Document ID: FERC-2015-0959-0001
Agency: ferc
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Standards for Business Practices of Interstate Natural Gas Pipelines
Posted Date: 2015-07-24T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 142 (Friday, July 24, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43979-43987]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-17921]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

18 CFR Parts 157, 260, and 284

[Docket No. RM96-1-038]

Standards for Business Practices of Interstate Natural Gas 
Pipelines

AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) is 
proposing to amend its regulations to incorporate by reference, with 
certain enumerated exceptions, the latest version (Version 3.0) of 
business practice standards adopted by the Wholesale Gas Quadrant of 
the North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB) applicable to natural 
gas pipelines. These revisions, in part, revise the codes used to 
identify receipt and delivery locations in the Index of Customers. In 
addition, for consistency with the revisions to the Index of Customers, 
the Commission is proposing certain conforming changes to the 
Commission's regulations on exhibits and on system flow diagrams.

DATES: Comments are due August 24, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Comments, identified by docket number, may be filed in the 
following ways:
     Electronic Filing through http://www.ferc.gov. Documents 
created electronically using word processing software should be filed 
in native applications or print-to-PDF format and not in a scanned 
format.
     Mail/Hand Delivery: Those unable to file electronically 
may mail or hand-deliver comments to: Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 888 First Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20426.
    Instructions: For detailed instructions on submitting comments and 
additional information on the rulemaking process, see the Comment 
Procedures section of this document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stanley Wolf (technical issues), 
Office of Energy Policy and Innovation, Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426, Telephone: 
(202) 502-6841, Email: stanley.wolf@ferc.gov.
    Oscar F. Santillana (technical issues), Office of Energy Market 
Regulation, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20426, Telephone: (202) 502-6392, Email: 
oscar.santillana@ferc.gov.
    Gary D. Cohen (legal issues), Office of the General Counsel, 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington, 
DC 20426, Telephone: (202) 502-8321, Email: gary.cohen@ferc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

 
                                                         Paragraph Nos.
 
I. Background........................................                  2
II. Discussion.......................................                  8
    A. Modifications to Standards to Support the                      12
     Commission's Show Cause Order in Docket No. RP14-
     442-000.........................................
    B. Location Codes................................                 15
    C. Request in Order No. 587-V for NAESB to                        18
     Evaluate the Use of the Terms ``Operating
     Capacity'' and ``Design Capacity''..............
    D. Standards Previously Not Incorporated by                       20
     Reference.......................................
        1. Contracts Standards and eTariff Related                    20
         Standards...................................
        2. Record Retention Standards................                 21
        3. WGQ Interpretations.......................                 22
    E. Proposed Implementation Procedures............                 23
III. Notice of Use of Voluntary Consensus Standards..                 28

[[Page 43980]]

 
IV. Incorporation By Reference.......................                 29
V. Information Collection Statement..................                 32
VI. Environmental Analysis...........................                 36
VII. Regulatory Flexibility Act Analysis and                          37
 Certification.......................................
VIII. Comment Procedures.............................                 40
IX. Document Availability............................                 44
Appendix.............................................                  a
 

    1. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) proposes 
to amend its regulations at 18 CFR 284.12 to incorporate by reference, 
with certain enumerated exceptions, the latest version (Version 3.0) of 
business practice standards adopted by the Wholesale Gas Quadrant (WGQ) 
of the North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB) applicable to 
natural gas pipelines that NAESB reported to the Commission on November 
14, 2014. The Version 3.0 package of standards includes standards 
governing coordination of the scheduling processes of interstate 
natural gas pipelines and public utilities that the Commission 
incorporated by reference in Docket No. RM14-2-000.\1\ The standards 
also revise the codes used to identify receipt and delivery locations 
in the Index of Customers. In addition, for consistency with the Index 
of Customers, the Commission proposes to amend its regulations at 18 
CFR 157.14, 157.18, and 260.8 to have receipt and delivery point 
information in exhibits and system flow diagrams use the same location 
point names as provided for in the Version 3.0 Standards.
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    \1\ Coordination of the Scheduling Processes of Interstate 
Natural Gas Pipelines and Public Utilities, Order No. 809, Final 
Rule, 80 FR 23197 (Apr. 24, 2015), FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 31,368.
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I. Background

