[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 14, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14897-14902]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-6324]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. RM00-12-000]
Electronic Filing of Documents; Notice of Additional Qualified
Documents for Electronic Filing
March 8, 2001.
Take notice that beginning March 12, 2001, the Commission will
accept Motions to Intervene and Comments on Proposed Rulemakings for
filing via the Internet in lieu of paper copies.
[[Page 14898]]
Order No. 619,\1\ authorized the Secretary of the Commission to
issue and amend a list of qualified documents that, at the filer's
option, may be submitted via the Internet without also filing paper
copies.\2\ The Commission defined the initial set of qualified
documents and issued electronic filing instructions in a notice issued
October 6, 2000.\3\ That notice identified the initial set of qualified
documents, including:
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\1\ III FERC Stats. & Regs., Regulations Preambles para. 31,107.
\2\ 18 CFR 385.2003(c)(2), 65 FR 57088.
\3\ ``Notice of Qualified Documents for Electronic Filing'',
Docket No. RM00-12-000, issued October 6, 2000.
1. Comments on applications and other filings
2. Comments on technical conferences
3. Comments filed in connection with environmental documents (Notices,
Environmental Assessments, and Environmental Impact Statements) \4\
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\4\ 18 CFR 380.10(a).
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4. Protests \5\ and responses to certain protests.\6\
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\5\ 18 CFR 385.211 and 18 CFR 343.3 (see also 18 CFR 4.5, 4.13,
4.23, 35.8(a), 154,210(a), 157.10, and 157.205(e)).
\6\ 18 CFR 343.3(b).
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5. Reply comments.
Beginning March 12, 2001, the following additional filings may, at
the filer's option, be submitted via the Internet in lieu of paper
copies:
1. Comments in response to Notices of Proposed Rulemakings \7\
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\7\ 18 CFR 385.1903 and 18 CFR 380.10(b).
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2. Motion/Notice of Intervention \8\
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\8\ 18 CFR 385.214, 385.1306 (See also 18 CFR 35.8(a),
154.210(a) and (b), 157.210, 157.106, 343.2(a), and 380.10).
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3. Motion/Notice of Intervention Out-of-Time \9\
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\9\ 18 CFR 385.214(b)(3).
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4. Withdrawal of Intervention \10\
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\10\ 18 CFR 385.216.
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5. Reply Comments and Responses to Motions to Intervene
The Commission also confirms that responses to Notices of Inquiry
are qualified documents for filing via the Internet.
The Commission is not yet accepting comments on settlements,
comments on litigated cases, or complaints over the Internet. Those
documents must be filed in the traditional manner with the required
number of paper copies.
Qualified documents may be combined and submitted in the same
document (electronic file). For example, a motion to intervene may also
include comments and/or a protest in the same document and be eligible
for filing via the Internet.
Non-qualified documents may not be included in an electronic
submission with other qualified documents. For example a complaint (not
a qualified document) combined with a Motion to Intervene is not
eligible for electronic submission via the Internet.
We are revising and reissuing Attachments A \11\ and B,\12\
originally issued on October 6, 2000, to reflect the additions to the
qualified documents list. These attachments contain the technical
requirements and filing instructions, respectively, for electronic
submission of qualified documents.
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\11\ ``Technical Requirements for Electronic Filing'',
originally issued as Attachment A to ``Notice of Qualified Documents
for Electronic Filing'', Docket No. RM00-12-000, October 6, 2000.
\12\ ``FERC Electronic Filing of Interventions, Comments, and
Protests: User Guide (version 2.1)'', March 12, 2001.
David P. Boergers,
Secretary.
Attachment A
Technical Requirements for Electronic Filing
I. Purpose
The Commission's regulations at 18 CFR Part 385.2003(c) permit
participants to voluntarily file certain qualified documents in
electronic format via the Internet in lieu of filing paper
copies.\1\
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\1\ 18 CFR 385.2003(c), 65 FR 57088 (Sept. 21, 2000).
