140 FERC ¶ 61,218

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION

18 CFR Part 357

[Docket No. RM11-21-000; Order No. 767]

Revision to Form No. 6 

(Issued September 20, 2012)

AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Final Rule

SUMMARY: In this Final Rule, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission amends the 

instructions on page 700 of FERC Form No. 6 (Form 6) to ensure that oil pipelines report 

interstate-only barrel and barrel-mile data on lines (11) and (12) of page 700 and not a 

combination of interstate and intrastate throughput. The Commission also directs 

pipelines that reported combined interstate and intrastate data in any field on lines (1) 

through (12) of page 700 of their 2010 Form 6 or page 700 of their 2011 Form 6 to file 

within 90 days of the final rule’s publication in the Federal Register revised page 700

data containing only interstate data for the years 2009, 2010 and 2011. 

EFFECTIVE DATE: This rule will become effective [insert date 90 days after 

publication in the FEDERAL REGISTER].
Docket No. RM11

-21-000- 2 -

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Andrew Knudsen (Legal Information)

Office of the General Counsel

888 First Street, NE

Washington, DC 20426

(202) 502-6527

Andrew.Knudsen@ferc.gov

Michael Lacy (Technical Information)

Office of Energy Market Regulation

888 First Street, NE

Washington, DC 20426

(202) 502-8843

Michael.Lacy@ferc.gov

Brian Holmes (Technical Information)

Office of Enforcement

888 First Street, NE

Washington, DC 20426

(202) 502-6008

Brian.Holmes@ferc.gov

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

:
140 FERC ¶ 61,218

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION

Before Commissioners: Jon Wellinghoff, Chairman;

 Philip D. Moeller, John R. Norris,

 Cheryl A. LaFleur, and Tony T. Clark.

Revision to Form No. 6 Docket No. RM11-21-000

(ORDER NO. 767)

FINAL RULE

(Issued September 20, 2012)

1. In this Final Rule, the Commission amends the instructions on page 700, Annual 

Cost of Service Based Analysis Schedule, of FERC Form No. 6, Annual Report of Oil 

Pipeline Companies, (Form 6) to ensure that oil pipelines report interstate-only barrel and 

barrel-mile data on lines (11) and (12) of page 700 and not a combination of interstate 

and intrastate throughput.1

 The Commission also directs pipelines that reported 

combined interstate and intrastate data in any field on lines (1) through (12) of page 700 

of their 2010 Form 62 or their 2011 Form 63 to file within 90 days of the final rule’s 

 1 Concurrent with the issuance of this Final Rule, the Commission is proposing 

additional changes to Page 700 of Form 6 in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in Docket 

No. RM12-18-000.

2 Pipelines filed their 2010 FERC Form 6 on April 18, 2011.

3 Pipelines filed their 2011 FERC Form 6 on April 18, 2012.
Docket No. RM11-21-000 - 2 -

publication in the Federal Register revised page 700 data containing only interstate data 

for the years 2009, 2010, and 2011. 4

 

I. Background

2. Page 700 of Form 6 serves as a preliminary screening tool for shippers to 

evaluate interstate pipeline rates subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction.5

 Thus, in 

Order Nos. 620 and 620-A, the Commission clarified that page 700 must include only 

jurisdictional costs and jurisdictional revenues (i.e. interstate costs and interstate 

revenues) and not a combination of jurisdictional and non-jurisdictional data.6

 Page 700 

contains data for the current year and previous year, which allows shippers and the 

Commission to evaluate the pipeline’s cost changes during the prior year.

7

 

 4 2009 data will be reported in Column C of the revised 2010 Form 6, page 700. 

2010 data will be reported in Column B of the revised 2010 Form 6, page 700 and 

Column C of the revised 2011 Form 6, page 700. 2011 data will be reported in 

Column B of the revised 2011 Form 6, page 700. 

5 All jurisdictional pipelines are required to file page 700, including pipelines 

exempt from filing the full Form 6. 18 CFR §§ 357.2(a)(2) and (a)(3) (2011).

6 Revisions to and Electronic Filing of the FERC Form No. 6 and Related Uniform 

Systems of Accounts, Order No. 620, FERC Stats. & Regs. ¶ 31,115, at 31,959, on reh’g, 

94 FERC ¶ 61,130, at 61,498 (2001). 

7 Page 700 of the 2010 Form 6 contains data for 2010 and 2009. Following the 

issuance of the NOPR, pipelines filed the 2011 Form 6 on April 18, 2012, which contains 

page 700 data for 2011 and 2010.
Docket No. RM11-21-000 - 3 -

3. On July 29, 2011, the Commission issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 

(NOPR)8 proposing to modify the instructions for line (11)9 and line (12)10 of page 700 

to specify that pipelines must report only interstate barrels and interstate barrel-miles, not 

a combination of interstate and intrastate throughput. The NOPR observed that the 

current instructions on page 700 for lines (11) and (12) may inadvertently have caused 

some pipelines to report barrel and barrel-mile throughput that combines interstate and 

intrastate data.

