Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-725); Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Extension, 6861-6863 [E9-2868]
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 27 / Wednesday, February 11, 2009 / Notices
briefing from the National Center for
Education Statistics (NCES) on options
for NAEP contracts covering the 2008–
2012 assessment years, based on
funding for Fiscal Year 2009–2010. The
discussion of contract options and costs
will address the implications for
congressionally mandated goals and
adherence to Board policies on NAEP
assessments. This part of the meeting
must be conducted in closed session
because public discussion of this
information would disclose
independent government cost estimates
and contracting options, adversely
impacting the confidentiality of the
contracting process. Public disclosure of
information discussed would
significantly impede implementation of
the NAEP contracts, and is therefore
protected by exemption 9(B) of section
552b(c) of Title 5 U.S.C.
The second portion of the closed
session of the Executive Committee is
for discussion of personnel matters.
These discussions pertain solely to
internal personnel rules and practices of
an agency and will disclose information
of a personal nature where disclosure
would constitute an unwarranted
invasion of personal privacy. As such,
the discussions are protected by
exemptions 2 and 6 of section 552b(c)
of Title 5 U.S.C.
On March 6, the full Board will meet
in open session from 8:30 a.m. to 9:15
a.m. The Board will approve the agenda
and the November 2008 Board minutes.
Following these actions, the oath of
office will be administered to a new
Board member. Thereafter, the
Governing Board will receive a report
from the Interim Executive Director of
the Governing Board, and hear an
update on the work of the National
Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
On March 6, two of the Board’s
standing committees—the Assessment
Development Committee and the
Reporting and Dissemination Committee
will meet in open session from 9:45 a.m.
to 12:15 p.m.
On March 6, the Committee on
Standards, Design and Methodology
will meet in closed session from 9:45
a.m. to 10:20 a.m. and in open session
from 10:20 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. During the
closed session, the Committee will
review proposed 12th Grade
Preparedness Research Studies,
independent government costs estimates
for the studies, and projected timelines
for contract awards. The information
discussed in closed session will be
essential to the Committee’s
recommendations regarding
preparedness research studies to be
implemented and the order of
implementation. Public disclosure of
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17:58 Feb 10, 2009
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information discussed would
significantly impede implementation of
the Governing Board’s contracts and
provide an undue advantage to potential
bidders, and is therefore protected by
exemption 9(B) of section 552b(c) of
Title 5 U.S.C.
On March 6 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30
p.m. the full Board will meet in closed
session to receive a briefing on the
NAEP 2008 Long Term Trends Report in
Reading and Mathematics from the
Associate Commissioner of NCES. The
Governing Board will be provided with
embargoed data on the report that
cannot be discussed in an open meeting
prior to their official release. The
meeting must therefore be conducted in
closed session as premature disclosure
of data would significantly impede
implementation of the NAEP program,
and is therefore protected by exemption
9(B) of section 552b(c) of Title 5 U.S.C.
From 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. the Board
will participate in a panel discussion
with former Board Chairs. From 2:45
p.m. to 3:45 p.m., the Board will receive
an update on the work of the Ad Hoc
Committee on NAEP Testing and
Reporting on Students with Disabilities
and English Language Learners. This
session will be followed by an update
from WestEd on the NAEP 2010
Technological Literacy Framework
Project which is scheduled to take place
from 3:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The March
6 session of the Board meeting is
scheduled to adjourn at 4:30 p.m.
On March 7, the Nominations
Committee will meet in closed session
from 7:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. to review
and discuss confidential information
regarding nominees received for Board
vacancies for terms beginning on
October 1, 2009. The Committee will
recommend a final slate of candidates
for Board discussion and action.
Following the Committee meeting, the
full Board will meet in closed session
from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. to receive and
discuss the final list of nominees to be
submitted to the Secretary of Education
for Board appointments. These
discussions pertain solely to internal
personnel rules and practices of an
agency and will disclose information of
a personal nature where disclosure
would constitute an unwarranted
invasion of personal privacy. As such,
the discussions are protected by
exemptions 2 and 6 of section 552b(c)
of Title 5 U.S.C.
