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 Department of Energy Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 18 CFR Part 284
[Docket No. RM96-1-029; Order No. 587-T]
 AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
 ACTION: Final Rule.
 SUMMARY: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) is amending its regulations that establish standards for interstate natural gas pipeline business practices and electronic communications to incorporate by reference into its regulations the most recent version of the standards, Version 1.8, adopted by the Wholesale Gas Quadrant (WGQ) of the North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB) and to make other minor corrections. This rule upgrades the Commission's current business practice and communication standards to reflect the latest version approved by the NAESB WGQ (i.e., the Version 1.8 Standards), and is necessary to increase the efficiency of the pipeline grid, make pipelines' electronic communications more secure, and is consistent with the mandate that agencies provide for electronic disclosure of information.
 DATES: This rule will become effective April 2, 2009. Natural gas pipelines are required to implement these standards on the first day of the month three months after the effective date of this rule and file tariff sheets to reflect the changed standards on the first day of the month one month after the effective date of this rule. The Director of the Federal Register has approved the incorporation by reference of the standards addressed in this Final Rule effective April 2, 2009.
 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  William Lohrman (technical issues),  Office of Energy Market Regulation,  Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,  888 First Street, NE.,  Washington, DC 20426, (202) 502-8070. Kay Morice (technical issues), Office of Energy Market Regulation, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,  888 First Street, NE.,  Washington, DC 20426, (202) 502-6507. Caroline Daly (technical issues), Office of Energy Market Regulation, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,  888 First Street, NE.,  Washington, DC 20426, (202) 502-8931. Gary D. Cohen (legal issues), Office of the General Counsel, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,  888 First Street, NE.,  Washington, DC 20426, (202) 502-8321.


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  Before Commissioners: Jon Wellinghoff, Acting Chairman; Suedeen G. Kelly, Marc Spitzer, and Philip D. Moeller 1. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) is amending § 284.12 of its regulations (which establishes standards for natural gas pipeline business practices and electronic communications) [1]
                    
                     to incorporate by reference the most recent version (Version 1.8) of the standards promulgated by the Wholesale Gas Quadrant (WGQ) of the North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB). In addition, the Commission is amending § 284.12(b) of its regulations to make minor corrections. I. Background 2. Since 1996, in the Order No. 587 series,[2]
                    
                     the Commission has adopted regulations to standardize the business practices and communication methodologies of interstate pipelines in order to create a more integrated and efficient pipeline grid. In this series of orders, the Commission incorporated by reference consensus standards developed by the WGQ (formerly the Gas Industry Standards Board or GISB), a private consensus standards developer composed of members from all segments of the natural gas industry. The WGQ is an accredited standards organization under the auspices of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). 3. On September 14, 2007, NAESB submitted a report to the Commission stating that it had adopted a new version of its standards, Version 1.8, dated September 30, 2006.[3]
                    
                     NAESB reported that the Version 1.8 Standards include a new set of standards for “Internet Electronic Transport” that is applicable to the retail gas and electric markets as well as the wholesale gas market,[4]
                    
                     changes to the Electronic Delivery Mechanism (EDM) Related Standards, an additional standard related to reporting on gas quality, and maintenance changes to the Nomination Related Standards and Flowing Gas Related Standards. NAESB also reported that the Version 1.8 standards included several standards already adopted by the Commission, including gas-electric coordination standards to support communications between pipelines and gas-fired generators,[5]
                    
                     gas quality reporting standards to support reporting of gas quality specifications and reporting of the underlying assumptions and methodologies, and business practice standards to support implementation of Order No. 2004 on Standards of Conduct.[6] 4. On September 18, 2008, the Commission issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) [7]
                    
                     that proposed to incorporate by reference the WGQ's Version 1.8 Standards and to make minor corrections to § 284.12(b) of the Commission's regulations. The sole comment was filed by American Gas Association (AGA), which supported the adoption of Version 1.8 of the standards, but requested modifications to the Commission's relationship with NAESB. II. Discussion 5. The Commission's NOPR proposal to amend part 284 of its regulations to incorporate by reference Version 1.8 of the NAESB WGQ's consensus standards,[8]
                    
                     with the two exceptions 
                    ( print page 9163)
                    noted in the NOPR,[9]
                    