11

4. In addition to modifying the instructions for the page 700, the NOPR further 

proposed to require any pipeline that reported combined interstate and intrastate data in 

lines (1) through (12) on page 700 to file a revised page 700 of the 2010 Form 6 

containing interstate-only data for 2009 and 2010. 

 8 Revision to Form No. 6, 76 FR 46668 (Aug. 3, 2011), FERC Stats. & Regs. 

¶ 32,677 (2011) (NOPR).

9 Instruction number 4 on page 700 of the Form 6.

10 Instruction number 5 on page 700 of the Form 6.

11 Specifically, the instruction for line (12) on page 700 directs pipelines to report 

the same barrel-mile figures as those reported on line 33a of page 600 of the Form 6. 

Similarly, the instruction for line (11) on page 700 directs pipelines to report the same 

barrel figures as those reported on line 33b of page 601 of the Form 6. Thus, the 

instructions on page 700 specify that the throughput data reported on page 700 is the 

same throughput data that is reported on page 600-601. The instructions for page 600 

direct pipelines to include “all oils received” by the pipeline, which consequently may 

have led some filers to report combined interstate and intrastate barrel-miles on lines (11) 

and (12) of page 700.
Docket No. RM11-21-000 - 4 -

5. On April 18, 2012, following the issuance of the NOPR and after the filing of 

comments in this proceeding, pipelines filed the 2011 Form 6, which contains page 700 

data for 2011 and 2010. 

II. Comments 

6. Comments on the NOPR were due on October 3, 2011. Comments were filed by 

Valero Marketing and Supply Company (Valero); Air Transport Association of America 

and the National Propane Gas Association (ATA/NPGA); Magellan Pipeline, L.P.

(Magellan); Association of Oil Pipelines (AOPL);12 Enbridge Pipelines Inc.; and 

R. Gordon Gooch (Mr. Gooch). AOPL, Valero and Mr. Gooch filed reply comments, 

which the Commission accepts as they assisted our decision-making process. 

III. Discussion

A. Clarification To Page 700 Requiring that All Pipelines Report 

Interstate-Only Barrels and Barrel Miles 

1. The NOPR

7. The NOPR proposed to modify the instructions for line (11) and line (12) of 

page 700 to specify that pipelines must report only interstate barrels and interstate 

barrel-miles and not a combination of interstate and intrastate throughput. 

 12 AOPL states that it is a nonprofit trade association that represents the 

interests of common carrier oil pipelines. AOPL states that its members transport almost 

85 percent of the crude oil and refined petroleum products shipped through pipelines in 

the United States.
Docket No. RM11-21-000 - 5 -

2. Comments

8. Valero, ATA/NPGA, and Mr. Gooch support the clarification that pipelines are to 

report on page 700 only interstate barrels and barrel-miles. They state that this change is 

consistent with the purpose of page 700. Magellan also states that it supports the 

proposal. AOPL and Enbridge state that they do not oppose the proposal to change the 

instructions on page 700. 

3. Discussion 

9. The Commission adopts the proposal to clarify that the barrel and barrel-mile data 

reported on lines (11) and (12) of page 700 must include interstate-only data and may not 

comingle interstate and intrastate data. None of the parties oppose this change. This 

modification will ensure that the interstate-only revenues and costs currently required to 

be reported on page 700 are accompanied by interstate-only volumes. 

B. Filing Revised Page 700

1. The NOPR

10. The NOPR proposed that pipelines that reported combined interstate and intrastate 

data in lines (1) through (12) on page 700 should file a corrected 2010 Form 6 page 700 

containing interstate only data for 2009 and 2010. 