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II. Who May Submit
Anyone desiring to comment on or participate in a Commission
proceeding may voluntarily submit a qualified document in electronic
format via the Internet, in lieu of paper copies.
III. What To Submit
A document filed with the Commission via the Internet must be a
``qualified document.''
For the purpose of filing via the Internet, ``qualified
documents'' are those categories of documents listed in instructions
issued by the Secretary. More than one qualified document type may
be combined in a single file. For example, a Motion to Intervene may
also contain comments and/or a protest.
Documents that are not ``qualified documents'' cannot be filed
via the Internet, even if combined with other ``qualified
documents''. Such filings must be submitted with an original and the
applicable number of paper copies. Similarly, documents requiring
privileged or protected treatment by the Commission may not be filed
via the Internet.
Persons filing ``qualified documents'' via the Internet should
not file paper copies.
The list of qualified documents will be included in instructions
for filing issued by the Secretary of the Commission and available
on the Commission's web site (www.ferc.fed.us) at the link ``Make An
E-Filing.''
IV. Technical Requirements
A. Filing Format
Participants may submit electronic documents in the following
formats:
1. Microsoft Word: Versions up to MS Office 2000. The file name
extension must be ``.doc''.
2. Corel WordPerfect: Versions up to 9.0. The file name
extension must be ``.wpd''.
3. Portable Document Format (PDF); all versions. The file name
extension must be ``.pdf''.
4. Rich Text Format. The file name extension must be ``.rtf''.
5. ASCII. The file name extension must be ``.txt''.
We do not currently accept spreadsheet or presentation software
formats.
Participants may submit files with long file names not exceeding
25 characters. Do not include blank spaces or ampersands in the
name. Use a period to delimit the file name and the extension. The
underscore character is acceptable if you need to delimit a file
name. You will receive an error message if the file name contains
spaces, or does not have the correct extension.
C. Method of Submission
The system for electronic filing of interventions, comments, and
protests is a file attachment process. You must first prepare your
submission in one of the acceptable file formats. We do not at this
time provide a text box for submitting brief comments.
The following steps outline the procedure for filing a qualified
document with the Commission via the Internet. Instructions for e-
filing are on the Commission's web site (www.ferc.fed.us) under the
link ``Make An E-Filing''.
1. Access the Commission's web site and click on ``Make An E-
Filing''.
2. Enter your User Name and Password or click on ``New User
Account''.
3. After login, select the type of filing, specify the signer of
the document and the organization on whose behalf the filing is
made; specify the Docket Number(s) for the submission. Accept or
amend the default description of the filing and select the
appropriate file to submit.
4. Upon successful transmission of the file, the Commission's
computer system will immediately generate a web-based response
confirming receipt. The Commission's computer system will shortly
thereafter send an e-mail message confirming receipt (first e-mail).
5. The Commission's computer system will convert native file
formats to Portable Document Format (PDF) and send a second e-mail
to the filer with a link to the PDF file.
6. The Commission's Docket Staff will review the filing and, if
accepted for filing, the filer will receive a third e-mail with a
``Notice of Acceptance'' and a link to GIF image files created from
the PDF file.
7. If the filing is not accepted, the Dockets Staff will send a
``Notice of Rejection'', with the reason for the rejection, to the
filer's e-mail address.
8. The Commission will make available on its web site, through
its Records and Information Management System (RIMS), electronic
versions of the accepted document in native (as filed), PDF, and GIF
image formats. Interested persons can download any or all versions
of the file or view it on screen if they have the appropriate
viewer.
[[Page 14899]]
D. Authentication and Verification
Participants must establish a User Name and Password prior to
their first submission. The User Name and Password validate the
identity of the person submitting the electronic filing.
The typed name of the person responsible for the filing must be
included in the text of the electronic submission where the filing
would normally be ``signed.'' The string of characters representing
the name of the person responsible for the filing satisfies the
``signature'' requirement of 18 CFR 385.2005 (e.g., \S\ John Doe).
