Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-725A, FERC-725D, FERC-725F, FERC-725G, FERC-725L, and FERC-725Z); Comment Request; Revision, 44875-44880 [2020-15977]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 143 / Friday, July 24, 2020 / Notices • public safety; and • cumulative impacts Commission staff will also evaluate reasonable alternatives to the proposed project or portions of the project, and make recommendations on how to lessen or avoid impacts on the various resource areas. The EA will present Commission staffs’ independent analysis of the issues. The EA will be available in electronic format in the public record through eLibrary 2 and the Commission’s natural gas environmental documents web page (https://www.ferc.gov/industries-data/ natural-gas/environment/ environmental-documents). If eSubscribed, you will receive instant email notification when the EA is issued. The EA may be issued for an allotted public comment period. Commission staff will consider all comments on the EA before making recommendations to the Commission. To ensure Commission staff have the opportunity to address your comments, please carefully follow the instructions in the Public Participation section, beginning on page 2. With this notice, the Commission is asking agencies with jurisdiction by law and/or special expertise with respect to the environmental issues of these projects to formally cooperate in the preparation of the EA.3 Agencies that would like to request cooperating agency status should follow the instructions for filing comments provided under the Public Participation section of this notice. jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES Consultation Under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act In accordance with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation’s implementing regulations for section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, the Commission is using this notice to initiate consultation with the applicable State Historic Preservation Office, and to solicit their views and those of other government agencies, interested Indian tribes, and the public on the projects’ potential effects on historic properties.4 The EA for this project will document findings 2 For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the last page of this notice. 3 The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing cooperating agency responsibilities are at Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, § 1501.6. 4 The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation’s regulations are at Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, part 800. Those regulations define historic properties as any prehistoric or historic district, site, building, structure, or object included in or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:45 Jul 23, 2020 Jkt 250001 44875 on the impacts on historic properties and summarize the status of consultations under section 106. Dated: July 20, 2020. Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., Deputy Secretary. Environmental Mailing List [FR Doc. 2020–16087 Filed 7–23–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P The environmental mailing list includes federal, state, and local government representatives and agencies; elected officials; environmental and public interest groups; Native American Tribes; other interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers. This list also includes all affected landowners (as defined in the Commission’s regulations) who are potential right-of-way grantors, whose property may be used temporarily for project purposes, or who own homes within certain distances of aboveground facilities, and anyone who submits comments on the project. Commission staff will update the environmental mailing list as the analysis proceeds to ensure that Commission notices related to this environmental review are sent to all individuals, organizations, and government entities interested in and/or potentially affected by the proposed project. If the Commission issues the EA for an allotted public comment period, a Notice of Availability of the EA will be sent to the environmental mailing list and will provide instructions to access the electronic document on the FERC’s website (www.ferc.gov). If you need to make changes to your name/address, or if you would like to remove your name from the mailing list, please return the attached ‘‘Mailing List Update Form’’ (appendix 2). Additional Information Additional information about the projects is available from the Commission’s Office of External Affairs, at (866) 208–FERC, or on the FERC website at www.ferc.gov using the eLibrary link. Click on the eLibrary link, click on ‘‘General Search’’ and enter the docket number in the ‘‘Docket Number’’ field, excluding the last three digits (i.e., CP20–484 or CP20–485). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at FercOnlineSupport@ ferc.gov or (866) 208–3676, or for TTY, contact (202) 502–8659. The eLibrary link also provides access to the texts of all formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rulemakings. Public sessions or site visits will be posted on the Commission’s calendar located at https://www.ferc.gov/newsevents/events along with other related information. PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. RD20–4–000] Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC–725A, FERC–725D, FERC–725F, FERC–725G, FERC–725L, and FERC–725Z); Comment Request; Revision Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Department of Energy. ACTION: Notice of revised information collections and request for comments. AGENCY: In compliance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC) is soliciting public comment on revisions to the information collections, FERC–725A (Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Bulk-Power System), FERC–725D (Facilities Design, Connections and Maintenance Reliability Standards), FERC–725F (Mandatory Reliability Standard for Nuclear Plant Interface Coordination), FERC–725G (Reliability Standards for the Bulk Power System: PRC Reliability Standards), FERC–725L (Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Bulk-Power System: MOD Reliability Standards), and FERC–725Z (Mandatory Reliability Standards: IRO Reliability Standards), in Docket No. RD20–4–000 and will be submitting them to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review of the respective information collection requirements. DATES: Comments on the collections of information are due September 22, 2020. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by Docket No. RD20–4–000 by either of the following methods: • eFiling at Commission’s Website: https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ efiling.asp. • U.S. Postal Service Mail: Persons unable to file electronically may mail similar pleadings to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426. • Effective 7/1/2020, delivery of filings other than by eFiling or the U.S. Postal Service should be delivered to Health and Human Services, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\24JYN1.SGM 24JYN1 jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES 44876 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 143 / Friday, July 24, 2020 / Notices 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). 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, and telephone at (202) 502–8663. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Titles: FERC–725A, Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Bulk-Power System; FERC–725D, Facilities Design, Connections and Maintenance Reliability Standards; FERC–725F, Mandatory Reliability Standard for Nuclear Plant Interface Coordination; FERC–725G, Reliability Standards for the Bulk Power System: PRC Reliability Standards; FERC–725L, Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Bulk-Power System: MOD Reliability Standards; and FERC–725Z, Mandatory Reliability Standards: IRO Reliability Standards. OMB Control Nos.: 1902–0244 (FERC– 725A); 1902–0247 (FERC–725D); 1902– 0249 (FERC–725F); 1902–0252 (FERC– 725G); 1902–0261 (FERC–725L); and 1902–0276 (FERC–725Z) Type of Request: Revisions to FERC– 725A, FERC–725D, FERC–725F, FERC– 725G, FERC–725L, and FERC–725Z information collection requirements, as discussed in Docket No. RD20–4–000. Abstract: The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) filed a petition to modify seven Reliability Standards. On February 21, 2020, NERC filed a petition in Docket No. RD20–4–000 1 requesting Commission approval of: • Reliability Standard TOP–003–4 (Operational Reliability Data), • Reliability Standard FAC–002–3 (Facility Interconnection Studies), • Reliability Standard NUC–001–4 (Nuclear Plant Interface Coordination), • Reliability Standard PRC–006–4 (Automatic Underfrequency Load Shedding), • Reliability Standard MOD–031–3 (Demand and Energy Data), • Reliability Standard MOD–033–2 (Steady-State and Dynamic System Model Validation), and 1 The petition and exhibits are posted in the Commission’s eLibrary system in Docket No. RD20– 4–000 (Standards Alignment with Registration Petition). VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:45 Jul 23, 2020 Jkt 250001 • Reliability Standard IRO–010–3 (Reliability Coordinator Data Specification and Collection) NERC is requesting approval of the seven proposed Reliability Standards pursuant to Section 215(d)(1) of the Federal Power Act (‘‘FPA’’) 2 and § 39.5 3 of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (‘‘FERC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’) regulations. The revisions in the proposed Reliability Standards will align these standards with the previously-approved changes to the NERC registration criteria 4 by removing reference to entities 5 that are no longer registered with NERC. In proposed Reliability Standard