Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-715); Comment Request; Extension, 10058-10059 [2019-05048]

Download as PDF 10058 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 53 / Tuesday, March 19, 2019 / Notices the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support. A copy is also available for inspection and reproduction at the address in item h above. You may also register online at https:// www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ esubscription.asp to be notified via email of new filings and issuances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support. p. Procedural schedule and final amendments: The application will be processed according to the following preliminary schedule. Revisions to the schedule will be made as appropriate. Issue Deficiency Letter (if necessary). Issue Scoping Document 1 for comments. Comments on Scoping Document 1. Issue Scoping Document 2 (if necessary). Issue Notice of Ready for Environmental Analysis. Commission issues EA .............. May 2019. October 2019. November 2019. December 2019. January 2019. September 2020. Final amendments to the application must be filed with the Commission no later than 30 days from the issuance date of the notice of ready for environmental analysis. Dated: March 12, 2019. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2019–05053 Filed 3–18–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. IC19–13–000] Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC–715); Comment Request; Extension Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Department of Energy. ACTION: Notice of 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 the currently approved information collection FERC– 715 (Annual Transmission Planning and Evaluation Report) and submitting the information collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. Any interested person may file comments directly with OMB and should address a copy of those SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:54 Mar 18, 2019 Jkt 247001 comments to the Commission as explained below. On December 27, 2018 (83 FR 66697), the Commission published a Notice in the Federal Register in Docket No. IC19–13–000 requesting public comments. The Commission received one comment, which is addressed in this Notice and will be included in the submittal to OMB. Comments on the collection of information are due April 18, 2019. ADDRESSES: Comments filed with OMB, identified by OMB Control No. 1902– 0171, should be sent via email to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs: oira_submission@omb.gov. Attention: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Desk Officer. A copy of the comments should also be sent to the Commission, in Docket No. IC19–13–000, by either of the following methods: • eFiling at Commission’s Website: https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ efiling.asp. • Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426. Instructions: All submissions must be formatted and filed in accordance with submission guidelines at: https:// www.ferc.gov/help/submissionguide.asp. For user assistance, contact FERC Online Support by email at ferconlinesupport@ferc.gov, or by phone at: (866) 208–3676 (toll-free), or (202) 502–8659 for TTY. Docket: Users interested in receiving automatic notification of activity in this docket or in viewing/downloading comments and issuances in this docket may do so at https://www.ferc.gov/docsfiling/docs-filing.asp. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Brown may be reached by email at DataClearance@FERC.gov, telephone at (202) 502–8663, and fax at (202) 273– 0873. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: FERC–715, Annual Transmission Planning and Evaluation Report. OMB Control No.: 1902–0171. Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC–715 information collection requirements with no changes to the current reporting and recordkeeping requirements. Abstract: Acting under FPA section 213,1 FERC requires each transmitting utility that operates integrated transmission system facilities rated DATES: 1 16 PO 00000 U.S.C. 824l. Frm 00039 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 above 100 kilovolts (kV) to submit annually: • Contact information for the FERC– 715; • Base case power flow data (if it does not participate in the development and use of regional power flow data); • Transmission system maps and diagrams used by the respondent for transmission planning; • A detailed description of the transmission planning reliability criteria used to evaluate system performance for time frames and planning horizons used in regional and corporate planning; • A detailed description of the respondent’s transmission planning assessment practices (including, but not limited to, how reliability criteria are applied and the steps taken in performing transmission planning studies); and • A detailed evaluation of the respondent’s anticipated system performance as measured against its stated reliability criteria using its stated assessment practices. The FERC–715 enables the Commission to use the information as part of their regulatory oversight functions which include: • The review of rates and charges; • The disposition of jurisdictional facilities; • The consolidation and mergers; • The adequacy of supply and; • Reliability of the nation’s transmission grid. The FERC–715 enables the Commission to facilitate and resolve transmission disputes. Additionally, the Office of Electric Reliability (OER) uses the FERC–715 data to help protect and improve the reliability and security of the nation’s bulk power system. OER oversees the development and review of mandatory reliability and security standards and ensures compliance with the approved standards by the users, owners, and operators of the bulk power system. OER also monitors and addresses issues concerning the nation’s bulk power system including assessments of resource adequacy and reliability. Without the FERC–715 data, the Commission would be unable to evaluate planned projects or requests related to transmission. Summary and Response to Public Comment: In response to the Notice of Information Collection and Request for Comments published in the Federal Register on December 27, 2018, the Commission received one comment from the American Public Power Association (APPA). The comment recommended enhancing the current FERC Form No. 715 collection process E:\FR\FM\19MRN1.SGM 19MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 53 / Tuesday, March 19, 2019 / Notices to have each of the six submission parts better segregated from each other to allow for more granular responses to data requests and limit the release of components of the report which are Critical Energy/Electric Infrastructure Information (CEII). These recommendations will be taken under consideration in the event of potential future revisions of the FERC Form No. 715 process. Type of Respondent: Integrated transmission system facilities rated at or above 100 kilovolts (kV). 