North American Electric Reliability Corporation; Order Approving Interpretation of Reliability Standard; Before Commissioners: Jon Wellinghoff, Chairman; Philip D. Moeller, John R. Norris, and Cheryl A. LaFleur, 66055-66057 [2011-27566]

Download as PDF sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 206 / Tuesday, October 25, 2011 / Notices this project. First, any person wishing to obtain legal status by becoming a party to the proceedings for this project should, on or before the comment date stated below, file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, a motion to intervene in accordance with the requirements of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.214 or 385.211) and the Regulations under the NGA (18 CFR 157.10). A person obtaining party status will be placed on the service list maintained by the Secretary of the Commission and will receive copies of all documents filed by the applicant and by all other parties. A party must submit 7 copies of filings made with the Commission and must mail a copy to the applicant and to every other party in the proceeding. Only parties to the proceeding can ask for court review of Commission orders in the proceeding. However, a person does not have to intervene in order to have comments considered. The second way to participate is by filing with the Secretary of the Commission, as soon as possible, an original and two copies of comments in support of or in opposition to this project. The Commission will consider these comments in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but the filing of a comment alone will not serve to make the filer a party to the proceeding. The Commission’s rules require that persons filing comments in opposition to the project provide copies of their protests only to the party or parties directly involved in the protest. Persons who wish to comment only on the environmental review of this project should submit an original and two copies of their comments to the Secretary of the Commission. Environmental commentors will be placed on the Commission’s environmental mailing list, will receive copies of the environmental documents, and will be notified of meetings associated with the Commission’s environmental review process. Environmental commentors will not be required to serve copies of filed documents on all other parties. However, the non-party commentors will not receive copies of all documents filed by other parties or issued by the Commission (except for the mailing of environmental documents issued by the Commission) and will not have the right to seek court review of the Commission’s final order. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings of comments, protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the ‘‘eFiling’’ link at https:// VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:10 Oct 24, 2011 Jkt 226001 www.ferc.gov. Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 7 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. This filing is accessible on-line at https://www.ferc.gov, using the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link and is available for review in the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an ‘‘eSubscription’’ link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, or call (866) 208–3676 (toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502–8659. Comment Date: November 9, 2011. Dated: October 19, 2011. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2011–27528 Filed 10–24–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project No. 199–205] South Carolina Public Service Authority; Notice of Meeting The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has contacted Commission staff regarding a meeting with South Carolina Public Service Authority (SCPSA), licensee for the Santee-Cooper Hydroelectric Project No. 199, and staff to continue discussions of what is needed to complete formal consultation for shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. Accordingly, Commission staff will meet with representatives of NMFS and SCPSA, the Commission’s non-federal representative for the Santee-Cooper Project, on Tuesday, November 8, 2011. The meeting will start at 9 a.m. at NMFS’ office at 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida. All local, state, and federal agencies, and interested parties, are hereby invited to attend and observe this meeting. Questions concerning the meeting should be directed to Dr. Stephania Bolder of NMFS at (727) 824–5312. Dated: October 19, 2011. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. RD11–9–000] North American Electric Reliability Corporation; Order Approving Interpretation of Reliability Standard; Before Commissioners: Jon Wellinghoff, Chairman; Philip D. Moeller, John R. Norris, and Cheryl A. LaFleur Issued October 20, 2011. 1. On April 15, 2011, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), the Commissioncertified Electric Reliability Organization (ERO), submitted a petition for Commission approval of an interpretation of Requirement R10 of Transmission Operations (TOP) Reliability Standard TOP–002–2a (Normal Operations Planning). This Reliability Standard requires, in pertinent part, each balancing authority and transmission operator to maintain plans to evaluate options and establish procedures for the reliable operation of the Bulk-Power System for current day and future operations, as well as coordinate current day and future operations with neighboring balancing authorities and transmission operators. Requirement R10, the subject of NERC’s Petition, addresses the planning required to meet all System Operating Limits and Interconnection Reliability Operating Limits. NERC also requests that the Standard including the interpretation, which would be referred to as Reliability Standard TOP–002–2b, be made effective immediately upon the issuance of an order in this proceeding. 