E. Filing Date
The same rules that establish the filing date for paper filings
also apply to electronic filings. Electronic filings received after
5:00 p.m. Eastern time will be considered received as of 8:30 a.m.
on the next business day.
F. Document Content Standards
There are some limitations on the content of documents submitted
to the Commission via the Internet. Documents must satisfy the
following criteria:
1. Documents must be submitted as a single file, which is
neither zipped nor compressed. The file size limit is five
megabytes. Only documents in approved filing formats with the proper
file name extension will be accepted. Cover letters and/or
certificates of service, if applicable, should be included in the
same file as the rest of your submission.
2. Documents filed via the Internet must generally conform to
the same document formatting specifications that apply to paper
submissions. They should have double-spaced lines, left margins not
less than 1\1/2\ inch, indented and single-spaced quotations that
exceed 50 words; and not less than 10-point fonts (See 18 CFR
385.2003).
3. The document must include the Docket Number of the proceeding
in which you are filing. Qualified documents may be filed in one or
more dockets. Use the Commission Issuance Posting System (CIPS) or
the Records and Information Management System (RIMS) to determine
the correct docket number and format. Both systems are accessible
from the Commission's web site (www.ferc.fed.us).
4. The document must contain the name and address of the person
responsible for the filing.
5. Documents must not contain auto-text functions (such as
``today's date'') or macros that change the content of the document
after submission.
6. Documents must not contain hyperlinks to external documents.
7. All documents submitted electronically will be public. Non-
public or proprietary documents may not be submitted electronically.
8. Paragraph numbers are not required; however, if you are
filing in a format other than PDF, we encourage you to use paragraph
numbers.
F. Additional Contacts
For assistance or to discuss problems with making electronic
filings, contact the Helpline at 202-208-0258 during the
Commission's business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time) or
e-mail [email protected].
To obtain general information about the program and accessing
the documents filed electronically (viewing, printing, and
downloading), contact the public Helplines during business hours at:
202-208-1371 (and press ``0'') or e-mail
[email protected]
202-208-2222 or e-mail [email protected].
Note: The Commission does not accept filings via e-mail. Do not
use any of the above e-mail addresses to submit comments or other
filings to the Commission. Materials submitted via e-mail will not
be placed in the record for a proceeding.
V. Paperwork Reduction Act
No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply
with this collection of information if the collection of information
does not display a valid control number.\2\
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\2\ 44 U.S.C. 3512.
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Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Electronic Filing of Interventions, Comments, and Protests, v2.1
User Guide
March 12, 2001.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. E-Filing Procedures
A. Before You Login to File
B. Access FERC's E-Filing System
C. Login to Make a Filing
If you have a User Name
If you do not have a User Name
D. Select the Type of Filing You Are Making
E. Specify the Signer of the Document
F. Specify the Organization on Whose Behalf You Are Filing
G. Specify the Docket Number(s) Applicable to Your Filing
H. Enter a Description of Filing and Select the File to Submit
III. Receipt and Acknowledgment
IV. User Assistance
Attachment A: How to Intervene in Commission Proceedings
Attachment B: Privacy Act Statement and the Use of Cookies
Privacy Act Statement
Use of Cookies
I. Introduction
Pursuant to Order No. 619,\1\ the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC) now accepts the following ``qualified documents''
via the Internet in lieu of paper filing.
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\1\ III FERC Stats. & Regs., Regulations Preambles para. 31,107.
Comments on Filings
1. Comments on applications and other filings
2. Comments on technical conferences
3. Comments filed in connection with environmental documents
(Notices, Environmental Assessments, and Environmental Impact
Statements) \2\
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\2\ 18 CFR 380.10(a) (2000).
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4. Protests \3\ and responses to certain protests.\4\
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\3\ 18 CFR 385.211 and 18 CFR 343.3 (see also 18 CFR 4.5, 4.13,
4.23, 35.8(a), 154,210(a), 157.10, and 157.205(e)) (2000).