    2. Since 1996, the Commission has adopted regulations to 
standardize the business practices and communication methodologies of 
interstate natural gas pipelines to create a more integrated and 
efficient pipeline grid. These regulations have been promulgated in the 
Order No. 587 series of orders,\2\ wherein the Commission has 
incorporated by reference standards for interstate natural gas pipeline 
business practices and electronic communications that were developed 
and adopted by NAESB's WGQ. Upon incorporation by reference, this 
version of these standards will become part of the Commission's 
regulations and compliance by interstate natural gas pipelines will 
become mandatory.
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    \2\ This series of orders began with the Commission's issuance 
of Standards for Business Practices of Interstate Natural Gas 
Pipelines, Order No. 587, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 31,038 (1996).
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    3. On July 23, 2013, as corrected on July 25, 2013, NAESB filed a 
report informing the Commission that it had adopted and ratified 
Version 2.1 of its business practice standards applicable to natural 
gas pipelines. NAESB reports that the WGQ reviewed, at the request of 
the industry, the necessity of maintaining the current location common 
codes system to determine if the system provides a significant benefit 
to the industry and should be continued.\3\ NAESB (in its previous 
corporate incarnation as the Gas Industry Standards Board) adopted a 
system of registering common codes to identify interconnection points 
between pipelines using a single code for the shared point. The 
industry chose an independent third party to assign and maintain the 
common code database.
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    \3\ NAESB Version 2.1 Report dated July 23, 2013 (NAESB Version 
2.1 Report). As explained in the NAESB Version 2.1 Report, this 
request was received by NAESB in November 2010 and was included by 
the NAESB Board of Directors in the 2011 WGQ Annual Plan as part of 
Item No. 7 and as part of the 2012 WGQ Annual Plan Item No. 8. See 
NAESB Version 2.1 Report at 3. The proposed modifications made in 
response to this request were developed by the WGQ's Business 
Practices Subcommittee and jointly by the Information Requirements/
Technical Subcommittees.
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    4. NAESB reports that, after extensive discussions, the WGQ reached 
the conclusion that the NAESB WGQ Standards should no longer support 
the location common codes system, as the NAESB membership concluded 
that the system provided little commercial benefit to the industry at 
large. Consistent with this determination, the Version 2.1 Standards 
added seven new standards, modified six standards, and deleted three 
standards to match up with a transition from common codes to 
proprietary codes.\4\ These will be the codes assigned by the 
transportation service providers for the identification of 
locations.\5\ The standards require pipelines to post sufficient 
information on their Web sites to permit shippers and the Commission to 
identify the interconnection points between pipelines that were 
previously identified through the common codes.
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    \4\ NAESB Version 2.1 Report at 2.
    \5\ Id. at 4.
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    5. Additionally, as requested by the Commission in Order No. 587-
V,\6\ NAESB modified the standards to include reporting requirements 
for ``Design Capacity'' for each location by transportation service 
providers.\7\ Other changes to the existing standards were made at the 
request of industry. These include changes to the NAESB WGQ Additional 
Standards, Nominations Related Standards, Flowing Gas Related 
Standards, Invoicing Related Standards, Quadrant Electronic Delivery 
Mechanism Standards, Capacity Release Related Standards, and Data Set 
Standards.\8\ NAESB further reports on the changes it made to the NAESB 
WGQ Interpretations and Contracts and Manuals that the Commission has 
declined to incorporate by reference in past Final Rules.\9\ NAESB also 
reports on all the minor corrections it has made to the standards since 
Version 2.0 of the Standards.\10\ Finally, NAESB reports on items that 
it considered changing but on which it took no action.\11\
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    \6\ Standards for Business Practices of Interstate Natural Gas 
Pipelines, Final Rule, Order No. 587-V, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 31,332 
(2012) (Order No. 587-V).
    \7\ Id. at 2-3.
    \8\ Id. at 3.
    \9\ See, e.g., Order No. 587-V, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 31,332 at 
n.11.
    \10\ NAESB Version 2.1 Report at 18.
    \11\ Id. at 17-18.
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    6. On November 14, 2014, NAESB filed a report informing the 
Commission that it had adopted and ratified Version 3.0 of its business 
practice standards applicable to natural gas pipelines. NAESB reports 
that all of the modifications made in the Version 2.1 Standards are 
included in the Version 3.0 Standards and thus no action is needed on 
the Version 2.1 Standards.\12\ The Version 3.0 Standards added the 
modifications to support efforts to harmonize gas-electric scheduling 
coordination that NAESB had separately filed and that the Commission 
incorporated by reference in Order No. 809.\13\ In addition, the 
Version 3.0 Standards contain revisions to the

[[Page 43981]]

capacity release standards regarding posting requirements for offers to 
purchase released capacity that were the subject of the Commission's 
order to show cause in Docket No. RP14-442-000.\14\ Other revisions in 
the Version 3.0 Standards are: (1) Revisions to the standards to define 
``Operating Capacity'' and ``Design Capacity'' in response to the 
Commission request in Order No. 587-V; \15\ (2) elimination of the WGQ 
Interpretations, which the Commission declined to incorporate by 
reference; (3) modifications to standards to reflect the 
interpretations; (4) modifications for maintenance purposes, which 
includes changes to eliminate the appearance of the electronic data 
interchange in the imbalance trading process; (5) modifications to 
reflect new data elements; and (6) edits for clarity and to increase 
user-friendliness. The Version 3.0 standards have also been revised to 
include 29 minor corrections.\16\
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    \12\ NAESB Version 3.0 Report dated Nov. 14, 2014 (NAESB Version 
3.0 Report) at 2.
    \13\ See supra n.1.
    \14\ Posting of Offers to Purchase Capacity, 146 FERC ] 61,203, 
at P 6 (2014) (Show Cause Order); B-R Pipeline Co., 149 FERC ] 
61,031 (2014) (order accepting compliance filings).
    \15\ Order No. 587-V, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 31,332 at P 8.
    \16\ The NAESB Version 3.0 Report also provides information on 
other NAESB activities and tools unrelated to standards development.
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    7. On July 7, 2015, NAESB filed a report informing the Commission 
that it has made errata corrections to the WGQ Version 3.0 Business 
Practice Standards.\17\ These corrections incorporate a 9:00 a.m. 
Central Clock Time (CCT) start to the gas operating day, consistent 
with the Commission's findings in Order No. 809 \18\ and also correct 
other minor errors.
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    \17\ NAESB adopted two minor corrections, MC15009 and MC15012, 
approved on April 30, 2015 and May 29, 2015, respectively.
    \18\ Order No. 809, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 31,368 at P 171.
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II. Discussion

    8. In this NOPR, the Commission proposes to incorporate by 
reference, in its regulations, Version 3.0 of the NAESB WGQ's consensus 
business practice standards,\19\ with certain exceptions.\20\ We 
propose that the implementation date for these standards coincide with 
the implementation of the Gas-Electric Coordination standards on April 
1, 2016.
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    \19\ A list of the revisions NAESB's WGQ Version 3.0 Standards 
made to prior standards is appended to this NOPR.
    \20\ In the discussion below we identify the NAESB WGQ Version 
3.0 Standards that we propose not to incorporate by reference.
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    9. Adoption of the Version 3.0 Standards will continue the process 
of updating and improving NAESB's business practice standards for the 
benefit of the entire wholesale natural gas market.
    10. 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.\21\ Moreover, because the industry 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 a means to carry out policy objectives or 
activities.\22\
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    \21\ The NAESB 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.
    \22\ Pub. L. 104-113, section 12(d), 110 Stat. 775 (1996), 15 
U.S.C. 272, note (1997).
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    11. We discuss below some specific aspects of the filing.