2. Comments

i. Initial Comments

11. Valero, ATA/NPGA, and Mr. Gooch support requiring pipelines that included 

intrastate data in the page 700 on the 2010 Form 6 to file revised 2009 and 2010 data 

containing interstate-only information. In addition, Valero and ATA/NPGA request that 
Docket No. RM11-21-000 - 6 -

the Commission require pipelines to re-file corrected page 700 going back to the 2005

Form 6. Valero, ATA/NPGA, and Mr. Gooch state that once the Commission has 

gathered the page 700 information, it should then re-evaluate the appropriateness of the 

current oil pipeline index13 based upon the prior years’ page 700 information. The 

current index adjustment is the result of the Commission’s recent five-year review of the 

index conducted in 2010.14 Shipper parties had proposed using page 700 in the 2010 

five-year review of the index level and now claim that the Commission rejected the use 

of the page 700 data only due to the interstate/intrastate mismatch on page 700, which is 

being remedied by this proceeding. Valero argues that burden on pipelines of re-filing

data back to 2005 is likely to be negligible. Extrapolating from the cost estimates in the 

NOPR, Valero asserts that re-filing corrected Form 6, page 700 going back to 2005 

would be $171.10 for a pipeline that is re-filing all five-years.

12. In contrast, AOPL, Magellan, and Enbridge oppose requiring any pipeline that 

comingled interstate and intrastate costs to re-submit 2009 page 700 data. AOPL and 

Magellan assert that there is no compelling regulatory need for the 2009 data. AOPL 

argues that requiring 2009 data is a retroactive action that is contrary to the precepts of 

 13 Under the index, an oil pipeline may change its ceiling rates effective every 

July 1 by multiplying the previous index year’s ceiling rates by the index multiplier 

published by the Commission. The index is currently set at the Producer Price Index for 

Finished Goods (PPI-FG) plus an adjustment factor of 2.65 percent.

14 Five-Year Review of Oil Pipeline Pricing Index, 133 FERC ¶ 61,228, at P 64-85 

(2010) (2010 Five-Year Index Review), reh’g denied, 135 FERC ¶ 61,172, at P 27-43 

(2011) (2010 Five-Year Index Review Rehearing).
Docket No. RM11-21-000 - 7 -

administrative law.15 These parties do not raise objections to filing interstate-only 

2010 data as part of the 2011 Form 6 to be filed on April 18, 2012. 

13. Additionally, AOPL and Magellan dispute the NOPR’s estimate that re-filing

2009 and 2010 data will only be one hour per filer. AOPL contends that it can be 

difficult to determine whether a movement is interstate or intrastate. Similarly, Magellan 

states that until the most recent 2010 Form 6 filed on April 18, 2011, Magellan filed 

comingled interstate and intrastate throughput and operating cost data on its page 700. 

Based upon its own experience, Magellan estimates that revisions to 2009 data for other 

pipelines would require forty man-hours over a three-week period involving multiple 

personnel. 

ii. Reply Comments

14. In its reply comments, AOPL asserts that Valero, ATA/NPGA, and Mr. Gooch’s 

proposal to require re-filing of page 700 data going back the 2005 Form 6 is an improper 

collateral attack on the Commission’s decisions in the 2010 Five-Year Index Review. 

AOPL adds that if the Commission considers using page 700 to calculate the index in the 

future, the Commission must address the objections that were raised in the last five-year 

review.16

 15 AOPL Comments at 6 (citing Bowen v. Georgetown Univ. Hospital, 488 U.S. 

204, 208 (1988)).

16 AOPL Comments at 3 (citing Reply Comments of the Association of Oil Pipe 

Lines at 30-37, Docket No. RM10-25-000 (Sept. 20, 2010); Response of the Association 

of Oil Pipe Lines at 19-28, Docket No. RM10-25-000 (Oct. 20, 2010)).
Docket No. RM11-21-000 - 8 -

15. Also in its reply comments, AOPL reiterates its position that the request for

corrected 2009 data has not been justified. AOPL contends that the burden of 

recalculating the 2010 Form 6, page 700 data substantially exceeds the one hour per filer 

estimated by the NOPR. AOPL states that sorting out the jurisdictional status of 

individual pipeline movements and recalculating the correct number of barrels and barrelmiles to each destination can be quite time consuming. Responding to Valero, 

ATA/NPGA, and Mr. Gooch, AOPL states that the further back in time the recalculation 

is required, the more difficult the data is to reconstruct. AOPL adds that there have been 

significant changes in pipeline ownership and operations since 2005, making it more 

difficult to reconstruct historic data.

16. In its reply comments, Valero denies that its request is a collateral attack on the 

2010 Five-Year Index Review. Valero emphasizes the importance of the index level for 

shipper costs. Citing the NOPR’s estimate of a total cost of $11,362.70 to correct the 

referenced reporting errors for the years 2009 and 2010, Valero asserts that requiring 

pipelines to file corrected data for 2006, 2007, and 2008 would cost $35,000. Valero 

disputes AOPL’s and Magellan’s claims regarding burden of filing revised interstate-only 

page 700 information. Valero observes that only one pipeline (Magellan) raised 

objections to the Commission’s burden estimate. Valero states that pipelines such as 

Magellan already report intrastate and interstate revenue on page 301 of the Form 6. 

