Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-725E); Comment Request; Revision, 39573-39577 [2017-17560]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 160 / Monday, August 21, 2017 / Notices meeting will be available. Please check the Web site below for updates and information on how to view the meeting. If you would like to file a written statement with the Committee, you may do so either before or after the meeting. If you would like to make oral statements regarding any of these items on the agenda, you should contact John Kogut at 301–903–1298 or by email at: John.Kogut@science.doe.gov. You must make your request for an oral statement at least five business days before the meeting. Reasonable provision will be made to include the scheduled oral statements on the agenda. The Chairperson of the Panel will conduct the meeting to facilitate the orderly conduct of business. Public comment will follow the 10-minute rule. Minutes: The minutes of the meeting will be available on the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of High Energy Physics Advisory Panel Web site, at: (https://science.energy.gov/hep/hepap/ meetings/). Issued in Washington, DC, on August 11, 2017. LaTanya R. Butler, Deputy Committee Management Officer. [FR Doc. 2017–17594 Filed 8–18–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Environmental Management SiteSpecific Advisory Board, Portsmouth Department of Energy (DOE). ACTION: Notice of open meeting. AGENCY: This notice announces a meeting of the Environmental Management Site-Specific Advisory Board (EM SSAB), Portsmouth. The Federal Advisory Committee Act requires that public notice of this meeting be announced in the Federal Register. SUMMARY: Thursday, September 7, 2017, 6:00 p.m. ADDRESSES: Ohio State University, Endeavor Center, 1862 Shyville Road, Piketon, Ohio 45661. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Simonton, Alternate Deputy Designated Federal Officer, Department of Energy Portsmouth/Paducah Project Office, Post Office Box 700, Piketon, Ohio 45661, (740) 897–3737, Greg.Simonton@ lex.doe.gov. asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES DATES: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Purpose of the Board: The purpose of the Board is to make recommendations to DOE–EM and site management in the areas of environmental restoration, VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:37 Aug 18, 2017 Jkt 241001 waste management and related activities. Tentative Agenda: • Call to Order, Introductions, Review of Agenda • Approval of May 2017 Minutes • Deputy Designated Federal Officer’s Comments • Federal Coordinator’s Comments • Liaison’s Comments • Presentation • Administrative Issues Æ EM SSAB Chairs Meeting Update D EM SSAB Chairs Draft Recommendation—Road Map D EM SSAB Chairs Draft Recommendation—Waste Isolation Pilot Plant Æ Annual Executive Planning and Leadership Training Session Update Æ Election of Chair and Vice Chair Æ Adoption of Fiscal Year 2018 Work Plan • Subcommittee Updates • Public Comments • Final Comments from the Board • Adjourn Public Participation: The meeting is open to the public. The EM SSAB, Portsmouth, welcomes the attendance of the public at its advisory committee meetings and will make every effort to accommodate persons with physical disabilities or special needs. If you require special accommodations due to a disability, please contact Greg Simonton at least seven days in advance of the meeting at the phone number listed above. Written statements may be filed with the Board either before or after the meeting. Individuals who wish to make oral statements pertaining to agenda items should contact Greg Simonton at the address or telephone number listed above. Requests must be received five days prior to the meeting and reasonable provision will be made to include the presentation in the agenda. The Deputy Designated Federal Officer is empowered to conduct the meeting in a fashion that will facilitate the orderly conduct of business. Individuals wishing to make public comments will be provided a maximum of five minutes to present their comments. Minutes: Minutes will be available by writing or calling Greg Simonton at the address and phone number listed above. Minutes will also be available at the following Web site: https://www.portsssab.energy.gov/. Issued at Washington, DC, on August 15, 2017. LaTanya R. Butler, Deputy Committee Management Officer. [FR Doc. 2017–17602 Filed 8–18–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 39573 DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project No. 7919–004] Eric and Debbie Wattenburg, William Shelton; Notice of Transfer of Exemption 1. By letter filed June 6, 2017, Eric and Debbie Wattenburg informed the Commission that the exemption from licensing for the Gansner Power and Water Project No. 7919, originally issued July 3, 1984 1 has been transferred to William Shelton. The project is located on Gansner Creek in Plumas County, California. The transfer of an exemption does not require Commission approval. 2. William Shelton is now the exemptee of the Gansner Power and Water Project No. 7919. All correspondence should be forwarded to: Mr. William Shelton, Owner, P.O. Box 541, Durham, CA 95938, Phone 530– 898–1937, Email: billshelton@chico.net. Dated: August 15, 2017. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2017–17559 Filed 8–18–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket Nos. RD16–10–000, RD17–5–000 and IC17–6–000] Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC–725E); Comment Request; Revision Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Department of Energy. ACTION: Notice of revised information collection and request for comments. AGENCY: In compliance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC) is soliciting public comment on revisions to the information collection, FERC–725E (Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Western Electric Coordinating Council), in Docket Nos. RD16–10–000, RD17–5– 000 and IC17–6–000 and submitting the information collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. Any interested person may file SUMMARY: 1 Order Granting Exemption from Licensing for a Conduit Hydroelectric Project. LeRoy Austin and Kathleen Austin, 28 FERC 62,004 (1984). E:\FR\FM\21AUN1.SGM 21AUN1 asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES 39574 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 160 / Monday, August 21, 2017 / Notices comments directly with OMB and should address a copy of those comments to the Commission as explained below. The Commission published Notices in the Federal Register on April 