A. Modifications to Standards To Support the Commission's Show Cause 
Order in Docket No. RP14-442-000

    12. On March 20, 2014, the Commission issued an Order to Show Cause 
in Docket No. RP14-442-000,\23\ which required all interstate pipelines 
to either revise their respective tariffs to provide for the posting of 
offers to purchase released capacity as required by section 284.8(d) of 
the Commission's regulations,\24\ or to demonstrate that their existing 
tariffs are in full compliance with that section. In the Show Cause 
Order, the Commission also requested that NAESB develop certain 
business practice and communications standards specifying: (1) The 
information required for requests to acquire capacity; (2) the methods 
by which such information is to be exchanged; and (3) the location of 
the information on a pipeline's Internet Web site.\25\
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    \23\ Show Cause Order, 146 FERC ] 61,203 at P 6.
    \24\ 18 CFR 284.8(d). That section states that ``[t]he pipeline 
must provide notice of offers to release or to purchase capacity, 
the terms and conditions of such offers, and the name of any 
replacement shipper . . ., on an Internet Web site, for a reasonable 
period.''
    \25\ Show Cause Order, 146 FERC ] 61,203 at P 6.
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    13. In response, NAESB proposes to modify WGQ Standard 4.3.23 to 
add ``Request to Purchase Releasable Capacity'' as a subcategory of 
information contained in a transportation service provider's 
information postings Web site. NAESB also proposes to add new WGQ 
Standard 5.3.73, containing requirements regarding requests to purchase 
capacity that is releasable.
    14. The Commission proposes to incorporate by reference revised WGQ 
Standard 4.3.23 and WGQ Standard 5.3.73. We note, however, that our 
proposal to incorporate WGQ Standard 5.3.73 by reference is not 
intended to eliminate any posting requirements additionally imposed by 
the Commission in Docket No. RP14-442-000.

B. Location Codes

    15. NAESB has proposed to revise its standards regarding the use of 
location codes. The industry has determined that having a third party 
maintain a common code database is not worth the expense and effort and 
has revised the prior standards to introduce the use of proprietary 
codes to identify the location of points of receipt and delivery. The 
revised standards include requirements for the pipelines to post on 
their Web sites information on each of the proprietary points that can 
be used to determine which points are interconnecting points between 
pipelines, one of the primary reasons for adoption of the common code 
database. These codes are also used by the Commission in its Index of 
Customers to identify the points on shippers' contracts and we propose 
to revise section 284.13(c) of the regulations to coordinate with this 
change.
    16. We propose to incorporate by reference these revised standards, 
as they are based on an industry consensus, will reduce industry's 
costs to support the retention of common codes, and because the changes 
will maintain the ability of shippers and others to identify 
interconnection points between pipelines. Given the ability of the 
Commission and customers to continue to identify interconnection points 
referenced in the Index of Customers, the Commission finds that the 
revised code standards appear to satisfy the requirements for the Index 
of Customers and we will modify the regulations to permit the use of 
the proprietary codes. In addition, to avoid any confusion from the use 
of inconsistent location codes, we propose to accompany our 
incorporation by reference of these revised standards with a proposal 
to revise our regulations

[[Page 43982]]

at 18 CFR 157.14, 157.18, and 260.8 that require the use of location 
code information in certain filings and flow diagrams.
    17. Pipelines will be required to continue to file the Index of 
Customers using the current tab-delimited file format according to the 
Form No. 549B--Index of Customers Instruction Manual. The major changes 
to the instructions are the change from the use of common codes to 
proprietary codes and the use of the pipelines' company registration 
number in place of three digit pipeline code. A revised instruction 
manual (with revisions marked) will be posted in this docket on 
eLibrary and will be available on the Commission's Web site.\26\ 
Because tab-delimited file formats can be difficult and can result in 
errors that impose burdens both on Commission and pipeline staff to 
correct, we also are adding the Index of Customers form to the list of 
forms that are being updated as part of the Commission's forms refresh 
project in Docket No. AD15-11-000 (Forms Project).\27\ Adding the Index 
of Customers to the Forms Project will move the Commission towards the 
use of a standard approach for all Commission forms that will result in 
more efficient filing and processing of forms.
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    \26\ http://www.ferc.gov/industries/gas/indus-act/pipelines/standards.asp.
    \27\ Electronic Filing Protocols for Commission Forms, 151 FERC 
] 61,025 (2015).
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C. Request in Order No. 587-V for NAESB to Evaluate the Use of the 
Terms ``Operating Capacity'' and ``Design Capacity''

    18. In Order No. 587-V, the Commission directed the industry, 
through NAESB, to consider whether the term ``Operating Capacity,'' 
found in NAESB WGQ Standard No. 0.3.19 and related standards,\28\ and 
``Design Capacity,'' found in section 284.13(d) of the Commission's 
regulations, are functionally equivalent,\29\ and to include this 
information as part of the next version of the NAESB WGQ Standards.\30\
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    \28\ NAESB defines Operating Capacity as ``the total capacity 
which could be scheduled at (or through) the identified point, 
segment or zone in the indicated direction of flow.''
    \29\ In Order No. 587-V, the Commission explained that while 
pipelines that post both design and operating capacity, often report 
the same number for both types of capacity, they may sometimes 
report differences between operating and design capacity. See Order 
No. 587-V, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 31,332 at P 30, n.41.
    \30\ Id. P 30. NAESB also states it proposes to correct 
typographical errors and to clarify that ``All Quantities Available 
Indicator'' in NAESB WGQ Dataset 0.4.2 applies to all quantities at 
a specific identified point, segment, or zone.
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    19. In response, NAESB states that a consensus could not be reached 
for a detailed definition of the term ``Design Capacity'' and that 
``Design Capacity'' and ``Operating Capacity'' are not equivalent terms 
and therefore proposed to include both terms as separately reportable 
items.\31\ NAESB modified WGQ Dataset 0.4.2 to provide a definition of 
terms:
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    \31\ NAESB also states it proposes to correct typographical 
errors and to clarify that ``All Quantities Available Indicator'' in 
NAESB WGQ Dataset 0.4.2 applies to all quantities at a specific 
identified point, segment, or zone.

    Design capacity is the design capacity of the point, segment, or 
zone as required by the applicable regulatory authority. Operating 
Capacity is the total capacity which could be scheduled at (or 
through) the identified point, segment or zone in the indicated 
direction of flow. Total scheduled quantity is the net quantity 
scheduled at the point, segment or zone level in the indicated 
direction of flow. Operationally available capacity is the quantity 
remaining that is available to be scheduled at (or through) the 
identified point, segment or zone, in the indicated direction of 
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flow.

