Title 18—Conservation of Power and Water Resources--Volume 1
PART 154—RATE SCHEDULES AND TARIFFS
§ 154.1   Application; Obligation to file.
(a) The provisions of this part apply to filings pursuant to section 4 of the Natural Gas Act.
(b) Every natural gas company must file with the Commission and post in conformity with the requirements of this part, schedules showing all rates and charges for any transportation or sale of natural gas subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission, and the classifications, practices, rules, and regulations affecting such rates, charges, and services, together with all contracts related thereto.
(c) No natural gas company may file, under this part, any new or changed rate schedule or contract for the performance of any service for which a certificate of public convenience and necessity or certificate amendment must be obtained pursuant to section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act, until such certificate has been issued.
(d) For the purposes of paragraph (b) of this section, any contract that conforms to the form of service agreement that is part of the pipeline's tariff pursuant to § 154.110 does not have to be filed. Any contract or executed service agreement which deviates in any material aspect from the form of service agreement in the tariff is subject to the filing requirements of this part.
§ 154.2   Definitions.
(a) Contract means any agreement which in any manner affects or relates to rates, charges, classifications, practices, rules, regulations, or services for any transportation or sale of natural gas subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission. This term includes an executed service agreement.
(b) FERC Gas Tariff or tariff means a compilation, on electronic media, of all of the effective rate schedules of a particular natural gas company, and a copy of each form of service agreement.
(c) Form of service agreement means an unexecuted agreement for service included as an example in the tariff.
(d) Post means: to make a copy of a natural gas company's tariff and contracts available during regular business hours for public inspection in a convenient form and place at the natural gas company's offices where business is conducted with affected customers; and, to serve each affected customer and interested state Commission in accordance with § 154.208 of this Part.
(e) Rate schedule means a statement of a rate or charge for a particular classification of transportation or sale of natural gas subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission, and all terms, conditions, classifications, practices, rules, and regulations affecting such rate or charge.
(f) Filing date means the day on which a tariff, or part thereof, or a contract is received in the Office of the Secretary of the Commission for filing in compliance with the requirements of this part.
§ 154.3   Effective tariff.
(a) The effective tariff of a natural gas company is the tariff filed pursuant to the requirements of this part, and permitted by the Commission to become effective. A natural gas company must not directly or indirectly, demand, charge, or collect any rate or charge for, or in connection with, the transportation or sale of natural gas subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission, or impose any classifications, practices, rules, or regulations, different from those prescribed in its effective tariff and executed service agreements on file with the Commission, unless otherwise specifically permitted by order of the Commission.
(b) No tariff provision may purport to change an effective rate or charge except in the manner provided in section 4 of the Natural Gas Act, and the regulations in this part. The tariff may not provide for any rate or charge to be automatically changed by an index or other periodic adjustment, without filing for a rate change pursuant to these regulations.
§ 154.4   Electronic filing of tariffs and related materials.
(a) General rule. All filings made in proceedings initiated under this part must be made electronically, including tariffs, rate schedules, service agreements, and contracts, or parts thereof, and material that relates to or bears upon such documents, such as cancellations, amendments, withdrawals, termination, or adoption of tariffs, and motions relating to suspension.
(b) Requirement for signature. All filings must be signed in compliance with the following:
(1) The signature on a filing constitutes a certification that the contents are true to the best knowledge and belief of the signer, and that the signer possesses full power and authority to sign the filing.
(2) A filing must be signed by one of the following:
(i) The person on behalf of whom the filing is made;
(ii) An officer, agent, or employee of the company, governmental authority, agency, or instrumentality on behalf of which the filing is made; or,
(iii) A representative qualified to practice before the Commission under § 385.2101 of this chapter who possesses authority to sign.
(3) All signatures on the filing or any document included in the filing must comply, where applicable, with the requirements in § 385.2005 of this chapter with respect to sworn declarations or statements and electronic signatures.
(c) Format requirements for electronic filing. The requirements and formats for electronic filing are listed in instructions for electronic filing and for each form. These formats are available through the Commission's website, https://www.ferc.gov.
(d) Only filings filed and designated as filings with statutory action dates in accordance with these electronic filing requirements and formats will be considered to have statutory action dates. Filings not properly filed and designated as having statutory action dates will not become effective, pursuant to the Natural Gas Act, should the Commission not act by the requested action date.
§ 154.5   Rejection of filings.
A filing that fails to comply with this part may be rejected by the Director of the Office of Energy Market Regulation pursuant to the authority delegated to the Director in Part 375 of this chapter.
§ 154.6   Acceptance for filing not approval.
The acceptance for filing of any tariff, contract or part thereof does not constitute approval by the Commission. Any filing which does not comply with any applicable statute, rule, or order, may be rejected.
§ 154.7   General requirements for the submission of a tariff filing or executed service agreement.
The following must be included with the filing of any tariff, executed service agreement, or part thereof, or change thereto.
(a) A letter of transmittal containing:
(1) A list of the material enclosed,
(2) The name of a responsible company official to whom questions regarding the filing may be addressed, with a telephone number at which the official may be reached,
(3) The date on which such filing is proposed to become effective,
(4) Reference to the authority under which the filing is made, including the specific section of a statute, subpart of these regulations, order of the Commission, provision of the company's tariff, or any other appropriate authority. If an order is referenced, the letter must include the citation to the FERC Reports, the date of issuance, and the lead docket number of the proceeding in which the order was issued.
(5) A list of the tariff sheets or sections enclosed,
(6) A statement of the nature, the reasons, and the basis for the filing. The statement must include a summary of the changes or additions made to the tariff or executed service agreement, as appropriate. The statement must include a quantified summary comparing the cost of service, rate base and throughput underlying each change in rate made to the tariff or executed service agreement compared to the same information underlying the last rate found by the Commission to be just and reasonable. A detailed explanation of the need for each change or addition to the tariff or executed service agreement must be included. The natural gas company also must note all relevant precedents relied upon to prepare its filing.
(7) Any requests for waiver. A request for waiver must include a reference to the specific section of the statute, regulations, or the company's tariff from which waiver is sought, and a justification for the waiver.
(8) Where the natural gas company proposes a new rate, identification of the last rate, found by the Commission to be just and reasonable, that underlies the proposed rate.
(9) A motion, in case of minimal suspension, to place the proposed rates into effect at the end of the suspension period; or, a specific statement that the pipeline reserves its right to file a later motion to place the proposed rates into effect at the end of the suspension period.
(b) A certification of service to all customers and state commissions pursuant to § 154.2(d).
§ 154.8   Informal submission for staff suggestions.
Any natural gas company may informally submit a proposed tariff or any part thereof or material relating thereto for the suggestions of the Commission staff prior to filing. Opinions of the Commission staff are not binding upon the Commission.
§ 154.101   [Reserved]
§ 154.102   Requirements for filing rate schedules and tariffs.
(a) All rates schedules, tariffs, and service agreements may be filed either by dividing the rate schedule, tariff, or agreement into individual tariff sheets, or tariff sections, or as an entire document except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section.
(b) Open access transportation tariffs must be filed either as individual sheets or sections. If filed as sections, each section must include only material of related subject matter and must be of reasonable length and must include at a minimum a section for each item listed in the table of contents under § 154.103 of this section and each topic listed under General Terms and Conditions of Service.
(c) Individual negotiated rate agreements, non-conforming service agreements, or other agreements that are included in the tariff may be filed as entire documents.
(d) The first section or sheet of the tariff must include:
(1) The FERC Gas Tariff Volume Number and Name of the Natural Gas Company, for example
FERC Gas Tariff Volume No. [ ] of [Name of Natural Gas Company]
(2) The name, title, address, telephone number, e-mail address and facsimile number of a person to whom communications concerning the tariff should be sent.
§ 154.103   Composition of tariff.
(a) The tariff must contain sections, in the following order: A table of contents, a preliminary statement, a uniform resource locator for the Internet address of a map of the system, currently effective rates, composition of rate schedules, general terms and conditions, form of service agreement, and an index of customers.
(b) Rate schedules must be grouped according to class and numbered serially within each group, using letters before the serial number to indicate the class of service. For example: FT-1, FT-2 may be used for firm transportation service; IT-1, IT-2 may be used for interruptible transportation service; X-1, X-2 may be used for schedules for which special exception has been obtained.
§ 154.104   Table of contents.
The table of contents must contain a list of the rate schedules, sections of the general terms and conditions, and other sections in the order in which they appear, showing the sheet number of the first page of each section or the section number. The list of rate schedules must consist of: The alphanumeric designation of each rate schedule, a very brief description of the service, and the sheet number of the first page of each rate schedule or the section number.
§ 154.105   Preliminary statement.
The preliminary statement must contain a brief general description of the company's operations and may also contain a general explanation of its policies and practices. General rules and regulations, and any material necessary for the interpretation or application of the rate schedules, may not be included in the preliminary statement.
§ 154.106   Map.
(a) The tariff must state a uniform resource locator on the pipeline's Internet Web site, at which the general public may display and download system map(s).
(b) The map must show the general geographic location of the company's principal pipeline facilities and of the points at which service is rendered under the tariff. The boundaries of any rate zones or rate areas must be shown and the areas or zones identified. The entire system should be displayed on a single map. In addition, a separate map should be provided for each zone.
(c) The map must be revised to reflect any major change no later than the end of the calendar quarter that immediately follows the calendar quarter in which the major change occurred.
§ 154.107   Currently effective rates.
(a) This section of the tariff must present the currently effective rates and charges under each rate schedule.
(b) All rates must be stated clearly in cents or dollars and cents per thermal unit. The unit of measure must be stated for each component of a rate.
(c) A rate having more than one part must have each component set out separately under appropriate headings (e.g., “Reservation Charge,” “Usage Charge.”)
(d) Where a component of a rate is adjusted pursuant to a mechanism approved under subpart E of this part, the adjustment must be stated in a separate column on the rate sheet or section.
(e) Exception to paragraph (d) of this section. Where the rate component is an Annual Charge Adjustment surcharge approved by the Commission, the adjustment or surcharge may be stated in a footnote on the rate sheet or section.
(f) A total rate, indicating the sum of the rate components under paragraph (c) of this section plus the adjustments under paragraph (d) of this section, must be shown in the last column at the end of a line for a rate, so that a reader can readily determine the separate components comprising the total rate for a service.
§ 154.108   Composition of rate schedules.
The rate schedule must contain a statement of the rate or charge and all terms and conditions governing its application, arranged as follows:
(a) Title. Each rate schedule must have a title consisting of a designation of the type or classification of service (see § 154.103(b)), and a statement of the type or classification of service to which the rate is applicable.
(b) Availability. This paragraph must describe the conditions under which the rate is offered, including any geographic zone limitations.
(c) Applicability and character of service. This paragraph must fully describe the kind or classification of service to be rendered.
(d) Summary of rates. This paragraph must briefly set forth all components of the rates, refer to the location of the rates in the Currently Effective Rates, and provide a description of the calculation of the monthly charges for each rate component.
(e) Other provisions. All other major provisions governing the application of the rate schedule, such as determination of billing demand, contract demand, heat content, and measurement base, must be set forth with appropriate headings or incorporated by reference to the applicable general terms and conditions.