6, 2017, in Docket No. RD16–10–000; and May 9, 2017, in Docket Nos. RD17–5–000 and IC17–6– 000, requesting public comments. FERC received no comments in response to the Notices and is indicating that in its submittal to the OMB. DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due September 20, 2017. ADDRESSES: Comments filed with OMB, identified by OMB Control No. 1902– 0246, should be sent via email to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs: oira_submission@omb.gov. Attention: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Desk Officer. The Desk Officer may also be reached via telephone at 202–395–0710. A copy of the comments should also be sent to the Commission, in Docket Nos. RD17–5, RD16–10 and IC17–6, 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/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 Docket Nos. RD17–5, RD16–10, and IC17–6 or in viewing/downloading comments and issuances in these dockets may do so at https:// www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/docsfiling.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–725E, Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Western Electric Coordinating Council. OMB Control No.: 1902–0246. Type of Request: Revisions to the FERC–725E information collection requirements, as discussed in Docket Nos. RD16–10, RD17–5 and IC17–6. Abstract: Docket No. RD16–10–000: On March 23, 2016 (and supplemented VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:37 Aug 18, 2017 Jkt 241001 on November 16, 2016), the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) filed a joint petition to retire regional Reliability Standard TOP–007– WECC–1a—System Operating Limits (‘‘SOL’’). The purpose of the proposed retirement is to shift away from the path-centric model and allow entities in the Western Interconnection to align their operating practices with the framework established in the continentwide TOP/IRO Reliability Standards approved in Order No. 817,1 which, according to NERC and WECC, achieve the objective of operating within acceptable pre- and post-contingency reliability criteria (i.e., within SOLs and Interconnection Reliability Operating Limits (‘‘IROL’’). On March 10, 2017, the Commission approved the retirement of regional Reliability Standard TOP–007–WECC–1a.2 Docket Nos. RD17–5 and IC17–6: On March 10, 2017, NERC and WECC filed a joint petition in Docket No. RD17–5– 000 3 requesting Commission approval of: (a) Regional Reliability Standard VAR–501–WECC–3 (Power System Stabilizers), and (b) the retirement of then-existing regional Reliability Standard VAR–501–WECC–2. The petition states: ‘‘Regional Reliability Standard VAR–501–WECC–3 establishes the performance criteria for power system stabilizers to help ensure the Western Interconnection is operated in a coordinated manner under normal and abnormal conditions.’’ VAR–501– WECC–3 was approved by order in Docket No. RD17–5–000 on April 28, 2017. FERC–725E, overall background: The information collected by the FERC–725E is required to implement the statutory provisions of section 215 of the Federal Power Act (FPA) (16 U.S.C. 824o). Section 215 of the FPA buttresses the Commission’s efforts to strengthen the reliability of the interstate grid through the grant of new authority by providing for a system of mandatory Reliability Standards developed by the Electric Reliability Organization (ERO). Reliability Standards that the ERO proposes to the Commission may include Reliability Standards that are 1 The burdens related to Order No. 817 are included in FERC–725Z (Mandatory Reliability Standards: IRO Reliability Standards, OMB Control No. 1902–0276), and FERC–725A Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Bulk-Power System, OMB Control No. 1902–0244). 2 The Delegated Letter Order is posted in FERC’s eLibrary at https://elibrary.ferc.gov/idmws/ common/opennat.asp?fileID=14515285. 3 The joint petition and exhibits are posted in the Commission’s eLibrary system in Docket No. RD17– 5–000. PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 proposed to the ERO by a Regional Entity.4 A Regional Entity is an entity that has been approved by the Commission to enforce Reliability Standards under delegated authority from the ERO.5 On June 8, 2008, the Commission approved eight regional Reliability Standards submitted by the ERO that were proposed by WECC.6 WECC promotes bulk electric system reliability in the Western Interconnection. WECC is the Regional Entity responsible for compliance monitoring and enforcement. In addition, WECC provides an environment for the development of Reliability Standards and the coordination of the operating and planning activities of its members as set forth in the WECC Bylaws. There are several regional Reliability Standards in the WECC region. These regional Reliability Standards generally require entities to document compliance with substantive requirements, retain documentation, and submit reports to WECC. The following standards will be continuing without change. • BAL–002–WECC–2a (Contingency Reserve) 7 requires balancing authorities and reserve sharing groups to document compliance with the contingency reserve requirements described in the standard. • BAL–004–WECC–02 (Automatic Time Error Correction) requires balancing authorities to document that time error corrections and primary inadvertent interchange payback were conducted according to the requirements in the standard. • FAC–501–WECC–1 (Transmission Maintenance) requires transmission owners with certain transmission paths to have a transmission maintenance and inspection plan and to document maintenance and inspection activities according to the plan. • IRO–006–WECC–2 (Qualified Transfer Path Unscheduled Flow (USF) 4 16 U.S.C. 824o(e)(4). U.S.C. 824o(a)(7) and (e)(4). 6 North American Electric Reliability Corp., 119 FERC ¶ 61,260 (2007). 