The Commission finds reasonable NAESB's approach of separately 
reporting both ``Design Capacity'' and ``Operating Capacity'' as part 
of the reporting data set as this will provide shippers and the 
Commission with added information. Accordingly, the Commission proposes 
to incorporate by reference revised WGQ Standards 0.3.18, 0.3.20, and 
0.3.21, and Dataset 0.4.2, as the revised standards and dataset meet 
the Commission's past concerns and no longer conflict with section 
284.13(d) of the Commission's regulations.

D. Standards Previously Not Incorporated by Reference

1. Contracts Standards and eTariff Related Standards
    20. The Commission proposes to continue its past practice of not 
incorporating by reference into its regulations any optional contracts, 
because the Commission does not require the use of these contracts.\32\ 
In addition, consistent with our findings in past proceedings, the 
Commission is not proposing to incorporate by reference the WEQ/WGQ 
eTariff Related Standards, because the Commission has already adopted 
standards and protocols for electronic tariff filings based on the 
NAESB Standards.\33\
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    \32\ Order No. 587-V, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 31,332 at n.11.
    \33\ See Electronic Tariff Filings, Order No. 714, FERC Stats. & 
Regs. ] 31,276 (2008).
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2. Record Retention Standards
    21. In past rulemakings, the Commission declined to incorporate by 
reference WGQ Standards 4.3.4 and 10.3.2, because the Commission found 
they were inconsistent with the Commission's record retention 
requirement in 18 CFR 284.12(b)(3)(v).\34\ In Version 3.0, NAESB 
deleted WGQ Standards 4.3.4 and 10.3.2. NAESB asserts that deleting the 
standards avoids any potential conflict between the WGQ Standards and 
the Commission mandated requirements for regulated entities or the 
retention policies of non-regulated entities. Thus, the Version 3.0 
Standards that the Commission is considering for incorporation by 
reference no longer conflict with Commission regulations regarding 
storage retention.
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    \34\ See, e.g., Standards for Business Practices for Interstate 
Natural Gas Pipelines, Final Rule, Order No. 587-T, FERC Stats. & 
Regs. ] 31,289, at P 5 & n.9 (2009); see also Order No. 587-V, FERC 
Stats. & Regs. ] 31,332 at P 8.
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3. WGQ Interpretations
    22. In past rulemakings, the Commission also declined to 
incorporate by reference into the Commission's regulations NAESB's 
interpretations of NAESB WGQ business practice standards because, while 
interpretations may provide useful guidance, they are not 
determinative.\35\ In the Version 3.0 Standards, NAESB deleted the 
interpretations of standards. NAESB states that the WGQ decided that, 
where greater clarity was needed to make standards more easily 
understood, it modified and/or added new standards to provide 
additional clarity, rather than adopting interpretations.\36\ NAESB 
states that moving forward, the WGQ will evaluate new requests for 
clarifications or interpretations on a case-by-case basis and plans to 
work with the requestor to determine if the request would be more 
appropriately framed as a request for a minor correction or a request 
for a new and/or modified standard. NAESB asserts that this approach is 
similar to the one used by the Wholesale Electric Quadrant. Thus, there 
are no NAESB interpretations of its business practice standards for the 
Commission to decline to incorporate by reference.
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    \35\ Order No. 587-V, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 31,332 at P 28.
    \36\ In its Version 3.0 Standards, the WGQ revised Standards 
1.1.3, 1.2.2, 1.3.3, 1.3.15, 1.3.22, 2.3.9, 2.3.14, 2.3.15, 2.3.26, 
3.3.14, 3.3.15, and 4.3.23; added Standard 0.2.5; and deleted 
Standard 3.3.2.
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E. Proposed Implementation Procedures

    23. The Commission anticipates acting on the proposed rule in order 
to

[[Page 43983]]

permit these standards to become effective April 1, 2016 at the same 
time as the Gas-Electric Harmonization standards, with compliance 
filings due February 1, 2016. Requiring implementation on the same date 
should reduce the compliance burden on the pipelines and avoid 
confusion. Requests for waivers that do not meet the requirements set 
forth in Order No. 587-V will not be granted. In particular, as we 
explained in Order No. 587-V, waivers are unnecessary and will not be 
granted when the standard applies only on condition the pipeline 
performs a business function and the pipeline currently does not 
perform that function.\37\
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    \37\ Order No. 587-V, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 31,332 at P 38(2). 
For example, the Commission has denied waivers of NAESB's gas-
electric operational communications standards requested by pipelines 
on the grounds that their systems do not connect to power plants. 
Trans-Union Interstate Pipeline L.P, 141 FERC ] 61,167, at P 18 
(2012).
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    24. The Commission is proposing to continue the compliance filing 
requirements as revised in Order No. 587-V.\38\ As the Commission found 
in Order No. 587-V, adoption of the revised compliance filing 
requirements increases the transparency of the pipelines' incorporation 
by reference of the NAESB WGQ Standards so that shippers and the 
Commission will know which tariff provision(s) implements each standard 
as well as the status of each standard.\39\ Likewise, consistent with 
past practice, the Commission will post on its eLibrary Web site (under 
Docket No. RM96-1-038) a sample tariff format, to provide filers an 
illustrative example to aid them in preparing their compliance filings. 
Requests for waivers need to comply with the requirements of Order No. 
587-V.\40\
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    \38\ Order No. 587-V, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 31,332 at PP 36-37.
    \39\ Id. P 36. To accomplish this, the Commission gave 
instructions on how pipelines should designate sections in their 
tariff filings.
    \40\ Order No. 587-V, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 31,332 at PP 38-41.
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    25. Consistent with our practice in Order No. 587-V, the pipelines 
should designate a single tariff section under which every NAESB 
standard incorporated by reference by the Commission is listed.\41\ The 
pipeline tariff filings should list all the incorporated standards with 
which the pipeline will comply. In addition, for any standard that the 
pipeline seeks approval not to comply with, the tariff filing must 
identify the standard in question and either identify the provision in 
its tariff that complies with the standard; \42\ or provide an 
explanation of any waiver, extension of time, or other variance with 
respect to compliance with the standard that would excuse 
compliance.\43\
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    \41\ This section should be a separate tariff record under the 
Commission's electronic tariff filing requirement and be filed 
electronically using the eTariff portal using the Type of Filing 
Code 580.
    \42\ For example, pipelines are required to include the full 
text of the NAESB nomination timeline standards (WGQ Standards 
1.3.2(i-v) and 5.3.2) in their tariffs. Standards for Business 
Practices for Interstate Natural Gas Pipelines, Final Rule, Order 
No. 587-U, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 31,307, at P 39 & n. 42 (2010). The 
pipeline would indicate which tariff provision complies with each of 
these standards.
    \43\ Shippers can use the Commission's electronic tariff system 
to locate the tariff record containing the NAESB standards, which 
will indicate the docket number in which any waiver or extension of 
time was granted.
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    26. If the pipeline is requesting a continuation of an existing 
waiver or extension of time, it must include a table in its transmittal 
letter that identifies the standard for which a waiver or extension of 
time was granted, and the docket number or order citation to the 
proceeding in which the waiver or extension was granted. It must also 
present an explanation for why such waiver or extension should remain 
in force with regard to the WGQ Version 3.0 Business Practice 
Standards.
    27. This continues the Commission's practice of having pipelines 
including in their tariffs a common location that identifies the way 
the pipeline is incorporating all the NAESB WGQ Standards and the 
standards with which it is required to comply. As explained above, the 
Commission will post on its eLibrary Web site (under Docket No. RM96-1-
038) a sample tariff format, to provide filers an illustrative example 
to aid them in preparing their compliance filings.\44\
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    \44\ http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/elibrary.asp.
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III. Notice of Use of Voluntary Consensus Standards