                     was not opposed by any commenter. Adoption of Version 1.8 will continue the process of updating and improving NAESB's business practice standards for the wholesale gas market. The new Internet Electronic Transport Related Standards will help create a more seamless electronic marketplace by providing consistent electronic protocols across the wholesale gas, as well as the retail gas and retail electric markets. The standards also include a new standard for gas quality reporting (Standard 4.3.93) that will provide the industry with important information about how pipelines determine gas quality. Standard 4.3.93 requires that the pipelines post on their Web sites specific information on how the pipelines determine gas quality, including the industry standard (or other methodology, as applicable) that the pipeline uses for the following: procedures used for obtaining natural gas samples, analytical test method(s), and calculation method(s), in conjunction with any physical constant(s) and underlying assumption(s). The revisions to the Nomination Related Standards and Flowing Gas Related Standards are designed to ensure that these standards reflect current market practices.[10] 6. The NAESB WGQ approved the Version 1.8 Standards under NAESB's consensus procedures.[11]
                    
                     As the Commission found in Order No. 587, adoption of consensus standards is appropriate because the consensus process helps ensure the reasonableness of the standards by requiring that the standards draw support from a broad spectrum of industry participants representing all segments of the industry. Moreover, since the industry itself has to conduct business under these standards, the Commission's regulations should reflect those standards that have the widest possible support. In section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (NTT&AA), Congress affirmatively requires federal agencies to use technical standards developed by voluntary consensus standards organizations, like NAESB, as means to carry out policy objectives or activities determined by the agencies unless use of such standards would be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise impractical.[12] 7. One of the Version 1.8 standards, WGQ Standard 4.3.23, provides guidelines for how pipelines post transmission provider Standards of Conduct-related information on their Web sites. However, the Commission issued revised Standards of Conduct requirements in Order No. 717 [13]
                    
                     subsequent to the Version 1.8 standards adopted by NAESB. As a result, some of the data templates in the NAESB WGQ 4.3.23 standard are unnecessary. We will incorporate Standard 4.3.23, because it contains requirements for posting that are applicable under Order No. 717. However, pipelines will not be required to continue to post affiliate information that is no longer required to be maintained under the Commission's regulations as amended by Order No. 717. 8. In addition to comments in support of the proposed rule, AGA requested that the Commission take a more active role in shepherding the development of wholesale gas standards. In brief, AGA is concerned that the standards process takes too long to complete. 9. We appreciate AGA's desire that standard development proceed quickly. We note that NAESB has taken a continuing interest in improving its standards-setting process, and has, for example, recently adopted policies to allow standards setting decisions to be made more quickly for important efforts.[14] III. Implementation Dates and Procedures 10. Based on past practice, we are adopting an implementation schedule designed to provide natural gas pipelines adequate time to prepare for these changes. Pipelines are required to implement the standards we are incorporating by reference in this Final Rule by the first day of the month three months after the effective date of this Final Rule. In addition, pipelines are required to file tariff sheets to reflect the changed standards on the first day of the month one month after the effective date of this Final Rule to be effective as of the implementation date. Pipelines incorporating the Version 1.8 standards into their tariffs must include the standard number and Version 1.8. IV. Notice of Use of Voluntary Consensus Standards 11. In section 12(d) of NTT&AA, Congress affirmatively requires federal agencies to use technical standards developed by voluntary consensus standards organizations, like NAESB, as the means to carry out policy objectives or activities determined by the agencies unless use of such standards would be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise impractical.[15]
                    