(f) Applicable terms and conditions. This paragraph either states that all of the general terms and conditions set forth in the tariff apply to the rate schedule, or specifies which of the general terms and conditions do not apply.
§ 154.109   General terms and conditions.
(a) This section of the tariff contains terms and conditions of service applicable to all or any of the rate schedules. Subsections and paragraphs must be numbered for convenient reference.
(b) The general terms and conditions of the tariff must contain a statement of the company's policy with respect to the financing or construction of laterals including when the pipeline will pay for or contribute to the construction cost. The term “lateral” means any pipeline extension (other than a mainline extension) built from an existing pipeline facility to deliver gas to one or more customers, including new delivery points and enlargements or replacements of existing laterals.
(c) The general terms and conditions of the tariff must contain a statement of the order in which the company discounts its rates and charges. The statement, specifying the order in which each rate component will be discounted, must be in accordance with Commission policy.
§ 154.110   Form of service agreement.
The tariff must contain an unexecuted pro forma copy of each form of service agreement. The form for each service must refer to the service to be rendered and the applicable rate schedule of the tariff; and, provide spaces for insertion of the name of the customer, effective date, expiration date, and term. Spaces may be provided for the insertion of receipt and delivery points, contract quantity, and other specifics of each transaction as appropriate.
§ 154.111   Index of customers.
(a) If a pipeline is in compliance with the reporting requirements of § 284.13(c) of this chapter, then an index of customers need not be provided in the tariff.
(b) If all of a pipeline's jurisdictional transportation and sales are pursuant to part 157 of this chapter, then an index of customers must be provided that contains: a list of the pipeline's firm transportation, storage, and sales customers, and the rate schedule number for the services for which the shippers are contracting; the effective date of the contract; the expiration date of the contract; if the service is transportation or sales, the maximum daily contract demand under the contract; and, if the service is storage, the maximum storage quantity. Specify units of measurement when reporting contract quantities.
(c) The index of customers must be kept current by filing new or revised sheets or sections, semi-annually. One filing must coincide with the filing of the natural gas company's FERC Form No. 2 or 2-A with a proposed effective date of June 1. The other filing must be made six months later with a proposed effective date of December 1. The Index of Customers must contain a list of the contracts in effect as of the filing date.
§ 154.112   Exception to form and composition of tariff.
(a) The Commission may permit a special rate schedule to be filed in the form of an agreement in the case of a special operating arrangement, previously certificated pursuant to part 157 of this chapter, such as for the exchange of natural gas. The special rate schedule must contain a title page showing the parties to the agreement, the date of the agreement, a brief description of services to be rendered, and the designation: “Rate Schedule X-[number].” Special rate schedules may not contain any supplements. Modifications must be made by inserting revised sheets, sections or the entire document as appropriate. Special rate schedules must be included in a separate volume of the tariff. Each such separate volume must contain a table of contents which is incorporated as a sheet or section in the open access transmission tariff.
(b) Contracts for service pursuant to part 284 of this chapter that deviate in any material aspect from the form of service agreement must be filed. Such non-conforming agreements must be referenced in the open access transmission tariff.
§ 154.201   Filing requirements.
In addition to the requirements of subparts A and B of this part, the following must be included with the filing of any tariff, executed service agreement, or part thereof, that changes or supersedes any tariff, contract, or part thereof, on file with the Commission.
(a) A list in the transmittal letter of the tariff sheets or sections being revised and a marked version of the sheets or sections to be changed or superseded showing additions and deletions. New numbers and text must be marked by either highlight, background shading, bold, or underline. Deleted text and numbers must be indicated by strike-through. Only those revisions appropriately designated and marked constitute the filing. Revisions to unmarked portions of the rate schedule or tariff are not considered part of the filing nor will any acceptance of the filing by the Commission constitute acceptance of such unmarked changes.
(b) Documentation whether in the form of workpapers, or otherwise, sufficiently detailed to support the company's proposed change.
(1) The documentation must include but is not limited to the schedules, workpapers, and supporting documentation required by these rules and regulations and the Commission's orders.
(2) All rate changes in the filing must be supported by step-by-step mathematical calculations and sufficient written narrative to allow the Commission and interested parties to duplicate the company's calculations.
(3) Any data or summaries included in the filing purporting to reflect the books of account must be supported by accounting workpapers setting forth all necessary particulars from which an auditor may readily verify that such data are in agreement with the company's books of account. All statements, schedules, and workpapers must be prepared in accordance with the classifications of the Commission's Uniform System of Accounts. Workpapers in support of all adjustments, computations, and other information, properly indexed and cross-referenced to the filing and other workpapers, must be available for Commission examination.
(4) Where a rate, cost, or volume is derived from another rate, cost, or volume, the derivation must be shown mathematically and be accompanied by a written narrative sufficient to allow the Commission and interested parties to duplicate the calculations. If the derivation is due to a load factor adjustment, application of a percentage, or other adjusting factor, the pipeline must also note or explain the origin of the adjusting factor.
(5) Where workpapers show progressive calculations, any discontinuity between one working paper and another must be explained.
§ 154.202   Filings to initiate a new rate schedule.
(a) When the filing is to initiate a new service authorized under a blanket authority in part 284 of this chapter, the filing must comply with the requirements of this paragraph.
(1) Filings under this paragraph must:
(i) Adhere to the requirements of subparts A, B, and C of this part;
(ii) Contain a description of the new service, including, but not limited to, the proposed effective date for commencement of service, applicability, whether the service is interruptible or firm, and the necessity for the service;
(iii) Explain how the new service will differ from existing services, including a concise description of the natural gas company's existing operations;
(iv) Explain the impact of the new service on existing firm and interruptible customers, including but not limited to:
(A) The adequacy of existing capacity, if the proposed service is a firm service, and
(B) The effect on receipt and delivery point flexibility, nominating and scheduling priorities, allocation of capacity, operating conditions, and curtailment, for any new service;
(v) Include workpapers that detail the computations underlying the proposed rate under the new rate schedule; or, if the rate is a currently effective rate, include the appropriate reference and an explanation of why the rate is appropriate;
(vi) Give a justification, similar in form to filed testimony in a general section 4 rate case, explaining why the proposed rate design and proposed allocation of costs are just and reasonable;
(vii) If the costs relating to existing services are reallocated to new services, explain the method for allocating the costs and the impact on the existing customers;
(viii) Include workpapers showing the estimated effect on revenue and costs over the twelve-month period commencing on the proposed effective date of the filing.
(ix) List other filings pending before the Commission at the time of the filing which may significantly affect the filing. Explain how the instant filing would be affected by the outcome of each related pending filing;
(2) Any interdependent filings must be filed concurrently and contain a notice of the interdependence.
(b) If a new service, facility, or rate is specifically authorized by a Commission order pursuant to section 7 of the Natural Gas Act, with the filing of tariff sheets or sections to implement the new rate schedule, the natural gas company must:
(1) Comply with the requirements of § 154.203; and
(2) Where the rate or charge proposed differs from the rate or charge approved in the certificate order, the natural gas company must: Show that the change is due to a rate adjustment under a periodic rate change mechanism previously accepted under § 154.403 which has taken effect since the certificate order was issued; or, show that the rate change is in accordance with the terms of the certificate, and provide workpapers justifying the change.
§ 154.203   Compliance filings.
(a) In addition to the requirements of subparts A, B, and C of this part, filings made to comply with orders issued by the Commission, including those issued under delegated authority, must contain the following:
(1) A list of the directives with which the company is complying;
(2) Revised workpapers, data, or summaries with cross-references to the originally filed workpapers, data, or summaries;
(b) Filings made to comply with Commission orders must include only those changes required to comply with the order. Such compliance filings may not be combined with other rate or tariff change filings. A compliance filing that includes other changes or that does not comply with the applicable order in every respect may be rejected.
§ 154.204   Changes in rate schedules, forms of service agreements, or the general terms and conditions.
A filing to revise rate schedules, forms of service agreements, or the general terms and conditions, must:
(a) Adhere to the requirements of subparts A, B, and C, of this part;
(b) Contain a description of the change in service, including, but not limited to, applicability, necessity for the change, identification of services and types of customers that will be affected by the change;
(c) Explain how the proposed tariff provisions differ from those currently in effect, including an example showing how the existing and proposed tariff provisions operate. Explain why the change is being proposed at this time;
(d) Explain the impact of the proposed revision on firm and interruptible customers, including any changes in a customer's rights to capacity in the manner in which a customer is able to use such capacity, receipt or delivery point flexibility, nominating and scheduling, curtailment, capacity release;
(e) Include workpapers showing the estimated effect on revenues and costs over the 12-month period commencing on the proposed effective date of the filing. If the filing proposes to change an existing penalty provision, provide workpapers showing the penalty revenues and associated quantities under the existing penalty provision during the latest 12-month period; and
(f) List other filings pending before the Commission which may significantly affect the filing.
§ 154.205   Withdrawals and amendments of tariff filings and executed service agreements.
(a) Withdrawals of tariff filings or service agreements prior to Commission action. (1) A natural gas company may withdraw in its entirety a tariff filing or executed service agreement that has not become effective and upon which no Commission or delegated order has been issued by filing a withdrawal motion with the Commission. Upon the filing of such motion, the proposed tariff sheets, sections or service agreements will not become effective under section 4(d) of the Natural Gas Act in the absence of Commission action making the rate schedule or tariff filing effective.
(2) The withdrawal motion will become effective, and the rate schedule or tariff filing will be deemed withdrawn, at the end of 15 days from the date of filing of the withdrawal motion, if no answer in opposition to the withdrawal motion is filed within that period and if no order disallowing the withdrawal is issued within that period. If an answer in opposition is filed within the 15 day period, the withdrawal is not effective until an order accepting the withdrawal is issued.
(b) Amendments or modifications to tariff sheets, sections or service agreements prior to Commission action on a tariff filing. A natural gas company may file to amend or modify a tariff or service agreement contained in a tariff filing upon which no Commission or delegated order has yet been issued. Such filing will toll the notice period in section 4(d) of the Natural Gas Act for the original filing, and establish a new date on which the entire filing will become effective, in the absence of Commission action, no earlier than 31 days from the date of the filing of the amendment or modification.
(c) Withdrawal of suspended tariffs, executed service agreements, or parts thereof. A natural gas company may not, within the period of suspension, withdraw a proposed tariff, executed service agreement, or part thereof, that has been suspended by order of the Commission, except by special permission of the Commission granted upon application therefor and for good cause shown.
(d) Changes in suspended tariffs, executed service agreements, or parts thereof. A natural gas company may not, within the period of suspension, file any change in a proposed tariff, executed service agreement, or part thereof, that has been suspended by order of the Commission, except by special permission of the Commission granted upon application therefor and for good cause shown.
(e) Changes in tariffs, executed service agreements, or parts thereof continued in effect, and which were to be changed by the suspended filing. A natural gas company may not, within the period of suspension, file any change in a tariff, executed service agreement, or part thereof, that is continued in effect by operation of the order of suspension, and that was proposed to be changed by the suspended filing, except:
(1) Under a previously approved tariff provision permitting a limited rate change, or
(2) By special permission of the Commission.
§ 154.206   Motion to place suspended rates into effect.