    28. Office of Management and Budget Circular A-119 (section 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. In this NOPR, the Commission is 
proposing to incorporate by reference voluntary consensus standards 
developed by the WGQ.

IV. Incorporation by Reference

    29. The Office of the Federal Register requires agencies 
incorporating material by reference in final rules to discuss, in the 
preamble of the final rule, the ways that the materials it incorporates 
by reference are reasonably available to interested parties and how 
interested parties can obtain the materials.\45\ The regulations also 
require agencies to summarize, in the preamble of the final rule, the 
material it incorporates by reference.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \45\ 1 CFR 51.5. See Incorporation by Reference, 79 FR 66267 
(Nov. 7, 2014).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    30. The NAESB standards we are proposing in this NOPR to 
incorporate by reference are summarized in paragraphs 3-6 above. Our 
regulations provide that copies of the NAESB standards incorporated by 
reference may be obtained from the North American Energy Standards 
Board, 801 Travis Street, Suite 1675, Houston, TX 77002, Phone: (713) 
356-0060. NAESB's Web site is at http://www.naesb.org/. Copies may be 
inspected at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Public Reference 
and Files Maintenance Branch, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 
20426, Phone: (202) 502-8371, http://www.ferc.gov.\46\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \46\ 18 CFR 284.12.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    31. NAESB is a private consensus standards developer that develops 
voluntary wholesale and retail standards related to the energy 
industry. The procedures used by NAESB make its standards reasonably 
available to those affected by the Commission regulations, which is 
comprised of entities that have the means to acquire the information 
they need to effectively participate in Commission proceedings. 
Participants can join NAESB, for an annual membership cost of only 
$7,000, which entitles them to full participation in NAESB and enables 
them to obtain these standards at no additional cost.\47\ Non-members 
may obtain the Individual Standards Manual or Booklets for each of the 
seven Manuals by email for $250 per manual, which in the case of these 
standards would total $1,750.\48\ Nonmembers also may obtain the 
complete set of Standards Manuals, Booklets, and Contracts on CD for 
$2,000. NAESB also provides a free electronic read-only version of the 
standards for a three business day period or, in the case of a 
regulatory comment period, through the end of the comment period.\49\ 
In addition, NAESB considers requests for waivers of the

[[Page 43984]]

charges on a case-by-case basis depending on need.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \47\ North American Energy Standards Board Membership 
Application, https://www.naesb.org/pdf4/naesbapp.pdf.
    \48\ NAESB Materials Order Form, https://www.naesb.org//pdf/ordrform.pdf.
    \49\ Procedures for non-members to evaluate work products before 
purchasing, https://www.naesb.org/misc/NAESB_Nonmember_Evaluation.pdf. See Incorporation by Reference, 79 
FR at 66271, n. 51 & 53 (Nov. 7, 2014) (citing to NAESB's procedure 
of providing ``no-cost, no-print electronic access'', NAESB Comment, 
at 1, available at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=OFR-2013-0001-0023).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

V. Information Collection Statement

    32. The following collections of information contained in this 
proposed rule are being submitted to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for review under section 3507(d) of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3507(d). Upon approval of a 
collection(s) of information, OMB will assign an OMB control number and 
an expiration date. Respondents subject to the filing requirements of a 
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.
    33. The Commission solicits comments on the Commission's need for 
this information, whether the information will have practical utility, 
the accuracy of the provided burden estimates, ways to enhance the 
quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected, and 
any suggested methods for minimizing respondents' burden, including the 
use of automated information techniques.
    Public Reporting Burden: The Commission's burden estimates for the 
proposals in this NOPR are for one-time implementation of the 
information collection requirements of this NOPR (including tariff 
filing, documentation of the process and procedures, and IT work). The 
collections of information related to this NOPR fall under FERC-545 
(Gas Pipeline Rates: Rate Change (Non-Formal)) \50\ and FERC-549C 
(Standards for Business Practices of Interstate Natural Gas 
Pipelines).\51\ The following estimates of reporting burden are related 
only to this NOPR and anticipate the costs to pipelines for compliance 
with the Commission's proposals in this NOPR.\52\ The burden estimates 
are primarily related to start-up to implement these standards and 
regulations and will not result in ongoing costs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \50\ FERC-545 covers rate change filings made by natural gas 
pipelines, including tariff changes.
    \51\ FERC-549C covers Standards for Business Practices of 
Interstate Natural Gas Pipelines.
    \52\ We note that although this NOPR proposes a minor revision 
to section 260.8, we are not including Form No. 567 (OMB No. 1902-
005) as part of this burden estimate because we estimate that the 
substitution of proprietary codes for common codes in the system 
flow diagrams submitted under section 260.8 will not increase the 
burden of filing that form. The same is true with regard to the 
identical revisions we are proposing to sections 157.14 and 157.18, 
Form No. 537 (OMB No. 1902-0060). Likewise, we estimate that our 
proposed revision to Form 549B (OMB No. 1902-0169), see http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/forms.asp, which changes the point record 
for Point identification Code Qualifier (Item ID yj) and Point 
Identification Code (Item ID yk) will not increase the burden of 
filing that form.