2. In this order, the Commission finds that NERC’s proposed interpretation of Requirement R10 of Reliability Standard TOP–002–2a is just, reasonable, not unduly discriminatory or preferential, and in the public interest. Therefore, the Commission approves the interpretation, referred to as Reliability Standard TOP–002–2b, effective as of the date of this order. I. Background 3. Section 215 of the Federal Power Act (FPA) requires a Commissioncertified ERO to develop mandatory and enforceable Reliability Standards, which are subject to Commission review and approval. Once approved, the Reliability Standards may be enforced by the ERO, subject to Commission oversight, or by the Commission independently.1 [FR Doc. 2011–27523 Filed 10–24–11; 8:45 am] 1 See BILLING CODE 6717–01–P PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 66055 E:\FR\FM\25OCN1.SGM 16 U.S.C. 824o(e) (2006). 25OCN1 66056 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 206 / Tuesday, October 25, 2011 / Notices 4. Pursuant to section 215 of the FPA, the Commission established a process to select and certify an ERO 2 and, subsequently, certified NERC as the ERO.3 On March 16, 2007, the Commission issued Order No. 693, approving 83 of the 107 Reliability Standards filed by NERC, including Reliability Standard TOP–002–2.4 On December 2, 2009, the Commission approved TOP–002–2a, an interpretation submitted by NERC on Requirement R11.5 5. NERC’s Rules of Procedure provide that a person that is ‘‘directly and materially affected’’ by Bulk-Power System reliability may request an interpretation of a Reliability Standard.6 The ERO’s ‘‘standards process manager’’ will assemble a team with relevant expertise to address the requested interpretation and also form a ballot pool. NERC’s Rules provide that, within 45 days, the team will draft an interpretation of the Reliability Standard, with subsequent balloting. If approved by ballot, the interpretation is appended to the Reliability Standard and submitted to the Board of Trustees. Once approved by the Board of Trustees, the Reliability Standard with the interpretation is filed with the applicable regulatory authority for regulatory approval. II. NERC Petition sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 6. In its April 15, 2011 Petition,7 NERC requests Commission approval of a proposed interpretation of Requirement R10 of Reliability Standard TOP–002–2a (Normal Operations Planning). The stated purpose of Reliability Standard TOP–002–2a is to ensure that current operations plans and procedures are prepared for reliable operations, including responses to unplanned events. Requirement R10, 2 Rules Concerning Certification of the Electric Reliability Organization; and Procedures for the Establishment, Approval and Enforcement of Electric Reliability Standards, Order No. 672, FERC Stats. & Regs. ¶ 31,204, order on reh’g, Order No. 672–A, FERC Stats. & Regs. ¶ 31,212 (2006). 3 North American Electric Reliability Corp., 116 FERC ¶ 61,062, order on reh’g & compliance, 117 FERC ¶ 61,126 (2006), aff’d sub nom. Alcoa, Inc. v. FERC, 564 F.3d 1342 (D.C. Cir. 2009). 4 Mandatory Reliability Standards for the BulkPower System, Order No. 693, FERC Stats. & Regs. ¶ 31,242, order on reh’g, Order No. 693–A, 120 FERC ¶ 61,053 (2007). 5 North American Electric Reliability Corp., 129 FERC ¶ 61,191 (2009). 6 NERC Rules of Procedure, Appendix 3A, Reliability Standards Development Procedure, Version 6.1, at 27–29 (2010). 7 North American Electric Reliability Corp., April 15, 2011, Petition for Approval of an Interpretation of Requirement R10 of Reliability Standard TOP– 002–2a (Petition). VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:10 Oct 24, 2011 Jkt 226001 the subject of the proposed interpretation, requires: Each Balancing Authority and Transmission Operator shall plan to meet all System Operating Limits (SOLs) and Interconnection Reliability Operating Limits (IROLs). 7. The Petition explains that NERC received a request from Florida Municipal Power Pool (FMPP) seeking an interpretation of Requirement R10 of Reliability Standard TOP–002–2a. Specifically, FMPP asked: In Requirement 10 is the requirement of the BA to plan to maintain loadinterchange-generation balance under the direction of the TOPs meeting all SOLs and IROLs? 8. In response to FMPP’s interpretation request, NERC provided the following interpretation: Yes. As stated in the NERC Glossary of Terms Used in Reliability Standards, the Balancing Authority is responsible for integrating resource plans ahead of time, maintaining load-interchangegeneration balance within a Balancing Authority Area, and supporting Interconnection frequency in real time. The Balancing Authority does not possess the Bulk Electric System information necessary to manage transmission flows (MW, MVAR or Ampere) or voltage. Therefore, the Balancing Authority must follow the directions of the Transmission Operator to meet all SOLs and IROLs. 