Thus, Valero concludes that pipelines should be fully aware of the corresponding 

interstate and intrastate movements, barrels, and barrel-miles, underlying these reported 
Docket No. RM11-21-000 - 9 -

revenue amounts. Valero notes that pipelines are already required to report interstateonly data for lines (1) through (10). 

3. Commission Determination

17. In the NOPR, the Commission proposed to require any pipeline that reported 

comingled interstate and intrastate data on lines (1) through (12) of the 2010 Form 6, 

page 700 to file revised 2010 Form 6, page 700 data for the years 2010 and 2009. In 

addition, following the issuance of the NOPR and after the filing of comments, pipelines 

filed the 2011 Form 6 on April 18, 2012, which contains page 700 data for 2011 and 

2010. 

18. Accordingly, the Commission directs any pipeline that reported combined 

interstate and intrastate data in any field on lines (1) through (12) of page 700 of its 2010 

Form 6 or page 700 of its 2011 Form 6 to file revised page 700 data containing only 

interstate data for the years 2009, 2010 and 2011.

19. This action ensures the availability of complete interstate cost per barrel-mile data 

consistent with the Commission’s regulation of interstate oil pipeline rates and the intent 

of page 700 to enable the Commission and shippers to analyze interstate pipeline costs. 

For example, the interstate-only information for the year 2009, 2010 and 2011 will 

provide the Commission with useful information during the next five-year review of the 
Docket No. RM11-21-000 - 10 -

Commission’s index level.

17 In the recent 2010 Five-Year Index Review, parties urged 

the Commission to modify its existing practice and to use page 700 data to calculate the 

oil pipeline index.

18 The Commission determined that it could not use data from 

page 700 because the page 700 instructions, which are being corrected by this order, 

created a “mismatch between the page 700 total cost-of-service, which includes only 

interstate data, and the page 700 throughput data, which includes interstate and intrastate 

data.”19 Thus, by collecting the interstate-only page 700 data for 2009, 2010 and 2011, as 

directed by this order, the Commission will have available complete page 700 data for the 

 17 Under the index, an oil pipeline may change its ceiling rates effective every 

July 1 by multiplying the previous index year’s ceiling rates by the index multiplier 

published by the Commission. The Commission reviews the index level every five years 

to determine whether it continues to track oil pipeline cost changes and to revise the 

index level if necessary. The Commission completed its most recent review, establishing 

an index level to be effective for the period July 1, 2011, through June 30, 2016, of the 

Producer Price Index for Finished Goods (PPI-FG) plus an adjustment factor of 

2.65 percent. 2010 Five-Year Index Review, 133 FERC ¶ 61,228, reh’g denied, 135 

FERC ¶ 61,172.

18 The Commission has historically used data from elsewhere on the Form 6, not 

the page 700. Specifically the Commission has used data drawn from the Form 6: 

Carrier Property, page 110; Accrued Depreciation, page 111; Operating Revenues and

Operating Expenses, page 114; Crude and Products Barrel-Miles, page 600. 2010 FiveYear Index Review, 133 FERC ¶ 61,228 at n.9.

19 2010 Five-Year Index Review, 133 FERC ¶ 61,228 at P 83.
Docket No. RM11-21-000 - 11 -

five-year (2009-2014) period to use during the 2015 Five-Year Index Review if deemed 

appropriate.

20 

20. The Commission will not require pipelines to file revised page 700 data for the 

years prior to 2009. The sole purpose given by Valero, ATA/NPGA, and Mr. Gooch for 

requesting this information is to reconsider the conclusions of the Commission’s 2010 

Five-Year Index Review. The proposal to revisit the indexing calculation is a collateral 

attack on the recently completed 2010 Five-Year Index Review, which has been 

administratively final as of the Commission’s order on rehearing.21 A request to further 

reconsider the Commission’s indexing methodology and to re-calculate the index level is 

unnecessary given the scope of that proceeding and the use of the Commission’s 

established methodology.22 

21. In response to AOPL, Magellan, and Enbridge, the Commission does not view the 

re-filing requirement for the 2010 Form 6, page 700 and the 2011 Form 6, page 700 as 

creating an undue burden. The Commission is not persuaded that requiring pipelines to 

file revised 2009, 2010 or 2011 interstate only page 700 data will be as difficult or costly

as AOPL, Magellan, and Enbridge suggest. This requirement will only affect pipelines 

 20 In each five-year review, the Commission has considered cost per barrel mile 

changes over the prior five year period. E.g., 2010 Five-Year Index Review, 133 FERC 

¶ 61,228 at P 5.