                                    RM96-1-038, Standards for Business Practices of Interstate Natural Gas Pipelines
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                        Total annual
                                                  Number of     Annual number of   Total number of  Average burden &   burden hours &       Cost per
                                              respondents \53\    responses per       responses         cost per        total annual     respondent \54\
                                                                   respondent                           response            cost               ($)
                                                           (1)               (2)   (1) * (2) = (3)               (4)   (3) * (4) = (5)         (5) / (1)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FERC-545 \55\...............................               165                 1               165                10             1,650          $138,056
FERC-549C...................................               165                 1               165                22             3,630           303,722
                                             -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals..................................  ................  ................  ................  ................             5,280           441,778
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Information Collection Costs: The Commission seeks comments on the 
costs to comply with these requirements. It has projected the average 
annualized cost for all respondents to be the following:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \53\ The number of respondents is the number of entities in 
which a change in burden from the current standards to the proposed 
exists, not the total number of entities from the current or 
proposed standards that are applicable.
    \54\ Wage data is based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics data 
for 2012 (``May 2012 National Industry-Specific Occupational 
Employment and Wage Estimates, [for] Sector 22--Utilities'' at 
http://bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm) and is compiled for the 
top 10 percent earned. For the estimate of the benefits component, 
see http://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm.
    \55\ The mean hourly cost of tariff filings and implementation 
for interstate natural gas pipelines is $83.67. This represents the 
average composite wage (salary and benefits for 2,080 annual work-
hours) of the following occupational categories: ``Legal'' ($128.02 
per hour), ``Computer Analyst'' ($83.50 per hour), and ``Office and 
Administrative'' ($39.49 per hour). Wage data is available from the 
Bureau of Labor Statistics at http://bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm and is compiled for the top 10 percent earned. For the 
estimate of the benefits component, see http://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             FERC-545        FERC-549C
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annualized Capital/Startup Costs........        $138,056        $303,722
Annualized Costs (Operations &                       N/A             N/A
 Maintenance)...........................
                                         -------------------------------
    Total Annualized Costs..............         138,056         303,722
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total Cost for all Respondents = $441,778.
    OMB regulations require OMB to approve certain information 
collection requirements imposed by agency rule. The Commission is 
submitting notification of this proposed rule to OMB. These information 
collections are mandatory requirements.
    Title: FERC-545, Gas Pipeline Rates: Rates Change (Non-Formal); 
FERC-549C, Standards for Business Practices of Interstate Natural Gas 
Pipelines.
    Action: Proposed collections.
    OMB Control Nos.: 1902-0154, 1902-0174.
    Respondents: Business or other for profit, (i.e., Natural Gas 
Pipelines, applicable to only a few small businesses.) Although the 
intraday reporting requirements will affect electric plant operators, 
the Commission is not imposing the reporting burden of adopting these 
standards on those entities.
    Frequency of Responses: One-time implementation (business 
procedures, capital/start-up).
    Necessity of Information: The proposals in this NOPR would, if 
implemented, upgrade the Commission's current business practices and 
communication standards by specifically: (1) Requiring the posting of 
information on requests to purchase

[[Page 43985]]

releasable capacity on a pipeline's Web site; (2) revising standards to 
support the elimination of NAESB WGQ interpretations; (3) revising 
standards to add new data elements; and (4) revising standards related 
to the technical implementation and data sets for the NAESB WGQ 
Standards.
    The implementation of these data requirements will provide 
additional transparency to informational posting Web sites and will 
improve communication standards, including gas-electric communications. 
The implementation of these standards and regulations will promote the 
additional efficiency and reliability of the gas industries' operations 
thereby helping the Commission to carry out its responsibilities under 
the Natural Gas Act of promoting the efficiency and reliability of the 
gas industries' operations. In addition, the Commission's Office of 
Enforcement will use the data for general industry oversight.
    Internal Review: The Commission has reviewed the requirements 
pertaining to business practices of natural gas pipelines and made a 
preliminary determination that the proposed revisions are necessary to 
establish more efficient coordination between the gas and electric 
industries. Requiring such information ensures both a common means of 
communication and common business practices to limit miscommunication 
for participants engaged in the sale of electric energy at wholesale 
and the transportation of natural gas. These requirements conform to 
the Commission's plan for efficient information collection, 
communication, and management within the natural gas pipeline 
industries. 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.
    34. Interested persons may obtain information on the reporting 
requirements by contacting the following: Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426 [Attention: 
Ellen Brown, Office of the Executive Director, email: 
DataClearance@ferc.gov, phone: (202) 502-8663, fax: (202) 273-0873].
    35. Comments concerning the collection of information(s) and the 
associated burden estimate(s), should be sent to the contact listed 
above and to the Office of Management and Budget, Office of Information 
and Regulatory Affairs, Washington, DC 20503 [Attention: Desk Officer 
for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, telephone: (202) 395-
0710, fax: (202) 395-4718].