7 BAL–002–WECC–2 is included in the OMBapproved inventory for FERC–725E. On November 9, 2016, NERC and WECC submitted a joint petition for approval of an interpretation of BAL–002– WECC–2, to be designated BAL–002–WECC–2a. BAL–002–WECC–2a was approved by order in Docket No. RD17–3–000 on January 24, 2017. The Order determined: The proposed interpretation provides clarification regarding the types of resources that may be used to satisfy Contingency Reserve requirements in regional Reliability Standard BAL–002–WECC–2. BAL–002–WECC–2a did not trigger the Paperwork Reduction Act and did not affect the burden estimate. BAL–002– WECC–2a is being included in this Notice and the Commission’s submittal to OMB as part of the FERC–725E. 5 16 E:\FR\FM\21AUN1.SGM 21AUN1 39575 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 160 / Monday, August 21, 2017 / Notices Relief) 8 requires balancing authorities and reliability coordinators to document actions taken to mitigate unscheduled flow. • PRC–004–WECC–2 (Protection System and Remedial Action Scheme Misoperation) 9 requires transmission owners, generator owners and transmission operators to document their analysis and/or mitigation due to certain misoperations on major transfer paths. This standard requires that documentation be kept for six years. • VAR–002–WECC–2 (Automatic Voltage Regulators (AVR)) 10 requires generator operators and transmission operators to provide quarterly reports to the compliance monitor and have evidence related to their synchronous generators, synchronous condensers, and automatic voltage regulators. The Commission will be submitting a request to OMB to extend those requirements with no change for three years. The Commission’s request to OMB will also reflect the following: • eliminating the burden associated with regional Reliability Standard TOP– 007–WECC–1a, which is being retired (addressed in Docket No. RD16–10); 11 and • implementing the regional Reliability Standard VAR–501–WECC–3 and retiring regional Reliability Standard VAR–501–WECC–2 (addressed in Docket No. RD17–5 and discussed below). In this document, we provide estimates of the burden and cost related to those revisions to FERC–725E. Details follow on the changes due to Docket Nos. RD16–10, RD17–5–000, and IC17– 6 and on the continuing burdens which are being submitted to OMB for approval in a consolidated package under FERC–725E. Type of Respondents: Balancing authorities, reserve sharing groups, transmission owners, reliability coordinators, transmission operators, generator operators and generator owners. Estimate of Annual Burden: 12 We provide three tables below with burden estimates which show: (1) Reductions due to Docket No. RD16–10, (2) reductions, increases, and net changes, due to Docket No. RD17–5, and (3) resulting net ongoing burden for FERC– 725E overall, which will be submitted to OMB for approval. Changes Due to Docket No. RD16–10. The Commission estimates the reduction in the annual public reporting burden for the FERC–725E (due to the retirement of regional Reliability Standard TOP–007–WECC–1a) as follows: 13 FERC–725E, MANDATORY RELIABILITY STANDARDS FOR THE WESTERN ELECTRIC COORDINATING COUNCIL, REDUCTIONS DUE TO DOCKET NO. RD16–10 Number of respondents asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES Reporting Requirement—Transmission Operators that operate qualified transfer paths 14. Recordkeeping Requirement—Transmission Operators that operate qualified transfer paths. Total Reduction (Due to Docket No. RD16–10) ............ 8 On December 20, 2013, NERC and WECC submitted a joint petition for approval of IRO–006– WECC–2 and retirement of IRO–006–WECC–1. IRO–006–WECC–2 was approved by order in Docket No. RD14–9–000 on May 13, 2014. Because the reporting burden for IRO–006–WECC–2 did not increase for entities that operate within the Western Interconnection, FERC submitted the order to OMB for information only. The burden related to IRO– 006–WECC–2 does not differ from the burden of IRO–006–WECC–1, which is included in the OMBapproved inventory. IRO–006–WECC–2 is being included in this Notice and the Commission’s submittal to OMB as part of FERC–725E. 9 Order No. 818, issued on November 19, 2015 in Docket Nos. RM15–7, RM15–12, and RM15–13, stated in part: ‘‘NERC requested approval of the following Reliability Standards to incorporate the proposed definition of Remedial Action Scheme and eliminate use of the term Special Protection System: . . . PRC–004–WECC–2, . . . NERC did not propose any changes to the Violation Risk Factors or Violation Severity Levels for the modified standards.’’ Revisions to Emergency Operations Reliability Standards; Revisions to Undervoltage Load Shedding Reliability Standards; Revisions to the Definition of ‘‘Remedial Action Scheme’’ and Related Reliability Standards, Order No. 818, 153 FERC 61,228, at P 23 n.31 (2015). In addition, Order VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:37 Aug 18, 2017 Jkt 241001 Annual number of responses per respondent Total number of responses Average burden hours and cost per response Total annual burden hours and total annual cost (1) Information collection requirements and entity (2) (1) × (2)=(3) (4) (3) × (4)=(5) 9 3 27 40 hrs.; $2,908 ............... 1,080 hrs.; $78,516 9 1 9 12 hrs.; $347 .................. 108 hrs.; $3,124. .................... .................... ........................ ......................................... 1,188 hrs.; $81,640. No. 818 stated: The Commission approved the definition of Special Protection System (Remedial Action Scheme) in Order No. 693. We approve a revision to the previously approved definition. The revisions to the Remedial Action Scheme definition and related Reliability Standards are not expected to result in changes to the scope of systems covered by the Reliability Standards and other Reliability Standards that include the term Remedial Action Scheme. Therefore, the Commission does not expect the revisions to affect applicable entities’ current reporting burden. Id. P 67. The change to the definition did not affect the burden of PRC– 004–WECC–1 (which is included in the current OMB-approved inventory). PRC–004–WECC–2 (the current version of the standard) is being included in this Notice and the Commission’s submittal to OMB as part of the FERC–725E. 10 VAR–002–WECC–2 was approved by order in Docket No. RD15–1 on March 3, 2015. Regional Reliability Standard VAR–002–WECC–2 made a non-material or non-substantive change to the reporting and recordkeeping requirements associated with VAR–002–WECC–1 (currently included in the OMB-approved inventory). VAR– 002–WECC–2 (the current version of the standard) is being included in this Notice and the Commission’s submittal to OMB as part of FERC– 725E. PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 11 The Commission approved the retirement of regional Reliability Standard TOP–007–WECC–1a (System Operating Limits (‘‘SOL’’)) by order in Docket No. RD16–10–000 on March 10, 2017. On March 31, 2017, the Commission issued a 60-day Notice requesting public comment on the effect on burden. The 60-day Notice is available at 82 FR 16823 (April 6, 2017). Comments on the 60-day Notice were due in Docket No. RD16–10–000 by June 5, 2017; no comments were received. See Docket No. RD16–10–000 for additional information (including the estimated annual burden reduction of 1,188 hours). 