9. In the Petition, NERC explains that the interpretation is consistent with the stated purpose of the Reliability Standard, which is to ensure that current operations plans and procedures are prepared for reliable operation, including response to unplanned events. The NERC Glossary of Terms Used in Reliability Standards (NERC Glossary) definitions for balancing authority and transmission operator are referenced along with an explanation that the balancing authority does not possess information needed to manage flows or voltage, thus requiring the balancing authority to follow direction of the transmission operator or reliability coordinator. Further, the Petition states that when balancing authority actions do not resolve targeted transmission issues, the transmission operator or reliability coordinator is responsible for directing alternative actions.8 III. Notice of Filing, Interventions and Comments 10. On August 22, 2011, notice of NERC’s filing was published in the Federal Register with interventions and 8 Id. PO 00000 6–7. Frm 00025 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 protests due on or before September 14, 2011.9 A motion to intervene was timely filed by American Municipal Power, Inc. (AMP). Pursuant to Rule 214 of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure,10 the timely, unopposed motion to intervene serves to make AMP a party to this proceeding. IV. Commission Determination 11. The Commission finds that the ERO’s interpretation of Requirement R10 of Reliability Standard TOP–002–2a is just, reasonable, not unduly discriminatory or preferential, and in the public interest.11 12. The interpretation supports the stated purpose of the Reliability Standard, i.e., current operational plans and procedures are essential for an entity to be prepared for reliable operations, including responses to unplanned events. The interpretation also clarifies the responsibilities of the balancing authority with regard to normal operations planning. Further, the language of the interpretation is consistent with the language of the requirement. Accordingly, the Commission approves the ERO’s interpretation of Requirement R10 of Reliability Standard TOP–002–2a. 13. We agree with NERC that the balancing authority is responsible for integrating resource plans ahead of time, maintaining load-interchangegeneration balance within a balancing authority area, and supporting interconnection frequency in real time under the definition of Balancing Authority found in the NERC Glossary.12 Additionally, the Commission notes that communication and coordination between the balancing authority and transmission operator can be essential in normal operations planning under TOP–002–2a, Requirement R10 to ‘‘plan to meet all System Operating Limits (SOLs) and Interconnection Reliability Operating Limits (IROLs).’’ 13 14. Accordingly, the Commission approves Reliability Standard TOP– 002–2b, effective as of the date of this order. V. Information Collection Statement 15. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations require that OMB approve certain reporting and 9 76 FR 52,325 (2011). CFR 385.214 (2011). 11 16 U.S.C. 824(d)(2). 12 Petition at 6. 13 See Reliability Standard TOP–002–2a, Requirement R10; see generally Electric Reliability Organization Interpretation of Transmission Operations Reliability Standard, Order No. 753, 136 FERC ¶ 61,176, at P 15–17 (2011). 10 18 E:\FR\FM\25OCN1.SGM 25OCN1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 206 / Tuesday, October 25, 2011 / Notices recordkeeping requirements (collections of information) imposed by an agency.14 The information contained here is also subject to review under section 3507(d) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.15 16. The Commission approved Reliability Standard TOP–002–2, the subject of this order, in Order No. 693.16 This order proposes to approve the interpretation of the previously approved Reliability Standard, which was developed by NERC as the ERO. The interpretation relates to an existing Reliability Standard, and the Commission does not expect it to affect entities’ current reporting burden.17 Accordingly, we will submit this Final Rule to OMB for informational purposes only. The Commission Orders: (A) NERC’s interpretation is hereby approved, as discussed in the body of this order. By the Commission. Commissioner Spitzer is not participating. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2011–27566 Filed 10–24–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. RD11–8–000; 137 FERC ¶ 61,043] North American Electric Reliability Corporation; Order Approving Regional Reliability Standard Issued October 20, 2011. sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Before Commissioners: Jon Wellinghoff, Chairman; Philip D. Moeller, John R. Norris, and Cheryl A. LaFleur. 1. On May 31, 2011, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), the Commissioncertified Electric Reliability Organization (ERO), submitted a petition for Commission approval of the Northeast Power Coordinating Council’s (NPCC) Protection and Control (PRC) regional Reliability Standard PRC–002– NPCC–01 (Disturbance Monitoring) and two associated new definitions. The regional Reliability Standard requires transmission owners and generator owners to provide recording capability necessary to monitor the response of the Bulk-Power System to system disturbances, including scheduled and unscheduled outages; requires each reliability coordinator to establish requirements for its area’s dynamic disturbance recording needs; and establishes disturbance data reporting requirements. 