission proposal to revise its part 157, subpart F blanket certificate regulations, 18 CFR sections 157.208(d) and 157.215(a)(5), to increase the cost limitations for projects that interstate natural gas pipelines may construct without a case-specific authorization order. The FERC 537 collection includes the requirements to obtain FERC approval for construction, acquisition, or abandonment of natural gas pipelines. Under the Natural Gas Act (NGA) a natural gas company must obtain FERC authorization to engage in the transportation of natural gas in interstate commerce, to undertake the construction or extension of any facilities, or to acquire or operate any such facilities or extensions in accordance with Section 7(c) of the NGA. A natural gas company must also obtain FERC approval under Section 7(b) of the NGA prior to abandoning any jurisdictional facility or service. Under the Natural Gas Policy Act (NGPA) (Public Law 96-621) interstate pipelines must also obtain FERC authorization for certain transportation arrangements. If a certificate is granted, the natural gas company can engage in the interstate transportation of natural gas and construct, acquire, or operate facilities. Conversely, approval of an abandonment application permits the pipeline to cease service and discontinue the operation of such facilities. Authorization under NGPA Section 311(a) allows the interstate or intrastate pipeline applicants to render certain transportation services.

Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 15 USC 3301-3432 Name of Law: Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978
US Code: 15 USC 717-717w Name of Law: Natural Gas Act

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
1902-AG32	Proposed rulemaking	91 FR 31371	05/27/2026

Federal Register Notices & Comments
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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

Burden Increase Due to: Changing Regulations

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

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: This proposed rule would reduce the reporting burden because it expands exemptions to submitting a full application by natural gas pipelines pursuant to NGA section 7(c) permission to acquire, build, or abandon pipelines and / or state facilities. As a result, there would be more entities that would not need to submit full applications and they would either submit abbreviated fillings or only report activities on an annual report (already required). The other changes to the ICs are due to FERC revising our approach to documenting the reporting burden so that it more clearly matches to regulatory requirements.

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $860,416

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: Chrystal Martin 202 502-6043

View ICR - OIRA Conclusion