Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-725); Comment Request; Extension, 50846-50847 [2015-20744]

Download as PDF 50846 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 162 / Friday, August 21, 2015 / Notices The filings are accessible in the Commission’s eLibrary system by clicking on the links or querying the docket number. Any person desiring to intervene or protest in any of the above proceedings must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission’s Regulations (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214) on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on the specified comment date. Protests may be considered, but intervention is necessary to become a party to the proceeding. eFiling is encouraged. More detailed information relating to filing requirements, interventions, protests, service, and qualifying facilities filings can be found at: https://www.ferc.gov/ docs-filing/efiling/filing-req.pdf. For other information, call (866) 208–3676 (toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502–8659. Dated: August 13, 2015. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2015–20651 Filed 8–20–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. IC15–12–000] Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC–725); Comment Request; Extension Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, DOE. ACTION: Notice of information collection and request for comments. AGENCY: In compliance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC) is soliciting public comment on the currently approved information collection, FERC–725 [Certification of Electric Reliability Organization; Procedures for Electric Reliability Standards]. SUMMARY: Comments on the collection of information are due October 20, 2015. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments (identified by Docket No. IC15–12–000) by either of the following methods: rmajette on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES DATES: 1 The Commission does not expect any new ERO applications to be submitted in the next five years and is not including any burden for this requirement in the burden estimate. FERC still seeks to renew the regulations pertaining to a new ERO application under this renewal but is expecting the burden to be zero for the foreseeable future. 18 CFR 39.3 contains the regulation pertaining to ERO applications. VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:07 Aug 20, 2015 Jkt 235001 • eFiling at Commission’s Web site: https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ efiling.asp • Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426. Instructions: All submissions must be formatted and filed in accordance with submission guidelines at: https:// www.ferc.gov/help/submissionguide.asp. For user assistance contact FERC Online Support by email at ferconlinesupport@ferc.gov, or by phone at: (866) 208–3676 (toll-free), or (202) 502–8659 for TTY. Docket: Users interested in receiving automatic notification of activity in this docket or in viewing/downloading comments and issuances in this docket may do so at https://www.ferc.gov/docsfiling/docs-filing.asp. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Brown may be reached by email at DataClearance@FERC.gov, telephone at (202) 502–8663, and fax at (202) 273– 0873. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: FERC–725, Certification of Electric Reliability Organization; Procedures for Electric Reliability Standards OMB Control No.: 1902–0225 Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC–725 information collection requirements with no changes to the current reporting requirements. Abstract: The FERC–725 information collection contains the following information collection elements: • Self Assessment and Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) Application: The Commission requires the ERO to submit to FERC a performance assessment report every five years. The next assessment is due in 2019. Each Regional Entity submits a performance assessment report to the ERO. Submitting an application to become an ERO is also part of this collection.1 • Reliability Assessments: 18 CFR 39.11 requires the ERO to assess the reliability and adequacy of the BulkPower System in North America. Subsequently, the ERO must report to the Commission on its findings. Regional entities perform similar assessments within individual regions. Currently, the ERO submits to FERC three assessments each year: long term, winter, and summer. In addition, NERC also submits various other assessments as needed. • Reliability Standards Development: Under Section 215 of the Federal Power Act (FPA), the ERO is charged with developing Reliability Standards. Regional Entities may also develop regional specific standards. Reliability Standards are one of the three principal mechanisms provided to FERC to ensure reliability on the Bulk-Power System. • Reliability Compliance: Reliability Standards are mandatory and enforceable upon approval by FERC. In addition to the specific information collection requirements contained in each Reliability Standard (cleared under other information collections), there are general compliance, monitoring and enforcement information collection requirements imposed on applicable entities. Audits, spot checks, selfcertifications, exception data submittals, violation reporting, and mitigation plan confirmation are included in this area. • Stakeholder Survey: The ERO uses a stakeholder survey to solicit feedback from registered entities 2 in preparation for its three year and five year selfperformance assessment. The Commission assumes that the ERO will perform another survey prior to the 2019 self- assessment. • Other Reporting: This category refers to all other reporting requirements imposed on the ERO or regional entities in order to comply with the Commission’s regulations. For example, FERC may require NERC to submit a special reliability assessment. This category is mentioned to capture these types of one-time filings required of NERC or the Regions. The Commission implements its responsibilities through 18 CFR part 39. Without the FERC–725 information, the Commission, ERO, and Regional Entities will not have the data needed to determine whether sufficient and appropriate measures are being taken to ensure the reliability of the nation’s electric grid. Type of Respondents: ERO and regional entities Estimate of Annual Burden: 3 The Commission estimates the annual public reporting burden for the information collection as: 2 A ‘‘registered entity’’ is an entity that is registered with the ERO. All Bulk-Power System owners, operators and users are required to register with the ERO. Registration is the basis for determining the Reliability Standards with which an entity must comply. See https://www.nerc.com/ page.php?cid=3%7C25 for more details. 