The full Board will meet in open
session on March 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 10
a.m. to discuss the future direction of
NAEP and the Governing Board. From
10:15 a.m. to 12 p.m. the Board will
receive and take action on Committee
reports. The March 7, 2009 session of
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6861
the Board meeting is scheduled to
adjourn at 12 p.m.
Detailed minutes of the meeting,
including summaries of the activities of
the closed sessions and related matters
that are informative to the public and
consistent with the policy of section 5
U.S.C. 552b(c) will be available to the
public within 14 days of the meeting.
Records are kept of all Board
proceedings and are available for public
inspection at the U.S. Department of
Education, National Assessment
Governing Board, Suite #825, 800 North
Capitol Street, NW., Washington, DC,
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Standard
Time, Monday through Friday.
Electronic Access to This Document:
You may view this document, as well as
all other documents of this Department
published in the Federal Register, in
text or Adobe Portable Document
Format (PDF) on the Internet at the
following site: https://www.ed.gov/news/
fedregister/. To use PDF you
must have Adobe Acrobat Reader,
which is available free at this site. If you
have questions about using PDF, call the
U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO),
toll free at 1–888–293–6498; or in the
Washington, DC area at (202) 512–1530.
Note: The official version of this document
is the document published in the Federal
Register. Free Internet access to the official
edition of the Federal Register and the Code
of Federal Regulations is available on GPO
Access at: https://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/
index.html.
Dated: February 5, 2009.
Mary Crovo,
Interim Executive Director, National
Assessment Governing Board, U. S.
Department of Education.
[FR Doc. E9–2880 Filed 2–10–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[IC09–725–000]
Commission Information Collection
Activities (FERC–725); Proposed
Collection; Comment Request;
Extension
February 4, 2009.
AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
SUMMARY: In compliance with the
requirements of section 3507 of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44
U.S.C. 3507, the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (Commission) is
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6862
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 27 / Wednesday, February 11, 2009 / Notices
soliciting public comment on the
specific aspects of the information
collection described below.
DATES: Comments on the information
collection are due by April 14, 2009.
ADDRESSES: An example of this
collection of information may be
obtained from the Commission’s Web
site (at https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/
elibrary.asp). Comments may be filed
either electronically or in paper format,
and should refer to Docket No. IC09–
725–000. Documents must be prepared
in an acceptable filing format and in
compliance with the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission submission
guidelines at https://www.ferc.gov/help/
submission-guide.asp.
Comments may be filed electronically
via the eFiling link on the Commission’s
Web site at https://www.ferc.gov. First
time users will have to establish a user
name and password (https://
www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/
eregistration.asp) before eFiling. The
Commission will send an automatic
acknowledgement to the sender’s e-mail
address upon receipt of comments
through eFiling.
Commenters filing electronically
should not make a paper filing.
Commenters that are not able to file
electronically must send an original and
14 copies of their comments to: Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission,
Secretary of the Commission, 888 First
Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426.
Users interested in receiving
automatic notification of activity in this
docket may do so through eSubscription
(at https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/
esubscription.asp). In addition, all
comments and FERC issuances may be
viewed, printed, or downloaded
remotely through FERC’s Web site using
the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link and searching on
Docket Number IC09–725. For user
assistance, contact FERC Online
Support (e-mail at
ferconlinesupport@ferc.gov, or call tollfree at (866) 208–3676, or for TTY,
contact (202) 502–8659).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michael Miller, Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, 888 First St.,
NE., Washington, DC 20426. He may be
reached by telephone at (202) 502–8415,
by fax at (202) 273–0873, and by e-mail
at michael.miller@ferc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
information collected under the
requirements of FERC–725
(‘‘Certification of Electric Reliability
Organization; Procedures for Electric
Reliability Standards’’ (OMB Control
No. 1902–0225)) is used by the
Commission to implement the statutory
provisions of Title XII, subtitle A of the
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17:58 Feb 10, 2009
Jkt 217001
Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct
2005).1
The Electricity Modernization Act of
2005 was enacted into law as part of the
Energy Policy Act of 2005 on August 8,
2005. Subtitle A of the Electricity
Modernization Act amended the Federal
Power Act (FPA) by adding a new
section 215, titled ‘‘Electric Reliability.’’
