[Federal Register: February 13, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 30)]
[Notices]
[Page 7353-7354]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13fe03-26]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Docket No. IC03-423-000, FERC Form No. 423]
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Commission Collection Activities, Proposed
Collection; Comment Request; Extension
February 6, 2003.
AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In compliance with the requirements of section 3506(c)(2)(a)
of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. No. 104-13), the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) is soliciting public
comment on the specific aspects of the information collection described
below.
DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due by April 9,
2003.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the proposed collection of information can be
obtained from Michael Miller, Office of the Executive Director, ED-30,
888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426. Comments on the proposed
collection of information may be filed either in paper format or
electronically. Those parties filing electronically do not need to make
a paper filing. For paper filings, the original and 14 copies of such
comments should be submitted to the Office of the Secretary, Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC
20426 and should refer to Docket No. 03-423-000.
Documents filed electronically via the Internet must be prepared in
WordPerfect, MS Word, Portable Document Format, or ASCII format. To
file the document, access the Commission's Web site at http://www.ferc.gov
and click on ``Make an E-filing,'' and then follow the
instructions
[[Page 7354]]
for each screen. First time users will have to establish a user name
and password. The Commission will send an automatic acknowledgment to
the sender's E-mail address upon receipt of comments. User assistance
for electronic fillings is available at (202) 502-8258 or by e-mail to
efiling@ferc.gov. Comments should not be submitted to this e-mail
address.
All comments may be viewed, printed or downloaded remotely via the
Internet through FERC's homepage using the FERRIS link. For user
assistance, contact FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll-free at (866)
208-3676 or for TTY, contact (202)502-8659.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Miller may be reached by
telephone at (202) 502-8415, by fax at (202) 208-2425 and by E-mail at
michael.miller@ferc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The information collected under the
requirements of FERC Form No. 423, ``Monthly Report of Cost and Quality
of Fuels for Electric Plants'' (OMB No. 1902-0024) is used by the
Commission to carry out its responsibilities in implementing provisions
of the Federal Power Act (FPA) as amended by the Public Utility
Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA).
The Commission uses the information reported on FERC Form No. 423
to conduct fuel reviews under section 205(a) and (e)of the FPA, and to
prepare expert testimony in electric utility rate cases filed with the
Commission. The Form 423 data provides the only effective means for
assessing the potential impact of new developments on the future
utility fuel supply patterns. The Commission's staff compare delivered
fuel costs for utilities receiving like fuels of similar quality;
detect consistently high cost patterns or irregularities indicative of
possible uneconomic fuel purchase practices; evaluate the economic
effect of unusual fuel purchases practices, such as buying fuel from
affiliate fuel sources, as opposed to selecting buyers by competitive
bids, and investigate a broad range of fuel costs and fuel purchase
practice issues raised in contested rate proceedings.
With the transition to power markets the data from FERC Form 423,
in conjunction with other data sources, allow Commission staff to
identify potential out-of-merit dispatch practices by system operators,
a quick source for estimating the thermal efficiency of individual
plants and when used in conjunction with bid data, indicates the
efficiency of markets by identifying the key components associated with
generators' variable costs.
The Commission implements these filing requirements in the Code of
Federal Regulations (CFR) under 18 CFR 141.61. The statutory
authorities for this mandatory information collection requirement are
sections 205, of the Federal Power Act, as amended by section 208 of
the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (49 Stat. 851; 16 U.S.C.
824d).
Action
The Commission is requesting a three-year extension of the current
expiration date with no changes to the existing collection of data. It
should be noted that during OMB's last review of Form 423, the
Commission was directed prior to its next submission to OMB, to make a
determination as to whether the information reported on Form 423 should
be confidential. In order to assist the Commission in making that
determination, the Commission seeks comments on how the public
disclosure of information contained on Form 423 harms the competitive
position of reporting parties and adversely affects the competitiveness
of the market. Burden Statement: Public reporting burden for this
collection is estimated as:
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Annual Average burden Total burden
Number of respondents (1) responses per hours per hours
respondent (2) response (3) (1)x(2)x(3)
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584.......................................................... 12 1 7,008
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Estimated Burden: 7,008 total burden hours, 584 respondents, 12
responses annually, 1.0 hours per response (average). In Order No. 622,
66 FR 67076 (December 28, 2001), the Commission amended its regulations
to provide for electronic filing of Form No. 423 commencing with the
January 2002 filing. These changes to the reporting requirements
resulted in a reduction in burden for all respondents.
Estimated cost burden to respondents is $394,338; (i.e., 7,008
hours divided by 2,080 hours per full time employee per year multiplied
by $117,041 per year equals $394,338)(rounded off).
The reporting burden includes the total time, effort, or financial
resources expended to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or
provide the information including: (1) Reviewing instructions; (2)
developing, acquiring, installing, and utilizing technology and systems
for the purposes of collecting, validating, verifying, processing,
maintaining, disclosing and providing information; (3) adjusting the
existing ways to comply with any previously applicable instructions and
requirements; (4) training personnel to respond to a collection of
information; (5) searching data sources; (6) completing and reviewing
the collection of information; and (7) transmitting, or otherwise
disclosing the information.
The estimate of cost for respondents is based upon salaries for
professional and clerical support, as well as direct and indirect
overhead costs. Direct costs include all costs directly attributable to
providing this information, such as administrative costs and the cost
for information technology. Indirect or overhead costs are costs
incurred by an organization in support of its mission. These costs
apply to activities which benefit the whole organization rather than
anyone particular function or activity.
Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed 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 of the
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality,
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are
to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic,
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms
of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of
responses.
Magalie R. Salas,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 03-3529 Filed 2-12-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P