(a) If, prior to the end of the suspension period, the Commission has issued an order requiring changes in the filed rates, or the filed rates recover costs for facilities not certificated and in service as of the proposed effective date, in order to place the suspended rates into effect, the pipeline must file a motion at least one day prior to the effective date requested by the pipeline. The motion must be accompanied by revised tariff sheets or sections reflecting any changes ordered by the Commission or modifications approved by the Commission during the suspension period under § 154.205. The filing of the revised tariff sheets or sections must:
(1) Comply with the requirements of subparts A, B, and C of this part;
(2) Identify the Commission order directing the revision;
(3) List the modifications made to the currently effective rate during the suspension period, the docket number in which the modifications were filed, and identify the order permitting the modifications.
(b) Where the Commission has suspended the effective date of a change of rate, charge, classification, or service for a minimal period and the pipeline has not included a motion in its transmittal letter, or has specified in its transmittal letter pursuant to § 154.7(a)(9), that it reserves its right to file motion to place the proposed change of rate, charge, classification, or service into effect at the end of the suspension period, the change will go into effect, subject to refund, upon motion of the pipeline.
(c) Where the Commission has suspended the effective date of a change of rate, charge, classification, or service for a minimal period and the pipeline has included, in its transmittal letter pursuant to § 154.7(a)(9), a motion to place the proposed change of rate, charge, classification, or service into effect at the end of the suspension period, the change will go into effect, subject to refund, on the authorized effective date.
§ 154.207   Notice requirements.
All proposed changes in tariffs, contracts, or any parts thereof must be filed with the Commission and posted not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the proposed effective date thereof, unless a waiver of the time periods is granted by the Commission.
§ 154.208   Service of tariff filings on customers and other parties.
(a) On or before the filing date, the company must serve, upon all customers as of the date of the filing and all affected state regulatory commissions, an abbreviated form of the filing consisting of: The Letter of Transmittal; the Statement of Nature, Reason, and Basis; the changed tariff sheets or sections; a summary of the cost-of-service and rate base; and, summary of the magnitude of the change.
(b) On or before the filing date, the company must serve a full copy of the filing upon all customers and state regulatory commissions that have made a standing request for such service.
(c) Within two business days of receiving a request for a complete copy from any customer or state commission that has not made a standing request, the company must serve a full copy of any filing.
(d) A customer or other party may designate a recipient of service. The filing company must serve the designated recipient, in accordance with this section, instead of the customer or other party. For the purposes of this section, service upon the designated recipient will be deemed service upon the customer or other party.
(e) The company may choose to effect service either electronically or by paper. Such service must be made in accordance with the requirements of Part 385 of this chapter.
(f) Unless it seeks a waiver of electronic service, each customer or party entitled to service of initial tariff filings under this section must notify the company of the e-mail address to which service should be directed. A customer or party may seek a waiver of electronic service by filing a waiver request under Part 390 of this chapter, providing good cause for its inability to accept electronic service.
§ 154.209   [Reserved]
§ 154.210   Protests, interventions, and comments.
(a) Unless the notice issued by the Commission provides otherwise, any protest, intervention or comment to a tariff filing made pursuant to this part must be filed in accordance with § 385.211 of this chapter, not later than 12 days after the subject tariff filing. A protest must state the basis for the objection. A protest will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make the protestant a party to the proceeding. A person wishing to become a party to the proceeding must file a motion to intervene.
(b) Any motion to intervene must be filed not later than 12 days after the subject tariff filing in accordance with § 385.214 of this chapter.
§ 154.301   Changes in rates.
(a) Except for changes in rates pursuant to subparts E, F and G, of this part, any natural gas company filing for a change in rates or charges, except for a minor rate change, must submit, in addition to the material required by subparts A, B, and C of this part, the Statements and Schedules described in § 154.312.
(b) A natural gas company filing for a minor rate change must file the Statements and Schedules described in § 154.313.
(c) A natural gas company filing for a change in rates or charges must be prepared to go forward at a hearing and sustain, solely on the material submitted with its filing, the burden of proving that the proposed changes are just and reasonable. The filing and supporting workpapers must be of such composition, scope, and format as to comprise the company's complete case-in-chief in the event that the change is suspended and the matter is set for hearing. If the change in rates or charges presented are not in full accord with any prior Commission decision directly involving the filing company, the company must include in its working papers alternate material reflecting the effect of such prior decision.
§ 154.302   Previously submitted material.
(a) If all, or any portion, of the information called for by this part has already been submitted to the Commission within six months of the filing date of this application, or is included in other data filed pursuant to this part, specific reference thereto may be made in lieu of resubmission.
(b) If a new FERC Form No. 2 or 2-A is required to be filed within 60 days from the end of the base period, the new FERC Form No. 2 or 2-A must be filed concurrently with the rate change filing. There must be furnished to the Director, Office of Energy Market Regulation, with the rate change filing, one copy of the FERC Form No. 2 or 2-A.
§ 154.303   Test periods.
Statements A through M, O, P, and supporting schedules, in § 154.312 and § 154.313, must be based upon a test period.
(a) If the natural gas company has been in operation for 12 months on the filing date, then the test period consists of a base period followed by an adjustment period.
(1) The base period consists of 12 consecutive months of the most recently available actual experience. The last day of the base period may not be more than 4 months prior to the filing date.
(2) The adjustment period is a period of up to 9 months immediately following the base period.
(3) The test period may not extend more than 9 months beyond the filing date.
(4) The rate factors (volumes, costs, and billing determinants) established during the base period may be adjusted for changes in revenues and costs which are known and measurable with reasonable accuracy at the time of the filing and which will become effective within the adjustment period. The base period factors must be adjusted to eliminate nonrecurring items. The company may adjust its base period factors to normalize items eliminated as nonrecurring.
(b) If the natural gas company has not been in operation for 12 months on the filing date, then the test period must consist of 12 consecutive months ending not more than one year after the filing date. Rate factors may be adjusted as in paragraph (a)(4) of this section but must not be adjusted for occurrences anticipated after the 12-month period.
(c)(1) Adjustments to base period experience, or to estimates where 12 months' experience is not available, may include the costs for facilities for which either a permanent or temporary certificate has been granted, provided such facilities will be in service within the test period; or a certificate application is pending. The filing must identify facilities, related costs and the docket number of each such outstanding certificate. Subject to paragraph (c)(2) of this section, adjustments to base period experience, or to estimates where 12 months' experience is not available, may include any amounts for facilities that require a certificate of public convenience and necessity, where a certificate has not been issued by the filing date but is expected to be issued before the end of the test period. Adjustments to base period may include costs for facilities that do not require a certificate and are in service by the end of the test period.
(2) When a pipeline files a motion to place the rates into effect, the filing must be revised to exclude the costs associated with any facilities that will not be in service as of the end of the test period, or for which certificate authorization is required but will not be granted as of the end of the test period. At the end of the test period, the pipeline must remove from its rates costs associated with any facility that is not in service or for which certificate authority is required but has not been granted.
(d) The Commission may allow reasonable deviation from the prescribed test period.
§ 154.304   Format of statements, schedules, workpapers and supporting data.
(a) All statements, schedules, and workpapers must be prepared in accordance with the Commission's Uniform System of Accounts.
(b) The data in support of the proposed rate change must include the required particulars of book data, adjustments, and other computations and information on which the company relies, including a detailed narrative explanation placed at the beginning of the specific statement or schedule to which they apply, explaining each proposed adjustment to base period actual volumes and costs.
(c) Book data included in statements and schedules required to be prepared or submitted as part of the filing must be reported in a separate column or columns. All adjustments to book data must also be reported in a separate column or columns so that book amounts, adjustments thereto, and adjusted amounts will be clearly disclosed. All adjustments must be supported by a narrative explanation placed at the beginning of the specific statement or schedule to which they apply.
(d) Certain of the statements and schedules of § 154.313 are workpapers. Any data or summaries reflecting the books of account must be supported by accounting workpapers setting forth all necessary particulars from which an auditor may readily identify the book data included in the filing and verify that such data are in agreement with the company's books of account.
§ 154.305   Tax normalization.
(a) Applicability. An interstate pipeline must compute the income tax component of its cost-of-service by using tax normalization for all transactions.
(b) Definitions. (1) Tax normalization means computing the income tax component as if transactions recognized in each period for ratemaking purposes are also recognized in the same amount and in the same period for income tax purposes.
(2) Commission-approved ratemaking method means a ratemaking method approved by the Commission in a final decision. This includes a ratemaking method that is part of an approved settlement or arbitration providing that the ratemaking method is to be effective beyond the term of the settlement or arbitration.
(3) Income tax purposes means for the purpose of computing actual income tax under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or the income tax provisions of the laws of a State or political subdivision of a State (including franchise taxes).
(4) Income tax component means that part of the cost-of-service that covers income tax expenses allowable by the Commission.
(5) Ratemaking purposes means for the purpose of fixing, modifying, accepting, approving, disapproving, or rejecting rates under the Natural Gas Act.
(6) Tax effect means the tax reduction or addition associated with a specific expense or revenue transaction.
(7) Transaction means an activity or event that gives rise to an accounting entry.
(c) Reduction of, and addition to, Rate Base. (1) The rate base of an interstate pipeline using tax normalization under this section must be reduced by the balances that are properly recordable in Account 281, “Accumulated deferred income taxes-accelerated amortization property”; Account 282, “Accumulated deferred income taxes—other property”: and Account 283, “Accumulated deferred income taxes—other.” Balances that are properly recordable in Account 190, “Accumulated deferred income taxes,” must be treated as an addition to rate base. Include, as an addition or reduction, as appropriate, amounts in Account 182.3, Other regulatory assets, and Account 254, Other regulatory liabilities, that result from a deficiency or excess in the deferred tax accounts (see paragraph (d) of this section) and which have been, or are soon expected to be, authorized for recovery or refund through rates.
(2) Such rate base reductions or additions must be limited to deferred taxes related to rate base, construction, or other costs and revenues affecting jurisdictional cost-of-service.
(d) Special rules. (1) This paragraph applies:
(i) If the rate applicant has not provided deferred taxes in the same amount that would have accrued had tax normalization always been applied; or
(ii) If, as a result of changes in tax rates, the accumulated provision for deferred taxes becomes deficient in, or in excess of, amounts necessary to meet future tax liabilities.
(2) The interstate pipeline must compute the income tax component in its cost-of-service by making provision for any excess or deficiency in deferred taxes.
(3) The interstate pipeline must apply a Commission-approved ratemaking method made specifically applicable to the interstate pipeline for determining the cost-of-service provision described in paragraph (d)(2) of this section. If no Commission-approved ratemaking method has been made specifically applicable to the interstate pipeline, then the interstate pipeline must use some ratemaking method for making such provision, and the appropriateness of such method will be subject to case-by-case determination.
(4) An interstate pipeline must continue to include, as an addition or reduction to rate base, any deficiency or excess attributable to prior flow-through or changes in tax rates (paragraphs (d)(1)(i) and (d)(1)(ii) of this section), until such deficiency or excess is fully amortized in accordance with a Commission approved ratemaking method.
§ 154.306   Cash working capital.
A natural gas company that files a tariff change under this part may not receive a cash working capital adjustment to its rate base unless the company or other participant in a rate proceeding under this part demonstrates, with a fully developed and reliable lead-lag study, a net revenue receipt lag or a net expense payment lag (revenue lead). Any demonstrated net revenue receipt lag will be credited to rate base; and, any demonstrated net expense payment lag will be deducted from rate base.