12 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, refer to 5 Code of Federal Regulations 1320.3. 13 The reductions in burden and cost shown in the table are the same figures as those in the current OMB-approved inventory for the reporting and recordkeeping requirements, now being retired. 14 This is based on burden estimates taken from the Order in Docket No. RR07–11–000, P. 130. E:\FR\FM\21AUN1.SGM 21AUN1 39576 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 160 / Monday, August 21, 2017 / Notices Estimate of Annual Burden: 15 Details follow on the changes in Docket No. RD17–5–000, and on the continuing burdens, which will be submitted to OMB for approval in a consolidated package under FERC–725E. FERC–725E, MANDATORY RELIABILITY STANDARDS FOR THE WESTERN ELECTRIC COORDINATING COUNCIL, CHANGES IN DOCKET NO. RD17–5–000 Number of respondents 16 Annual number of responses per respondent Annual number of responses Average burden hours and cost 17 per response ($) Total annual burden hours and total annual cost ($) Cost per respondent ($) (1) Entity (2) (1) × (2) = (3) (4) (3) × (4) = (5) (5) ÷ (1) = (6) Retirement of Former Standard VAR–501–WECC–2 and Associated Reductions Reporting Requirements Generator Operators .......... 249 4 996 1 hr.; $76.22 ................... 996 hrs.; $75,915.12 (reduction). $304.88 (reduction) 498 hrs.; $15,532.62 (reduction). 1,494 hrs.; $91,447.74 (reduction). $62.38 (reduction) Recordkeeping Requirements Generator Operators .......... Reductions (Discontinued in yr. 1). 249 4 996 0.5 hrs.; $31.19 .............. ........................ ........................ ........................ ......................................... New Standard VAR–501–WECC–3 Reporting Requirements Generator Owners and/or Operators, in Year 1. Generator Owners and/or Operators, in Year 2 and Ongoing. 291 3 873 1 hr.; $76.99 ................... 873 hrs.; $67,212.27 ........... $230.97 291 2 582 1 hr.; $76.99 ................... 582 hrs.; $44,808.18 ........... $153.98 Recordkeeping Requirements Generator Owners and/or Operators, in Year 1. Generator Owners and/or Operators, in Year 2 and Ongoing. New Burden, in Year 1 ...... New Burden, in Year 2 & Ongoing. Net Burden Change in Year 1 (Due to Docket RD17–5). Net Burden Change in Year 2 and Ongoing (Due to Docket RD17–5). 291 3 873 1 hr.; $31.19 ................... 873 hrs.; $27,228.87 ........... $93.57 291 2 582 0.5 hrs.; $15.595 ............ 291 hrs.; $9,076.29 ............. $31.19 ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ......................................... ......................................... 1,746 hrs.; $94,441.14. 873 hrs.; $53,884.47. ........................ ........................ ........................ ......................................... +252 hrs. (increase). ........................ ........................ ........................ ......................................... ¥621 hrs. (decrease). Net Burden for FERC–725E, for Submittal to OMB. The table below describes the new and continuing information collection requirements and the associated burden for FERC–725E. (The burdens and costs related to TOP– 007–WECC–1a and VAR–501–WECC–2 [the standards being retired] are omitted.) FERC–725E, MANDATORY RELIABILITY STANDARDS FOR THE WESTERN ELECTRIC COORDINATING COUNCIL [New and continuing information collection requirements] Number of respondents 18 Annual number of responses per respondent Annual number of responses Average burden hours and cost per response ($) Total annual burden hours and total annual cost ($) Cost per respondent ($) (1) Entity (2) (1) * (2) = (3) (4) (3) * (4) = (5) (5) ÷ (1) = (6) 21 hrs., $1,616.79 .... 10 hrs., $769.90 ....... 714 hrs., $54,970.86 ........ 2,280 hrs., $175,537.20 ... asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES Reporting Requirements Balancing Authorities .............................. Generator Operators ............................... 34 228 15 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, refer to 5 Code of Federal Regulations 1320.3. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:37 Aug 18, 2017 Jkt 241001 1 1 34 228 16 The number of respondents is derived from the NERC Compliance Registry as of March 10, 2017. 17 For VAR–501–WECC–3, the hourly cost (for salary plus benefits) uses the figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for three positions involved in the reporting and recordkeeping requirements. These figures include salary (https:// bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm) and benefits PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 $1,616.79 769.90 (https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm) and are: 1. Manager: $89.07/hour; 2. Engineer: $64.91/ hour; 3. File Clerk: $31.19/hour. The hourly cost for the reporting requirements ($76.99) is an average of the cost of a manager and engineer. The hourly cost for recordkeeping requirements uses the cost of a file clerk. E:\FR\FM\21AUN1.SGM 21AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 160 / Monday, August 21, 2017 / Notices 39577 FERC–725E, MANDATORY RELIABILITY STANDARDS FOR THE WESTERN ELECTRIC COORDINATING COUNCIL—Continued [New and continuing information collection requirements] Number of respondents 18 Annual number of responses per respondent Annual number of responses Average burden hours and cost per response ($) Total annual burden hours and total annual cost ($) Cost per respondent ($) (1) Entity (2) (1) * (2) = (3) (4) (3) * (4) = (5) (5) ÷ (1) = (6) Transmission Operators applicable to standard VAR–002. Transmission Owners that operate qualified transfer paths. Reliability Coordinators ........................... Reserve Sharing Group .......................... Generator Owners and/or Operators , in Year 1, per RD17–5 for VAR–501– WECC–3. Generator Owners and/or Operators, in Year 2 and Ongoing, per RD17–5 for VAR–501–WECC–3. 86 4 344 10 hrs., $769.90 ....... 3,440 hrs., $264,845.60 ... 769.90 5 3 15 40 hrs., $3,079.60 .... 600 hrs., $46,194.00 ........ 3,079.60 1 3 291 1 1 3 1 3 873 1 hr., $76.99 ............. 1 hr., $76.99 ............. 1 hr.; $76.99 ............. 1 hr., $76.99 ..................... 3 hrs., $230.97 ................. 873 hrs.; $67,212.27 ........ 76.99 76.99 230.97 291 2 582 1 hr.; $76.99 ............. 582 hrs.; $44,808.18 ........ 153.98 Total for Reporting Requirements in Year 1. ............................ ........................ ........................ ................................... 7,911 hrs.; $609,067.89 ... ........................ Total for Reporting Requirements in Year 2 & ongoing. ............................ ........................ ........................ ................................... 7,620 hrs.; $586,663.80 ... ........................ Recordkeeping Requirements Balancing Authorities .............................. Balancing Authorities (IRO–006) ............ Generator Operators ............................... Transmission Operator (VAR–002) ........ Transmission Owner that operate qualified transfer paths. Reliability Coordinator ............................. Generator Owners and/or Operators, in Year 1, per RD17–5 for VAR–501– WECC–3. Generator Owners and/or Operators, in Year 2 and Ongoing, per RD17–5 for VAR–501–WECC–3. 34 34 228 86 5 1 1 1 1 1 34 34 228 86 5 2.1 hrs., $65.50 ........ 1 hr., $31.19 ............. 1 hr., $31.19 ............. 4 hrs., $124.76 ......... 12 hrs., $374.28 ....... 71.4 hrs., $2,226.97 ......... 34 hrs., $1,060.46 ............ 228 hrs., $7,111.32 .......... 344 hrs., $10,729.36 ........ 60 hrs., $1,871.40 ............ 65.50 31.19 31.19 124.76 374.28 1 291 1 3 1 873 1 hr.; $31.19 ............. 1 hr.; $31.19 ............. 1 hr.; $31.19 ..................... 873 hrs.; $27,228.87 ........ 31.19 93.57 291 2 582 0.5 hrs.; $15.595 ...... 291 hrs.; $9,076.29 .......... 31.19 Total for Recordkeeping Requirements in Yr. 1. ............................ ........................ ........................ ................................... 1,611.4 hrs.; $50,259.57 .. ........................ Total for Recordkeeping Requirements in Yr. 2 & ongoing. ............................ ........................ ........................ ................................... 1,029.4 hrs.; $32,106.99 .. ........................ Total for FERC–725E, IN YR. 1 ...... ............................ ........................ ........................ ................................... 9,522.4 hrs.; $659,327.46 ........................ Total for FERC–725E, in yr. 2 & ongoing. ............................ ........................ ........................ ................................... 8,649.4 hrs.; $618,770.79 ........................ asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES 18 The number of respondents is derived from the NERC Compliance Registry as of March 10, 2017. 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. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:37 Aug 18, 2017 Jkt 241001 Dated: August 15, 2017. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY [FR Doc. 2017–17560 Filed 8–18–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P PO 00000 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project Nos. 6756–009, 4337–008, 5307– 003] Notice of Transfer of Exemptions: Lower Valley, LLC; West Hopkinton Hydro, LLC; Sweetwater Hydroelectric, LLC; Green Mountain Power Corporation 1. By letter filed June 27, 2017, three different exemptees informed the Commission that their projects were transferred to Green Mountain Power Corporation. They are: (1) Lower Valley, LLC exemptee for the Lower Valley Project No. 6756, originally issued Frm 00022 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\21AUN1.SGM 21AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 160 (Monday, August 21, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39573-39577]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-17560]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket Nos. RD16-10-000, RD17-5-000 and IC17-6-000]


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

AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of revised information collection and request for 
comments.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or 
FERC) is soliciting public comment on revisions to the information 
collection, FERC-725E (Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Western 
Electric Coordinating Council), in Docket Nos. RD16-10-000, RD17-5-000 
and IC17-6-000 and submitting the information collection to the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. Any interested person may 
file

[[Page 39574]]

comments directly with OMB and should address a copy of those comments 
to the Commission as explained below. The Commission published Notices 
in the Federal Register on April 6, 2017, in Docket No. RD16-10-000; 
and May 9, 2017, in Docket Nos. RD17-5-000 and IC17-6-000, requesting 
public comments. FERC received no comments in response to the Notices 
and is indicating that in its submittal to the OMB.

DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due September 20, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: Comments filed with OMB, identified by OMB Control No. 1902-
0246, should be sent via email to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs: oira_submission@omb.gov. Attention: Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission Desk Officer. The Desk Officer may also be 
reached via telephone at 202-395-0710.
    A copy of the comments should also be sent to the Commission, in 
Docket Nos. RD17-5, RD16-10 and IC17-6, 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 Docket Nos. RD17-5, RD16-10, and IC17-6 or in viewing/
downloading comments and issuances in these dockets 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-725E, Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Western 
Electric Coordinating Council.
    OMB Control No.: 1902-0246.
    Type of Request: Revisions to the FERC-725E information collection 
requirements, as discussed in Docket Nos. RD16-10, RD17-5 and IC17-6.
    Abstract: Docket No. RD16-10-000: On March 23, 2016 (and 
supplemented on November 16, 2016), the North American Electric 
Reliability Corporation (NERC) and Western Electricity Coordinating 
Council (WECC) filed a joint petition to retire regional Reliability 
Standard TOP-007-WECC-1a--System Operating Limits (``SOL''). The 
purpose of the proposed retirement is to shift away from the path-
centric model and allow entities in the Western Interconnection to 
align their operating practices with the framework established in the 
continent-wide TOP/IRO Reliability Standards approved in Order No. 
817,\1\ which, according to NERC and WECC, achieve the objective of 
operating within acceptable pre- and post-contingency reliability 
criteria (i.e., within SOLs and Interconnection Reliability Operating 
Limits (``IROL''). On March 10, 2017, the Commission approved the 
retirement of regional Reliability Standard TOP-007-WECC-1a.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The burdens related to Order No. 817 are included in FERC-
725Z (Mandatory Reliability Standards: IRO Reliability Standards, 
OMB Control No. 1902-0276), and FERC-725A Mandatory Reliability 
Standards for the Bulk-Power System, OMB Control No. 1902-0244).