2. In this order, we approve regional Reliability Standard PRC–002–NPCC– 01, finding that it is just, reasonable, not unduly discriminatory or preferential, and in the public interest. Also, we approve NERC’s requested implementation plan which provides staggered effective dates, i.e., the date on which applicable entities are subject to mandatory compliance, with full compliance required within four years of regulatory approval. I. Background 3. Section 215 of the Federal Power Act (FPA) requires the ERO to develop mandatory and enforceable Reliability Standards, which provide for the reliable operation of the Bulk-Power System, subject to Commission review and approval.1 Section 215(d)(2) of the FPA states that the Commission may approve, by rule or order, a proposed Reliability Standard or modification to a Reliability Standard if it determines that the Reliability Standard is just, reasonable, not unduly discriminatory or preferential, and in the public interest. Once approved, the Reliability Standard may be enforced by the ERO, subject to Commission oversight, or by the Commission independently.2 4. Reliability Standards that the ERO proposes to the Commission may include Reliability Standards that are developed by a Regional Entity.3 On April 19, 2007, the Commission approved delegation agreements between NERC and eight Regional Entities, including NPCC.4 In the Delegation Agreement Order, the Commission accepted NPCC as a Regional Entity and accepted NPCC’s Standards Development Manual, which sets forth the process for NPCC’s development of regional Reliability Standards.5 The NPCC region is a less than interconnection-wide region, and its standards apply only to that part of the Eastern Interconnection within the NPCC geographical footprint. 5. In Order No. 672, the Commission urged uniformity of Reliability 1 16 U.S.C. 824o(d) (2006). 16 U.S.C. 824o(e). 3 Id. § 824o(e)(4). 4 See North American Electric Reliability Corp., 119 FERC ¶ 61,060, at P 316–350 (Delegation Agreement Order), order on reh’g, 120 FERC ¶ 61,260 (2007). 5 Id. P 302. 2 See 14 5 CFR 1320.11 (2011). U.S.C. 3507(d). 16 Order No. 693, FERC Stats. & Regs. ¶ 31,242, order on reh’g, Order No. 693–A, 120 FERC ¶ 61,053 (2007). 17 5 CFR 1320.3(b)(2). 15 44 VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:10 Oct 24, 2011 Jkt 226001 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 66057 Standards, but recognized a potential need for regional differences.6Accordingly, the Commission stated that: As a general matter, we will accept the following two types of regional differences, provided they are otherwise just, reasonable, not unduly discriminatory or preferential and in the public interest, as required under the statute: (1) A regional difference that is more stringent than the continent-wide Reliability Standard, including a regional difference that addresses matters that the continent-wide Reliability Standard does not; and (2) a regional Reliability Standard that is necessitated by a physical difference in the Bulk-Power System.7 6. On March 16, 2007, the Commission issued Order No. 693, approving 83 of the 107 Reliability Standards filed by the ERO.8 In that order, the Commission determined that it would not take action on certain proposed Reliability Standards that required supplemental information from regional reliability organizations. Such Reliability Standards refer to regional criteria or procedures that had not been submitted to the Commission for approval and, as such, are referred to as ‘‘fill-in-the-blank’’ standards. Pending Reliability Standard PRC–002–1 (Define Regional Disturbance Monitoring and Reporting) is one such fill-in-the-blank standard and, therefore, is not enforceable. NERC’s continent-wide, fill-in-the-blank standard PRC–002–1 would require regional reliability organizations to establish: (i) Installation requirements for sequence of event recording, fault recording, and dynamic disturbance recording, and (ii) reporting requirements for recorded disturbance data. Because PRC–002–1 is an unenforceable and unapproved fillin-the-blank standard, NPCC’s proposed regional Reliability Standard PRC–002– NPCC–01 is intended to fill the reliability gap related to disturbance monitoring and reporting by establishing enforceable disturbance monitoring and reporting requirements for the NPCC region. 6 Rules Concerning Certification of the Electric Reliability Organization; Procedures for the Establishment, Approval, and Enforcement of Electric Reliability Standards, Order No. 672, FERC Stats. & Regs. ¶ 31,204, at P 290, order on reh’g, Order No. 672–A, FERC Stats. & Regs. ¶ 31,212 (2006). 7 Order No. 672, FERC Stats. & Regs. ¶ 31,204 at P 291. 8 Mandatory Reliability Standards for the BulkPower System, Order No. 693, FERC Stats. & Regs. ¶ 31,242, order on reh’g, Order No. 693–A, 120 FERC ¶ 61,053 (2007). E:\FR\FM\25OCN1.SGM 25OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 206 (Tuesday, October 25, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66055-66057]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-27566]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. RD11-9-000]