§ 154.307   Joint facilities.
The Statements required by § 154.312 must show all costs (investment, operation, maintenance, depreciation, taxes) that have been allocated to the natural gas operations involved in the subject rate change and are associated with joint facilities. The methods used in making such allocations must be provided.
§ 154.308   Representation of chief accounting officer.
The filing must include a statement executed by the chief accounting officer or other authorized accounting representative of the filing company representing that the cost statements, supporting data, and workpapers, that purport to reflect the books of the company do, in fact, set forth the results shown by such books.
§ 154.309   Incremental expansions.
(a) For every expansion for which incremental rates are charged, the company must provide a summary with applicable cross-references to § 154.312 and § 154.313, of the costs and revenues associated with the expansion, until the Commission authorizes the costs of the incremental facilities to be rolled-in to the pipeline's rates. For every expansion that has an at-risk provision in the certificate authorization, the costs and revenues associated with the facility must be shown in summary format with applicable cross-references to § 154.312 and § 154.313, until the Commission removes the at-risk condition.
(b) The summary statements must provide the formulae and explain the bases used in the allocation of common costs to each incremental facility.
§ 154.310   Zones.
If the company maintains records of costs by zone, and proposes a zone rate methodology based on these costs, the statements and schedules in § 154.312 and § 154.313 must reflect costs detailed by zone.
§ 154.311   Updating of statements.
(a) Certain statements and schedules in § 154.312, that include test period data, must be updated with actual data by month and must be resubmitted in the same format and with consecutive monthly totals for each month of the adjustment period with a single set of updates encompassing a 12-month period. The updated statements or schedules must be filed 45 days after the end of the test period. The updated filing must be provided to parties specifically requesting them. The updated filing must reference the associated docket number and must be filed in the same format, form, and number as the original filing.
(b) The statements and schedules in § 154.312 to be updated are: Statements C, D and H-4; Schedules B-1, B-2, C-3, D-2, E-2, E-4, G-1, G-4, G-5, G-6, H-1 (1)(a), H-1 (1)(b), H-1 (1)(c), H-1 (2)(a) through H-1 (2)(k), H-2 (1), H-3 (3), I-4, and I-6.
(c) This requirement to file updates may be extended by the Secretary pursuant to § 375.302 of this chapter.
§ 154.312   Composition of Statements.
(a) Statement A. Cost-of-service Summary. Summarize the overall gas utility cost-of-service: operation and maintenance expenses, depreciation, taxes, credits to cost-of-service, and return as developed in other statements and schedules.
(b) Statement B. Rate Base and Return Summary. Summarize the overall gas utility rate base shown in Statements C, D, E, and Schedules B-1 and B-2. Show the application of the claimed rate of return to the overall rate base.
(1) Schedule B-1. Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes (Account Nos. 190, 282, and 283). Show monthly book balances of accumulated deferred income taxes for each of the 12 months during the base period. List all items for which the accumulated deferred income taxes are calculated. In adjoining columns, show additions and reductions for the adjustment period balance and the total adjusted balance. Separately identify the individual components and the amounts in these accounts that the company seeks to include in its rate base.
(2) Schedule B-2. Regulatory Asset and Liability. If the pipeline seeks recovery of such balances in rate base, show monthly book balances of regulatory assets (Account 182.3) and liabilities (Account 254) for each of the 12 months during the base period. In adjoining columns, show additions and reductions for the adjustment period balance and the total adjusted balance. Separately identify the individual components and the amounts in these accounts that the company seeks to include in its rate base. Identify any specific Commission authority that required the establishment of these amounts. Regulatory asset or liability net of deferred tax amounts should be included. Also, separately state the gross amounts of the regulatory asset and liability.
(c) Statement C. Cost of Plant Summary. Show the amounts of gas utility plant classified by Accounts 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 117.1, and 117.2 as of the beginning of the 12 months of actual experience, the book additions and reductions (in separate columns) during the 12 months, and the book balances at the end of the 12-month period. In adjoining columns, show the claimed adjustments, if any, to the book balances and the total cost of plant to be included in rate base. For Account 117, also provide the volumes by subaccount. State the method used for accounting for system gas recorded in Account 117.2. Explain all adjustments in the following schedules.
(1) Schedule C-1. End of Base and Test Period Plant Functionalized. Demonstrate the ending base and test period balances for Plant in Service, in columnar form, by detailed plant account prescribed by the Commission's Uniform System of Accounts for Natural Gas Companies (part 201 of this chapter) with subtotals by functional classifications, e.g., Intangible Plant, Manufactured Gas Production Plant, Natural Gas Production and Gathering Plant, Products Extraction Plant, Storage Plant, Transmission Plant, Distribution Plant, and General Plant. Show zones, to the extent required by § 154.310, and expansions, to the extent required by § 154.309. Separately identify those facilities and associated costs claimed for the test period that require certificate authority but such authority has not been obtained at the time of filing. Give the docket number of the certificate proceeding.
(2) Schedule C-2. Show, for Accounts 106 and 107, a list of work orders claimed in the rate base. Give the work order number, docket number, description, amount of each work order, and the amounts of each type of undistributed construction overhead. Work orders amounting to $500,000 or less may be grouped by category of items.
(3) Schedule C-3. A cross-reference to updated information in the company's FERC Form No. 2 may be substituted for this Schedule. Give details of each storage project owned and storage projects under contract to the company, showing cost by major functions. Show base and system gas storage quantities and associated costs by account for the test period and for the 12 months of actual experience with monthly inputs and outputs to system gas.
(4) Schedule C-4. This schedule is part of the workpapers. State the methods and procedures followed in capitalizing the allowance for funds used during construction and other construction overheads. This schedule must be provided only in situations when the pipeline has changed any of its procedures since the last filed FERC Forms No. 2 or 2-A.
(5) Schedule C-5. This schedule is part of the workpapers. Set forth the cost of Plant in Service carried on the company's books as gas utility plant which was not being used in rendering gas service. Describe the plant. This schedule must be provided only if there is a significant change of $500,000 or more since the end of the year reported in the company's last FERC Form No. 2 or 2-A.
(d) Statement D. Accumulated Provisions for Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization. Show the accumulated provisions for depreciation, depletion, amortization, and abandonment (Account 108, detailed by functional plant classification, and Account 111), as of the beginning of the 12 months of actual experience, the book additions and reductions during the 12 months, and the balances at the end of the 12-month period. In adjoining columns, show adjustments to these ending book balances and the total adjusted balances. All adjustments must be explained in the supporting material. Any authorized negative salvage must be maintained in a separate subaccount of account 108, and shall not include any amounts related to asset retirement obligations. For each functional plant classification, show depreciation reserve associated with offshore and onshore plant separately. The following schedules and additional material must be submitted as part of Statement D:
(1) Schedule D-1. This schedule is part of the workpapers. Show the depreciation reserve book balance applicable to that portion of the depreciation rate not yet approved by the Commission, the depreciation rates, the docket number of the order approving such rate, and an explanation of any difference. Reflect actual end of base period depreciation reserve functionalized and test period depreciation reserve functionalized. Show accumulated depreciation and amortization, in columnar form, for the ending base and test period balances by functional classifications of Accumulated Depreciation reserve. (Examples are provided in Schedule C-1). For each functional plant classification, show depreciation reserve associated with offshore and onshore plant separately.
(2) Schedule D-2. This schedule is part of the workpapers. Give a description of the methods and procedures used in depreciating, depleting, and amortizing plant and in recording abandonments. This schedule must be filed only if a policy change has been made effective since the period covered by the last annual report on FERC Form No. 2 or 2-A was filed with the Commission.
(e) Statement E. Working Capital. Show the components of working capital in sufficient detail to explain how the amount of each component was computed. Components of working capital, other than cash working capital, may include an allowance for the average of 13 monthly balances of materials and supplies and prepayments actually expended and gas for resale. To the extent the applicant files to adjust the average of any 13 monthly balances, workpapers must be submitted that support the adjustment(s). Show the computations, cross-references, and sources from which the data used in computing claimed working capital are derived. The following schedules and material must be submitted as part of Statement E:
(1) Schedule E-1. Show the computation of cash working capital claimed as an adjustment to the gas company's rate base. Any adjustment to rate base requested must be based on a fully-developed and reliable lead-lag study. The components of the lead-lag study must include actual total company revenues, purchased gas costs, storage expense, transportation and compression of gas by others, salaries and wages, administrative and general expenses, income taxes payable, taxes other than income taxes, and any other operating and maintenance expenses for the base period. Cash working capital allowances in the form of additions to rate base may not exceed one-eighth of the annual operating expenses, as adjusted, net of non-cash items.
(2) Schedule E-2. Set forth monthly balances for materials, supplies, and prepayments in such detail as to disclose, either by subaccounts regularly maintained on the books or by analysis of the principal items included in the main account, the nature of such charges.
(3) Schedule E-3. For FERC Accounts 117.3, 164.1, 164.2 and 164.3, show the quantities and the respective costs of natural gas stored at the beginning of the test period, the input, output and balance remaining in Dth and associated costs by months. The method of pricing input, output and balance, and the claimed adjustments shall be disclosed and clearly and fully explained. Pipelines using the inventory method for system gas should not include any system gas inventory balances in this schedule.
(f) Statement F-1. Rate of Return Claimed. Show the percentage rate of return claimed and the general reasons therefor. Where any component of the capital of the filing company is not primarily obtained through its own financing, but is primarily obtained from a company by which the filing company is controlled, as defined in the Commission's Uniform System of Accounts, then the data required by these statements must be submitted with respect to the debt capital, preferred stock capital, and common stock capital of such controlling company or any intermediate company through which such funds have been secured. Furnish the Commission staff a copy of the latest prospectus issued by the filing natural gas company, any superimposed holding company, or subsidiary companies.
(g) Statement F-2. Show
(1) The capitalization, capital structure, cost of debt capital, preferred stock capital, and the claimed return on stockholders' equity;
(2) The weighted cost of each capital class based on the capital structure; and,
(3) The overall rate of return claimed.
(h) Statement F-3. Debt Capital. Show the weighted average cost of debt capital based upon the following data for each class and series of long-term debt outstanding according to the balance sheet, as of the end of the 12-month base period of actual experience and as of the end of the 9-month test period.
(1) Title.
(2) Date of issuance and date of maturity.
(3) Interest rate.
(4) Principal amount of issue: Gross proceeds; Underwriters' discount or commission: Amount; Percent gross proceeds; Issuance expense: Amount; Percent gross proceeds; Net proceeds; Net proceeds per unit.
(5) Cost of money: Yield to maturity based on the interest rate and net proceeds per unit outstanding determined by reference to any generally accepted table of bond yields. The yield to maturity is to be expressed as a nominal annual interest rate. For example, for bonds having semiannual payments, the yield to maturity is twice the semiannual rate.
(6) If the issue is owned by an affiliate, state the name and relationship of the owner.
(7) If the filing company has acquired, at a discount or premium, some part of its outstanding debt which could be used in meeting sinking fund requirements, or for other reasons, separately show: The annual amortization of the discount or premium for each series of debt from the date of reacquisition over the remaining life of the debt being retired; and, the total discount and premium, as a result of such amortization, applicable to the test period.