    \2\ The Delegated Letter Order is posted in FERC's eLibrary at 
https://elibrary.ferc.gov/idmws/common/opennat.asp?fileID=14515285.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Docket Nos. RD17-5 and IC17-6: On March 10, 2017, NERC and WECC 
filed a joint petition in Docket No. RD17-5-000 \3\ requesting 
Commission approval of: (a) Regional Reliability Standard VAR-501-WECC-
3 (Power System Stabilizers), and (b) the retirement of then-existing 
regional Reliability Standard VAR-501-WECC-2. The petition states: 
``Regional Reliability Standard VAR-501-WECC-3 establishes the 
performance criteria for power system stabilizers to help ensure the 
Western Interconnection is operated in a coordinated manner under 
normal and abnormal conditions.'' VAR-501-WECC-3 was approved by order 
in Docket No. RD17-5-000 on April 28, 2017.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ The joint petition and exhibits are posted in the 
Commission's eLibrary system in Docket No. RD17-5-000.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    FERC-725E, overall background: The information collected by the 
FERC-725E is required to implement the statutory provisions of section 
215 of the Federal Power Act (FPA) (16 U.S.C. 824o). Section 215 of the 
FPA buttresses the Commission's efforts to strengthen the reliability 
of the interstate grid through the grant of new authority by providing 
for a system of mandatory Reliability Standards developed by the 
Electric Reliability Organization (ERO). Reliability Standards that the 
ERO proposes to the Commission may include Reliability Standards that 
are proposed to the ERO by a Regional Entity.\4\ A Regional Entity is 
an entity that has been approved by the Commission to enforce 
Reliability Standards under delegated authority from the ERO.\5\ On 
June 8, 2008, the Commission approved eight regional Reliability 
Standards submitted by the ERO that were proposed by WECC.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ 16 U.S.C. 824o(e)(4).
    \5\ 16 U.S.C. 824o(a)(7) and (e)(4).
    \6\ North American Electric Reliability Corp., 119 FERC ] 61,260 
(2007).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    WECC promotes bulk electric system reliability in the Western 
Interconnection. WECC is the Regional Entity responsible for compliance 
monitoring and enforcement. In addition, WECC provides an environment 
for the development of Reliability Standards and the coordination of 
the operating and planning activities of its members as set forth in 
the WECC Bylaws.
    There are several regional Reliability Standards in the WECC 
region. These regional Reliability Standards generally require entities 
to document compliance with substantive requirements, retain 
documentation, and submit reports to WECC. The following standards will 
be continuing without change.
     BAL-002-WECC-2a (Contingency Reserve) \7\ requires 
balancing authorities and reserve sharing groups to document compliance 
with the contingency reserve requirements described in the standard.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ BAL-002-WECC-2 is included in the OMB-approved inventory for 
FERC-725E. On November 9, 2016, NERC and WECC submitted a joint 
petition for approval of an interpretation of BAL-002-WECC-2, to be 
designated BAL-002-WECC-2a. BAL-002-WECC-2a was approved by order in 
Docket No. RD17-3-000 on January 24, 2017. The Order determined: The 
proposed interpretation provides clarification regarding the types 
of resources that may be used to satisfy Contingency Reserve 
requirements in regional Reliability Standard BAL-002-WECC-2. BAL-
002-WECC-2a did not trigger the Paperwork Reduction Act and did not 
affect the burden estimate. BAL-002-WECC-2a is being included in 
this Notice and the Commission's submittal to OMB as part of the 
FERC-725E.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     BAL-004-WECC-02 (Automatic Time Error Correction) requires 
balancing authorities to document that time error corrections and 
primary inadvertent interchange payback were conducted according to the 
requirements in the standard.
     FAC-501-WECC-1 (Transmission Maintenance) requires 
transmission owners with certain transmission paths to have a 
transmission maintenance and inspection plan and to document 
maintenance and inspection activities according to the plan.
     IRO-006-WECC-2 (Qualified Transfer Path Unscheduled Flow 
(USF)

[[Page 39575]]

Relief) \8\ requires balancing authorities and reliability coordinators 
to document actions taken to mitigate unscheduled flow.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ On December 20, 2013, NERC and WECC submitted a joint 
petition for approval of IRO-006-WECC-2 and retirement of IRO-006-
WECC-1. IRO-006-WECC-2 was approved by order in Docket No. RD14-9-
000 on May 13, 2014. Because the reporting burden for IRO-006-WECC-2 
did not increase for entities that operate within the Western 
Interconnection, FERC submitted the order to OMB for information 
only. The burden related to IRO-006-WECC-2 does not differ from the 
burden of IRO-006-WECC-1, which is included in the OMB-approved 
inventory. IRO-006-WECC-2 is being included in this Notice and the 
Commission's submittal to OMB as part of FERC-725E.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     PRC-004-WECC-2 (Protection System and Remedial Action 
Scheme Misoperation) \9\ requires transmission owners, generator owners 
and transmission operators to document their analysis and/or mitigation 
due to certain misoperations on major transfer paths. This standard 
requires that documentation be kept for six years.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ Order No. 818, issued on November 19, 2015 in Docket Nos. 
RM15-7, RM15-12, and RM15-13, stated in part: ``NERC requested 
approval of the following Reliability Standards to incorporate the 
proposed definition of Remedial Action Scheme and eliminate use of 
the term Special Protection System: . . . PRC-004-WECC-2, . . . NERC 
did not propose any changes to the Violation Risk Factors or 
Violation Severity Levels for the modified standards.'' Revisions to 
Emergency Operations Reliability Standards; Revisions to 
Undervoltage Load Shedding Reliability Standards; Revisions to the 
Definition of ``Remedial Action Scheme'' and Related Reliability 
Standards, Order No. 818, 153 FERC 61,228, at P 23 n.31 (2015). In 
addition, Order No. 818 stated: The Commission approved the 
definition of Special Protection System (Remedial Action Scheme) in 
Order No. 693. We approve a revision to the previously approved 
definition. The revisions to the Remedial Action Scheme definition 
and related Reliability Standards are not expected to result in 
changes to the scope of systems covered by the Reliability Standards 
and other Reliability Standards that include the term Remedial 
Action Scheme. Therefore, the Commission does not expect the 
revisions to affect applicable entities' current reporting burden. 