\4\ 18 CFR 343.3(b) (2000).
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5. Comments on Notices of Inquiry (PL Dockets)
6. Reply comments.
Comments on Notices of Proposed Rulemakings (RM Dockets) \5\
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\5\ 18 CFR 385.1903 and 18 CFR 380.10(b) (2000).
Interventions
1. Motion/Notice of Intervention \6\
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\6\ 18 CFR 385.214, 385.1306 (See also 18 CFR 35.8(a),
154.210(a) and (b), 157.210, 157.106, 343.2(a), and 380.10) (2000).
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2. Motion/Notice of Intervention Out-of-Time \7\
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\7\ 18 CFR 385.214(b)(3) (2000).
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3. Withdrawal of Intervention \8\
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\8\ 18 CFR 385.216 (2000).
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4. Responses to Motions To Intervene
The Electronic Filing System is a file attachment process; we do
not yet have a text box for filing brief comments. So you should
prepare your submission in the same manner as you would if filing on
paper. Your filing must include the docket number(s) applicable to
your submission as well as the name and address of the person
responsible for the filing.
Two or more qualified documents may be combined in a single
document (e.g., a motion to intervene may also include comments and
a protest) and submitted using FERC's electronic filing system. But
``non-qualified documents'' (e.g., a complaint), may not be
electronically submitted at this time, even if they also contain
qualified documents.
II. E-Filing Procedures
The same filing deadlines that apply to paper submissions also
apply to electronic submissions. Your electronic submission must be
received by 5:00 p.m. Eastern time in order to be considered filed
on that day. Otherwise, it will be considered filed at 8:30 a.m. on
the next business day.
A. Before You Login To File
1. Electronic filing is limited to certain ``qualified
documents'' identified in Notices issued by the Office of the
Secretary in Docket No. RM00-12-000. The types of documents eligible
for electronic filing are summarized in the Introduction to this
Guide. Be sure that your submission contains only qualified
documents.
2. Prepare your submission in one of the following file formats:
MS Word (.doc)
WordPerfect (.wpd)
Portable Document Format (.pdf)
Rich Text Format (.rtf) or
ASCII Text format (.txt)
3. Save the file to a diskette or other drive that you can
access when you make your submission. Long file names can be used,
provided they do not exceed 25 characters and do not contain spaces
or ampersands. Use the appropriate file name extension.
4. Submissions currently are limited to a single file. So you
should combine a cover
[[Page 14900]]
letter, and certificate of service, if applicable, in one file with
your submission.
5. Check to ensure your browser's Cookie settings are correct.
The Commission uses a session cookie to enable you to make your
filings electronically. Refer to Attachment B for more information
on the use of cookies to access Commission systems. To check your
cookie settings to enable electronic filing:
Microsoft Internet Explorer: in the Menu Bar, click on Tools,
Internet Options, the Security tab, and then select Custom Level.
Scroll down to the Cookies section, and make sure the ``Enable''
radio button is clicked for both user and session statements. Click
OK until you return to your original screen.
Netscape: in the Menu Bar, click on Edit, Preferences, and then
on Advanced in the left column. In the right column, in the Cookies
section, make sure the ``Accept all cookies'' radio button is
clicked. Click OK until you return to your original screen.
B. Access FERC's E-Filing System
From your chosen browser, go to www.ferc.fed.us
1. On the FERC Home Page, click on ``Make an E-Filing.''
2. Review any messages on the Welcome screen for e-filing.
3. Click on LOGIN TO FILE to begin the file submission process.
C. Login to Make a Filing
You must have a User Name and password to use this system.
1. If you have a User Name and Password, enter your User Name
and Password, then click on the Login icon below the password box
(Skip to Part D below).
2. If you do not have a User Name, you must create one.
a. On the Login screen, select New User Account.
b. At the Contact Information Screen, fill in the First Name,
Middle Initial (optional), and Last Name. You must complete all
fields with labels in Bold text.