(i) Statement F-4. Preferred Stock Capital. Show the weighted average cost of preferred stock capital based upon the following data for each class and series of preferred stock outstanding according to the balance sheet, as of the end of the 12-month base period of actual experience and as of the end of the nine-month test period.
(1) Title.
(2) Date of issuance.
(3) If callable, call price.
(4) If convertible, terms of conversion.
(5) Dividend rate.
(6) Par or stated amount of issue: Gross proceeds; Underwriters' discount or commission: Amount; Percent gross proceeds; Issuance expenses: Amount; Percent gross proceeds; Net proceeds; Net proceeds per unit.
(7) Cost of money: Annual dividend rate divided by net proceeds per unit.
(8) State whether the issue was offered to stockholders through subscription rights or to the public.
(9) If the issue is owned by an affiliate, state the name and relationship of the owner.
(j) Statement G. Revenues, Credits, and Billing Determinants.
(1) Show in summary format the information requested below on revenues, credits and billing determinants for the base period and the base period as adjusted. Explain the basis for adjustment to the base period. The level of billing determinants should not be adjusted for discounting.
(i) Revenues. Provide the total revenues, from jurisdictional and non-jurisdictional services, classified in accordance with the Commission's Uniform System of Accounts for the base period and for the base period as adjusted. Separate operating revenues by major rate component (e.g., reservation charges, demand charges, usage charges, commodity charges, injection charges, withdrawal charges, etc.) from revenues received from penalties, surcharges or other sources (e.g., ACA, GRI, transition costs). Show revenues by rate schedule and by receipt and delivery rate zones, if applicable. Show separately the revenues for firm services under contracts with a primary term of less than one year. For services provided through released capacity, identify total revenues by rate schedule and by receipt and delivery rate zones, if applicable.
(ii) Credits. Show the principal components comprising each of the various items which are reflected as credits to the cost-of-service in preparing Statement A, Overall Cost-of-service for the base period and the base period as adjusted. Any transition cost component of interruptible transportation revenue must not be treated as operating revenues as defined above.
(iii) Billing Determinants. Show total reservation and usage billing determinants for the base period and the base period as adjusted, by rate schedule by receipt and delivery rate zones, if applicable. Show separately the billing determinants for firm services under contracts with a primary term of less than one year. For services provided through released capacity, identify billing determinants by rate schedule and by receipt and delivery rate zones, if applicable.
(2) The Schedules G-1 through G-6 must be filed at the FERC and served on all state commissions having jurisdiction over the affected customers within fifteen days after the rate case is filed. Schedules G-1 through G-6 must also be served on parties that request such service within 15 days of the filing of the rate case.
(i) Schedule G-1. Base Period Revenues. For the base period, show total actual revenues and billing determinants by month by customer name, by rate schedule, by receipt and delivery zone, if applicable, by major rate component ( e.g., reservation charges) and totals. Billing determinants must not be adjusted for discounting. Provide actual throughput (i.e., usage or commodity quantities, unadjusted for discounting) and actual contract demand levels (unadjusted for discounting). Provide this information separately for firm service under contracts with a primary term of less than one year. Separate operating revenues from revenues received from surcharges or other sources (e.g., ACA, GRI, transition costs). Identify customers who are affiliates. Identify rate schedules under which costs are allocated and rate schedules under which revenues are credited for the base period with cross-references to the other filed statements and schedules.
(ii) Schedule G-2. Adjustment Period Revenues.
(A) Show revenues and billing determinants by month, by customer name, by rate schedule, by receipt and delivery zone, if applicable, by major rate component (e.g., reservation charges) and totals for the base period adjusted for known and measurable changes which are expected to occur within the adjustment period computed under the rates expected to be charged. Billing determinants must not be adjusted for discounting. Provide projected throughput (i.e., usage or commodity quantities, unadjusted for discounting) and projected contract demand levels (unadjusted for discounting). Provide this information separately for firm service under contracts with a primary term of less than one year. Separate operating revenues from revenues received from surcharges or other sources (e.g., ACA, GRI, transition costs). Identify customers who are affiliates. Identify rate schedules under which costs are allocated and rate schedules under which revenues are credited for the adjustment period with cross-references to the other filed statements and schedules.
(B) Provide a reconciliation of the base period revenues and billing determinants and the revenues and billing determinants for the base period as adjusted.
(iii) Schedule G-3. Specify, quantify, and justify each proposed adjustment (capacity release, plant closure, contract termination, etc.) to base period actual billing determinants, and provide a detailed explanation for each factor contributing to the adjustment. Include references to any certificate docket authorizing changes. Submit workpapers with all formulae.
(iv) Schedule G-4. At-Risk Revenue. For each instance where there is a separate cost-of-service associated with facilities for which the applicant is “at risk,” show the base period and adjustment period revenue by customer or customer code, by rate schedule, by receipt and delivery zone, if applicable, and as 12-month totals. Provide this information by month unless otherwise agreed to by interested parties and if monthly reporting is consistent with past practice of the pipeline. However, if seasonal services are involved, or if billing determinants vary from month to month, the information must be provided monthly. Provide projected throughput (i.e., usage or commodity quantities, unadjusted for discounting) and projected contract demand levels (unadjusted for discounting).
(v) Schedule G-5. Other Revenues.
(A) Describe and quantify, by month, the types of revenue included in Account Nos. 490-495 for the base and test periods. Show revenues applicable to the sale of products. Show the principal components comprising each of the various items which are reflected as credits to cost-of-service in Statement A.
(B) To the extent the credits to the cost-of-service reflected in Statement A differ from the amounts shown on Schedule G-5, compare and reconcile the two statements. Quantify and explain each proposed adjustment to base period actuals. For Account No. 490, show the name and location of each product extraction plant processing gas for the applicant, and the inlet and outlet monthly dth of the pipeline's gas at each plant. Show the revenues received by the applicant by product by month for each extraction plant for the base period and proposed for the test period.
(C) Separately state each item and revenue received for the transportation of liquids, liquefiable hydrocarbon, or nonhydrocarbon constituents owned by shippers. For both the base and test periods, indicate by shipper contract: The quantity transported and the revenues received.
(D) Separately state the revenues received from the release by the pipeline of transportation and compression capacity it holds on other pipeline systems. The revenues must equal the revenues reflected on Schedule I-4(iv).
(vi) Schedule G-6. Miscellaneous Revenues. Separately state by month the base and adjustment period revenues and the associated quantities received as penalties from jurisdictional customers; the revenues received from cash outs and other imbalance adjustments; and, the revenues received from exit fees.
(k) Statement H-1. Operation and Maintenance Expenses. Show the gas operation and maintenance expenses according to each applicable account of the Commission's Uniform System of Accounts for Natural Gas Companies. Show the expenses under columnar headings, with subtotals for each functional classification, as follows: Operation and maintenance expense by months, as booked, for the 12 months of actual experience, and the 12-month total; adjustments, if any, to expenses as booked; and, total adjusted operation and maintenance expenses. Provide a detailed narrative explanation of, and the basis and supporting workpapers for, each adjustment. The following schedules and additional material must be submitted as part of Statement H-1:
(1) Schedule H-1 (1). This schedule is part of the workpapers. Show the labor costs, materials and other charges (excluding purchased gas costs) and expenses associated with Accounts 810, 811, and 812 recorded in each gas operation and maintenance expense account of the Uniform System of Accounts. Show these expenses, under the columnar headings, with subtotals for each functional classification, as follows: operation and maintenance expenses by months, as booked, for the 12 months of actual experience, and the 12-month total; adjustments, if any, to expenses as booked; and total adjusted operation and maintenance expenses. Disclose and explain all accrual on the books at the end of the base period or other normalizing accounting entries for internal purposes reflected in the monthly expenses presented per book. Explain any amounts not currently payable, except depreciation charged through clearing accounts, included in operation and maintenance expenses.
(2) Schedule H-1 (1)(a). Labor Costs.
(3) Schedule H-1 (1)(b). Materials and Other Charges (Excluding Purchased Gas Costs and items shown in Schedule H-1 (1)(c)).
(4) Schedule H-1 (1)(c). Quantities Applicable to Accounts Nos. 810, 811, and 812. Show the quantities for each of the contra-accounts for both base and test periods.
(5) Schedule H-1 (2). This schedule is part of the workpapers. Show, for the 12 months of actual experience and claimed adjustments: A classification of principal charges, credits and volumes; particulars of supporting computations and accounting bases; a description of services and related dollar amounts for which liability is incurred or accrued; and, the name of the firm or individual rendering such services. Expenses reported in Schedules H-1 (2)(a) through H-1 (2)(k) of $100,000 or less per type of service may be grouped.
(6) Schedule H-1 (2)(a). Accounts 806, 808.1, 808.2, 809.1, 809.2, 813, 823, and any other account used to record fuel use or gas losses. Provide details of each type of expense.
(7) Schedule H-1 (2)(b). Accounts 913 and 930.1. Advertising Expenses. Disclose principal types of advertising such as TV, newspaper, etc.
(8) Schedule H-1 (2)(c). Account 921. Office Supplies and Expenses.
(9) Schedule H-1 (2)(d). Account 922. Administrative Expenses Transferred Credit.
(10) Schedule H-1 (2)(e). Account 923. Outside Services Employed.
(11) Schedule H-1 (2)(f). Account 926. Employee Pensions and Benefits.
(12) Schedule H-1 (2)(g). Account 928. Regulatory Commission Expenses.
(13) Schedule H-1 (2)(h). Account 929. Duplicate Charges. Credit.
(14) Schedule H-1 (2)(i). Account 930.2. Miscellaneous General Expenses.
(15) Schedule H-1 (2)(j). Intercompany and Interdepartmental Transactions. Provide a complete disclosure of all corporate overhead allocated to the company. If the expense accounts contain charges or credits to and from associated or affiliated companies or nonutility departments of the company, submit a schedule, or schedules, as to each associated or affiliated company or nonutility department showing:
(i) The amount of the charges, or credits, during each month and in total for the base period and the adjustment period.
(ii) The FERC Account No. charged (or credited).
(iii) Descriptions of the specific services performed for, or by, the associated/affiliated company or nonutility department.
(iv) The bases used in determining the amounts of the charges (credits). Explain and demonstrate the derivation of the allocation bases with underlying calculations used to allocate costs among affiliated companies, and identify (by account number) all costs paid to, or received from affiliated companies which are included in a pipeline's cost-of-service for both the base and test periods.
(16) Schedule H-1 (2)(k). Show all lease payments applicable to gas operation contained in the operation and maintenance accounts. Leases of $500,000 or less may be grouped by type of lease.
(l) Statement H-2. Depreciation, Depletion, Amortization and Negative Salvage Expenses. Show, separately, the gas plant depreciation, depletion, amortization, and negative salvage expenses by functional classifications. For each functional plant classification, show depreciation reserve associated with offshore and onshore plant separately. Show, in separate columns: expenses for the 12 months of actual experience; adjustments, if any, to such expense; and, the total adjusted expense claimed. Explain the bases, methods, essential computations, and derivation of unit rates for the calculation of depreciation, depletion, and amortization expense for the 12 months of actual experience and for the adjustments. The amounts of depreciable plant must be shown by the functions specified in paragraph C of Account 108, Accumulated Provisions for Depreciation of Gas Utility Plant, and Account 111, Accumulated Provision for Amortization and Depletion of Gas Utility Plant, of the Commission's Uniform System of Accounts for Natural Gas Companies, and, if available, for each detailed plant account (300 Series) together with the rates used in computing such expenses. Explain any deviation from the rates determined to be just and reasonable by the Commission. Show the rate or rates previously used together with supporting data for the new rate or rates used for this filing. The following schedule and additional material must be submitted as a part of Statement H-2:
(1) Schedule H-2 (1). Depreciable Plant.