Id. P 67. The change to the definition did not affect the burden of 
PRC-004-WECC-1 (which is included in the current OMB-approved 
inventory). PRC-004-WECC-2 (the current version of the standard) is 
being included in this Notice and the Commission's submittal to OMB 
as part of the FERC-725E.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     VAR-002-WECC-2 (Automatic Voltage Regulators (AVR)) \10\ 
requires generator operators and transmission operators to provide 
quarterly reports to the compliance monitor and have evidence related 
to their synchronous generators, synchronous condensers, and automatic 
voltage regulators.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ VAR-002-WECC-2 was approved by order in Docket No. RD15-1 
on March 3, 2015. Regional Reliability Standard VAR-002-WECC-2 made 
a non-material or non-substantive change to the reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements associated with VAR-002-WECC-1 (currently 
included in the OMB-approved inventory). VAR-002-WECC-2 (the current 
version of the standard) is being included in this Notice and the 
Commission's submittal to OMB as part of FERC-725E.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission will be submitting a request to OMB to extend those 
requirements with no change for three years. The Commission's request 
to OMB will also reflect the following:
     eliminating the burden associated with regional 
Reliability Standard TOP-007-WECC-1a, which is being retired (addressed 
in Docket No. RD16-10); \11\ and
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ The Commission approved the retirement of regional 
Reliability Standard TOP-007-WECC-1a (System Operating Limits 
(``SOL'')) by order in Docket No. RD16-10-000 on March 10, 2017. On 
March 31, 2017, the Commission issued a 60-day Notice requesting 
public comment on the effect on burden. The 60-day Notice is 
available at 82 FR 16823 (April 6, 2017). Comments on the 60-day 
Notice were due in Docket No. RD16-10-000 by June 5, 2017; no 
comments were received. See Docket No. RD16-10-000 for additional 
information (including the estimated annual burden reduction of 
1,188 hours).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     implementing the regional Reliability Standard VAR-501-
WECC-3 and retiring regional Reliability Standard VAR-501-WECC-2 
(addressed in Docket No. RD17-5 and discussed below).
    In this document, we provide estimates of the burden and cost 
related to those revisions to FERC-725E. Details follow on the changes 
due to Docket Nos. RD16-10, RD17-5-000, and IC17-6 and on the 
continuing burdens which are being submitted to OMB for approval in a 
consolidated package under FERC-725E.
    Type of Respondents: Balancing authorities, reserve sharing groups, 
transmission owners, reliability coordinators, transmission operators, 
generator operators and generator owners.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: \12\ We provide three tables below with 
burden estimates which show: (1) Reductions due to Docket No. RD16-10, 
(2) reductions, increases, and net changes, due to Docket No. RD17-5, 
and (3) resulting net ongoing burden for FERC-725E overall, which will 
be submitted to OMB for approval.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ 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, refer to 5 Code of Federal Regulations 1320.3.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Changes Due to Docket No. RD16-10. The Commission estimates the 
reduction in the annual public reporting burden for the FERC-725E (due 
to the retirement of regional Reliability Standard TOP-007-WECC-1a) as 
follows: \13\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ The reductions in burden and cost shown in the table are 
the same figures as those in the current OMB-approved inventory for 
the reporting and recordkeeping requirements, now being retired.
    \14\ This is based on burden estimates taken from the Order in 
Docket No. RR07-11-000, P. 130.

             FERC-725E, Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Western Electric Coordinating Council, Reductions Due to Docket No. RD16-10
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Annual
                                                    number of
 Information collection requirements   Number of    responses    Total number   Average burden hours and cost per   Total annual burden hours and total
             and entity               respondents      per       of responses                response                           annual cost
                                                    respondent
                                              (1)          (2)   (1) x (2)=(3)  (4)..............................  (3) x (4)=(5)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reporting Requirement--Transmission             9            3              27  40 hrs.; $2,908..................  1,080 hrs.; $78,516
 Operators that operate qualified
 transfer paths \14\.
Recordkeeping Requirement--                     9            1               9  12 hrs.; $347....................  108 hrs.; $3,124.
 Transmission Operators that operate
 qualified transfer paths.
    Total Reduction (Due to Docket    ...........  ...........  ..............  .................................  1,188 hrs.; $81,640.
     No. RD16-10).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 39576]]

    Estimate of Annual Burden: \15\ Details follow on the changes in 
Docket No. RD17-5-000, and on the continuing burdens, which will be 
submitted to OMB for approval in a consolidated package under FERC-
725E.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ 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, refer to 5 Code of Federal Regulations 1320.3.
    \16\ The number of respondents is derived from the NERC 
Compliance Registry as of March 10, 2017.
    \17\ For VAR-501-WECC-3, the hourly cost (for salary plus 
benefits) uses the figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for 
three positions involved in the reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements. These figures include salary (https://bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm) and benefits (https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm) and are: 1. Manager: $89.07/hour; 2. 
Engineer: $64.91/hour; 3. File Clerk: $31.19/hour. The hourly cost 
for the reporting requirements ($76.99) is an average of the cost of 
a manager and engineer. The hourly cost for recordkeeping 
requirements uses the cost of a file clerk.

                                   FERC-725E, Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Western Electric Coordinating Council, Changes in Docket No. RD17-5-000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Annual  number
                                        Number of     of  responses  Annual  number   Average  burden hours and  cost    Total annual burden hours and total
               Entity                  respondents         per        of  responses        \17\ per response ($)                   annual cost ($)                  Cost per respondent ($)
                                          \16\         respondent
                                                (1)             (2)     (1) x (2) =  (4)..............................  (3) x (4) = (5)......................  (5) / (1) = (6)
                                                                                (3)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Retirement of Former Standard VAR-501-WECC-2 and Associated Reductions
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Reporting Requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Generator Operators................             249               4             996  1 hr.; $76.22....................  996 hrs.; $75,915.12 (reduction).....  $304.88 (reduction)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   Recordkeeping Requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Generator Operators................             249               4             996  0.5 hrs.; $31.19.................  498 hrs.; $15,532.62 (reduction).....  $62.38 (reduction)
Reductions (Discontinued in yr. 1).  ..............  ..............  ..............  .................................  1,494 hrs.; $91,447.74 (reduction)...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   New Standard VAR-501-WECC-3
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Reporting Requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Generator Owners and/or Operators,              291               3             873  1 hr.; $76.99....................  873 hrs.; $67,212.27.................  $230.97
 in Year 1.