3 The Commission defines burden 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 Code of Federal Regulations 1320.3. PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\21AUN1.SGM 21AUN1 50847 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 162 / Friday, August 21, 2015 / Notices FERC–725—CERTIFICATION OF THE ERO; PROCEDURES FOR ELECTRIC RELIABILITY STANDARDS Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) 1. Number of respondents Type of reporting requirement Self-Assessment ..... Number of responses per respondent Total number of responses Average burden hours & cost per response Estimated total annual burden & cost (A) Type of respondent (B) 4 (A) × (B) = (C) (D) (C) × (D) ................................. .2 .2 7,800 1,560 $114,941 5 $574,704 Reliability Assessments. Reliability Compliance. Standards Development. Other Reporting ...... ................................. 5.5 5.5 15,600 85,800 $6,321,744 24,960 $1,839,053 28,080 $1,865,916 2,080 $270,130 26,624 $1,769,164 124,800 $8,292,960 324,480 $23,907,688 18,720 $1,243,944 8,320 $1,080,520 2,312 $170,221 578,400 $42,616,512 5 $1,149,408 ................................. 2 2 12,480 5 $919,526 ................................. 1 1 28,080 6 $1,865,916 1 .............................. 1 1 2080 7 $270,130 Regional Entities ..... Self-Assessment ..... ................................. .2 1.6 16,640 6 $1,105,728 Reliability Assessments. Reliability Compliance. Standards Development. Other Reporting ...... ................................. 1 8 15,600 6 $1,036,620 ................................. 1 8 40,560 5 $2,988,461 ................................. 1 8 2,340 6 $155,493 8 .............................. 1 8 1,040 7 $135,065 Registered Entities .. Stakeholder Survey ................................. .2 289 8 5 $589 Reliability Compliance. estimated 1446 ....... 1 N/A Total Burden Hours. Total Cost .. 142,480 hrs. 502,944 hrs. 580,712 hrs. ................................. ................................. ............................ ............................ ........................ 1,226,136 hrs. ................................. ................................. ............................ ............................ ........................ $89,492,791 Comments: Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the rmajette on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 400 5 $29,472 Subtotals: ERO Regional Registered 4 In all instances below where the number of responses per respondent is ‘‘1’’ the Commission acknowledges that actual number of responses varies and cannot be estimated clearly. 5 Uses the weighted hourly average wage (salary plus benefits) for electrical engineers and lawyers obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (data for May 2014, posted on 4/1/2015 at https:// www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm): $91.82/ hour. The weighted average used the following calculation: [(0.20) * ($129.87) + (0.60) * ($66.45) + (0.2) * ($39.18)] = $73.68. $129.87/hour is the wage for lawyers. $66.45/hour is the wage for engineers. $39.17/hour is the wage for office and administrative support. Occupation codes are 23– 0000, 17–2071, and 43–0000 respectively. 6 Uses the hourly average wage (salary plus benefits) for electrical engineers obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (data for May 2014, posted on 4/1/2015 at https://www.bls.gov/oes/ current/naics2_22.htm): $66.45/hour. Occupation code is 17–2071. 7 Uses the hourly average wage (salary plus benefits) for lawyers obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (data for May 2014, posted on 4/1/ 2015 at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_ 22.htm): $129.87/hour. Occupation code is 23– 0000. VerDate Sep<11>2014 1446 15:07 Aug 20, 2015 Jkt 235001 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: August 17, 2015. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2015–20744 Filed 8–20–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. AD14–15–000] Common Performance Metrics; Request for Information on Common Performance Metrics for RTOs and ISOs and Utilities Outside RTO and ISO Regions On August 26, 2014, Commission Staff issued a ‘‘Common Metrics Report,’’ establishing 30 common metrics for independent system operators (ISOs), regional transmission organizations (RTOs), and utilities in non-ISO/RTO regions. In that report, Commission Staff indicated that upon approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for additional data collection, a notice would be issued requesting that the ISOs, RTOs, and participating utilities in non-ISO/RTO regions provide performance E:\FR\FM\21AUN1.SGM 21AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 162 (Friday, August 21, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50846-50847]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-20744]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. IC15-12-000]


Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-725); Comment 
Request; Extension

AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, DOE.