(i) Reconcile the depreciable plant shown in Statement H-2 with the aggregate investment in gas plant shown in Statement C, and the expense charged to other than prescribed depreciation, depletion, amortization, and negative salvage expense accounts. Identify the amounts of plant costs and associated plant accounts used as the bases for depreciation expense charged to clearing accounts. For each functional plant classification, show depreciation reserve associated with offshore and onshore plant separately.
(ii) Schedule H-2 (1) must be updated, as set forth in § 154.310, with actual depreciable plant and reconciled with updated Statement C.
(m) Statement H-3. Income Taxes. Show the computation of allowances for Federal and State income taxes for the test period based on the claimed return applied to the overall gas utility rate base. To indicate the accounting classification applicable to the amount claimed, the computation of the Federal income tax allowance must show, separately, the amounts designated as current tax and deferred tax. Section 154.306, Tax Normalization, is incorporated in these instructions by reference. All the requirements of this section apply to Schedule H-3. The following schedules and additional material must be submitted as a part of Statement H-3:
(1) Schedule H-3 (1). This schedule is part of the workpapers. Show the income tax paid each State in the current and/or previous year covered by the test period.
(2) Schedule H-3 (2). This schedule is part of the workpapers. Show the computation of an updated reconciliation between book depreciable plant and tax depreciable plant and accumulated provision for deferred income taxes, for the base period or latest calendar or fiscal year (depending on the company's reporting period). Regulatory asset or liability net of deferred tax amounts should be included in this reconciliation. Also, separately state the gross amounts of the regulatory asset and liability.
(n) Statement H-4. Other Taxes. Show the gas utility taxes, other than Federal or state income taxes, in separate columns, as follows: Tax expense per books for the 12 months of actual experience (separately identify the amounts expensed or accrued during the period); adjustments, if any, to amounts booked; and, the total adjusted taxes claimed. Show the kind and amount of taxes paid under protest or in connection with taxes under litigation. Show taxes by state and by type of tax. The following schedules and additional material must be submitted as a part of Statement H-4:
(1) Schedule H-4. This schedule is part of the workpapers. Show the computations of adjusted taxes claimed in Statement H(4).
(o) Statement I. Statement I consists of the following Schedules:
(1) Schedule I-1. Functionalization of Cost-of-service. Show the overall cost-of-service contained in Statement A as supported by Statements B, C, D, E, G (revenue credits), and H:
(i) Schedule I-1(a). Separate overall cost-of-service by function of facility.
(ii) Schedule I-1(b). Separate the transmission, storage, and gathering facilities between incremental and non-incremental facilities. If the pipeline proposes to directly assign the costs of specific facilities, it must provide a separate cost-of-service for every directly assigned facility (e.g., lateral or storage field).
(iii) Schedule I-1(c). If the pipeline maintains records of costs by zone and proposes a zone rate methodology based on those costs separately state transmission, storage, and gathering costs, for each zone.
(iv) Schedule I-1(d). Show the method used to allocate common and joint costs to various functions including the allocation of A&G. Provide the factors underlying the allocation of general costs (e.g., miles of pipe, cost of plant, labor). Show the formulae used and explain the bases for the allocation of common and joint costs.
(2) Schedule I-2. Classification of Cost-of-service.
(i) For each functionalized cost-of-service provided in Schedule I-1 (a), (b), and (c), show the classification of costs between fixed costs and variable costs and between reservation costs and usage costs. The classification must be for each element of the cost-of-service (e.g., depreciation expenses, state income taxes, revenue credits). For operation and maintenance expenses and revenue credits, the classification must be provided by account and by total.
(ii) Explain the basis for the classification of costs.
(iii) Explain any difference between the method for classifying costs and the classification method underlying the pipeline's currently effective rates.
(3) Schedule I-3. Allocation of Cost-of-service.
(i) If the company provides gas sales and transportation as a bundled service, show the allocation of costs between direct sales or distribution sales and the other services. If the company provides unbundled transportation, show the allocation of costs between services with cost-of-service rates and services with market-based rates, including products extraction, sales, and company-owned production. If the cost-of-service is allocated among rate zones, show how the classified cost-of-service is allocated among rate zones by function. If the pipeline proposes to establish rate zones for the first time, or to change existing rate zone boundaries, explain how the rate zone boundaries are established.
(ii) Show how the classified costs of service provided in Schedule I-2 or Schedule I-3 (i) are allocated among the pipeline's services and rate schedules.
(iii) Provide the formulae used in the allocation of the cost-of-service. Provide the factors underlying the allocation of the cost-of-service (e.g., contract demand, annual billing determinants, three-day peak). Provide the load factor or other basis for any imputed demand quantities.
(iv) Explain any changes in the basis for the allocation of the cost-of-service from the allocation methodologies underlying the currently effective rates.
(4) Schedule I-4. Transmission and Compression of Gas by Others (Account 858). Provide the following information for each transaction for the base and adjustment period:
(i) The name of the transporter.
(ii) The name of the rate schedule under which service is provided, and the expiration date of the contract.
(iii) Monthly usage volumes.
(iv) Monthly costs.
(v) The monthly revenues for volumes flowing under released capacity. The revenues in Schedule I-4 (iv) must also be reflected, separately, as a credit in Schedule G-5.
(5) Schedule I-5. Gas Balance. Show by months and total, for the 12 months of actual experience, the company's Gas Account, in the form required by FERC Form No. 2 pages 520 and 521. Show corresponding estimated data, if claimed to be different from actual experience. Provide the basis for any variation between estimated and actual base period data.
(p) Statement J. Comparison and Reconciliation of Estimated Operating Revenues With Cost-of-service. Compare the total revenues by rate schedule (Schedule G-2) to the allocated cost-of-service (Statement I). Identify any surcharges that are reflected in Statement N or in Statement I.
(1) Schedule J-1. Summary of Billing Determinants. Provide a summary of all billing determinants used to derive rates. Provide a reconciliation of customers' total billing determinants as shown on Schedule G-2 with those used to derive rates in Schedule J-2. Provide an explanation of how any discount adjustment is developed. If billing determinants are imputed for interruptible service, explain the method for calculating the billing determinants.
(2) Schedule J-2. Derivation of Rates. Show the derivation of each rate component of each rate. For each rate component of each rate schedule, include:
(i) A reference (by page, line, and column) to the allocated cost-of-service in Statement I.
(ii) A reference to the appropriate billing determinants in Schedule J-1.
(iii) Explain any changes in the method used for the derivation of rates from the method used in developing the underlying rates.
(q) Statement K. [Reserved]
(r) Statement L. Balance Sheet. Provide a balance sheet in the form prescribed by the Commission's Uniform System of Accounts for Natural Gas Companies as of the beginning and end of the base period. Include any notes. If the natural gas company is a member of a group of companies, also provide a balance sheet on a consolidated basis.
(s) Statement M. Income Statement. Provide an income statement, including a section on earnings, in the form prescribed by the Commission's Uniform System of Accounts for Natural Gas Companies for the base period. Include any notes. If the natural gas company is a member of a system group of companies, provide an income statement on a consolidated basis.
(t) Statement N. [Reserved]
(u) Statement O. Description of Company Operations. Provide a description of the company's service area and diversity of operations. Include the following:
(1) Only if significant changes have occurred since the filing of the last FERC Form No. 2 or 2-A, provide a detailed system map.
(2) A list of each major expansion and abandonment since the company's last general rate case. Provide brief descriptions, approximate dates of operation or retirement from service, and costs classified by functions.
(3) A detailed description of how the company designs and operates its systems. Include design temperature.
(v) Statement P. Explanatory Text and Prepared Testimony. Provide copies of prepared testimony indicating the line of proof which the company would offer for its case-in-chief in the event that the rates are suspended and the matter set for hearing. Name the sponsoring witness of all text and testimony. Statement P must be filed concurrently with the other schedules.
§ 154.313   Schedules for minor rate changes.
(a) A change in a rate or charge that, for the test period, does not increase the company's revenues by the smaller of $1,000,000 or 5 percent is a minor rate change. A change in a rate level that does not directly or indirectly result in an increased rate or charge to any customer or class of customers is a minor rate change.
(b) In addition to the schedules in this section, filings for minor rate changes must include Statements L, M, O, P, I-1 through I-4, and J of § 154.312.
(c) The schedules of this section must contain the principal determinants essential to test the reasonableness of the proposed minor rate change. Any adjustments to book figures must be separately stated and the basis for the adjustment must be explained.
(d) Schedules B-1, B-2, C, D, E, H, H-2, and H-4 of § 154.313, must be updated with actual data by month and must be resubmitted in the same format and with consecutive 12 month running totals, for each month of the adjustment period. The updated statements or schedules must be filed 45 days after the end of the test period. The updated filing must reference the associated docket number and must be filed in the same format, form, and number as the original filing.
(e) Composition of schedules for minor rate changes.
(1) Schedule A. Overall Cost-of-service by Function. Summarize the overall cost-of-service (operation and maintenance expenses, depreciation, taxes, return, and credits to cost-of-service) developed from the supporting schedules below.
(2) Schedule B. Overall Rate Base and Return. Summarize the overall gas utility rate base by function. Include the claimed rate of return and show the application of the claimed rate of return to the overall rate base.
(3) Schedule B-1. Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes (Account Nos. 190, 281, 282, and 283). Show monthly book balances of accumulated deferred income taxes for each of the 12 months during the base period. In adjoining columns, show additions and reductions for the adjustment period balance and the total adjusted balance.
(4) Schedule B-2. Regulatory Asset and Liability. Show monthly book balances of regulatory asset (Account 182.3) and liability (Account 254) for each of the 12 months during the base period. In adjoining columns, show additions and reductions for the adjustment period balance and the total adjusted balance. Only include these accounts if recovery of these balances are reflected in the company's costs. Identify the specific Commission authority which required the establishment of these accounts.
(5) Schedule C. Cost of Plant by Functional Classification as of the End of the Base and Adjustment Periods.
(6) Schedule D. Accumulated Provisions for Depreciation, Depletion, Amortization, and Abandonment by Functional Classifications as of the Beginning and as of the End of the Test Period.
(7) Schedule E. Working Capital. Show the various components provided for in § 154.312, Statement E.
(8) Schedule F. Show the rate of return claimed with a brief explanation of the basis.
(9) Schedule G. Revenues and Billing Determinants.
(i) Show in summary format the information requested below on revenues and billing determinants for the base period and the base period as adjusted. Schedule G must be submitted to all customers of the pipeline that received service during the base period or are expected to receive service during the base period as adjusted and on State commissions having jurisdiction over the affected customers.