North American Electric Reliability Corporation; Order Approving 
Interpretation of Reliability Standard; Before Commissioners: Jon 
Wellinghoff, Chairman; Philip D. Moeller, John R. Norris, and Cheryl A. 
LaFleur

Issued October 20, 2011.
    1. On April 15, 2011, the North American Electric Reliability 
Corporation (NERC), the Commission-certified Electric Reliability 
Organization (ERO), submitted a petition for Commission approval of an 
interpretation of Requirement R10 of Transmission Operations (TOP) 
Reliability Standard TOP-002-2a (Normal Operations Planning). This 
Reliability Standard requires, in pertinent part, each balancing 
authority and transmission operator to maintain plans to evaluate 
options and establish procedures for the reliable operation of the 
Bulk-Power System for current day and future operations, as well as 
coordinate current day and future operations with neighboring balancing 
authorities and transmission operators. Requirement R10, the subject of 
NERC's Petition, addresses the planning required to meet all System 
Operating Limits and Interconnection Reliability Operating Limits. NERC 
also requests that the Standard including the interpretation, which 
would be referred to as Reliability Standard TOP-002-2b, be made 
effective immediately upon the issuance of an order in this proceeding.
    2. In this order, the Commission finds that NERC's proposed 
interpretation of Requirement R10 of Reliability Standard TOP-002-2a is 
just, reasonable, not unduly discriminatory or preferential, and in the 
public interest. Therefore, the Commission approves the interpretation, 
referred to as Reliability Standard TOP-002-2b, effective as of the 
date of this order.