21 2010 Five-Year Index Review Rehearing, 135 FERC ¶ 61,172.

22 Id. P 43.
Docket No. RM11-21-000 - 12 -

that filed comingled interstate and intrastate data on the page 700. Regarding cost and 

revenue data, the Commission’s directive does not impose an expense on pipeline parties 

that is not already embodied in existing Commission rules. The Commission clarified 

over a decade ago that cost and revenue information reported on lines (1) through (10) of 

page 700 data should include interstate-only data.23 No party disputes this.

22. Regarding the barrel and barrel-mile data on lines (11) and (12), Magellan and 

AOPL contend that it is sometimes difficult to determine whether a shipment is interstate 

or intrastate. However, compliance with the existing requirement for pipelines to file 

only interstate costs and revenues on lines (1) through (10) requires a similar 

determination distinguishing between interstate shipments and intrastate shipments.24 

 23 In Order No. 620-A, the Commission stated: 

The Commission never intended in the Final Rule to have a pipeline report 

its non-jurisdictional costs on page 700.... [W]e take this opportunity to 

clarify Order No. 620 that the cost-of-service and revenue data reported on 

page 700 will be the cost of service and revenues related to FERC 

jurisdictional services.

94 FERC at 61,498.

24 Page 301 of the Form 6 also requires pipelines to separately identify interstate 

revenues and intrastate revenues. Furthermore, under the Interstate Commerce Act 

(ICA), carriers must charge the correct rate on file for transportation service, and shippers 

are required to provide accurate information regarding the nature of their shipments in 

order to ensure that the correct rate is charged, which would include distinguishing 

interstate and intrastate rates. See 49 app. U.S.C. §10.
Docket No. RM11-21-000 - 13 -

C. Magellan’s Request for Clarification

23. Magellan requests that the Commission permit flexibility in the methodology that 

pipelines adopt for allocating intrastate and interstate cost data in page 700. Magellan 

asserts that it is not possible to precisely segregate interstate cost data from intrastate cost 

data in all instances. Thus, Magellan asserts that a dual use pipeline will need to develop 

its own methodology for allocating such costs. Magellan states that prior to the Form 

No. 6 it filed in 2010, Magellan included both interstate and intrastate data on page 700. 

Magellan states that to do so, it developed and adopted a methodology to allocate 

operating expenses between interstate and intrastate movements based upon a barrel-mile 

analysis. Thus, Magellan states that it used this methodology to allocate operating 

expenses between interstate and intrastate movements on a barrel-mile basis. 

24. The Commission will deny Magellan’s request. We will not pass judgment in this 

proceeding on past or future page 700 submissions or the methodologies used to separate

interstate from intrastate. The purpose of this order is to modify the instructions for 

lines (11) and (12) of page 700 related to reporting barrels and barrel-miles of 

throughput. In filing page 700, pipelines are required to follow the Commission’s costof-service methodology. Magellan’s request for clarification is further inapposite 

because the Commission clarified a decade ago in Order No. 620-A25 that pipelines were 

only to report interstate (as opposed to interstate and intrastate) costs on lines (1) through 

 25 Order No. 620-A, 94 FERC at 61,498.
Docket No. RM11-21-000 - 14 -

(10) of page 700. To the extent that Magellan is concerned that its system creates novel 

circumstances, Magellan can seek specific guidance from the Commission or 

Commission Staff regarding the particular allocation methodology that it has adopted. 

D. Other Issues

1. Comments 

25. The parties raised multiple issues related to other aspects of page 700 or Form 6. 

Valero and ATA/NPGA contend that revisions should be made to page 700 so that each 

pipeline and/or system is separately reported on page 700.26 Valero and ATA/NPGA 

also argue that pipelines should be required to provide the workpapers supporting page 

700 to the shippers. ATA/NPGA also proposes to require pipelines to file the entire

Form 6 before they can file for an index rate increase.

27 

26. Parties also raised issues not involving Form 6. ATA/NPGA further asserts that 

the Commission should change the interest rate applicable to refunds and reparations. 

ATA/NPGA and Mr. Gooch also raise issues related to alleged over-recoveries by certain 

 26 Currently, page 700 data contains total company data that is not broken down by 

pipeline or system. Valero Comments at 16. For example, Valero states that MidAmerica Pipeline Company, LLC, has three distinct and separate systems, each with their 

own separate cost of service. Valero states that without being able to evaluate the cost of 

service for the specific segments at issue, it is impossible for shippers to determine the 

appropriateness or reasonableness of a particular segments rates. 