In the Company field, enter the company, association, or
organization that you are employed by or associated with, provided
that you wish to be affiliated with that organization in the filing
you are submitting to FERC. Leave the Company field blank if you are
submitting a filing as an individual and not as an employee of your
company or a member of any association or organization.
Click on Submit.
c. Specify a User Name & Password. Caution: The user name and
password are case sensitive.
d. Type the same password again. Click on Login. Retain your
User Name and password for future use.
D. Select the Type of Filing You Are Making
From the Filing Type Selection Screen, click on the radio button
that identifies the type of filing you are making. Electronic filing
is limited to certain ``qualified documents'' identified in notices
issued by the Office of the Secretary in Docket No. RM00-12-000. The
list of qualified documents is summarized in the Introduction to
this Guide.
Your submission must include one or more ``qualified documents''
in a single file (e.g., comments and/or a protest may be filed in
conjunction with a motion to intervene if you intend to become a
party to a proceeding).
The blue information icons briefly describe each filing type.
You may select only one type.
If you're filing a Motion to Intervene, then you should click on
that selection, even though your submission may also contain a
protest or comments. Refer to the attachment to this Guide for
additional information on interventions. Intervenors incur a legal
obligation to serve copies of filings on other parties in a
proceeding.
E. Specify the Signer of the Document
You must specify the signer of the document you are submitting,
and the signer's organization. At the present time, you can enter
only one signer name. For a Motion to Intervene, the name you
specify will also be added to the service list for the docket you
are filing under.
The Search screen for Specify the Document Signer defaults to
the person and the organization associated with the user's login
account (organization will display ``Individual'' if you did not
specify an organization when you set up your user account).
1. If the default entries for Signer and Signer's Organization
are correct, click on Next (Skip to Part F below).
2. If the default entries are not the desired names for the
signer and/or the signer's organization, you must search FERC's list
of filers for the correct entries.
a. Edit the first and last name of the signer and/or the
signer's organization. You do not need to change entries that are
correct. If you want to change the signer's organization, enter a
character string that the organization name either ``starts with''
or ``contains'', and click on the appropriate radio button (``starts
with'' is the default). Note for Netscape users: the search query
returns results for ``contains'' only.
Use Clear to erase all default entries; use Reset to restore the
default entries.
Click on Next when you finish editing the entries.
b. On the Search Results screen for Specify the Signer of the
Document, use the down arrows to select the signer name and/or the
organization name from the pick list. When you have made the
selections, Click on Next.
(1) If the Signer Name has been changed and the new name and
associated address are not found or are incorrect, click on Create a
New Contact.
Enter the information for the signer, including the signer's
organization, if applicable (Leave blank if you are signing as an
Individual). You must complete all fields with Bold labels.
Click on Submit. You will see the signer name (but not the
address) and the organization (or ``Individual'' if you left
organization blank). Click on Next to submit the new entries. Skip
to Section F below.
(2) If the Signer Organization is not found or is incorrect,
fill in a new Organization name in the space provided. Click on
Submit.
Note: The signer's organization may be different from the
organization on whose behalf the filing is made, e.g., an attorney
at a law firm (signer's organization) filing on behalf of a client.
F. Specify the Organization on Whose Behalf You Are Filing
You must specify the organization or group on whose behalf you
are filing, if you are making the filing on behalf of anyone other
than yourself (as an individual). You can enter only one
organization or group name. The FERC Dockets staff will manually add
the names of any additional parties to a filing when they review
your submission.
At your option, you may specify a contact person associated with
or representing the organization or group on whose behalf you are
filing. For a Motion to Intervene, the name you specify will be
placed on the service list for the docket you are filing under.
The Search screen for the Specify the Organization on Whose
Behalf You Are Filing defaults to the organization associated with
your User Name account. If you changed that organization in Section
E above, then the screen defaults to the revised organization.
1. If you're submitting the filing as an Individual, and
``Individual'' appears in the Organization Name field, click on Next
to continue (Skip to Part G below).