                     NAESB approved the standards under its consensus procedures. Office of Management and Budget Circular A-119 (§ 11) (February 10, 1998) provides that federal agencies should publish a request for comment in a NOPR when the agency is seeking to issue or revise a regulation proposing to adopt a voluntary consensus standard or a government-unique standard. On September 18, 2008, the Commission issued a NOPR that proposed to incorporate by reference NAESB's Version 1.8 Standards. The Commission took comments on the NOPR into account in fashioning this Final Rule. V. Information Collection Statement 12. The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) regulations in 5 CFR 1320.11 require that it approve certain reporting and recordkeeping requirements (collections of information) imposed by an agency. Upon approval of a collection of 
                    ( print page 9164)
                    information, OMB will assign an OMB control number and an expiration date. Respondents subject to the filing requirements of this Final Rule will not be penalized for failing to respond to these collections of information unless the collections of information display a valid OMB control number. 13. This Final Rule upgrades the Commission's current business practice and communication standards to the latest edition approved by the NAESB WGQ (
                    *i.e.*, the Version 1.8 Standards). 14. The implementation of these standards is necessary to increase the efficiency of the pipeline grid, make pipelines' electronic communications more secure, and is consistent with the mandate that agencies provide for electronic disclosure of information. Requiring such information ensures a common means of communication and ensures common business practices that provide participants engaged in transactions with interstate pipelines with timely information and uniform business procedures across multiple pipelines. 15. The following burden estimates include the costs to implement the WGQ's revised business practice standards and communication protocols for interstate natural gas pipelines. The implementation of these data requirements will help the Commission carry out its responsibilities under the Natural Gas Act of promoting the efficiency and reliability of the natural gas industry's operations. In addition, the Commission's Office of Energy Market Regulation will use the data for general industry oversight. 16. The Commission sought comments on the Commission's estimate provided in the NOPR of the burden associated with adoption of the NOPR proposals. In response to the NOPR, no comments were filed that addressed the reporting burden imposed by these requirements. Therefore the Commission will use these same estimates in this Final Rule. The substantive issue raised by the sole commenter on the NOPR is addressed in this preamble. Data collection
No. of 
                             respondents
No. of responses per respondent
Hours per 
                             response
Total No. of hoursFERC-545 16
168
1
10
1,680FERC-549C 17
126
1
1,181
148,806
 Total Annual Hours for Collection (Reporting and Recordkeeping, (if appropriate)) = 150,486. 17. 
                    *Information
                        
                         Collection
                        
                         Costs:*
                     The Commission sought comments on the costs to comply with these requirements. It has projected the average annualized cost for all respondents to be the following: FERC-545
FERC-549CAnnualized Capital/Startup Costs
$211,680
$12,743,010Annualized Costs (Operations & Maintenance)
0
0Total Annualized Costs
211,680
12,743,010
 Total Cost for all Respondents = $12,954,690. 18. OMB regulations [18]
                    
                     require OMB to approve certain information collection requirements imposed by agency rule. The Commission is submitting notification of this Final Rule to OMB. *Title:*
                     FERC-545, Gas Pipeline Rates: Rates Change (Non-Formal); FERC-549C, Standards for Business Practices of Interstate Natural Gas Pipelines. *Action:*
                     Information collections. *OMB Control Nos.:*
                     1902-0154, 1902-0174. *Respondents:*
                     Business or other for profit, (Interstate natural gas pipelines (Not applicable to small business)). *Frequency of Responses:*
                     One-time implementation (business procedures, capital/start-up). *Necessity of Information:*
                     The Commission's regulations adopted in this rule are necessary to increase the efficiency of the pipeline grid, make pipelines' electronic communications more secure, and is consistent with the mandate that agencies provide for electronic disclosure of information.[19]
                    
                     Requiring such information ensures both a common means of communication and common business practices that provide participants engaged in transactions with interstate pipelines with timely information and uniform business procedures across multiple pipelines. 19. The information collection requirements of this Final Rule will be reported directly to the industry users. The implementation of these data requirements will help the Commission carry out its responsibilities under the Natural Gas Act to monitor activities of the natural gas industry to ensure its competitiveness and to assure the improved efficiency of the industry's operations. The Commission's Office of Energy Market Regulation will use the data in rate proceedings to review rate and tariff changes by natural gas companies for the transportation of gas, for general industry oversight, and to supplement the documentation used during the Commission's audit process. 20. 
                    *Internal Review:*
                     The Commission has reviewed the requirements pertaining to business practices and electronic communication with interstate natural gas pipelines and has made a determination that these revisions are necessary to establish a more efficient and integrated pipeline grid. These requirements conform to the Commission's plan for efficient information collection, communication, and management within the natural gas industry. The Commission has assured itself, by means of its internal review, that there is specific, objective support for the burden estimates associated with the information requirements. 21. Interested persons may obtain information on the reporting requirements by contacting the following: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 
                    ( print page 9165)
                    20426; [Attention: Michael Miller, Office of the Executive Director, Phone: (202) 502-8415, fax: (202) 273-0873, e-mail: 
                    *michael.miller@ferc.gov;] or by contacting:* Office of Management and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Washington, DC 20503; [Attention: Desk Officer for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, phone: (202) 395-7345, fax: (202) 395-7285]. VI. Environmental Analysis 22. 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.[20]
                    
                     The Commission has categorically excluded certain actions from these requirements as not having a significant effect on the human environment.[21]
                    