Section 215 of the FPA buttresses the
Commission’s efforts to strengthen the
reliability of the interstate grid through
the granting of new authority to provide
for a system of mandatory Reliability
Standards developed by the Electric
Reliability Organization (ERO) 2 and
reviewed and approved by FERC.
On February 3, 2006, the Commission
issued Order No.672 3 certifying a single
Electric Reliability Organization, the
ERO, to oversee the reliability of the
United States’ portion of the
interconnected North American BulkPower System, subject to Commission
oversight. The ERO is responsible for
developing and enforcing the mandatory
Reliability Standards. The Reliability
Standards apply to all users, owners and
operators of the Bulk-Power System.
The Commission has the authority to
approve all ERO actions, to order the
ERO to carry out its responsibilities
under these statutory provisions, and to
also as appropriate independently
enforce Reliability Standards.
Once certified, the ERO must submit
each proposed Reliability Standard to
the Commission for approval. Only a
Reliability Standard approved by the
Commission is enforceable under
section 215 of the FPA.
The ERO may delegate its
enforcement responsibilities to a
Regional Entity. Delegation is effective
only after the Commission approves the
delegation agreement. A Regional Entity
may also propose a Reliability Standard
to the ERO for submission to the
Commission for approval. This
Reliability Standard may be either for
application to the entire interconnected
Bulk-Power System or for application
only within its own region.
The ERO or a Regional Entity must
monitor compliance with the Reliability
Standards. It will direct a user, owner or
1 Energy Policy Act of 2005, Pub. L. No. 109–58,
119 Stat. 594 (2005) (codified at 42 U.S.C. 16451,
et seq.)
2 ‘‘Electric Reliability Organization’’ or ‘‘ERO’’
means the organization certified by the Commission
the purpose of which is to establish and enforce
Reliability Standards for the Bulk-Power System,
subject to Commission review.
3 Rules Concerning Certification of the Electric
Reliability Organization; and Procedures for the
Establishment, Approval, and Enforcement of
Electric Reliability Standards ¶ 31,204 71 FR 8662
(2006) Order on reh’g, 71 FR 19,814 (2006), FERC
Statutes and Regulations ¶ 31,212 (2006).
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
operator of the Bulk-Power System that
violates a Reliability Standard to
comply with the Reliability Standard.
The ERO or Regional Entity may impose
a penalty on a user, owner or operator
for violating a Reliability Standard,
subject to review by, and appeal to, the
Commission.
Subtitle A of the Electricity
Modernization Act of 2005 also includes
two reliability-related provisions that
are not part of the section 215 of the
FPA. First section 1211(b) of the Act
provides that the ERO certified by the
Commission as well as Regional Entities
are not departments, agencies or
instrumentalities of the United States
Government. Section 1211 (c) provides
that federal agencies responsible for
approving access to electric
transmission or distribution facilities
located on lands within the United
States will, in accordance with
applicable law, expedite any federal
agency approvals that are necessary to
allow the owners or operators of these
facilities to comply with a FERCapproved Reliability Standard that
pertains to vegetation management,
electric service restoration, or resolution
of situations that imminently endanger
the reliability or safety of the facilities.
Order No. 672 set forth the criteria
that an ERO applicant must satisfy to
qualify as the ERO, including the ability
to develop and enforce Reliability
Standards.4 The ERO submission must
include an evaluation of the
effectiveness of each Regional Entity.