2. If the default entry for the organization name is correct,
but you wish to add a contact person for that organization, add the
first and last name of the contact person and click on Next (Skip to
#4 in this section).
3. If the default entry for the organization name is not
correct, enter a character string that the desired organization name
either ``starts with'' or ``contains'', and click on the appropriate
radio button (``starts with'' is the default). Note for Netscape
users: the search query returns results for ``contains'' only.
4. You may, at your option, enter the first and last name of a
contact at the organization on whose behalf you are filing. Click on
Next when you finish adding or editing the entries. This will
initiate a search of the FERC list of filers for names that match
the name you entered.
5. On the search results screen, use the down arrows to select
the proper entry(ies) from the search results. Click on Next after
you select the desired entries.
6. If you do not find the correct entry(ies), follow the
procedures in Section E, part 2(b)(1) and 2(b)(2) to Create a New
Contact or enter a new organization.
G. Specify the Docket Number(s) Applicable to Your Filing
You must specify at least one docket number for your filing.
Comments are generally filed in response to notices issued by the
Commission. The notices identify the Docket Number and set the
deadline for filing comments or motions to intervene.
If you do not know the applicable Docket Number, or the correct
format for the number, you should query either the Commission
Issuance Posting System (CIPS) at http://cips.ferc.fed.us/cips/default.htm) or the Records Information Management System (RIMS) at
http://www.ferc.fed.us/online/rims.htm on the Commission's web site.
[[Page 14901]]
On the Enter Docket Number screen, enter the correct docket and
sub-docket number. Most docket numbers have the format ppyy-ddd-sss,
where pp is the docket prefix, yy is the last two characters of the
fiscal year, ddd is a one to five-digit sequential case number
(project number for the ``P'' prefix), and sss is the sub-docket
number. The system will not accept an incomplete entry or one that
is not in the proper format.
1. If you're filing in a single docket, click on Continue after
you enter the docket number. Note for Netscape users: You must click
on Add to Docket List and then click on Continue
2. If you're filing in more than one docket, click on Add to
Docket List after each entry to build a complete Docket Number List
for your submission. Click on Continue after you've entered all of
the applicable docket numbers.
H. Enter a Description of Filing and Select the File to Submit
The title of the next screen will display the type of filling
that you selected in Part D. The default description is based on the
Filing Type Selection, the organization that you specified as the
Organization on Whose Behalf You Are Filing, and the Docket
Number(s) that you entered.
You may amend the description to more accurately describe the
content of your submission. For example, if you're filing a protest
and/or comments in conjunction with a Motion to Intervene, change
``Motion/Notice of Intervention * * *'' to ``Motion to Intervene
with Comments and Protest * * *.'' There is a limit of 255
characters. Do not use this field for your actual comments; it is a
description field only.
After accepting or amending the default description, click on
the Browser icon to select the file you intend to submit.
1. From the Choose File box, use the down arrow to select the
drive where the file is located.
2. Continue selecting the directory and subdirectory until you
locate the file name.
3. Highlight the desired file name and click on Open
(alternatively, you can double-click on the file name). The path and
file name will appear in the Add File box.
4. Click on Post File to submit your filing to FERC.
III. Receipt and Acknowledgment
Upon receipt of your submission, the E-filing system will
automatically acknowledge that your filing has been received by
FERC. The following information should appear on your computer
screen within a few seconds after you submit your filing:
1. FERC Accession Number (document control number assigned to your
submission)
2. File Name
3. File Size (so you can verify a complete transmission)
4. File Date (official filing date; filings received after 5:00 p.m.
will be considered filed at 8:30 a.m. on the next business day. See
18 CFR 385.2001(a)(2)).
5. Filing Description
6. Docket Number(s) that you filed against
7. The Filing Type that you selected
8. Submission Date and Time (the date and time we received your
submission)
9. Signer's Name
10. The ``Filed By'' Organization (organization/individual on whose
behalf you are filing)
For a Motion to Intervene, the on-screen acknowledgment will
also indicate the entries on the Commission's service list for the
applicable docket(s). Print the acknowledgment.