VI. Environmental Analysis

    36. 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.\56\ The 
Commission has categorically excluded certain actions from these 
requirements as not having a significant effect on the human 
environment.\57\ The actions proposed 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 that requires no construction of 
facilities.\58\ Therefore, an environmental assessment is unnecessary 
and has not been prepared as part of this NOPR.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \56\ Regulations Implementing the National Environmental Policy 
Act of 1969, Order No. 486, 52 FR 47897 (Dec. 17, 1987), FERC Stats. 
& Regs. Regulations Preambles 1986-1990 ] 30,783 (1987).
    \57\ 18 CFR 380.4.
    \58\ See 18 CFR 380.4(a)(2)(ii), 380.4(a)(5), 380.4(a)(27).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

VII. Regulatory Flexibility Act Analysis and Certification

    37. The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA) \59\ generally 
requires a description and analysis of proposed rules that will have 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
The RFA mandates consideration of regulatory alternatives that 
accomplish the stated objectives of a proposed rule and that minimize 
any significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. The Small Business Administration's (SBA) Office of Size 
Standards develops the numerical definition of a small business.\60\ 
The SBA has established a size standard for pipelines transporting 
natural gas, stating that a firm is small if its annual receipts are 
less than $25.5 million.\61\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \59\ 5 U.S.C. 601-612.
    \60\ 13 CFR 121.101.
    \61\ 13 CFR 121.201, subsection 486.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    38. The regulations proposed here impose requirements only on 
interstate pipelines, the majority of which are not small businesses. 
Most companies regulated by the Commission do not fall within the RFA's 
definition of a small entity. Approximately 165 entities are potential 
respondents subject to data collection FERC-545 reporting requirements 
and also are subject to data collection FERC 549-C reporting 
requirements. Nearly all of these entities are large entities. For the 
year 2012 (the most recent year for which information is available), 
only eleven companies not affiliated with larger companies had annual 
revenues of less than $25.5 million and are defined by the SBA as 
``small entities.'' These companies constitute about seven percent of 
the total universe of potential respondents. The Commission estimates 
that the one-time implementation cost of the proposals in this NOPR is 
$441,778 (or $2,677 per entity, regardless of entity size).\62\ The 
Commission does not consider the estimated $2,677 impact per entity to 
be significant. Moreover, these requirements are designed to benefit 
all customers, including small businesses that must comply with them. 
Further, 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \62\ This number is derived by dividing the total cost figure by 
the number of respondents. $441,778/165 = $2,677.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    39. Accordingly, pursuant to Sec.  605(b) of the RFA,\63\ the 
regulations proposed herein should not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \63\ 5 U.S.C. 605(b).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

VIII. Comment Procedures

    40. The Commission invites interested persons to submit comments on 
the matters and issues proposed in this notice to be adopted, including 
any related matters or alternative proposals that commenters may wish 
to discuss. Comments are due August 24, 2015. Comments must refer to 
Docket No. RM96-1-038, and must include the commenter's name, the 
organization they represent, if applicable, and their address in their 
comments.
    41. The Commission encourages comments to be filed electronically 
via the eFiling link on the Commission's Web site at http://www.ferc.gov. The Commission accepts most standard word processing 
formats. Documents created electronically using word processing 
software should be filed in native applications or print-to-PDF format 
and not in a scanned format. Commenters filing electronically do not 
need to make a paper filing.
    42. Commenters that are not able to file comments electronically 
must send

[[Page 43986]]

an original of their comments to: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 
Secretary of the Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 
20426.
    43. All comments will be placed in the Commission's public files 
and may be viewed, printed, or downloaded remotely as described in the 
Document Availability section below. Commenters on this proposal are 
not required to serve copies of their comments on other commenters.

IX. Document Availability

    44. 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 the Commission's Home Page (http://www.ferc.gov) and 
in the Commission'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.
    45. From the Commission'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.
    46. User assistance is available for eLibrary and the Commission's 
Web site during normal business hours from the Commission's 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 (202) 502-
8371, TTY (202) 502-8659. Email the Public Reference Room at 
public.referenceroom@ferc.gov.

List of Subjects in 18 CFR Parts 157, 260, and 284

    Incorporation by reference, Natural gas, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

    By direction of the Commission.

    Issued: July 16, 2015.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Commission proposes to amend 
parts 157, 260, and 284, chapter I, title 18, Code of Federal 
Regulations, as follows.

PART 157--APPLICATIONS FOR CERTIFICATES OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND 
NECESSITY AND FOR ORDERS PERMITTING AND APPROVING ABANDONMENT UNDER 
SECTION 7 OF THE NATURAL GAS ACT

0
1. The authority citation for part 157 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  15 U.S.C. 717-717Z.

0
2. Section 157.14 is amended by revising paragraph (a) to read as 
follows:

Sec.  157.14  Exhibits.

    (a) To be attached to each application. All exhibits specified must 
accompany each application when tendered for filing. Together with each 
exhibit applicant must provide a full and complete explanation of the 
data submitted, the manner in which it was obtained, and the reasons 
for the conclusions derived from the exhibits. If the Commission 
determines that a formal hearing upon the application is required or 
that testimony and hearing exhibits should be filed, the Secretary will 
promptly notify the applicant that submittal of all exhibits and 
testimony of all witnesses to be sponsored by the applicant in support 
of his case-in-chief is required. Submittal of these exhibits and 
testimony must be within 20 days from the date of the Secretary's 
notice, or any other time as the Secretary will specify. Exhibits, 
except exhibits F, F-1, G, G-I, G-II, and H(iv), must be submitted to 
the Commission on electronic media as prescribed in Sec.  385.2011 of 
this chapter. Receipt and delivery point information required in 
various exhibits must be labeled with a location point name in 
accordance with the name adopted in Sec.  284.12 of this chapter.
* * * * *
0
3. Section 157.18 is amended by revising paragraph (c) to read as 
follows:

Sec.  157.18  Applications to abandon facilities or service; exhibits.

* * * * *
    (c) Exhibit V--Flow diagram showing daily design capacity and 
reflecting operation of applicant's system after abandonment. Receipt 
and delivery point information required in various exhibits must be 
labeled with a location point name in accordance with the name adopted 
in Sec.  284.12 of this chapter. A flow diagram showing daily design 
capacity and reflecting operating conditions of applicant's system 
after abandonment of facilities on that segment of the system affected 
by the abandonment, including the following:
* * * * *

PART 260--STATEMENTS AND REPORTS (SCHEDULES)

0
4. The authority citation for part 260 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 717-717w, 3301-3432; 42 U.S.C. 7101-7352.

0
5. Section 260.8 is amended by revising paragraph (a) to read as 
follows:

Sec.  260.8  System flow diagrams: Format No. FERC 567.