The Commission will, as part of its
assessment of the ERO’s performance,
assess the performance of each Regional
Entity and issue an order addressing
Regional Entity compliance. If a
Regional Entity fails to comply
adequately with the Commission order,
the Commission may institute a
proceeding to enforce its order,
including, if necessary and appropriate,
a proceeding to consider rescission of
the Commission’s approval of the
Regional Entity’s delegation agreement.
The Electricity Modernization Act of
2005 buttresses the Commission’s efforts
to strengthen the interstate transmission
grid through the granting of authority
pursuant to section 215 of the FPA
which provides for a system of
mandatory reliability rules developed
by the ERO, established by the
Commission, and enforced by the
Commission, subject to Commission
review.
A submission of the information is
necessary for the Commission to carry
4 The criteria stated in the Final Rule track the
statutory criteria for ERO certification provided in
section 215(c) of the FPA.
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6863
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 27 / Wednesday, February 11, 2009 / Notices
out its responsibilities under EPAct
2005.5 The Commission implements its
responsibilities through the Code of
Federal Regulations, 18 CFR Part 39.
These filing requirements are
mandatory.
Action: The Commission is requesting
a three-year extension of the current
expiration date without any changes to
the reporting requirements.
Burden Statement: The annual public
reporting burden and cost for this
collection are estimated as follows:
FERC–725 6
Est. annual
burden
(hrs.)
FTE
Est. annual
cost ($)
Contractor .................................
3.33 7
3,266.67 7
350,000 7
Internal ......................................
Software ....................................
1.5
0
2,940
0
210,663
75,000
Total Annual NERC Costs ................................................................................................................
4.83
6,206.67
635,663
Internal ......................................
Software ....................................
4.5
0
8,820
0
519,840
225,000
Total Annual RE Costs .....................................................................................................................
4.5
8,820
744,840
Total Annual Burden & Cost Estimate .............................................................................................
9.33
15,026.67
$1,380,503
Annual NERC Costs ..................
Annual RE Costs 9 .....................
3 Year Self Assessment (Due
7/09) 7.
Reliability Reporting Estimate 8
Estimate ....................................
Reliability Reporting Estimate ..
Estimate ....................................
The estimated annual total cost to
respondents is $1,380,503 7,8,9
(including direct labor, overhead costs
to prepare the application, and
consultation to obtain specialized
advice in responding to and
implementing the certification
application).
The reporting burden includes the
total time, effort, or financial resources
expended to generate, maintain, retain,
disclose, or provide the information
including: (1) Reviewing instructions;
(2) developing, acquiring, installing, and
utilizing technology and systems for the
purposes of collecting, validating,
verifying, processing, maintaining,
disclosing and providing information;
(3) training personnel to respond to an
information collection; (4) searching
data sources; (5) preparing and
reviewing the information collection;
and (6) transmitting or otherwise
disclosing the information.
The estimate of cost for respondents
is based upon salaries for professional
and clerical support, as well as direct
and indirect or overhead costs. Direct
costs include all costs directly
attributable to providing this
information, such as administrative
costs and the cost for information
technology. Indirect or overhead costs
are costs incurred by an organization in
support of its mission. These costs
5 42
U.S.C. 16451 et seq.
burden and cost estimates do not include
the cost of applying to become the ERO because that
application process and the resulting FERC
selection have been completed.
7 Per Order 672, the ERO will undergo a
performance assessment three years after
certification (July 2009) and every five years
thereafter. Therefore, the total figures for FTE (10),
burden hrs. (9,800), and cost ($1,050,000)
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6 The
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17:58 Feb 10, 2009
Jkt 217001
apply to activities which benefit the
whole organization rather than any one
particular function or activity.
Comments are invited on: (1) Whether
the proposed 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 of
the proposed collection of information,
including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (3)
ways to enhance the quality, utility and
clarity of the information to be
collected; and (4) ways to minimize the
burden of the collection of information
on those who are to respond, including
the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other
technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E9–2868 Filed 2–10–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
associated with doing the self-assessment have been
divided by 3 to provide average annual figures for
this notice.