                     The actions adopted here fall within categorical exclusions in the Commission's regulations for rules that are clarifying, corrective, or procedural, for information gathering analysis, and dissemination, and for sales, exchange, and transportation of natural gas and electric power that requires no construction of facilities. Therefore, an environmental assessment is unnecessary and has not been prepared in this Final Rule. VII. Regulatory Flexibility Act 23. The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA) [22]
                    
                     generally requires a description and analysis of final rules that will have significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. In drafting a rule an agency is required to: (1) Assess the effect that its regulation will have on small entities; (2) analyze effective alternatives that may minimize a regulation's impact; and (3) make the analysis available for public comment.[23] 24. The regulations we are adopting in this Final Rule impose requirements only on interstate pipelines, the majority of which are not small businesses. In this regard, we note that, under the industry standards used for the RFA, a natural gas pipeline company qualifies as a “small entity” if it had annual receipts of $ 6.5 million or less.[24]
                    
                     Most companies regulated by the Commission do not fall within the RFA's definition of a small entity. Approximately 168 entities would be potential respondents subject to data collection FERC-545 reporting requirements; of those, about 126 natural gas companies (including storage) would also be subject to data collection FERC-549C reporting requirements. Nearly all of these entities are large entities. For the year 2007 (the most recent year for which information is available), only four companies not affiliated with larger companies had annual revenues of less than $ 6.5 million, which is about three percent of the total universe of potential respondents. Moreover, these requirements are designed to benefit all customers, including small businesses. As noted above, adoption of consensus standards helps ensure the reasonableness of the standards by requiring that the standards draw support from a broad spectrum of industry participants representing all segments of the industry. Because of that representation and the fact that industry conducts business under these standards, the Commission's regulations should reflect those standards that have the widest possible support. 25. Accordingly, pursuant to section 605(b) of the RFA, the Commission hereby certifies that the regulations adopted herein will not have a significant adverse impact on a substantial number of small entities. VIII. Document Availability 26. 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 p.m. Eastern time) at 888 First Street, NE., Room 2A, Washington DC 20426. 27. 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. User assistance is available for eLibrary and the FERC's Web site during normal business hours from FERC Online Support at (202) 502-6652 (toll-free at 1-866-208-3676) or e-mail at 
                    *ferconlinesupport@ferc.gov*, or the Public Reference Room at (202) 502-8371, TTY (202) 502-8659. E-Mail the Public Reference Room at 
                    *public.refererenceroom@ferc.gov*. IX. Effective Date and Congressional Notification 28. These regulations are effective April 2, 2009. 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. List of Subjects in 18 CFR Part 284 Continental shelf
Incorporation by reference
Natural gas
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements
 By the Commission. Commissioner Kelliher is not participating. Commissioner Moeller concurring with a separate statement attached. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary.
 In consideration of the foregoing, the Commission amends Part 284 of Chapter I, Title 18, 
                        *Code of Federal Regulations*, as follows. PART 284—CERTAIN SALES AND TRANSPORTATION OF NATURAL GAS UNDER THE NATURAL GAS POLICY ACT OF 1978 AND RELATED AUTHORITIES
 1.The authority citation for part 284 continues to read as follows: Authority:
                        15 U.S.C. 717-717w, 3301-3432; 42 U.S.C. 7101-7352; 43 U.S.C. 1331-1356. 2.Section 284.12 is amended by revising paragraphs (a)(1)(i) through (vi), adding paragraph (a)(1)(vii), and revising the introductory text of paragraph (b) to read as follows: § 284.12
  (a) * * * (1) * * * (i) Additional Standards (General Standards, Creditworthiness Standards, and Gas/Electric Operational Communications Standards) (Version 1.8, September 30, 2006); (ii) Nominations Related Standards (Version 1.8, September 30, 2006); (iii) Flowing Gas Related Standards (Version 1.8, September 30, 2006); 
                            ( print page 9166) (iv) Invoicing Related Standards (Version 1.8, September 30, 2006); (v) Quadrant Electronic Delivery Mechanism Related Standards (Version 1.8, September 30, 2006) with the exception of Standard 4.3.4; (vi) Capacity Release Related Standards (Version 1.8, September 30, 2006 (with minor corrections applied December 13, 2006); and (vii) Internet Electronic Transport Related Standards (Version 1.8, September 30, 2006) with the exception of Standard 10.3.2. 
 (b) 
                            *Business practices and electronic communication requirements*. An interstate pipeline that transports gas under subparts B or G of this part must comply with the following requirements. The regulations in this paragraph adopt the abbreviations and definitions contained in the North American Energy Standards Board Wholesale Gas Quadrant standards incorporated by reference in paragraph (a)(1) of this section. 
 Note: The following text will not appear in the Code of Federal Regulations. United States of America Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Docket No. RM96-1-029. Standards for Business Practices for Interstate Natural Gas Pipelines (Issued February 24, 2009.) MOELLER, Commissioner, 
                                *concurring:* The American Gas Association (AGA), in its comments, contends that the NAESB process takes too long to complete. Because of that, AGA urges the Commission to review its procedures and relationship with NAESB with the goal of streamlining the process by which business practices standards are developed, approved and incorporated into the Commission's regulations. In particular, AGA identifies delays that have occurred in NAESB's technical implementation as well as in development and publication of standards. I recognize that some of the delay may be attributable to the Commission's own processes and priorities; however, AGA has identified areas, such as technical development, in which NAESB can improve its procedures. I appreciate the Wholesale Gas Quadrant's current efforts as referenced in the final rule (as well as the dedication of NAESB staff) to improve its procedures, and I urge NAESB and its volunteers to continue its work to find and identify areas in which its processes can become more efficient and timely. Philip D. Moeller, *Commissioner*.