    (a) Each Major natural gas pipeline company, having a system 
delivery capacity in excess of 100,000 Mcf per day (measured at 14.73 
p.s.i.a. and 60 [deg]F), shall file with the Commission by June 1 of 
each year five (5) copies of a diagram or diagrams reflecting operating 
conditions on its main transmission system during the previous twelve 
months ended December 31. For purposes of system peak deliveries, the 
heating season overlapping the year's end shall be used. Facilities 
shall be those installed and in operation on December 31 of the 
reporting year. All volumes shall be reported on a uniform stated 
pressure and temperature base. Receipt and delivery point information 
required in various exhibits must be labeled with a location point name 
in accordance with the name adopted in Sec.  284.12 of this chapter.
* * * * *

PART 284--CERTAIN SALES AND TRANSPORTATION OF NATURAL GAS UNDER THE 
NATURAL GAS POLICY ACT OF 1978 AND RELATED AUTHORITIES

0
6. 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.

0
7. Section 284.12 is amended by revising paragraph (a)(1) to read as 
follows:

Sec.  284.12  Standards for pipeline business operations and 
communications.

    (a) * * *
    (1) An interstate pipeline that transports gas under subparts B or 
G of this part must comply with the business practices and electronic 
communications standards as promulgated by the North American Energy 
Standards Board, as incorporated herein by reference in paragraphs 
(a)(1)(i) thru (vii) of this section, and as revised by Minor 
Correction/Clarification MC15009 and Minor Correction/Clarification 
MC15012, as incorporated herein by reference in paragraphs (a)(1)(viii) 
and (ix) of this section.

[[Page 43987]]

    (i) Additional Standards (Version 3.0, November 14, 2014);
    (ii) Nominations Related Standards (Version 3.0, November 14, 
2014);
    (iii) Flowing Gas Related Standards (Version 3.0, November 14, 
2014);
    (iv) Invoicing Related Standards (Version 3.0, November 14, 2014);
    (v) Quadrant Electronic Delivery Mechanism Related Standards 
(Version 3.0, November 14, 2014);
    (vi) Capacity Release Related Standards (Version 3.0, November 14, 
2014);
    (vii) Internet Electronic Transport Related Standards (Version 3.0, 
November 14, 2014);
    (viii) Minor Correction/Clarification, Request No. MC15009, 
approved April 30, 2015; and
    (ix) Minor Correction/Clarification, Request No. MC15012, approved 
May 29, 2015.
* * * * *
0
8. Section 284.13 is amended by revising paragraph (c)(2)(vi) to read 
as follows:

Sec.  284.13  Reporting requirements for interstate pipelines.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (vi) The receipt and delivery points and the zones or segments 
covered by the contract in which the capacity is held, including the 
location code for each point zone or segment along with a posting on 
the pipeline's Web site that identifies active and inactive points, the 
date the point becomes active or inactive, the location of the point, 
and an identification of the upstream or downstream entity, if any, at 
that point;
* * * * *

    Note: The following appendix will not appear in the Code of 
Federal Regulations.

Appendix

List of Revisions in NAESB's WGQ Version 3.0 Business Practice 
Standards to Its Prior Business Practice Standards

    Version 3.0 makes the following changes to the Version 2.1 
Standards:
    a. Revises Standards 0.3.28, 1.1.3, 1.3.1, 1.3.2 through 1.3.5, 
1.3.7 through 1.3.9, 1.3.11, 1.3.13 through 1.3.15, 1.3.22, 1.3.27, 
1.3.33, 1.3.41, 1.3.42, 1.3.51, 1.3.80, 2.3.5, 2.3.9, 2.3.14, 
2.3.15, 2.3.21, 2.3.26, 2.3.40, 2.3.46, 2.3.47, 3.3.3, 3.3.7, 
3.3.14, 3.3.15, 4.3.2, 4.3.3, 4.3.16, 4.3.23, 4.3.35, 4.3.45, 
4.3.46, 4.3.54, 4.3.90, 5.3.2, 5.3.32, 5.3.44, 5.3.45, 5.3.48, 
5.3.49, 5.3.53, 5.3.54, 5.3.56; Datasets 0.4.1, 0.4.2, 0.4.4, 1.4.1 
through 1.4.7, 2.4.1 through 2.4.11, 2.4.17, 2.4.18, 3.4.1 through 
3.4.4, 5.4.14 through 5.4.17, 5.4.20 through 5.4.27; Principles 
1.1.15, 1.1.18, 2.1.5; and Definitions 1.2.2, 1.2.4, 2.2.5.
    b. Adds Standards 0.2.5, 4.3.105, 5.3.73.
    c. Deletes Standards 1.3.52, 2.3.49, 3.3.2, 3.3.20, 4.3.4, 
4.3.39, 4.3.65, 5.3.27, 10.3.2; Datasets 2.4.12 through 2.4.16; and 
Principles 1.1.5, 1.1.7, 1.1.9, 1.1.17, 4.1.31.
    Version 2.1 made the following changes to the Version 2.0 
Standards:
    a. Revises Standards 0.3.18, 0.3.20, 0.3.21, 1.3.27, 1.3.55, 
1.3.73, 2.3.32, 4.3.23, 4.3.28, 4.3.35, 4.3.52, 4.3.67, 5.3.2, 
5.3.4, 5.3.26, 5.3.38, 5.3.70, 5.3.71, 6.5.2, 7.3.16, 7.3.27; 
Datasets 0.4.1 through 0.4.3, 1.4.1 through 1.4.7, 2.4.1 through 
2.4.7, 2.4.9 through 2.4.11, 2.4.13 through 2.4.18, 3.4.1 through 
3.4.4, 5.4.14 through 5.4.17, 5.4.20 through 5.4.22, 5.4.24 through 
5.4.26; and Definitions 10.2.8, 10.2.30.
    b. Adds Standards 0.3.23 through 0.3.29, 1.3.58, 1.3.73, 1.3.81, 
2.3.66, 4.3.103, 4.3.104; and Dataset 0.4.4.
    c. Deletes Standards 0.3.19, 1.3.47, 1.3.49, 1.3.50, 1.3.54, 
1.3.57, 1.3.59 through 1.3.61, 1.3.63, 2.3.33 through 2.3.35, 3.3.1, 
4.3.39, 4.3.51, 4.3.56, 4.3.59, 4.3.73, 4.3.74, 4.3.76.

[FR Doc. 2015-17921 Filed 7-23-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P