The methodology for estimating the totals for the
3-year self assessment follows. Staff estimates that
the self assessment will take 6 months to complete.
In order for NERC to complete the work in half the
time, we assume that NERC must hire double the
workforce, so 10 contractors are used in the present
calculation. The $1,050,000 was taken directly from
NERC’s 2009 Business Plan and Budget.
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Project No. 13314–000]
Corral Creek South Hydro, LLC; Notice
of Preliminary Permit Application
Accepted for Filing and Soliciting
Comments, Motions To Intervene and
Competing Applications
February 4, 2009.
On November 5, 2008, Corral Creek
South Hydro, LLC filed an application,
pursuant to section 4(f) of the Federal
Power Act (FPA), proposing to study the
feasibility of the Corral Creek South
Pumped Storage Project to be located in
Twin Falls County, Idaho on federal
land administered by the Bureau of
Land Management. The proposed
project would be closed loop and would
not be built on an existing body of
water.
The proposed project would consist
of: (1) An upper earthen dam with a
height of 180 feet and a length of 8,400
feet; (2) an upper reservoir with a
surface area of 118 acres, a capacity of
9,120 acre-feet, and a maximum pool
elevation of 6,620 feet msl; (3) a lower
earthen dam with a height of 200 feet
and a length of 4,140 feet; (4) a lower
reservoir with a surface area of 113
8 NERC Employee Cost Estimate: NERC Employee
Compensation Average is $140,442 (from 2009
Budget salary average). For 1.5 Employees, the
Annualized Salary Expense is $210,663.
9 Regional Entity (RE) Employee Cost Estimate:
RE Employee Compensation Average of $115,520
(from 2009 Budget salary average). For 4.5
Employees, the Annualized Salary Expense is
$519,840.
E:\FR\FM\11FEN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 27 (Wednesday, February 11, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6861-6863]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-2868]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[IC09-725-000]
Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-725); Proposed
Collection; Comment Request; Extension
February 4, 2009.
AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In compliance with the requirements of section 3507 of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3507, the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (Commission) is
[[Page 6862]]
soliciting public comment on the specific aspects of the information
collection described below.
DATES: Comments on the information collection are due by April 14,
2009.
ADDRESSES: An example of this collection of information may be obtained
from the Commission's Web site (at https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/
elibrary.asp). Comments may be filed either electronically or in paper
format, and should refer to Docket No. IC09-725-000. Documents must be
prepared in an acceptable filing format and in compliance with the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission submission guidelines at https://
www.ferc.gov/help/submission-guide.asp.
Comments may be filed electronically via the eFiling link on the
Commission's Web site at https://www.ferc.gov. First time users will
have to establish a user name and password (https://www.ferc.gov/docs-
filing/eregistration.asp) before eFiling. The Commission will send an
automatic acknowledgement to the sender's e-mail address upon receipt
of comments through eFiling.
Commenters filing electronically should not make a paper filing.
Commenters that are not able to file electronically must send an
original and 14 copies of their comments to: Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 888 First Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20426.