# Footnotes

1.
    
                         18 CFR 284.12. Back to Citation
 2.
    
                         
                        *Standards for Business Practices of Interstate Natural Gas Pipelines,*
                         Order No. 587, 61 FR 39053 (July 26, 1996), FERC Stats. & Regs., ¶ 31,038 (1996). Back to Citation
 3.
    
                         Some of the standards subsequently were corrected and these minor corrections were applied to the Version 1.8 Capacity Release Related Standards on Dec. 13, 2006. Back to Citation
 4.
    
                         In this Final Rule, the Commission is requiring interstate natural gas pipelines to comply with these standards. We are not making these standards mandatory for retail transactions. Back to Citation
 5.
    
                         
                        *Standards for Business Practices for Interstate Natural Gas Pipelines; Standards for Business Practices for Public Utilities,*
                         Order No. 698, 72 FR 38757 (July 16, 2007), FERC Stats, & Regs ¶ 31,251 (2007); 
                        *order granting clarification and denying reh'g,*
                         Order No. 698-A, 121 FERC ¶ 61,264 (2007). Back to Citation
 6.
    
                         
                        *Standards of Conduct for Transmission Providers,*
                         Order No. 2004, 68 FR 69134 (Dec. 11, 2003), FERC Stats. & Regs., ¶ 31,155 (2003); 
                        *order on reh'g*, Order No. 2004-B, 69 FR 23562 (Apr. 29, 2004), FERC Stats. & Regs., ¶ 31,161 (2004); 
                        *order on reh'g,*
                         Order No. 2004-B, 69 FR 48371 (Aug. 10, 2004), FERC Stats. & Regs., ¶ 31,166 (2004); 
                        *order on reh'g*, Order No. 2004-C, 70 FR 284 (Jan. 4, 2005), FERC Stats. & Regs., ¶ 31,172 (2004); 
                        *order on clarification and reh'g,*
                         Order No. 2004-D, 110 FERC ¶ 61,320 (2005). Back to Citation
 7.
    
                         
                        *Standards for Business Practices for Interstate Natural Gas Pipelines,*
                         Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 73 FR 55460 (Sep. 18, 2008), FERC Stats. & Regs. ¶ 32,636 (2008). Back to Citation
 8.
    
                         In its Version 1.8 Standards, the WGQ made the following changes to its Version 1.7 standards: It revised Principles 1.1.9, 4.1.2, 4.1.6, and 4.1.7, Definitions 2.2.4, 4.2.1, 4.2.11, 4.2.12, 4.2.13, and 4.2.20, Standards 1.3.54, 1.3.60, 1.3.61, 1.3.63, 
                        