I. Background

    3. Section 215 of the Federal Power Act (FPA) requires a 
Commission-certified ERO to develop mandatory and enforceable 
Reliability Standards, which are subject to Commission review and 
approval. Once approved, the Reliability Standards may be enforced by 
the ERO, subject to Commission oversight, or by the Commission 
independently.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ See 16 U.S.C. 824o(e) (2006).

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[[Page 66056]]

    4. Pursuant to section 215 of the FPA, the Commission established a 
process to select and certify an ERO \2\ and, subsequently, certified 
NERC as the ERO.\3\ On March 16, 2007, the Commission issued Order No. 
693, approving 83 of the 107 Reliability Standards filed by NERC, 
including Reliability Standard TOP-002-2.\4\ On December 2, 2009, the 
Commission approved TOP-002-2a, an interpretation submitted by NERC on 
Requirement R11.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ Rules Concerning Certification of the Electric Reliability 
Organization; and Procedures for the Establishment, Approval and 
Enforcement of Electric Reliability Standards, Order No. 672, FERC 
Stats. & Regs. ] 31,204, order on reh'g, Order No. 672-A, FERC 
Stats. & Regs. ] 31,212 (2006).
    \3\ North American Electric Reliability Corp., 116 FERC 
 61,062, order on reh'g & compliance, 117 FERC ] 61,126 
(2006), aff'd sub nom. Alcoa, Inc. v. FERC, 564 F.3d 1342 (D.C. Cir. 
2009).
    \4\ Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Bulk-Power System, 
Order No. 693, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 31,242, order on reh'g, Order 
No. 693-A, 120 FERC ] 61,053 (2007).
    \5\ North American Electric Reliability Corp., 129 FERC ] 61,191 
(2009).
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    5. NERC's Rules of Procedure provide that a person that is 
``directly and materially affected'' by Bulk-Power System reliability 
may request an interpretation of a Reliability Standard.\6\ The ERO's 
``standards process manager'' will assemble a team with relevant 
expertise to address the requested interpretation and also form a 
ballot pool. NERC's Rules provide that, within 45 days, the team will 
draft an interpretation of the Reliability Standard, with subsequent 
balloting. If approved by ballot, the interpretation is appended to the 
Reliability Standard and submitted to the Board of Trustees. Once 
approved by the Board of Trustees, the Reliability Standard with the 
interpretation is filed with the applicable regulatory authority for 
regulatory approval.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ NERC Rules of Procedure, Appendix 3A, Reliability Standards 
Development Procedure, Version 6.1, at 27-29 (2010).
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II. NERC Petition

    6. In its April 15, 2011 Petition,\7\ NERC requests Commission 
approval of a proposed interpretation of Requirement R10 of Reliability 
Standard TOP-002-2a (Normal Operations Planning). The stated purpose of 
Reliability Standard TOP-002-2a is to ensure that current operations 
plans and procedures are prepared for reliable operations, including 
responses to unplanned events. Requirement R10, the subject of the 
proposed interpretation, requires:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ North American Electric Reliability Corp., April 15, 2011, 
Petition for Approval of an Interpretation of Requirement R10 of 
Reliability Standard TOP-002-2a (Petition).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Each Balancing Authority and Transmission Operator shall plan to 
meet all System Operating Limits (SOLs) and Interconnection Reliability 
Operating Limits (IROLs).
    7. The Petition explains that NERC received a request from Florida 
Municipal Power Pool (FMPP) seeking an interpretation of Requirement 
R10 of Reliability Standard TOP-002-2a. Specifically, FMPP asked:
    In Requirement 10 is the requirement of the BA to plan to maintain 
load-interchange-generation balance under the direction of the TOPs 
meeting all SOLs and IROLs?
    8. In response to FMPP's interpretation request, NERC provided the 
following interpretation:
    Yes. As stated in the NERC Glossary of Terms Used in Reliability 
Standards, the Balancing Authority is responsible for integrating 
resource plans ahead of time, maintaining load-interchange-generation 
balance within a Balancing Authority Area, and supporting 
Interconnection frequency in real time. The Balancing Authority does 
not possess the Bulk Electric System information necessary to manage 
transmission flows (MW, MVAR or Ampere) or voltage. Therefore, the 
Balancing Authority must follow the directions of the Transmission 
Operator to meet all SOLs and IROLs.
    9. In the Petition, NERC explains that the interpretation is 
consistent with the stated purpose of the Reliability Standard, which 
is to ensure that current operations plans and procedures are prepared 
for reliable operation, including response to unplanned events. The 
NERC Glossary of Terms Used in Reliability Standards (NERC Glossary) 
definitions for balancing authority and transmission operator are 
referenced along with an explanation that the balancing authority does 
not possess information needed to manage flows or voltage, thus 
requiring the balancing authority to follow direction of the 
transmission operator or reliability coordinator. Further, the Petition 
states that when balancing authority actions do not resolve targeted 
transmission issues, the transmission operator or reliability 
coordinator is responsible for directing alternative actions.\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ Id. 6-7.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