27 Currently, pipelines with operating revenues less than $500,000 but more than 

$350,000 are only required to file page 301, “Operating Revenues Accounts (Account 

600)” and page 700. 18 CFR § 357(a)(2) (2011). Pipelines with operating revenues less 

than $350,000 must only file page 700. Id. § 357(a)(3). 
Docket No. RM11-21-000 - 15 -

pipelines. ATA/NPGA and Mr. Gooch argue that pipelines showing over-recoveries on 

their Form No. 6 annual report should be required to show cause why their rates should 

not be considered unjust and unreasonable. Mr. Gooch also objects to the Commission’s 

regulations and policies regarding protests and complaints against oil pipeline rates. 

Valero asserts that the Commission should clarify that shippers retain the right to 

challenge, via protest or complaint, the 2011 index rate increases for pipelines that have 

filed deficient cost and revenue data on page 700. Mr. Gooch also asks that the 

Commission clarify precisely how barrel-miles may be used to demonstrate reasonable 

grounds to believe that the rate increase is “substantially divergent” from the costs so that 

the resulting rates may not be just and reasonable. 

27. In its reply comments, AOPL states that these comments are beyond the scope. 

AOPL adds that the Shippers have repeatedly raised and the Commission has repeatedly 

rejected (a) proposals to segregate Form 6 and page 700 data by pipeline system and (b) 

require pipelines to file their page 700 workpapers with the Form 6.28 AOPL states that 

nothing has changed since the Commission last rejected these proposals in 2008. 

Specifically responding to Mr. Gooch’s comments regarding pipeline over-recoveries, 

 28 AOPL Reply Comments at 5 (citing Cost of Service Reporting and Filing 

Requirements for Oil Pipelines, Order No. 571, FERC Stats. & Regs. ¶ 31,006, at 31,168-

169 (1994); Order No. 620, FERC Stats. & Regs. ¶ 31,115 at 31,959; Review of FERC 

Form Nos. 6 and 6-Q, 125 FERC ¶ 61,308, at P 5-9 (2008)).
Docket No. RM11-21-000 - 16 -

AOPL states that shippers have the option to file a complaint to the extent that they are 

concerned with the level of individual pipeline rates.

28. In his reply comments, Mr. Gooch contends that his comments are not beyond the 

scope because, he argues, they are a constitutionally protected petition for a redress of 

grievances. Mr. Gooch also reiterates his comments regarding alleged over-recoveries by 

certain pipelines and asserts that it is difficult to file complaints. 

2. Commission Decision

29. These issues are beyond the scope of this proceeding, which is limited to a minor 

correction to the throughput levels reported on page 700 and obtaining corrected data 

for 2009, 2010, and 2011. No party opposed the limited change to page 700 that was 

actually presented in the NOPR. Given the limited nature of the NOPR, this proceeding 

is not the appropriate forum for considering additional changes to FERC Form No. 6, 

such as the segregation of data or changing Commission policy to make available 

pipeline cost-of-service workpapers. Other issues, such as the Commission’s policies 

regarding protests to pipeline rates, are also not before the Commission and will be 

addressed as they arise in litigation. 

IV. Information Collection Statement

30. The Commission’s estimate of the additional Public Reporting Burden and cost 

related to the final rule in Docket RM11-21-000 follow. The Commission recognizes that 

there will be a one-time increased burden involved in the initial implementation 

associated with: (a) using only interstate figures for lines 1-12 of page 700, and (b) refiling of revised data for lines (1) through (12) of page 700 for 2009, 2010, and 2011. 
Docket No. RM11-21-000 - 17 -

Given the time it takes to verify data and file it with the Commission, we may have 

underestimated the one hour average per filer. Consequently we have revised the average 

burden to four hours for filing corrected 2009 and 2010 page 700 data. In this final rule,

the Commission is also seeking revised 2011 data. Thus, we estimate an additional 

one-time burden of six hours per filer for the combined implementation and the re-filing 

of the page 700 for the 2009, 2010, and 2011 data. For the recurring effort involved in 

filing interstate data on lines (1) through (12) of page 700 for 2012 and future years, we 

estimate that the change in burden is negligible (after the initial implementation).

RM11-21, FERC 

Form 6

Annual No. of 

Filers

Estimated 

Additional 

One-Time 

Burden per 

Filer (Hr.)

