FR 2025-00232

The document in question is a public notice issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), seeking public comments on its information collection, identified as FERC-545. This particular collection pertains to non-formal rate changes in gas pipelines. The notice is part of the requirements set by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, inviting feedback to ensure that gas pipeline rate changes are implemented in a fair and reasonable manner. The deadline for submitting comments is March 10, 2025.

Summary

The primary objective of the notice is to ensure transparency and public involvement in the regulation of gas pipeline rates. It highlights the Commission's role in overseeing rate structures to guarantee compliance with the Natural Gas Act. This legislation mandates that rates charged by natural gas companies must be just and reasonable while avoiding undue discrimination.

Under the current process, gas pipeline companies need FERC’s authorization for any changes in rates that affect interstate commerce. This entails several steps where tariffs and rate changes are proposed, reviewed, and potentially challenged if deemed unreasonable. The document also touches on various categories of filings such as tariff and rate filings, negotiated rates, and compliance with industry standards.

Significant Issues

One significant issue is the complexity of the language used throughout the document. Many readers, particularly those without a legal or technical background, may find it challenging to fully understand the implications of the notice due to legal jargon and references to specific sections of the Natural Gas Act. Additionally, there seems to be a seeming contradiction in the document: it mentions no changes to the reporting requirements while discussing pending updates and modifications. This could create confusion regarding the current status of the requirements.

The estimated costs for compliance, particularly how salaries plus benefits are calculated for various occupations, might not be clear to all readers. Furthermore, references to specific docket numbers and procedural steps without adequate context may leave readers puzzled about the document's specific changes and their implications.

Broad Public Impact

For the general public, the document signifies an opportunity to engage in the regulatory process of natural gas rates, ensuring that the rates remain fair and justifiable. Public comments can play a crucial role in shaping decisions that affect how rates are set and the overall cost of natural gas.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For natural gas companies, this notice underscores the regulatory oversight they must navigate when proposing rate changes. These companies are required to demonstrate that any change in rates is justified and complies with existing laws. The process can be quite involved, requiring significant time and resources to align with regulatory expectations.

On the other hand, consumers and advocacy groups who monitor energy prices may see this as a vital platform to voice concerns regarding rate changes and their potential effects on consumer bills. Their participation can pressure natural gas companies and FERC to focus on consumer protection and fairness.

Overall, while the document aims to maintain transparency and ensure fair pricing in the natural gas industry, its complexity may necessitate more effort from FERC to ensure that its communication is accessible and understandable to all interested parties.

The document titled "Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-545); Comment Request; Extension" discusses the financial aspects related to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's activities in regulating gas pipeline rates. This commentary provides an overview of the monetary references and explores how they connect to broader issues within the document.

Financial Overview

The document outlines specific hourly costs associated with the personnel involved in the information collection activities. These costs include the hourly salary plus benefits for various occupations:

• Computer and Information Systems Manager: $115.47
• Computer and Information Analysts: $80.10
• Electrical Engineer: $79.31
• Legal Professionals: $162.66

Moreover, the document arrives at an average hourly cost of $109.38 for these roles, rounded to $109/hour. These figures are crucial for understanding the financial impact and resource allocation related to the FERC’s operations concerning gas pipeline rate changes.

Connection to Document Issues

Complexity in Financial Details: The complexity of calculating the average hourly cost from various roles can be challenging for readers without specialized knowledge. The document presents detailed figures from different occupations, which might confuse individuals not familiar with how these roles contribute financially to the Commission's operations. While the specific dollar amounts are transparent, the methodology behind deriving these costs, such as the weighting of various skill sets, could benefit from further simplification and explanation to enhance comprehensibility.

Lack of Clarity on Financial Methodology: Another critical issue is the brief explanation regarding the calculation of financial burdens (time, effort, resources) associated with compliance requirements. The document does not sufficiently elaborate on how these estimated costs impact the organizational budgeting or the specific financial strategies employed by the Commission. Moreover, by stating that there are no changes to the reporting requirements, while concurrently mentioning updates and modifications, the document might appear contradictory, particularly concerning financial allocations for these tasks.

Need for Contextual Financial Information: The references to the estimated costs are based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and are crucial for government transparency. However, the document lacks qualifying details that could illuminate the practical implications of these financial calculations, for instance, how these costs might affect overall operational budgets or influence service delivery outcomes.

In summary, while the financial data in the document are explicit and detailed, their broader implications and methodologies could be communicated more clearly to ensure that the information is easily understandable and accessible to the general public.