FERC-538 Gas Pipeline Certificates: Section 7(a) Information Collection Extension

Content

ACTION:

Notice of information collection and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D), the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (Commission or FERC) is submitting its information collection FERC-538 (Gas Pipeline Certificates: Section 7(a)
Mandatory Initial Service) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review of the information collection requirements.
No comments were received on the 60-day notice.

DATES:

Comments on the collection of information are due May 7, 2026.

ADDRESSES:

Send written comments on FERC-538 to OMB through https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRA/icrPublicCommentRequest?ref_nbr=202602-1902-003. You can also visit https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain and use the drop-down under “Currently under Review” to select the “Federal Energy Regulatory Commission” where you can see
the open opportunities to provide comments. Comments should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice.

Please submit a copy of your comments to the Commission via email to DataClearance@FERC.gov. You must specify the Docket No. (IC26-8-000) and the FERC Information Collection number (FERC-538) in your email. If you are
unable to file electronically, comments may be filed by USPS mail or by hand (including courier) delivery:

• Mail via U.S. Postal Service Only: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426.

• All Other Delivery Methods: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, MD 20852.

Docket: To view comments and issuances in this docket, please visit https://elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/search.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Kayla Williams may be reached by email at DataClearance@FERC.gov, or by telephone at (202) 502-6468.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Gas Pipeline Certificates: Section 7(a) Mandatory Initial Service.

OMB Control No.: 1902-0061.

Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC-538 information collection requirements with no changes to the current reporting requirements.

Abstract: The purpose of FERC-538 is to implement the information collections pursuant to sections 7(a), 10(a) and 16 of Natural Gas
Act (1), and part 156 of the Commission Regulations. (2) These statutes and regulations allow for the Commission, after receiving an application, to order a natural gas company to
extend or improve its transportation facilities and sell natural gas to the municipality or person and, for such purpose,
to extend its transportation facilities to communities immediately adjacent to such facilities or to territories served by
the natural gas pipeline company. The Commission uses the application data in order to be fully informed concerning the applicant
and the service the applicant is requesting.

Type of Respondents: Persons or municipalities authorized to engage in the local distribution of natural gas.

Estimate of Annual Burden: (3) The Commission estimates the annual reporting burden and cost for the information collection as:

| | Number of
respondents | Annual
number ofresponses perrespondent | Total number of responses | Average burden hours & cost ($) per response 4 | Total annual burden hours & total annual Cost
($) | Cost per
respondent($) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | (1) | (2) | (1) * (2) = (3) | (4) | (3)* (4) = (5) | (5) ÷ (1) |
| Gas Pipeline Certificates | 1 | 1 | 1 | 255 hrs. 5; $26,265 | 255 hrs.; $26,265 | $26,265 |
Comments: Comments are invited on: (1) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions
of the Commission, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate
of the burden and cost of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3)
ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collection; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the
collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms
of information technology.

Dated: April 2, 2026. Carlos D. Clay, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2026-06705 Filed 4-6-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P

Footnotes

(1) 15 U.S.C. 717f-w.

(2) 18 CFR part 156 (2005).

(3) “Burden” is defined as the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain,
or disclose or provide information to or for a federal agency. For further explanation of what is included in the information
collection burden, reference 5 CFR 1320.3.

(4) Commission staff estimates that the industry's hourly cost for wages plus benefits is similar to the Commission's $103 FY
2025 average hourly cost for wages and benefits.

(5) The burden has been corrected from the 60-day notice. That notice correctly stated that the burden did not change from the
previously approved information collection request. However, the incorrect figures were included in the table.

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