Whether you print the on-screen acknowledgment or not, we send
the same information via automatic e-mail response to the e-mail
address specified in the user's login account. You should receive
this e-mail within a minute of receipt.
We'll automatically convert your file to Portable Document
Format (PDF) and send a second e-mail with a hyperlink to the PDF
version. You should receive this e-mail within minutes of receipt.
The FERC Dockets staff will review each submission to ensure
that it is in the correct format and is filed in the correct docket.
Once they accept your submission, you will receive a third e-mail
notifying you of the acceptance. At this time, the system adds your
submission to the applicable Docket Sheet(s) and loads the native
file format, the PDF file, and image files created from the PDF file
in RIMS, where it is available to the public via the Commission's
web site (http://www.ferc.fed.us/online/rims.htm). Dockets will
attempt to review all electronic submissions within one hour of
receipt.
If the Dockets staff cannot process your submission or there are
deficiencies, you will receive an e-mail rejecting the filing. You
may resubmit the filing after correcting any errors noted by the
Dockets staff.
IV. User Assistance
For assistance or to discuss problems with making electronic
filings, contact the Helpline at 202-208-0258 during the
Commission's business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time) or
e-mail [email protected].
To obtain general information about the program and accessing
the documents filed electronically (viewing, printing, and
downloading), contact the public Helplines during business hours at:
202-208-1371 (and press ``0'') or e-mail
[email protected]
202-208-2222 or e-mail [email protected].
Note: The Commission does not accept filings via e-mail. Do not
use any of the above e-mail addresses to submit comments or other
filings to the Commission. Materials submitted via e-mail will not
be placed in the record for a proceeding.
Attachment A: How to Intervene in Commission Proceedings
There are two alternatives available to those wishing to
participate in FERC proceedings involving the interstate sale and
transportation of natural gas, hydroelectric dams, wholesale
transactions of electric transmissions, and rates for the interstate
transportation of petroleum products.
One alternative is to file a protest or letter of support with
the Commission. While protests and letters of support are helpful in
the Commission's deliberation of a case, these filings do not
constitute part of the record upon which a decision is made if the
case is set for hearing before the Commission's administrative law
judges.
The Commission's rules require that protestors provide copies of
their protests to the party or parties directly involved.
The second approach is to file as an intervenor. An intervenor
is an official party to a proceeding and enjoys distinct advantages
over those who only file comments.
Intervenors have the right to participate in hearings before
FERC's administrative law judges; file briefs; file for rehearing of
a Commission decision; have legal standing to be heard by the Court
of Appeals if they press their opposition to the Commission's final
order; be placed on a service list to receive copies of case-related
Commission documents and filings by other intervenors.
Filing for intervenor status is not complicated. There is no
form to complete. Interested parties must file a motion requesting
permission to intervene. The motion must identify the case by name
and docket number and must clearly state your position and interest
in the case.
For example, intervenors may demonstrate they are directly
affected consumers, or they are elected representatives of affected
parties, or that they own land near a proposed hydroelectric or
pipeline site.
In addition to filing with the Commission, a motion to intervene
must be served on the applicant and any other parties to the
proceeding. The Commission's Secretary maintains the service list.
Service lists are available by docket number on the FERC web site at
the following link: http://fercdocket.ferc.fed.us/pa/pa.htm. If you
do not have Internet access, requests for service lists should be
directed to the Public Reference Room, (202) 208-1371.
Parties that agree to be served by specified electronic means
may be served in that manner in lieu of first class mail or other
means of physical delivery.
Notices of proposed rate changes, applications for hydro
development, proposed natural gas pipelines, and other filings
submitted to the Commission are printed daily in the Federal
Register (www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/aces140.htm).
Notices issued by the Commission are also available on the
Commission Issuance Posting System (CIPS), which can be accessed
through the Commission's web site at http://cips.ferc.fed.us/cips/default.htm.
