# Presentation: 736846

## FERC Information Assessment Team (FIAT)Implementation

## Introduction

- On March 2, 2005, FIAT presented its Final Recommendation Report to the Commission
- Before the Commission today are eight draft orders resulting from that report

**Notes:**
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and Commissioners.  It's a pleasure to be here this morning.  With me presenting today are team members Michael Miller from the Executive Director's Office, Edward Fowlkes from the Office of Energy Projects, Joseph Lynch from the General Counsel's Office, and Michelle Veloso from the Office of Markets, Tariffs and Rates.  Additionally, FIAT members Samuel Berrios from the Office of Market Oversight and Investigation, William Blome from the General Counsel's Office and Nicole Wilson, a contractor, are in attendance today.  I am presenting today the work of the Commission’s FERC Information Assessment Team, also known as FIAT.   FIAT is an interoffice team directed by the Chairman to:  (1) propose ways to reduce the reporting burden on industry through the elimination, reduction, streamlining or reformatting of current collections; and (2) propose what new information the Commission needs to promote greater market transparency in the electricity markets. 

## Introduction

- The orders include :
- Changes to existing information collections, and
- Inquiries concerning new information collection needs

**Notes:**
On March 2nd the team presented its final recommendations to the Commission.  To implement these recommendations, the team has prepared six rules involving changes to nine existing collections that streamline the filings, update filing methodologies or reduce the amount of information that must be submitted to the Commission.  The team recommends electronic filing for several collections in keeping with the mandates of the Government Paperwork Elimination Act.  In all, the changes result in a savings to filers of over 2,700 burden hours or nearly $141,000.
In addition, the team has prepared two Notices of Inquiry for comment regarding new information necessary to promote greater transparency in the electricity markets.  This information, added to the information that the Commission already has access to, will help bridge the gap of information needs in the dynamic, evolving electricity markets. 

## Changes to Existing Collections

| E-45 | RM05-13-000 NOPR |
| --- | --- |
| FERC 520/566/561 |  |
| Electronic Filing of Interlocking Positions and Twenty Largest Purchaser Information |  |

**Notes:**
E-45 is a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking concerning FERC 520, the Application for Authority to Hold Interlocking Positions, FERC 566, the Annual Report of a Utility’s Twenty Largest Purchasers and FERC Form 561, the Annual Report of Interlocking Positions. Together, these collections help the Commission ensure that there are no potential conflicts of interest among public utility officers and directors.  E-45 proposes the electronic filing of this information. This filing method will enable the Commission to better use the information filed in these related filings.

## Changes to Existing Collections

| E-46 | RM05-15-000 Final Rule |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Order No. 580 |  |  |
| Modification of Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Trust Fund Guidelines |  |  |

**Notes:**
E-46 is a Final Rule concerning the Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Trust Fund Reports filed annually by public utilities owning nuclear power generating plants.  It clarifies that public utilities must file only summary data concerning sales and purchase transactions instead of the detailed transaction information currently filed with the Commission.  The draft final rule requires public utilities to continue to maintain internal records of the individual transactions until after decommissioning has been completed and any excess collections are distributed in a manner that the Commission determines. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission concurs with this proposal.

## Changes to Existing Collections

| E-47 | RM05-11-000 | Final Rule |
| --- | --- | --- |
| FERC 523 |  |  |
| Electronic Filing of the Application for Authorization for the Issuance of Securities or the Assumption of Liabilities |  |  |

**Notes:**
E-47 is a draft final rule that requires the electronic filing of the application and related reports for the authorization of issuance of securities or the assumption of liabilities.  The Commission currently requires hardcopy filing of this information even though filers initially prepare it in electronic format.  This change converts the filing of this information to a one step operation.  In addition, converting this filing to electronic format facilitates the Commission’s analysis of the data. 