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. 3506(c)(2)(A), the Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission (Commission or FERC) is soliciting public comment on the 
currently approved information collection, FERC-725 [Certification of 
Electric Reliability Organization; Procedures for Electric Reliability 
Standards].

DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due October 20, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments (identified by Docket No. IC15-12-
000) by either of the following methods:
     eFiling at Commission's Web site: https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp
     Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier: Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 888 First Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20426.
    Instructions: All submissions must be formatted and filed in 
accordance with submission guidelines at: https://www.ferc.gov/help/submission-guide.asp. For user assistance contact FERC Online Support 
by email at ferconlinesupport@ferc.gov, or by phone at: (866) 208-3676 
(toll-free), or (202) 502-8659 for TTY.
    Docket: Users interested in receiving automatic notification of 
activity in this docket or in viewing/downloading comments and 
issuances in this docket may do so at https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/docs-filing.asp.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Brown may be reached by email at 
DataClearance@FERC.gov, telephone at (202) 502-8663, and fax at (202) 
273-0873.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: FERC-725, Certification of Electric Reliability 
Organization; Procedures for Electric Reliability Standards
    OMB Control No.: 1902-0225
    Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC-725 information 
collection requirements with no changes to the current reporting 
requirements.
    Abstract: The FERC-725 information collection contains the 
following information collection elements:
     Self Assessment and Electric Reliability Organization 
(ERO) Application: The Commission requires the ERO to submit to FERC a 
performance assessment report every five years. The next assessment is 
due in 2019. Each Regional Entity submits a performance assessment 
report to the ERO. Submitting an application to become an ERO is also 
part of this collection.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The Commission does not expect any new ERO applications to 
be submitted in the next five years and is not including any burden 
for this requirement in the burden estimate. FERC still seeks to 
renew the regulations pertaining to a new ERO application under this 
renewal but is expecting the burden to be zero for the foreseeable 
future. 18 CFR 39.3 contains the regulation pertaining to ERO 
applications.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Reliability Assessments: 18 CFR 39.11 requires the ERO to 
assess the reliability and adequacy of the Bulk-Power System in North 
America. Subsequently, the ERO must report to the Commission on its 
findings. Regional entities perform similar assessments within 
individual regions. Currently, the ERO submits to FERC three 
assessments each year: long term, winter, and summer. In addition, NERC 
also submits various other assessments as needed.
     Reliability Standards Development: Under Section 215 of 
the Federal Power Act (FPA), the ERO is charged with developing 
Reliability Standards. Regional Entities may also develop regional 
specific standards. Reliability Standards are one of the three 
principal mechanisms provided to FERC to ensure reliability on the 
Bulk-Power System.
     Reliability Compliance: Reliability Standards are 
mandatory and enforceable upon approval by FERC. In addition to the 
specific information collection requirements contained in each 
Reliability Standard (cleared under other information collections), 
there are general compliance, monitoring and enforcement information 
collection requirements imposed on applicable entities. Audits, spot 
checks, self-certifications, exception data submittals, violation 
reporting, and mitigation plan confirmation are included in this area.
     Stakeholder Survey: The ERO uses a stakeholder survey to 
solicit feedback from registered entities \2\ in preparation for its 
three year and five year self-performance assessment. The Commission 
assumes that the ERO will perform another survey prior to the 2019 
self- assessment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ A ``registered entity'' is an entity that is registered with 
the ERO. All Bulk-Power System owners, operators and users are 
required to register with the ERO. Registration is the basis for 
determining the Reliability Standards with which an entity must 
comply. See https://www.nerc.com/page.php?cid=3%7C25 for more 
details.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Other Reporting: This category refers to all other 
reporting requirements imposed on the ERO or regional entities in order 
to comply with the Commission's regulations. For example, FERC may 
require NERC to submit a special reliability assessment. This category 
is mentioned to capture these types of one-time filings required of 
NERC or the Regions.
    The Commission implements its responsibilities through 18 CFR part 
39. Without the FERC-725 information, the Commission, ERO, and Regional 
Entities will not have the data needed to determine whether sufficient 
and appropriate measures are being taken to ensure the reliability of 
the nation's electric grid.
    Type of Respondents: ERO and regional entities
    Estimate of Annual Burden: \3\ The Commission estimates the annual 
public reporting burden for the information collection as:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ The Commission defines burden 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 Code of Federal 
Regulations 1320.3.