Users interested in receiving automatic notification of activity in
this docket may do so through eSubscription (at https://www.ferc.gov/
docs-filing/esubscription.asp). In addition, all comments and FERC
issuances may be viewed, printed, or downloaded remotely through FERC's
Web site using the ``eLibrary'' link and searching on Docket Number
IC09-725. For user assistance, contact FERC Online Support (e-mail at
ferconlinesupport@ferc.gov, or call toll-free at (866) 208-3676, or for
TTY, contact (202) 502-8659).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Miller, Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, 888 First St., NE., Washington, DC 20426. He may
be reached by telephone at (202) 502-8415, by fax at (202) 273-0873,
and by e-mail at michael.miller@ferc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The information collected under the
requirements of FERC-725 (``Certification of Electric Reliability
Organization; Procedures for Electric Reliability Standards'' (OMB
Control No. 1902-0225)) is used by the Commission to implement the
statutory provisions of Title XII, subtitle A of the Energy Policy Act
of 2005 (EPAct 2005).\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Energy Policy Act of 2005, Pub. L. No. 109-58, 119 Stat. 594
(2005) (codified at 42 U.S.C. 16451, et seq.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Electricity Modernization Act of 2005 was enacted into law as
part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 on August 8, 2005. Subtitle A of
the Electricity Modernization Act amended the Federal Power Act (FPA)
by adding a new section 215, titled ``Electric Reliability.'' Section
215 of the FPA buttresses the Commission's efforts to strengthen the
reliability of the interstate grid through the granting of new
authority to provide for a system of mandatory Reliability Standards
developed by the Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) \2\ and
reviewed and approved by FERC.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ ``Electric Reliability Organization'' or ``ERO'' means the
organization certified by the Commission the purpose of which is to
establish and enforce Reliability Standards for the Bulk-Power
System, subject to Commission review.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
On February 3, 2006, the Commission issued Order No.672 \3\
certifying a single Electric Reliability Organization, the ERO, to
oversee the reliability of the United States' portion of the
interconnected North American Bulk-Power System, subject to Commission
oversight. The ERO is responsible for developing and enforcing the
mandatory Reliability Standards. The Reliability Standards apply to all
users, owners and operators of the Bulk-Power System. The Commission
has the authority to approve all ERO actions, to order the ERO to carry
out its responsibilities under these statutory provisions, and to also
as appropriate independently enforce Reliability Standards.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ Rules Concerning Certification of the Electric Reliability
Organization; and Procedures for the Establishment, Approval, and
Enforcement of Electric Reliability Standards ] 31,204 71 FR 8662
(2006) Order on reh'g, 71 FR 19,814 (2006), FERC Statutes and
Regulations ] 31,212 (2006).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Once certified, the ERO must submit each proposed Reliability
Standard to the Commission for approval. Only a Reliability Standard
approved by the Commission is enforceable under section 215 of the FPA.
The ERO may delegate its enforcement responsibilities to a Regional
Entity. Delegation is effective only after the Commission approves the
delegation agreement. A Regional Entity may also propose a Reliability
Standard to the ERO for submission to the Commission for approval. This
Reliability Standard may be either for application to the entire
interconnected Bulk-Power System or for application only within its own
region.
The ERO or a Regional Entity must monitor compliance with the
Reliability Standards. It will direct a user, owner or operator of the
Bulk-Power System that violates a Reliability Standard to comply with
the Reliability Standard. The ERO or Regional Entity may impose a
penalty on a user, owner or operator for violating a Reliability
Standard, subject to review by, and appeal to, the Commission.
Subtitle A of the Electricity Modernization Act of 2005 also
includes two reliability-related provisions that are not part of the
section 215 of the FPA. First section 1211(b) of the Act provides that
the ERO certified by the Commission as well as Regional Entities are
not departments, agencies or instrumentalities of the United States
Government. Section 1211 (c) provides that federal agencies responsible
for approving access to electric transmission or distribution
facilities located on lands within the United States will, in
accordance with applicable law, expedite any federal agency approvals
that are necessary to allow the owners or operators of these facilities
to comply with a FERC-approved Reliability Standard that pertains to
vegetation management, electric service restoration, or resolution of
situations that imminently endanger the reliability or safety of the
facilities.
Order No. 672 set forth the criteria that an ERO applicant must
satisfy to qualify as the ERO, including the ability to develop and
enforce Reliability Standards.\4\ The ERO submission must include an
evaluation of the effectiveness of each Regional Entity. The Commission
will, as part of its assessment of the ERO's performance, assess the
performance of each Regional Entity and issue an order addressing
Regional Entity compliance. If a Regional Entity fails to comply
adequately with the Commission order, the Commission may institute a
proceeding to enforce its order, including, if necessary and
appropriate, a proceeding to consider rescission of the Commission's
approval of the Regional Entity's delegation agreement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ The criteria stated in the Final Rule track the statutory
criteria for ERO certification provided in section 215(c) of the
FPA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Electricity Modernization Act of 2005 buttresses the
Commission's efforts to strengthen the interstate transmission grid
through the granting of authority pursuant to section 215 of the FPA
which provides for a system of mandatory reliability rules developed by
the ERO, established by the Commission, and enforced by the Commission,
subject to Commission review.