PRC– 006–4, NERC adds the UFLS-only Distribution Provider as an applicable entity. In two instances, NERC has proposed changes that will promote consistent use of the term Planning Coordinator across the Reliability Standards.6 The Commission’s request to OMB will reflect the following: • Elimination of the burden associated with the load-serving entity (LSE) function in Requirement R5 of proposed Reliability Standard TOP– 003–4.7 The petition states that the currently effective standard is applicable to the transmission operator, balancing authority, generator owner, generator operator, load-serving entity, transmission owner, and distribution provider. As the load-serving entity is no longer a NERC registration category, NERC proposes to remove this entity from the applicability section of proposed Reliability Standard TOP– 003–4 and remove reference to this entity in Requirement R5.8 • Elimination of the burden associated with the load-serving entity (LSE) function in Requirement R3 of proposed Reliability Standard FAC– 002–3.9 The NERC petition states as the load-serving entity is no longer a NERC registration category, NERC proposes to remove this entity from the applicability U.S.C. 824o (2018). CFR 39.5 (2019). 4 Order on Electric Reliability Organization Risk Based Registration Initiative and Requiring Compliance Filing, 150 FERC ¶ 61,213 (2015); Order on Compliance Filing, 153 FERC ¶ 61,024 (2015). 5 NERC’s risk-based registration initiative resulted in the removal of the load-serving entity and purchasing-selling entity from the NERC compliance registry. 6 Standards Alignment with Registration Petition at 7. 7 The burden associated with the current version of this standard, TOP–003–3, is included in FERC– 725A. 8 Standards Alignment with Registration Petition at 14. 9 The burden associated with the current version of this standard, FAC–002–2, is included in FERC– 725D. PO 00000 2 16 3 18 Frm 00029 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 section of proposed Reliability Standard FAC–002–3 and remove reference to this entity in Requirement R3.10 • Removal of the load-serving entity (LSE) function in the applicability section of proposed Reliability Standard NUC–001–4.11 The NERC petition states as the load-serving entity is no longer a NERC registration category, NERC proposes to remove this entity from the list of applicable transmission entities in the applicability section of proposed Reliability Standard NUC–001–4.12 Removing this function from the list of transmission entities will not change the estimated burden associated with this standard. • Addition of the burden associated with UFLS-only distribution providers to proposed Reliability Standard PRC– 006–4.13 The petition states that the currently effective standard is applicable to planning coordinators, ‘‘UFLS entities’’ (which may include transmission owners and distribution providers that own, operate, or control UFLS equipment), and transmission owners that own certain elements. In proposed Reliability Standard PRC– 006–4, NERC proposes to add the UFLSonly distribution provider as an applicable UFLS entity.14 • Elimination of the burden associated with the load-serving entity (LSE) function in Requirement R1 of proposed Reliability Standard MOD– 031–3.15 The NERC petition states as the load-serving entity is no longer a NERC registration category, NERC proposes to remove this entity from the applicability section of proposed Reliability Standard MOD–031–3 and remove reference to this entity in Requirement R1, Part 1.1, where it is listed as an ‘‘Applicable Entity’’ for purposes of Requirements R2 and R4.16 10 Standards Alignment with Registration Petition at 8. 11 The burden associated with the current version of this standard, NUC–001–3, is included in FERC– 725F. 12 Standards Alignment with Registration Petition at 12. 13 The burden associated with the Commission approved standard, PRC–006–2, is included in FERC–725G. The current version of this standard, PRC–006–3, was adopted by the NERC Board of Trustees on August 10, 2017. Reliability Standard PRC–006–3 was not submitted to the Commission for approval because it is identical to the Commission-approved version, PRC–006–2. The only change was a revision to the regional variance for the Quebec Interconnection and does not impact the requirements for entities in the United States. 14 Standards Alignment with Registration Petition at 13. 15 The burden associated with the current version of this standard, MOD–031–2, is included in FERC– 725L. 16 Standards Alignment with Registration Petition at 10. E:\FR\FM\24JYN1.SGM 24JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 143 / Friday, July 24, 2020 / Notices Additionally, NERC proposes to strike the term ‘‘Planning Authority’’ from the applicability section of the standard and the explanatory text that follows. The preferred terminology for the responsible entity that coordinates and integrates transmission facilities and service plans, resource plans, and protection systems is ‘‘Planning Coordinator.’’ 