                        2.3.21, 2.3.35, 2.3.51, 4.3.1, 4.3.2, 4.3.5, 4.3.16, 4.3.18, 4.3.22, 4.3.23, and 4.3.25, and Datasets 1.4.1 through 1.4.7, 2.4.1 through 2.4.4, 2.4.7, 2.4.8, 3.4.1, 5.4.1 through 5.4.3, 5.4.5, 5.4.7 through 5.4.11, 5.4.13, 5.4.14, 5.4.15, and 5.4.18 through 5.4.22. It added Principles 0.1.3, 4.1.40, and 10.1.1 through 10.1.9, Definitions 0.2.1, 0.2.2, 0.2.3, and 10.2.1 through 10.2.38, Standards 0.3.11 through 0.3.15, 2.3.65, 4.3.89 through 4.3.93, and 10.3.1 through 10.3.25, and Data Sets 0.4.1, 2.4.17, 2.4.18, and 5.4.23. It deleted Principles 4.1.9 and 4.1.25, and Standards 4.3.6, 4.3.19, 4.3.21, and 4.3.63. It deleted the following standards from the EDM Related Standards and moved them to the Internet Electronic Transport Related Standards: Standards 4.3.7 through 4.3.15, 4.3.37, 4.3.64, 4.3.70, 4.3.71, and 4.3.88. It renamed the EDM Related Standards, which are now entitled the Quadrant Electronic Delivery Mechanism Related Standards. Back to Citation
 9.
    
                         As proposed in the NOPR, the Commission is continuing its past practice and is not incorporating by reference Standards 4.3.4 and 10.3.2, because they are inconsistent with the Commission's record retention requirement in 18 CFR 284.12(b)(3)(v). Back to Citation
 10.
    
                         In addition, the Commission is amending § 284.12(b) to make two minor corrections. First, we correct the reference to the “Gas Industry Standards Board” to refer to the “North American Energy Standards Board Wholesale Gas Quadrant.” Second, we correct the reference to the paragraph incorporating the NAESB standards by reference from paragraph (b)(1) to paragraph (a)(1). Back to Citation
 11.
    
                         This process first requires a super-majority vote of 17 out of 25 members of the WGQ's Executive Committee with support from at least two members from each of the five industry segments—Distributors, End Users, Pipelines, Producers, and Services (including marketers and computer service providers). For final approval, 67 percent of the WGQ's general membership voting must ratify the standards. Back to Citation
 12.
    
                         Public Law 104-113, § 12(d), 110 Stat. 775 (1996), 15 U.S.C. 272 note (1997). Back to Citation
 13.
    
                         
                        *Standards of Conduct for Transmission Providers,*
                         Order No. 717, 73 FR 63796 (Oct. 27, 2008), FERC Stats. & Regs ¶ 31,280 (2008), 
                        *reh'g pending.* Back to Citation
 14.
    
                         
                        *NAESB Policy on Efficient Standards Development,*
                         adopted by NAESB Board of Directors, Sep. 25, 2008, 
                        *http://www.naesb.org/​pdf3/​bd092508a2.doc.* Back to Citation
 15.
    
                         Public Law 104-113, § 12(d), 110 Stat. 775 (1996), 15 U.S.C. 272 note (1997). Back to Citation
 16.
    
                         Data collection FERC-545 covers rate change filings made by natural gas pipelines, including tariff changes. (OMB control No. 1902-0154) Back to Citation
 17.
    
                         Data collection FERC-549C covers Standards for Business Practices of Interstate Natural Gas Pipelines. (OMB Control No. 1902-0174) Back to Citation
 18.
    
                         5 CFR 1320.11. Back to Citation
 19.
    
                         44 U.S.C. 3504 note, Public Law 105-277, 1701, 112 Stat. 2681-749 (1998). Back to Citation
 20.
    
                         
                        *Regulations Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act,*
                         Order No. 486, 52 FR 47897 (Dec. 17, 1987), FERC Stats. & Regs. ¶ 30,783 (1987). Back to Citation
 21.
    
                         18 CFR 380.4 Back to Citation
 22.
    
                         5 U.S.C. 601-612. Back to Citation
 23.
    
                         5 U.S.C. 601-604. Back to Citation
 24.
    
                         5 U.S.C. 601(3), 
                        *citing*
                         section 3 of the Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C. 623. Section 3 of the SBA defines a “small business concern” as a business which is independently owned and operated and which is not dominant in its field of operation. The Small Business Size Standards component of the North American Industry Classification System defines a small natural gas pipeline company as one that transports natural gas and whose annual receipts (total income plus cost of goods sold) did not exceed $6.5 million for the previous year. Back to Citation


[FR Doc. E9-4295 Filed 3-2-09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P