10059 Estimate of Annual Burden: 2 The Commission estimates the total annual burden and cost 3 for this information collection as follows. FERC–715—ANNUAL TRANSMISSION PLANNING AND EVALUATION REPORT Number of respondents Annual number of responses per respondent Total number of responses Average burden & cost per response Total annual burden hours & total annual cost Cost per respondent ($) (1) (2) (1) * (2) = (3) (4) (3) * (4) = (5) (5) ÷ (1) 111 Annual Transmission Planning and Evaluation Report 4. 1 111 160 hrs.; $11,897.60 ........... 17,760 hrs.; $1,320,633.60 $11,897.60 Take notice that on March 1, 2019, WBI Energy Transmission, Inc. (WBI), 1250 West Century Avenue, Bismarck, North Dakota 58503, filed in the above referenced docket, a prior notice request pursuant to sections 157.205 and 157.210 of the Commission’s regulations under the Natural Gas Act (NGA) and Columbia’s blanket certificate issued in Docket No. CP82–487–000, for authorization to construct, replace, and operate mainline natural gas facilities all located in Carbon and Yellowstone Counties, Montana, and to provide additional 22,500 dekatherms per day of incremental firm transportation service to the Billings, Montana market area, all as more fully set forth in the application which is on file with the Commission and open to public inspection. The filing may also be viewed on the web at https://www.ferc.gov using the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free at (866) 208–3676, or TTY, contact (202) 502–8659. Any questions regarding the application should be directed to Lori Myerchin, Director, Regulatory Affairs and Transportation Services, WBI Energy Transmission, Inc., 1250 West Century Avenue, Bismarck, North Dakota 58503, at (701) 530–1563, or lori.myerchin@wbienergy.com. Specifically, WBI proposes to: (1) Construct the new Billings-Allendale Town Border Station (TBS) between Billings and Laurel, Montana; (2) replace five sections of 10- and 12-inchdiameter natural gas pipeline with 12- inch-diameter pipeline, totaling approximately 9.5 miles, between the Fromberg Regulator Station (RS) and the proposed Billings-Allendale TBS; (3) construct a new RS at Elbow Creek approximately one mile north of Edgar, Montana; (4) replace the Fromberg Takeoff Valve Setting and the Edgar and Rockvale TBSs; and (5) increase the Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure of a section of pipeline in Carbon County, Montana. The estimated cost of the project is $11.6 million. Pursuant to section 157.9 of the Commission’s rules, 18 CFR 157.9, within 90 days of this Notice the Commission staff will either: Complete its environmental assessment (EA) and place it into the Commission’s public record (eLibrary) for this proceeding; or issue a Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review. If a Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review is issued, it will indicate, among other milestones, the anticipated date for the Commission staff’s issuance of the EA for this proposal. The filing of the EA in the Commission’s public record for this proceeding or the issuance of a Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review will serve to notify federal and state agencies of the timing for the completion of all necessary reviews, and the subsequent need to complete all federal authorizations within 90 days of the date of issuance of the Commission staff’s EA. Any person may, within 60 days after the issuance of the instant notice by the 2 ‘‘Burden’’ is 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 Title 5 Code of Federal Regulations 1320.3. 3 The hourly cost (for salary plus benefits) uses the figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2017. These figures include salary (https:// www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm) and benefits (https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ ecec.nr0.htm) and are: —Management (Code 11–0000), $94.28/hr. —Computer and mathematical (Code 15–0000), $63.25/hr. —Electrical Engineers (Code 17–2071), $66.90/hr. —Economist (Code 19–3011), $71.98/hr. —Computer and Information Systems Managers (Code 11–3021), $96.51/hr. —Accountants and Auditors (Code 13–2011), $56.59/hr. —Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers (Code 11–3071), $88.61/hr. —Power Distributors and Dispatchers (Code 51– 8012), $56.74/hr. We are using the average hourly cost (for wages plus benefits, for these categories) of $74.36/hour. 4 In 2018, FERC had 111 direct filings (responses) from entities. However there were 239 total respondents if Transmitting Utilities that have their filing submitted by a designated reporting agent, such as a regional entity, are counted independently. 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: March 12, 2019. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2019–05048 Filed 3–18–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP19–105–000] WBI Energy Transmission, Inc.; Notice of Request Under Blanket Authorization VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:54 Mar 18, 2019 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\19MRN1.SGM 19MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 53 (Tuesday, March 19, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10058-10059]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-05048]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. IC19-13-000]


Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-715); Comment 
Request; Extension

AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of information collection and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 the currently approved 
information collection FERC-715 (Annual Transmission Planning and 
Evaluation Report) and submitting the information collection to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. Any interested person 
may file comments directly with OMB and should address a copy of those 
comments to the Commission as explained below. On December 27, 2018 (83 
FR 66697), the Commission published a Notice in the Federal Register in 
Docket No. IC19-13-000 requesting public comments. The Commission 
received one comment, which is addressed in this Notice and will be 
included in the submittal to OMB.

DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due April 18, 
2019.

ADDRESSES: Comments filed with OMB, identified by OMB Control No. 1902-
0171, should be sent via email to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs: oira_submission@omb.gov. Attention: Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission Desk Officer.
    A copy of the comments should also be sent to the Commission, in 
Docket No. IC19-13-000, by either of the following methods:
     eFiling at Commission's Website: https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp.
     Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier: Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 888 First Street NE, 
Washington, DC 20426.
    Instructions: All submissions must be formatted and filed in 
accordance with submission guidelines at: https://www.ferc.gov/help/submission-guide.asp. For user assistance, contact FERC Online Support 
by email at ferconlinesupport@ferc.gov, or by phone at: (866) 208-3676 
(toll-free), or (202) 502-8659 for TTY.
    Docket: Users interested in receiving automatic notification of 
activity in this docket or in viewing/downloading comments and 
issuances in this docket may do so at https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/docs-filing.asp.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: FERC-715, Annual Transmission Planning and Evaluation 
Report.
    OMB Control No.: 1902-0171.
    Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC-715 information 
collection requirements with no changes to the current reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.
    Abstract: Acting under FPA section 213,\1\ FERC requires each 
transmitting utility that operates integrated transmission system 
facilities rated above 100 kilovolts (kV) to submit annually:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 16 U.S.C. 824l.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Contact information for the FERC-715;
     Base case power flow data (if it does not participate in 
the development and use of regional power flow data);
     Transmission system maps and diagrams used by the 
respondent for transmission planning;
     A detailed description of the transmission planning 
reliability criteria used to evaluate system performance for time 
frames and planning horizons used in regional and corporate planning;
     A detailed description of the respondent's transmission 
planning assessment practices (including, but not limited to, how 
reliability criteria are applied and the steps taken in performing 
transmission planning studies); and
     A detailed evaluation of the respondent's anticipated 
system performance as measured against its stated reliability criteria 
using its stated assessment practices.
    The FERC-715 enables the Commission to use the information as part 
of their regulatory oversight functions which include:
     The review of rates and charges;
     The disposition of jurisdictional facilities;
     The consolidation and mergers;
     The adequacy of supply and;
     Reliability of the nation's transmission grid.
    The FERC-715 enables the Commission to facilitate and resolve 
transmission disputes. Additionally, the Office of Electric Reliability 
(OER) uses the FERC-715 data to help protect and improve the 
reliability and security of the nation's bulk power system. OER 
oversees the development and review of mandatory reliability and 
security standards and ensures compliance with the approved standards 
by the users, owners, and operators of the bulk power system. OER also 
monitors and addresses issues concerning the nation's bulk power system 
including assessments of resource adequacy and reliability.
    Without the FERC-715 data, the Commission would be unable to 
evaluate planned projects or requests related to transmission.
    Summary and Response to Public Comment: In response to the Notice 
of Information Collection and Request for Comments published in the 
Federal Register on December 27, 2018, the Commission received one 
comment from the American Public Power Association (APPA). The comment 
recommended enhancing the current FERC Form No. 715 collection process

[[Page 10059]]

to have each of the six submission parts better segregated from each 
other to allow for more granular responses to data requests and limit 
the release of components of the report which are Critical Energy/
Electric Infrastructure Information (CEII).
    These recommendations will be taken under consideration in the 
event of potential future revisions of the FERC Form No. 715 process.
    Type of Respondent: Integrated transmission system facilities rated 
at or above 100 kilovolts (kV).
    Estimate of Annual Burden: \2\ The Commission estimates the total 
annual burden and cost \3\ for this information collection as follows.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ ``Burden'' is 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 Title 5 Code of Federal Regulations 1320.3.

                                                                  FERC-715--Annual Transmission Planning and Evaluation Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Annual number
                                             Number of     of responses    Total number       Average burden & cost per response       Total annual burden hours & total annual      Cost per
                                            respondents   per respondent   of responses                                                                  cost                     respondent ($)
                                                     (1)             (2)     (1) * (2) =  (4).......................................  (3) * (4) = (5)...........................       (5) / (1)
                                                                                     (3)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Transmission Planning and                     111               1             111  160 hrs.; $11,897.60......................  17,760 hrs.; $1,320,633.60................      $11,897.60
 Evaluation Report \4\.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    \3\ The hourly cost (for salary plus benefits) uses the figures 
from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2017. These figures include 
salary (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm) and benefits 
(https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm) and are:
    --Management (Code 11-0000), $94.28/hr.
    --Computer and mathematical (Code 15-0000), $63.25/hr.
    --Electrical Engineers (Code 17-2071), $66.90/hr.
    --Economist (Code 19-3011), $71.98/hr.
    --Computer and Information Systems Managers (Code 11-3021), 
$96.51/hr.
    --Accountants and Auditors (Code 13-2011), $56.59/hr.
    --Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers (Code 11-
3071), $88.61/hr.
    --Power Distributors and Dispatchers (Code 51-8012), $56.74/hr.
    We are using the average hourly cost (for wages plus benefits, 
for these categories) of $74.36/hour.
    \4\ In 2018, FERC had 111 direct filings (responses) from 
entities. However there were 239 total respondents if Transmitting 
Utilities that have their filing submitted by a designated reporting 
agent, such as a regional entity, are counted independently.

    Dated: March 12, 2019.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2019-05048 Filed 3-18-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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