17 This is a terminology change and will not result in a change in burden. • Modification of the term ‘‘Planning Authority’’ to ‘‘Planning Coordinator’’ in proposed Reliability Standard MOD– 033–2.18 In the petition, NERC proposes to strike the term ‘‘Planning Authority’’ from the applicability section of the standard and the explanatory text that follows. The proposed change is intended to promote consistent use of ‘‘Planning Coordinator’’ throughout the Reliability Standards.19 This is a terminology change and will not result in a change in burden. • Elimination of the burden associated with the load-serving entity (LSE) function in Requirement R3 of proposed Reliability Standard IRO–010– 3.20 The NERC petition states as the load-serving entity is no longer a NERC registration category, NERC proposes to remove this entity from the applicability section of proposed Reliability Standard IRO–010–3 and remove reference to this entity in Requirement R3.21 Type of Respondents: Reliability coordinator (RC), balancing authority (BA), transmission owner (TO), transmission operator (TOP), generator owner (GO), generator operator (GOP), distribution provider (DP), UFLS-only distribution provider (UFLS-only DP), planning coordinator (PC), and transmission planner (TP). jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES 17 Standards Alignment with Registration Petition at 10. 18 The burden associated with the current version of this standard, MOD–033–1, is included in FERC– 725L. 19 Standards Alignment with Registration Petition at 11. 20 The burden associated with the current version of this standard, IRO–010–2, is included in FERC– 725Z. 21 Standards Alignment with Registration Petition at 9. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:45 Jul 23, 2020 Jkt 250001 Estimate of Annual Burden: 22 The Commission based its estimates on the NERC compliance registry as of April 10, 2020. According to the registry, there are 12 reliability coordinators, 98 balancing authorities, 314 distribution providers, 63 UFLS-only distribution providers, 973 generator owners, 916 generator operators, 321 transmission owners, 169 transmission operators, 64 planning coordinators, and 196 transmission planners in the United States. NERC registered entities can be registered as multiple functions, and the burden estimates reflect the overlapping of functions per entity respondent. Changes Due to Docket No. RD20–4 The changes proposed in Docket No. RD20–4–000 include the removal of load-serving entity from the applicability of five Reliability Standards; addition of UFLS-only distribution provider in one Reliability Standard; and a terminology change of ‘‘planning authority’’ to ‘‘planning coordinator’’ in the applicability of two Reliability Standards. The load-serving entity function was removed from the NERC compliance registry in October 2015 as a result of the risk-based registration order.23 Prior to the removal of the load-serving entity function, the NERC compliance registry in early 2015 included 446 registered load-serving entities, however, many of these entities were also registered as other functions and remained on the registry. NERC deregistered 63 load-serving entities from the compliance registry on October 15, 2015, coinciding with the Commission approval of NERC’s riskbased registration initiative.24 22 Burden is defined as the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. For further explanation of what is included in the information collection burden, refer to 5 CFR 1320.3. 23 Order on Electric Reliability Organization Risk Based Registration Initiative and Requiring Compliance Filing, 150 FERC ¶ 61,213 (2015); Order on Compliance Filing, 153 FERC ¶ 61,024 (2015). 24 NERC posts its list of deregistered entities at the following link. https://www.nerc.com/pa/comp/ Registration%20and%20Certification%20DL/ NCR%20Deregistered%20Entities.xls. PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 44877 The proposed Reliability Standard NUC–001–4 modification of removing the load-serving entity from its applicability is not a substantive change and does not require a change in burden. This is due to the current burden assumptions based on: (1) The number of nuclear plants in the United States, and (2) applicability including two transmission entities 25 for each nuclear plant. The removal of loadserving entity from the list of possible transmission entities does not change these assumptions. The Commission staff estimates the program changes, due to Docket No. RD20–4, for the listed information collections. Because the affected Reliability Standards were implemented at various times since Order No. 693 in March 2007, using the hourly cost estimates in effect at that time, we are being conservative and not showing cost estimates for the changes. Adjustments, Updates, and Clarification of Estimates (Not Due to Docket No. RD20–4) In addition to the changes identified in Docket No. RD20–4–000, the Commission is updating the entire burden estimates for six of the Reliability Standards. These adjustments are warranted based on updates to the number of applicable registered entities and to ensure that the burden for each applicable function is quantified with clear granularity. The table also includes adjustments due to normal industry fluctuations (e.g., companies merging or splitting, going into or leaving the industry, or filling more or fewer roles in the NERC registry); the figures are based on the NERC registry as of April 10, 2020. 