Total 

Estimated 

Additional 

One-Time 

Burden 

(Hr.)

Estimated 

Additional OneTime Cost per 

Filer ($)29

Implementation 

Burden (one-time); 

and Re-filing of 

Page 700, lines 1-12 

for 2009-2010 (onetime)

16630 6 996 $414.06

Total 166 996 $68,733.96

 29 Based on an estimated average cost per employee for 2012 (including salary 

plus benefits) of $143,540, the estimated average hourly cost per employee is $69.01. 

The average work year is 2,080 hours.

30 Although 166 pipelines file page 700, the number of pipelines that must file 

corrected information will likely be substantially less. Some pipelines only transport 

interstate shipments and thus would have reported only interstate data on page 700. 

Other pipelines may have reported only interstate data on lines (1) – (12) on page 700, 

and these pipelines would not need to file additional data. 
Docket No. RM11-21-000 - 18 -

The additional one-time burden of 996 hours is being spread over the three years for the 

purposes of submittal to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), giving an 

average additional annual burden of 332 hours.

Information Collection Costs: The Commission seeks comments on the costs and burden 

to comply with these requirements. 

Total additional one-time cost = $68,733.96. 

Title: FERC Form No. 6, Annual Report of Oil Pipeline Companies

Action: Revision to the FERC Form 6

OMB Control No: 1902-0022

Respondents: Public and non-public utilities

Frequency of Responses: Initial implementation and one-time re-filing of selected data 

for 2009, 2010, and 2011.

Necessity of the Information: This action ensures the availability of complete interstate 

cost per barrel-mile data consistent with the Commission’s regulation of interstate oil and 

petroleum product pipeline rates and the intent of page 700 to enable the Commission and 

shippers to analyze interstate pipeline costs.

Internal review: The Commission has reviewed the proposed changes and has 

determined that the changes are necessary. These requirements conform to the 

Commission’s need for efficient information collection, communication, and 

management within the energy industry. The Commission has assured itself, by means of 

internal review, that there is specific, objective support for the burden estimates 

associated with the information collection requirements.
Docket No. RM11-21-000 - 19 -

31. Interested persons may obtain information on the reporting requirements by 

contacting: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE, Washington, 

DC 20426 [Attention: Ellen Brown, Office of the Executive Director, e-mail: 

DataClearance@ferc.gov, Phone: (202) 502-8663, fax: (202) 273-0873]. Comments on 

the requirements of this rule may also be sent to the Office of Information and Regulatory 

Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503 [Attention: Desk 

Officer for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission]. For security reasons, comments 

should be sent by e-mail to OMB at oira_submission@omb.eop.gov. Please reference 

OMB Control No. 1902-0022, FERC-6 and the docket number of this proposed 

rulemaking in your submission.

V. Environmental Analysis

32. The Commission is required to prepare an Environmental Assessment or an 

Environmental Impact Statement for any action that may have a significant adverse effect 

on the human environment.31 The actions taken here fall within categorical exclusions in 

the Commission’s regulations for information gathering, analysis, and dissemination.32 

Therefore, an environmental assessment is unnecessary and has not been prepared in this 

rulemaking. 

 31 Regulations Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act, Order 

No. 486, 486 FR 1750 (Jan. 22, 1988), FERC Stats. & Regs. ¶ 30,783 (1987).

32 18 CFR § 380.4(a)(5).
Docket No. RM11-21-000 - 20 -

VI. Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification

33. The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA) requires agencies to prepare certain 

statements, descriptions, and analyses of proposed rules that will have a significant 

economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.33 Agencies are not required 

to make such an analysis if a rule would not have such an effect. 

34. The Commission does not believe that this proposed rule will have an adverse 

impact on small entities, nor will it impose upon them any significant costs of 

compliance. The Commission identified 29 small entities as respondents to the 

requirements in the proposed rule.34 As explained above, the change to page 700 will not 

increase the burden of preparing page 700. Further, the time required to implement 

changes and to file any necessary one-time revision of the page 700 data as specified in 

this order is minimal (an average of six hours per company). The Commission does not 

estimate that there are any other regulatory burdens associated with this final rule. Thus, 

the Commission certifies that the final rule would not have a significant economic impact 

on a substantial number of small entities.

 33 5 U.S.C. 601-12.

34 The RFA definition of “small entity” refers to the definition provided in the 

Small Business Act, which defines a “small business concern” as a business that is 

independently owned and operated and that is not dominant in its field of operation. 