[[Page 50847]]



                                    FERC-725--Certification of the ERO; Procedures for Electric Reliability Standards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                           Average
                                       Type of reporting          Number of            Number of      Total number of   burden hours    Estimated total
         Type of respondent               requirement            respondents         responses per       responses       & cost per     annual burden  &
                                                                                      respondent                          response            cost
                                     .....................  (A)..................         (B) \4\    (A) x (B) = (C)              (D)          (C) x (D)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Electric Reliability Organization    Self-Assessment......  .....................                .2                .2           7,800              1,560
 (ERO) \1\.                                                                                                              \5\ $574,704           $114,941
                                     Reliability            .....................               5.5               5.5          15,600             85,800
                                      Assessments.                                                                     \5\ $1,149,408         $6,321,744
                                     Reliability            .....................               2                 2            12,480             24,960
                                      Compliance.                                                                        \5\ $919,526         $1,839,053
                                     Standards Development  .....................               1                 1            28,080             28,080
                                                                                                                       \6\ $1,865,916         $1,865,916
                                     Other Reporting......  1....................               1                 1              2080              2,080
                                                                                                                         \7\ $270,130           $270,130
Regional Entities..................  Self-Assessment......  .....................                .2               1.6          16,640             26,624
                                                                                                                       \6\ $1,105,728         $1,769,164
                                     Reliability            .....................               1                 8            15,600            124,800
                                      Assessments.                                                                     \6\ $1,036,620         $8,292,960
                                     Reliability            .....................               1                 8            40,560            324,480
                                      Compliance.                                                                      \5\ $2,988,461        $23,907,688
                                     Standards Development  .....................               1                 8             2,340             18,720
                                                                                                                         \6\ $155,493         $1,243,944
                                     Other Reporting......  8....................               1                 8             1,040              8,320
                                                                                                                         \7\ $135,065         $1,080,520
Registered Entities................  Stakeholder Survey...  .....................                .2             289                 8              2,312
                                                                                                                             \5\ $589           $170,221
                                     Reliability            estimated 1446.......               1              1446               400            578,400
                                      Compliance.                                                                         \5\ $29,472        $42,616,512
                                    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    ERO                                                                             N/A                                                     142,480 hrs.
    Regional                                                                                                                                502,944 hrs.
    Registered                                                                                                                              580,712 hrs.
                                    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total Cost.................  .....................  .....................  ................  ................  ..............        $89,492,791
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ In all instances below where the number of responses per 
respondent is ``1'' the Commission acknowledges that actual number 
of responses varies and cannot be estimated clearly.
    \5\ Uses the weighted hourly average wage (salary plus benefits) 
for electrical engineers and lawyers obtained from the Bureau of 
Labor Statistics (data for May 2014, posted on 4/1/2015 at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm): $91.82/hour. The weighted 
average used the following calculation: [(0.20) * ($129.87) + (0.60) 
* ($66.45) + (0.2) * ($39.18)] = $73.68. $129.87/hour is the wage 
for lawyers. $66.45/hour is the wage for engineers. $39.17/hour is 
the wage for office and administrative support. Occupation codes are 
23-0000, 17-2071, and 43-0000 respectively.
    \6\ Uses the hourly average wage (salary plus benefits) for 
electrical engineers obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics 
(data for May 2014, posted on 4/1/2015 at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm): $66.45/hour. Occupation code is 17-2071.
    \7\ Uses the hourly average wage (salary plus benefits) for 
lawyers obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (data for May 
2014, posted on 4/1/2015 at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm): $129.87/hour. Occupation code is 23-0000.

    Dated: August 17, 2015.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-20744 Filed 8-20-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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