## Changes to Existing Collections

| G-12 | RM05-12-000 | NOPR |
| --- | --- | --- |
| FERC 576/ 588 |  |  |
| Modification of Natural Gas Reporting Regulations |  |  |

**Notes:**
G-12 is a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking concerning two collections. FERC 576, the Report of Natural Gas Service Interruptions, notifies the Commission of serious interruptions of service to any wholesale customer involving facilities certificated by the Commission and FERC 588, Emergency Natural Gas Sale, Transportation and Exchange Transactions, collects information that permits the Commission to determine whether an emergency gas sale, transportation or exchange qualifies for an exemption.  The Commission proposes electronic filing for both collections.  This draft order also standardizes the filing formats. Since the submitted information includes the location and description of pipeline facilities, G-12 seeks comment on placing it under CEII protection.

## Changes to Existing Collections

| G-13 | RM05-14-000 | Final Rule |
| --- | --- | --- |
| FERC 73 |  |  |
| Revision of Oil Pipeline Data Filing Instructions |  |  |

**Notes:**
G-13 is a draft final rule concerning Form 73, Oil Pipeline Service Life Data. This form collects information on the service life of pipelines that staff uses for depreciation rate determinations.  G-13 provides filers the option of filing using an Excel spreadsheet.  This change makes it easier to use this information. The order also streamlines the filing instructions by removing outmoded filing methods and eliminates the submission of data elements no longer used.

## Changes to Existing Collections

| H-3 | RM05-18-000 | Final Rule |
| --- | --- | --- |
| FERC 512 |  |  |
| Modification of Hydropower Procedural Regulations |  |  |

**Notes:**
H-3 is a draft final rule amending the Commission’s regulations on the contents of an application for a preliminary permit to study a proposed hydropower plant.  The rule removes the requirement that the applicant provide information regarding the intended market for the power to be generated, and certain related information concerning use of the power by the applicant. This information is not necessary for evaluation of a preliminary permit.

## New Collections

- E-2  RM05-16-000 NOI – Confidential Generator Run Status Information
- Includes information on the commitment, operating performance and capability of generating units.

**Notes:**
E-2 is a Notice of Inquiry seeking comment on the need to access generator run status information from public utility generators on a confidential basis.  Generator run status includes information on the commitment, operating performance and capability of generating units connected to the electric transmission system.  Access to this information would allow the Commission to better oversee markets by ensuring that generation resources are represented accurately and would allow the Commission to promptly monitor and investigate market abuses and discriminatory actions. 

## New Collections

- E-2  RM05-16-000 NOI - Confidential Generator Run Status Information
- Information allows the Commission to better oversee the markets.

**Notes:**
Access to this information would allow the Commission to identify patterns of strategic behavior, monitor for undue discrimination or preference in the dispatch of generation resources, and better assess the validity of complaints.  This information, added to the information that the Commission already has access to, will help complete the picture of the electricity markets. 

## New Collections

- E-3  RM05-17-000 NOI -Requirements for ATC
- Seeking comment on standardizing Available Transfer Capability (ATC) calculations.
- NERC Task Force Report provides useful guidance.
- Standardizing and coordinating ATC would improve market transparency.

**Notes:**
E-3 is a Notice of Inquiry seeking comment on information requirements for Available Transfer Capability, or ATC.  ATC is a measure of unused transmission capability that a transmission provider can offer for sale.  Market participants have complained that variations in the way ATC is calculated provide opportunities for undue discrimination and create obstacles to doing business.  NERC’s Long Term AFC/ATC Task Force Report provides useful guidance on how to achieve an industry-wide methodology for calculating ATC.  The task force report makes a number of recommendations that would help in standardizing and coordinating ATC.
The draft order states that the task force report is a good start toward refining and standardizing ATC calculations.  The Commission seeks industry comment on, among other things, the advisability of revising and standardizing ATC and related components and the recommendations in the task force report.
Closing
That concludes our presentation and the team will be happy to answer any questions.