III. Notice of Filing, Interventions and Comments

    10. On August 22, 2011, notice of NERC's filing was published in 
the Federal Register with interventions and protests due on or before 
September 14, 2011.\9\ A motion to intervene was timely filed by 
American Municipal Power, Inc. (AMP). Pursuant to Rule 214 of the 
Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure,\10\ the timely, unopposed 
motion to intervene serves to make AMP a party to this proceeding.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ 76 FR 52,325 (2011).
    \10\ 18 CFR 385.214 (2011).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

IV. Commission Determination

    11. The Commission finds that the ERO's interpretation of 
Requirement R10 of Reliability Standard TOP-002-2a is just, reasonable, 
not unduly discriminatory or preferential, and in the public 
interest.\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ 16 U.S.C. 824(d)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    12. The interpretation supports the stated purpose of the 
Reliability Standard, i.e., current operational plans and procedures 
are essential for an entity to be prepared for reliable operations, 
including responses to unplanned events. The interpretation also 
clarifies the responsibilities of the balancing authority with regard 
to normal operations planning. Further, the language of the 
interpretation is consistent with the language of the requirement. 
Accordingly, the Commission approves the ERO's interpretation of 
Requirement R10 of Reliability Standard TOP-002-2a.
    13. We agree with NERC that the balancing authority is responsible 
for integrating resource plans ahead of time, maintaining load-
interchange-generation balance within a balancing authority area, and 
supporting interconnection frequency in real time under the definition 
of Balancing Authority found in the NERC Glossary.\12\ Additionally, 
the Commission notes that communication and coordination between the 
balancing authority and transmission operator can be essential in 
normal operations planning under TOP-002-2a, Requirement R10 to ``plan 
to meet all System Operating Limits (SOLs) and Interconnection 
Reliability Operating Limits (IROLs).'' \13\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ Petition at 6.
    \13\ See Reliability Standard TOP-002-2a, Requirement R10; see 
generally Electric Reliability Organization Interpretation of 
Transmission Operations Reliability Standard, Order No. 753, 136 
FERC ] 61,176, at P 15-17 (2011).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    14. Accordingly, the Commission approves Reliability Standard TOP-
002-2b, effective as of the date of this order.

V. Information Collection Statement

    15. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations require 
that OMB approve certain reporting and

[[Page 66057]]

recordkeeping requirements (collections of information) imposed by an 
agency.\14\ The information contained here is also subject to review 
under section 3507(d) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.\15\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ 5 CFR 1320.11 (2011).
    \15\ 44 U.S.C. 3507(d).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    16. The Commission approved Reliability Standard TOP-002-2, the 
subject of this order, in Order No. 693.\16\ This order proposes to 
approve the interpretation of the previously approved Reliability 
Standard, which was developed by NERC as the ERO. The interpretation 
relates to an existing Reliability Standard, and the Commission does 
not expect it to affect entities' current reporting burden.\17\ 
Accordingly, we will submit this Final Rule to OMB for informational 
purposes only.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ Order No. 693, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 31,242, order on 
reh'g, Order No. 693-A, 120 FERC ] 61,053 (2007).
    \17\ 5 CFR 1320.3(b)(2).
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    The Commission Orders:
    (A) NERC's interpretation is hereby approved, as discussed in the 
body of this order.

    By the Commission. Commissioner Spitzer is not participating.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011-27566 Filed 10-24-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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