A submission of the information is necessary for the Commission to
carry
[[Page 6863]]
out its responsibilities under EPAct 2005.\5\ The Commission implements
its responsibilities through the Code of Federal Regulations, 18 CFR
Part 39. These filing requirements are mandatory.
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\5\ 42 U.S.C. 16451 et seq.
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Action: The Commission is requesting a three-year extension of the
current expiration date without any changes to the reporting
requirements.
Burden Statement: The annual public reporting burden and cost for
this collection are estimated as follows:
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\6\ The burden and cost estimates do not include the cost of
applying to become the ERO because that application process and the
resulting FERC selection have been completed.
\7\ Per Order 672, the ERO will undergo a performance assessment
three years after certification (July 2009) and every five years
thereafter. Therefore, the total figures for FTE (10), burden hrs.
(9,800), and cost ($1,050,000) associated with doing the self-
assessment have been divided by 3 to provide average annual figures
for this notice.
The methodology for estimating the totals for the 3-year self
assessment follows. Staff estimates that the self assessment will
take 6 months to complete. In order for NERC to complete the work in
half the time, we assume that NERC must hire double the workforce,
so 10 contractors are used in the present calculation. The
$1,050,000 was taken directly from NERC's 2009 Business Plan and
Budget.
\8\ NERC Employee Cost Estimate: NERC Employee Compensation
Average is $140,442 (from 2009 Budget salary average). For 1.5
Employees, the Annualized Salary Expense is $210,663.
\9\ Regional Entity (RE) Employee Cost Estimate: RE Employee
Compensation Average of $115,520 (from 2009 Budget salary average).
For 4.5 Employees, the Annualized Salary Expense is $519,840.
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Est. annual
FERC-725 \6\ FTE burden Est. annual
(hrs.) cost ($)
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Annual NERC Costs............... 3 Year Self Contractor........ 3.33 \7\ 3,266.67 350,000 \7\
Assessment (Due 7/ \7\
09) \7\.
Reliability Internal.......... 1.5 2,940 210,663
Reporting Estimate
\8\.
Estimate........... Software.......... 0 0 75,000
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Total Annual NERC Costs.............................................. 4.83 6,206.67 635,663
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Annual RE Costs \9\............. Reliability Internal.......... 4.5 8,820 519,840
Reporting Estimate.
Estimate........... Software.......... 0 0 225,000
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Total Annual RE Costs................................................ 4.5 8,820 744,840
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Total Annual Burden & Cost Estimate.................................. 9.33 15,026.67 $1,380,503
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The estimated annual total cost to respondents is $1,380,503
\7,8,9\ (including direct labor, overhead costs to prepare the
application, and consultation to obtain specialized advice in
responding to and implementing the certification application).
The reporting burden includes the total time, effort, or financial
resources expended to generate, maintain, retain, disclose, or provide
the information including: (1) Reviewing instructions; (2) developing,
acquiring, installing, and utilizing technology and systems for the
purposes of collecting, validating, verifying, processing, maintaining,
disclosing and providing information; (3) training personnel to respond
to an information collection; (4) searching data sources; (5) preparing
and reviewing the information collection; and (6) transmitting or
otherwise disclosing the information.
The estimate of cost for respondents is based upon salaries for
professional and clerical support, as well as direct and indirect or
overhead costs. Direct costs include all costs directly attributable to
providing this information, such as administrative costs and the cost
for information technology. Indirect or overhead costs are costs
incurred by an organization in support of its mission. These costs
apply to activities which benefit the whole organization rather than
any one particular function or activity.
Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed 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 of the
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality,
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are
to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic,
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms
of information technology.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E9-2868 Filed 2-10-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