Generator Owners and/or Operators,              291               2             582  1 hr.; $76.99....................  582 hrs.; $44,808.18.................  $153.98
 in Year 2 and Ongoing.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   Recordkeeping Requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Generator Owners and/or Operators,              291               3             873  1 hr.; $31.19....................  873 hrs.; $27,228.87.................  $93.57
 in Year 1.
Generator Owners and/or Operators,              291               2             582  0.5 hrs.; $15.595................  291 hrs.; $9,076.29..................  $31.19
 in Year 2 and Ongoing.
New Burden, in Year 1..............  ..............  ..............  ..............  .................................  1,746 hrs.; $94,441.14...............
New Burden, in Year 2 & Ongoing....  ..............  ..............  ..............  .................................  873 hrs.; $53,884.47.................
Net Burden Change in Year 1 (Due to  ..............  ..............  ..............  .................................  +252 hrs. (increase).................
 Docket RD17-5).
Net Burden Change in Year 2 and      ..............  ..............  ..............  .................................  -621 hrs. (decrease).................
 Ongoing (Due to Docket RD17-5).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Net Burden for FERC-725E, for Submittal to OMB. The table below 
describes the new and continuing information collection requirements 
and the associated burden for FERC-725E. (The burdens and costs related 
to TOP-007-WECC-1a and VAR-501-WECC-2 [the standards being retired] are 
omitted.)

                                FERC-725E, Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Western Electric Coordinating Council
                                                [New and continuing information collection requirements]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Annual number                    Average burden hours
            Entity                  Number of      of responses    Annual number   and cost per response   Total annual burden hours and     Cost per
                                respondents \18\  per respondent   of responses             ($)                total annual cost ($)      respondent ($)
                                             (1)             (2)     (1) * (2) =  (4)....................  (3) * (4) = (5)..............     (5) / (1) =
                                                                             (3)                                                                     (6)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Reporting Requirements
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balancing Authorities.........                34               1              34  21 hrs., $1,616.79.....  714 hrs., $54,970.86.........       $1,616.79
Generator Operators...........               228               1             228  10 hrs., $769.90.......  2,280 hrs., $175,537.20......          769.90

[[Page 39577]]

 
Transmission Operators                        86               4             344  10 hrs., $769.90.......  3,440 hrs., $264,845.60......          769.90
 applicable to standard VAR-
 002.
Transmission Owners that                       5               3              15  40 hrs., $3,079.60.....  600 hrs., $46,194.00.........        3,079.60
 operate qualified transfer
 paths.
Reliability Coordinators......                 1               1               1  1 hr., $76.99..........  1 hr., $76.99................           76.99
Reserve Sharing Group.........                 3               1               3  1 hr., $76.99..........  3 hrs., $230.97..............           76.99
Generator Owners and/or                      291               3             873  1 hr.; $76.99..........  873 hrs.; $67,212.27.........          230.97
 Operators , in Year 1, per
 RD17-5 for VAR-501-WECC-3.
Generator Owners and/or                      291               2             582  1 hr.; $76.99..........  582 hrs.; $44,808.18.........          153.98
 Operators, in Year 2 and
 Ongoing, per RD17-5 for VAR-
 501-WECC-3.
                               -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total for Reporting         ................  ..............  ..............  .......................  7,911 hrs.; $609,067.89......  ..............
     Requirements in Year 1.
                               -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total for Reporting         ................  ..............  ..............  .......................  7,620 hrs.; $586,663.80......  ..............
     Requirements in Year 2 &
     ongoing.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Recordkeeping Requirements
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balancing Authorities.........                34               1              34  2.1 hrs., $65.50.......  71.4 hrs., $2,226.97.........           65.50
Balancing Authorities (IRO-                   34               1              34  1 hr., $31.19..........  34 hrs., $1,060.46...........           31.19
 006).
Generator Operators...........               228               1             228  1 hr., $31.19..........  228 hrs., $7,111.32..........           31.19
Transmission Operator (VAR-                   86               1              86  4 hrs., $124.76........  344 hrs., $10,729.36.........          124.76
 002).
Transmission Owner that                        5               1               5  12 hrs., $374.28.......  60 hrs., $1,871.40...........          374.28
 operate qualified transfer
 paths.
Reliability Coordinator.......                 1               1               1  1 hr.; $31.19..........  1 hr.; $31.19................           31.19
Generator Owners and/or                      291               3             873  1 hr.; $31.19..........  873 hrs.; $27,228.87.........           93.57
 Operators, in Year 1, per
 RD17-5 for VAR-501-WECC-3.
Generator Owners and/or                      291               2             582  0.5 hrs.; $15.595......  291 hrs.; $9,076.29..........           31.19
 Operators, in Year 2 and
 Ongoing, per RD17-5 for VAR-
 501-WECC-3.
                               -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total for Recordkeeping     ................  ..............  ..............  .......................  1,611.4 hrs.; $50,259.57.....  ..............
     Requirements in Yr. 1.
                               -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total for Recordkeeping     ................  ..............  ..............  .......................  1,029.4 hrs.; $32,106.99.....  ..............
     Requirements in Yr. 2 &
     ongoing.
                               -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total for FERC-725E, IN     ................  ..............  ..............  .......................  9,522.4 hrs.; $659,327.46....  ..............
     YR. 1.
                               -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total for FERC-725E, in     ................  ..............  ..............  .......................  8,649.4 hrs.; $618,770.79....  ..............
     yr. 2 & ongoing.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\18\ The number of respondents is derived from the NERC Compliance Registry as of March 10, 2017.

    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: August 15, 2017.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-17560 Filed 8-18-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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