15 U.S.C. 632. The Small Business Size Standards component of the North American 

Industry Classification System defines a small oil pipeline company as one with less than 

1,500 employees. See 13 CFR 121, 201. 
Docket No. RM11-21-000 - 21 -

VII. Effective Date and Congressional Notification

35. These regulations are effective insert date 90 days from publication in Federal 

Register. The Commission has determined, with the concurrence of the Administrator of 

the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB, that this rule is not a "major 

rule" as defined in section 351 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness 

Act of 1996.

VIII. Document Availability

36. In addition to publishing the full text of this document in the Federal Register, the 

Commission provides all interested persons an opportunity to view and/or print the 

contents of this document via the Internet through FERC's Home Page 

(http://www.ferc.gov) and in FERC's Public Reference Room during normal business 

hours (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time) at 888 First Street, NE, Room 2A, 

Washington, DC 20426.

37. From FERC's Home Page on the Internet, this information is available on 

eLibrary. The full text of this document is available on eLibrary in PDF and Microsoft 

Word format for viewing, printing, and/or downloading. To access this document in 

eLibrary, type the docket number excluding the last three digits of this document in the 

docket number field.

38. User assistance is available for eLibrary and the FERC’s website during normal 

business hours from FERC Online Support at (202) 502-6652 (toll free at 1-866-208-

3676) or email at ferconlinesupport@ferc.gov, or the Public Reference Room at 
Docket No. RM11-21-000 - 22 -

(202) 502-8371, TTY (202) 502-8659. E-mail the Public Reference Room at 

public.referenceroom@ferc.gov.

List of subjects in 18 CFR Part 357

Pipelines

Reporting and recordkeeping requirements

By direction of the Commission.

( S E A L )

Kimberly D. Bose,

Secretary.
Docket No. RM11-21-000 - 23 -

Note: Appendix A will not be published in the Code of Federal Regulations

Appendix A- Summary of Proposed Changes to FERC Form 6, Page 700

Instruction 4 is revised to read as follows:

Enter on line 11, columns b and c, the interstate throughput in barrels for the 

current and previous calendar years.

Instruction 5 is revised to read as follows:

Enter on line 12, columns b and c, the interstate throughput in barrel-miles for the 

current and previous calendar years.

Line 11 is revised to read as follows: 

Total Interstate Throughput in Barrels

Line 12 is revised to read as follows: 

Total Interstate Throughput in Barrel-Miles
Docket No. RM11-21-000 - 24 -

Note: Appendix B will not be published in the Code of Federal Regulations

Appendix B: Revised Page 700 to Form 6

Name of Respondent This Report Is:

□ (1) An Original

□ (2) A Resubmission

Date of Report

(Mo, Da, Yr)

/ /

Year/Period of Report

End of ________

Annual Cost of Service Based Analysis Schedule

1.) Use footnotes when particulars are required or for any explanations.

2.) Enter on lines 1-9, columns (b) and (c), the value the respondent's Operating & Maintenance Expenses, 

Depreciation Expense, AFUDC Depreciation, Amortization of Deferred Earnings, Rate Base, Rate of Return, Return, 

Income Tax Allowance, and Total Cost of Service, respectively, for the end of the current and previous calendar years. 

The values shall be computed consistent with the Commission's Opinion No. 154-B et al. methodology. Any item(s) not 

applicable to the filing, the pipeline company shall report nothing in columns (b) and (c).

3.) Enter on line 10, columns (b) and (c), total interstate operating revenue, as reported on page 301, for the current 

and previous calendar years.

4.) Enter on line 11, columns b and c, the interstate throughput in barrels for the current and previous calendar years.

5.) Enter on line 12, columns b and c, the interstate throughput in barrel-miles for the current and previous calendar 

years.

6.) If the company makes major changes to its application of the Opinion No. 154-B et al. methodology, it must 

describe such changes in a footnote, and calculate the amounts in columns (b) and (c) of lines No. 1-12 using the 

changed application.

7.) A respondent may be requested by the Commission or its staff to provide its workpapers which support the data 

reported on page 700.

Line

No.

Item

(a)

Current Year

Amount

(in dollars)

(b)

Previous Year

Amount

(in dollars)

(c)

1 Operating and Maintenance Expenses

2 Depreciation Expense

3 AFUDC Depreciation

4 Amortization of Deferred Earnings

5 Rate Base

6 Rate of Return % (10.25% -10.25)

7 Return on Rate Base

8 Income Tax Allowance

9 Total Cost of Service

10 Total Interstate Operating Revenues

11 Total Interstate Throughput in Barrels

12 Total Interstate Throughput in Barrel-Miles

FERC FORM No. 6 (REV. 12-00) Page 700