(A) Revenues. Provide the total revenues by rate schedule from jurisdictional services, classified in accordance with the Commission's Uniform System of Accounts for the base period and for the base period as adjusted. Separate operating revenues by major rate component (e.g., reservation charges, demand charges, usage charges, commodity charges, injection charges, withdrawal charges, etc.) from revenues received from penalties, surcharges or other sources (e.g., ACA, GRI, transition costs). For services provided through released capacity, identify total revenues by rate schedule and by receipt and delivery rate zones, if applicable.
(B) Billing Determinants. Show total reservation and usage billing determinants by rate schedule for the base period and the base period as adjusted. For services provided through released capacity, identify total billing determinants by rate schedule and by receipt and delivery rate zones, if applicable.
(ii) Schedule G-1 must be filed at the Commission and on all state commissions having jurisdiction over the affected customers within 15 days after the rate case is filed. Schedule G-1 must also be served on parties that request such service within 15 days of the filing of the rate case.
(A) Schedule G-1. Adjustment Period Revenues.
( 1 ) Show revenues and billing determinants by month, by customer name, by rate schedule, by major rate component (e.g., reservation charges) and totals for the base period adjusted for known and measurable changes which are expected to occur within the adjustment period computed under the rates expected to be charged. Show commodity billing determinants by rate schedule. Billing determinants must not be adjusted for discounting. Provide projected throughput (i.e., usage or commodity quantities, unadjusted for discounting) and projected contract demand levels (unadjusted for discounting). Separate operating revenues from revenues received from surcharges or other sources (e.g., ACA, GRI, transition costs). Identify customers who are affiliates. Identify rate schedules under which costs are allocated and rate schedules under which revenues are credited for the adjustment period with cross-references to the other filed statements and schedules.
( 2 ) Provide a reconciliation of the base period revenues and billing determinants and the revenues and billing determinants for the base period as adjusted.
(10) Schedule H. Operation and Maintenance Expenses. Show the gas operation and maintenance expenses according to each applicable account of the Commission's Uniform System of Accounts for Natural Gas Companies. The expenses must be shown under appropriate columnar-headings, by labor, materials and other charges, and purchased gas costs, with subtotals for each functional classification: Operation and maintenance expense by months, as booked, for the 12 months of actual experience, and the total thereof; adjustments, if any, to expenses as booked; and, total adjusted operation and maintenance expenses claimed. Explain all adjustments. Specify the month or months during which the adjustments would be applicable.
(11) Schedule H-1. Workpapers for Expense Accounts. Furnish workpapers for the 12 months of actual experience and claimed adjustments and analytical details as set forth in § 154.312, Schedule H-1 (3).
(12) Schedule H-2. Depreciation, Depletion, Amortization and Negative Salvage Expenses. Show, separately, the gas plant depreciation, depletion, amortization, and negative salvage expenses by functional classifications. For each functional plant classification, show depreciation reserve associated with offshore and onshore plant separately. The bases, methods, essential computations, and derivation of unit rates for the calculation of depreciation, depletion, amortization, and negative salvage expenses for actual experience must be explained.
(13) Schedule H-3. Income Tax Allowances Computed on the Basis of the Rate of Return Claimed. Show the computation of allowances for Federal and State income taxes based on the claimed return applied to the overall gas utility rate base.
(14) Schedule H-3 (1). This schedule is part of the workpapers. Show the computation of an updated reconciliation between book depreciable plant and tax depreciable plant and accumulated provision for deferred income taxes, for the base period or latest calendar or fiscal year (depending on the company's reporting period).
(15) Schedule H-4. Other Taxes. Show the gas utility taxes, other than Federal or state income taxes in separate columns, as follows: Tax expense per books for the 12 months of actual experience;) adjustments, if any, to amounts booked; and, the total adjusted taxes claimed. Provide the details of the kind and amount of taxes paid under protest or in connection with taxes under litigation. The taxes must be shown by states and by kind of taxes. Explain all adjustments.
§ 154.314   Other support for a filing.
(a) Any company filing for a rate change is responsible for preparing prior to filing, and maintaining, workpapers sufficient to support the filing.
(b) If the natural gas company has relied upon data other than those in Statements A through P in § 154.312 in support of its general rate change, such other data must be identified and submitted.
§ 154.315   Asset retirement obligations.
(a) A natural gas company that files a tariff change under this part and has recorded an asset retirement obligation on its books must provide a schedule, as part of the supporting workpapers, identifying all cost components related to the asset retirement obligations that are included in the book balances of all accounts reflected in the cost of service computation supporting the proposed rates. However, all cost components related to asset retirement obligations that would impact the calculation of rate base, such as gas plant and related accumulated depreciation and accumulated deferred income taxes, may not be reflected in rates and must be removed from the rate base calculation through a single adjustment.
(b) A natural gas company seeking to recover nonrate base costs related to asset retirement obligations in rates must provide, with its filing under § 154.312 or § 154.313, a detailed study supporting the amounts proposed to be collected in rates.
(c) A natural gas company who has recorded asset retirement obligations on its books but is not seeking recovery of the asset retirement costs in rates, must remove all asset retirement obligations related cost components from the cost of service supporting its proposed rates.
§ 154.400   Additional requirements.
In addition to the requirements of subparts A, B, and C of this part, any proposal to implement a limited rate change must comply with this subpart.
§ 154.401   RD&D expenditures.
(a) Requirements. Upon approval by the Commission, a natural gas company may file to recover research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) expenditures in its rates under this subpart.
(b) Applications for rate treatment approval. (1) An application for advance approval of rate treatment may be filed by a natural gas company for RD&D expenditures related to a project or group of projects undertaken by the company or as part of a project undertaken by others. When more than one company supports an RD&D organization, the RD&D organization may submit an application that covers the organization's RD&D program. Approval by the Commission of such an RD&D application and program will constitute approval of the individual companies' contributions to the RD&D organization.
(2) An application for advance approval of rate treatment must include a 5-year program plan and must be filed at least 180 days prior to the commencement of the 5-year period of the plan.
(3) A 5-year program plan must include at a minimum:
(i) A statement of the objectives for the 5-year period that relates the objectives to the interests of ratepayers, the public, and the industry and to the objectives of other major research organizations.
(ii) Budget, technical, and schedule information in sufficient detail to explain the work to be performed and allow an assessment of the probability of success and a comparison with other organizations' research plans.
(iii) The commencement date, expected termination date, and expected annual costs for individual RD&D projects to be initiated during the first year of the plan.
(iv) A discussion of the RD&D efforts and progress since the preparation of the program plan submitted the previous year and an explanation of any changes that have been made in objectives, priorities, or budgets since the plan of the previous year.
(v) A statement identifying all jurisdictional natural gas companies that will support the program and specifying the amounts of their budgeted support.
(vi) A statement identifying those persons involved in the development, review, and approval of the plan and specifying the amount of effort contributed and the degree of control exercised by each.
(c) Applications must describe the RD&D projects in such detail as to satisfy the Commission that the RD&D expenditures qualify as valid, justifiable, and reasonable.
(d) Within 120 days of the filing of an application for rate treatment approval and a 5-year program plan, the Commission will state its decision with respect to acceptance, partial acceptance, or rejection of the plan, or, when the complexity of issues in the plan so requires, will set a date certain by which a final decision will be made, or will order the matter set for hearing. Partial rejection of a plan by the Commission will be accompanied by a decision as to the partial level of acceptance which will be proportionally applied to all contributions listed for jurisdictional companies in the plan. Approval by the Commission of a 5-year plan constitutes approval for rate treatment of all projects identified as starting during the first year of the approved plan. Continued rate treatment will depend upon review and evaluation of subsequent annual applications and 5-year program plans.
§ 154.402   ACA expenditures.
(a) Requirements. Upon approval by the Commission, a natural gas pipeline company may adjust its rates, annually, to recover from its customers annual charges assessed by the Commission under part 382 of this chapter pursuant to an annual charge adjustment clause (ACA clause). Prior to the start of each fiscal year, the Commission will post on its Web site the amount of annual charges to be flowed through per unit of energy sold or transported (ACA unit charge) for that fiscal year. A company's ACA clause must be filed with the Commission and must incorporate by reference the ACA unit charge for the upcoming fiscal year as posted on the Commission's Web site. A company must incorporate by reference the ACA unit charge posted on the Commission's Web site in each of its rate schedules applicable to sales or transportation deliveries. The company must apply the ACA unit charge posted on the Commission's Web site to the usage component of rate schedules with two-part rates. A company may recover annual charges through an ACA unit charge only if its rates do not otherwise reflect the costs of annual charges assessed by the Commission under § 382.106(a) of this chapter. The applicable annual charge, required by § 382.103 of this chapter, must be paid before the company applies the ACA unit charge. Upon payment to the Commission of its annual charges, the ACA unit charge for that fiscal year will be incorporated by reference into the company's tariff, effective throughout that fiscal year.
(b) Application for rate treatment authorization. A company seeking authorization to use an ACA unit charge must file with the Commission a separate ACA tariff record containing:
(1) A statement that the company is collecting an ACA unit charge, as calculated by the Commission, applicable to all the pipeline's sales and transportation rate schedules,
(2) A statement that the ACA unit charge, as revised annually and posted on the Commission's Web site, is incorporated by reference into the company's tariff,
(3) For companies with existing ACA clauses, a proposed effective date of the tariff change of October 1 of the fiscal year; for companies seeking to utilize an ACA clause after October 1 of the fiscal year, a proposed effective date 30 days after the filing of the tariff record, unless a shorter period is specifically requested in a waiver petition and approved), and
(4) A statement that the pipeline will not recover any annual charges recorded in FERC Account 928 in a proceeding under subpart D of this part.
(c) Changes to the ACA unit charge must be filed annually, to reflect the annual charge unit rate authorized by the Commission each fiscal year.
§ 154.403   Periodic rate adjustments.
(a) This section applies to the passthrough, on a periodic basis, of a single cost item or revenue item for which passthrough is not regulated under another section of this subpart, and to revisions on a periodic basis of a gas reimbursement percentage.
(b) Where a pipeline recovers fuel use and unaccounted-for natural gas in kind, the fuel reimbursement percentage must be stated in the tariff either on the tariff sheet stating the currently effective rate or on a separate tariff sheet or section in such a way that it is clear what amount of natural gas must be tendered in kind for each service rendered.
(c) A natural gas company that passes through a cost or revenue item or adjusts its fuel reimbursement percentage under this section, must state within the general terms and conditions of its tariff, the methodology and timing of any adjustments. The following must be included in the general terms and conditions:
(1) A statement of the nature of the revenue or costs to be flowed through to the customer;
(2) A statement of the manner in which the cost or revenue will be collected or returned, whether through a surcharge, offset, or otherwise;
(3) A statement of which customers are recipients of the revenue credit and which rate schedules are subject to the cost or fuel reimbursement percentage;
(4) A statement of the frequency of the adjustment and the dates on which the adjustment will become effective;
(5) A step-by-step description of the manner in which the amount to be flowed through is calculated and a step-by-step description of the flowthrough mechanism, including how the costs are classified and allocated. Where the adjustment modifies a rate established under subpart D of this part, the methodology must be consistent with the methodology used in the proceeding under subpart D of this part;
(6) Where costs or revenue credits are accumulated over a past period for periodic recovery or return, the past period must be defined and the mechanism for the recovery or return must be detailed on a step-by-step basis. Where the natural gas company proposes to use a surcharge to clear an account in which the difference between costs or revenues, recovered through rates, and actual costs and revenues accumulate, a statement must be included detailing, on a step-by-step basis, the mechanism for calculating the entries to the account and for passing through the account balance.