Each notice includes a deadline for filing requests for
intervention. If the request to intervene is filed on time and there
is no opposition to the request within 15 days of filing, intervenor
status is granted automatically.
Disputed requests for intervenor status must be resolved by the
Commission.
Anyone filing a motion to intervene out-of-time must show good
cause why the motion should be accepted late.
If the intervention is filed after the matter has been set for
hearing and is pending before an administrative law judge, the
[[Page 14902]]
presiding judge has the authority to rule on contested motions to
intervene.
Interventions, protests, or comments may be filed on paper or in
electronic format via the Internet in lieu of paper copies. If
filing on paper, you must either mail or deliver a signed original
and 14 copies of the intervention, comment, and/or protest to the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Office of the Secretary, 888
First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426.
If filing via the Internet, access the Commission's web site
(www.ferc.fed.us) and select the link to ``Make An E-Filing''.
First-time users will have to create a User Name and password. Once
you login, follow the instructions on the screens to submit the file
containing your intervention, comment, and or protest. You need not
submit paper copies if you file via the Internet.
As noted, these filings must cite the case name and docket
number.
Attachment B: Privacy Act Statement and the Use of Cookies
Privacy Act Statement
The Commission's Privacy Act Statement is available on its web
site at: http://www.ferc.fed.us/disclmer.htm.
In the electronic filing system, you provide personal
information to us in two ways.
First, you must provide your name, address, telephone number,
and e-mail address in order to establish a User Name and Password to
use the system. We use this information to authenticate the source
of an electronic filing. When you login to the system, we display
this information for you so that you can verify that the information
has not changed since your last session. We also use your name and
organization, if any, to pre-fill certain fields to simplify data
entry. You can change the default entries if they are not correct.
The information associated with your User Name is not used for
any other purpose, nor is it disclosed to others. We use Secure
Sockets Layer (SSL) software to protect passwords so that no one
else can access your account or make a filing using your account.
The second source of personal information is the identifying
information that you must include in the document (file) that you
submit to the Commission. The information in the document, including
any personal identification information, is a public record and will
be accessible by any member of the public via the Commission's web
site. These requirements apply to both electronic and paper
submissions.
All filings must be signed. For electronic filings, the
Commission's rules provide that the typed characters representing
the name of a person shall be sufficient to show that such person
signed the document. All filings with the Commission must contain:
the docket number, if any; the title of the proceeding if one has
been initiated; a heading which describes the filing; and the name
of the participant for whom the filing is made.
In most cases, you must also include the name, address, and
telephone number of the person responsible for the filing. Motions
to Intervene must include the name, address, and telephone number of
the person(s) to be included on the Commission's official service
list for the proceeding. The service lists are also accessible to
the public via the Commission's web site.
If you need additional information on the content requirements
for specific filings, refer to the Commission's Procedural Rules in
18 CFR 385.
Use of Cookies
Cookies are short text files placed on your computer's hard
drive by a web site, usually without your knowledge. The cookie is
not an executable program and cannot do anything to your computer.
There are two kinds of cookies:
A session cookie is one that continues in operation only for the
duration of the browser session--when the user shuts down the
browser the cookie is released and goes away.
A persistent cookie continues in operation after the close of
the individual session. Shutting down the browser will cause the
cookie to be written into a special cookie file on the user's
computer, so that the next time the user visits the web site that
generated the cookie, the cookie will be sent to the web site's
server again.
The Commission uses a session cookie to enable you to make
filings electronically. We do not use persistent cookies for
electronic filing.
The session cookie is used for no other purpose than to enable
you to make an electronic submission. You can prevent any cookies
from being sent to your system using the browser options. However,
if you do so, or already have your browser set to do so, you will
not be able to submit filings electronically. If you prefer not to
allow session cookies on your computer, you will have to submit your
filing on paper by sending an original and fourteen copies of your
filing to: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Office of the
Secretary, 888 First St., NE., Washington, DC 20426.
[FR Doc. 01-6324 Filed 3-13-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P