(7) Where carrying charges are computed, the calculations must be consistent with the methodology and reporting requirements set forth in § 154.501 using the carrying charge rate required by that section. A natural gas company must normalize all income tax timing differences which are the result of differences between the period in which expense or revenue enters into the determination of taxable income and the period in which the expense or revenue enters into the determination of pre-tax book income. Any balance upon which the natural gas company calculates carrying charges must be adjusted for any recorded deferred income taxes.
(8) Where the natural gas company discounts the rate component calculated pursuant to this section, explain on a step-by-step basis how the natural gas company will adjust for rate discounts in its methodology to reflect changes in costs under this section.
(9) If the costs passed through under a mechanism approved under this section are billed by an upstream natural gas company, explain how refunds received from upstream natural gas companies will be passed through to the natural gas company's customers, including the allocation and classification of such refunds;
(10) A step-by-step explanation of the methodology used to reflect changes in the fuel reimbursement percentage, including the allocation and classification of the fuel use and unaccounted-for natural gas. Where the adjustment modifies a fuel reimbursement percentage established under subpart D of this part, the methodology must be consistent with the methodology used in the proceeding under subpart D of this part;
(11) A statement of whether the difference between quantities actually used or lost and the quantities retained from the customers for fuel use and loss will be recovered or returned in a future surcharge. Include a step-by-step explanation of the methodology used to calculate such surcharge. Any period during which these differences accumulate must be defined.
(d) Filing requirements. (1) Filings under this section must include:
(i) A summary statement showing the rate component added to each rate schedule with workpapers showing all mathematical calculations.
(ii) If the filing establishes a new fuel reimbursement percentage or surcharge, include computations for each fuel reimbursement or surcharge calculated, broken out by service, classification, area, zone, or other subcategory.
(iii) Workpapers showing the allocation of costs or revenue credits by rate schedule and step-by-step computations supporting the allocation, segregated into reservation and usage amounts, where appropriate.
(iv) Where the costs, revenues, rates, quantities, indices, load factors, percentages, or other numbers used in the calculations are publicly available, include references by source.
(v) Where a rate or quantity underlying the costs or revenue credits is supported by publicly available data (such as another natural gas company's tariff or EBB), the source must be referenced to allow the Commission and interested parties to review the source. If the rate or quantity does not match the rate or quantity from the source referenced, provide step-by-step instructions to tie the rate in the referenced source to the rate in the filing.
(vi) Where a number is derived from another number by applying a load factor, percentage, or other adjusting factor not referenced in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section, include workpapers and a narrative to explain the calculation of the adjusting factor.
(2) If the natural gas company is adjusting its rates to reflect changes in transportation and compression costs paid to others:
(i) The changes in transportation and compression costs must be based on the rate on file with the Commission. If the rate is not on file with the Commission or a discounted rate is paid, the rate reflected in the filing must be the rate the natural gas company is contractually obligated to pay;
(ii) The filing must include appropriate credits for capacity released under § 284.243 of this chapter with workpapers showing the quantity released, the revenues received from the release, the time period of the release, and the natural gas pipeline on which the release took place; and,
(iii) The filing must include a statement of the refunds received from each upstream natural gas company which are included in the rate adjustment. The statement must conform to the requirements set forth in § 154.501.
(3) If the natural gas company is reflecting changes in its fuel reimbursement percentage, the filing must include:
(i) A summary statement of actual gas inflows and outflows for each month used to calculate the fuel reimbursement percentage or surcharge. For purposes of establishing the surcharge, the summary statement must be included for each month of the period over which the differences defined in paragraph (c) of this section accumulate.
(ii) Where the fuel reimbursement percentage is calculated based on estimated activity over a future period, the period must be defined and the estimates used in the calculation must be justified. If any of the estimates are publicly available, include a reference to the source.
(4) The natural gas company must not recover costs and is not obligated to return revenues which are applicable to the period pre-dating the effectiveness of the tariff language setting forth the periodic rate change mechanism, unless permitted or required to do so by the Commission.
§ 154.501   Refunds.
(a) Refund Obligation. (1) Any natural gas company that collects rates or charges pursuant to this chapter must refund that portion of any increased rates or charges either found by the Commission not to be justified, or approved for refund by the Commission as part of a settlement, together with interest as required in paragraph (d) of this section. The refund plus interest must be distributed as specified in the Commission order requiring or approving the refund, or if no date is specified, within 60 days of a final order. For purposes of this paragraph, a final order is an order no longer subject to rehearing. The pipeline is not required to make any refund until it has collected the refundable money through its rates.
(2) Any natural gas company must refund to its jurisdictional customers the jurisdictional portion of any refund it receives which is required by prior Commission order to be flowed through to its jurisdictional customers or represents the refund of an amount previously included in a filing under § 154.403 and charged and collected from jurisdictional customers within thirty days of receipt or other time period established by the Commission or as established in the pipeline's tariff.
(b) Costs of Refunding. Any natural gas company required to make refunds pursuant to this section must bear all costs of such refunding.
(c) Supplier Refunds. The jurisdictional portion of supplier refunds (including interest received), applicable to periods in which a purchased gas adjustment clause was in effect, must be flowed through to the natural gas company's jurisdictional gas sales customers during that period with interest as computed in paragraph (d) of this section.
(d) Interest on Refunds. Interest on the refund balance must be computed from the date of collection from the customer until the date refunds are made as follows:
(1) At an average prime rate for each calendar quarter on all excessive rates or charges held (including all interest applicable to such rates and charges) on or after October 1, 1979. The applicable average prime rate for each calendar quarter must be the arithmetic mean, to the nearest one-hundredth of one percent, of the prime rate values published in the Federal Reserve Bulletin, or in the Federal Reserve's “Selected Interest Rates” (Statistical Release G, 13), for the fourth, third, and second months preceding the first month of the calendar quarter.
(2) The interest required to be paid under paragraph (d)(1) of this section must be compounded quarterly.
(3) The refund balance must be either:
(i) The revenues resulting from the collection of the portion of any increased rates or charges found by the Commission not to be justified; or
(ii) An amount agreed upon in a settlement approved by the Commission; or
(iii) The jurisdictional portion of a refund the natural gas company receives.
(e) Unless otherwise provided by the order, settlement or tariff provision requiring the refund, the natural gas company must file a report of refunds, within 30 days of the date the refund was made, which complies with § 154.502 and includes the following:
(1) Workpapers and a narrative sufficient to show how the refunds for jurisdictional services were calculated;
(2) Workpapers and a narrative sufficient to determine the origin of the refund, including step-by-step calculations showing the derivation of the refund amount described in paragraph (d)(3) of this section, if necessary;
(3) References to any publicly available sources which confirm the rates, quantities, or costs, which are used to calculate the refund balance or which confirm the refund amount itself. If the rate, quantity, cost or refund does not directly tie to the source, a workpaper must be included to show the reconciliation between the rate, quantity, cost, or refund in the natural gas company's report and the corresponding rate, quantity, cost or refund in the source document;
(4) Workpapers showing the calculation of interest on a monthly basis, including how the carrying charges were compounded quarterly;
(5) Workpapers and a narrative explaining how the refund was allocated to each jurisdictional customer. Where the numbers used to support the allocation are publicly available, a reference to the source must be included. Where the allocation methodology has been approved previously, a reference to the order or tariff provision approving the allocation methodology must be included.
(6) A letter of transmittal containing:
(i) A list of the material enclosed;
(ii) The name and telephone number of a company official who can answer questions regarding the filing;
(iii) A statement of the date the refund was disbursed;
(iv) A reference to the authority by which the refund is made, including the specific subpart of these regulations, an order of the Commission, a provision of the company's tariff, or any other appropriate authority. If a Commission order is referenced, include the citation to the FERC Reports, the date of issuance, and the docket number;
(v) Any requests for waiver. Requests must include a reference to the specific section of the statute, regulations, or the company's tariff from which waiver is sought, and a justification for the waiver.
(7) A certification of service to all affected customers and interested state commissions.
(f) Each report filed under paragraph (e) of this section must be posted no later than the date of filing. Each report must be posted to all recipients of a share of the refund and all state commissions whose jurisdiction includes the location of any recipient of a refund share that have made a standing request for such full report.
(g) Recipients of refunds and state commissions that have not made a standing request for such full report shall receive an abbreviated report consisting of the items listed in § 154.501 (e)(5) and (e)(6).
§ 154.502   Reports.
(a) When the natural gas company is required, either by a Commission order or as a part of a settlement in a proceeding initiated under this part 154 or part 284 of this chapter, to make a report on a periodic basis, details about the nature and contents of the report must be provided in an appropriate section of the general terms and conditions of its tariff.
(b) The details in the general terms and conditions of the tariff must include the frequency and timing of the report. Explain whether the report is filed annually, semi-annually, monthly, or is triggered by an event. If triggered by an event, explain how soon after the event the report must be filed. If the report is periodic, state the dates on which the report must be filed.
(c) Each report must include:
(1) A letter of transmittal containing:
(i) A list of the material enclosed;
(ii) The name and telephone number of a company official who can answer questions regarding the filing;
(iii) A reference to the authority by which the report is made, including the specific subpart of these regulations, an order of the Commission, a provision of the company's tariff, or any other appropriate authority. If a Commission order is referenced, include the citation to the FERC Reports, the date of issuance, and the docket number;
(iv) Any requests for waiver. Requests must include a reference to the specific section of the statute, regulations, or the company's tariff from which waiver is sought, and a justification for the waiver.
(2) A certification of service to all affected customers and interested state commissions.
(d) Each report filed under paragraph (b) of this section must be posted no later than the date of filing.
§ 154.600   Compliance with other subparts.
Any proposal to implement a tariff change other than in rate level must comply with subparts A, B, and C of this part.
§ 154.601   Change in executed service agreement.
Agreements intended to effect a change or revision of an executed service agreement on file with the Commission must be in the form of a superseding executed service agreement only. Service agreements may not contain any supplements, but may contain exhibits which may be separately superseded. The exhibits may show, among other things, contract demand delivery points, delivery pressures, names of industrial customers of the distributor-customer, or names of distributors (with one distributor named as agent where delivery to several distributors is effected at the same delivery points).
§ 154.602   Cancellation or termination of a tariff, executed service agreement or part thereof.
When an effective tariff, contract, or part thereof on file with the Commission, is proposed to be canceled or is to terminate by its own terms and no new tariff, executed service agreement, or part thereof, is to be filed in its place, the natural gas company must notify the Commission of the proposed cancellation or termination , at least 30 days prior to the proposed effective date of such cancellation or termination. With such notice, the company must submit a statement showing the reasons for the cancellation or termination, a list of the affected customers and the contract demand provided to the customers under the service to be canceled. A copy of the notice must be duly posted tariff filing in the electronic format required by § 154.4.
§ 154.603   Adoption of the tariff by a successor.
Whenever the tariff or contracts of a natural gas company on file with the Commission is to be adopted by another company or person as a result of an acquisition, or merger, authorized by a certificate of public convenience and necessity, or for any other reason, the succeeding company must file with the Commission, and post within 30 days after such succession, a tariff filing in the electronic format required by § 154.4 bearing the name of the successor company.