25 The current Reliability Standard NUC–001–3 defines the phrase ‘‘transmission entities’’ as all entities that are responsible for providing services related to nuclear plant interface requirements (NPIRs). Such entities may include one or more of the following: transmission operators, transmission owners, transmission planners, transmission service providers, balancing authorities, reliability coordinators, planning coordinators, distribution providers, load-serving entities, generator owners, and generator operators. E:\FR\FM\24JYN1.SGM 24JYN1 44878 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 143 / Friday, July 24, 2020 / Notices PROPOSED CHANGES TO BURDEN DUE TO DOCKET NO. RD20–4–000 AND ADJUSTMENTS AND CLARIFICATIONS 26 Reliability standard & requirements Number of respondents & type of entity Annual number of responses per respondent Annual number of responses Average burden hrs. per response Total annual burden hours (1) (2) (1) * (2) = (3) (4) (3) * (4) = (5) FERC–725A, OMB Control No. 1902–0244 TOP–003–4 (Operational Reliability Data), R1–R5, & Evidence Retention—adjustment. TOP–003–4 (Operational Reliability Data), R5 &Evidence Retention—program increase 27. Net Sub-Total for FERC–725A ............. ¥3 (TOP & BA) ....... 1 ¥3 ........................... 230 hrs .... ¥690 hrs. 1,363 (GO, GOP, TO & DP). 1 1,363 ........................ 8 hrs ........ 10,904 hrs. .................................. ........................ 1,360 (net increase) ................. 10,214 hr. (net increase). FERC–725D, OMB Control No. 1902–0247 FAC–002–3 (Facility Interconnection Studies) R1 Study—adjustment. FAC–002–3 (Facility Interconnection Studies) R1 Evidence Retention—adjustment. FAC–002–3 (Facility Interconnection Studies) R2–R5 Coordination—(program decrease & adjustment decrease) 28. FAC–002–3 (Facility Interconnection Studies) R2–R5 Evidence Retention—(program decrease & adjustment decrease) 30. Net Sub-Total for FERC–725D ............. +20 (PC & TP) ......... 1 +20 ........................... 32 hrs ...... 640 hrs. +20 (PC & TP) ......... 1 +20 ........................... 1 hr .......... 20 hrs. ¥93 (TO, GO & DP) 29. 1 ¥93 ......................... 16 hrs ...... ¥1,488 hrs. ¥93(TO, GO & DP) 1 ¥93 ......................... 1 hr .......... ¥93 hrs. ........................ ¥146 (net reduction) ................. ¥921 hrs. (net reduction). .................................. FERC–725G, OMB Control No. 1902–0252 PRC–006–4 (Automatic Underfrequency Load Shedding) Reporting Requirement—program decrease 31. PRC–006–4 (Automatic Underfrequency Load Shedding) Evidence Retention— program decrease 31. PRC–006–4 (Automatic Underfrequency Load Shedding) R1–R7, R11–R15 Reporting Requirement—program increase & clarification 32. PRC–006–4 (Automatic Underfrequency Load Shedding) R1–R7, R11–R15 Evidence Retention-program increase & clarification 32. PRC–006–4 (Automatic Underfrequency Load Shedding) R8–R10 Evidence Retention—program increase & clarification 33. ¥80 (TO & DP) ....... 1 ¥80 ......................... 47 hrs ...... ¥3,760 hrs. ¥80 (TO & DP) ....... 1 ¥80 ......................... 5 hrs ........ ¥400 hrs. 64 (PC) .................... 1 64 ............................. 47 hrs ...... 3,008 hrs. 64 (PC) .................... 1 64 ............................. 5 hrs ........ 320 hrs. 478 (TO, DP, UFLSonly DP). 1 478 ........................... 5 hrs ........ 2,390 hrs. Net Sub-Total for FERC–725G ............ .................................. ........................ 446 (net increase) ... ................. 1,558 hrs. (net increase). jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES FERC–725L, OMB Control No. 1902–0261 MOD–031–3 (Demand and Energy Data) Develop summary in accordance w/R1, Subparts 1.5.4 and 1.5.5.—program decrease & adjustment/clarification 34. MOD–031–3 (Demand and Energy Data) Develop data request in accordance w/ R1 and R3 & Evidence Retention—adjustment/clarification 35. MOD–031–3 (Demand and Energy Data) Develop and provide data in accordance w/R2 and R4 & Evidence Retention—adjustment/clarification 34. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:45 Jul 23, 2020 Jkt 250001 ¥561 (DP, LSE, TP & BA). 1 ¥561 ....................... 8 hrs ........ ¥4,488 hrs. 113 (PC & BA) ......... 1 113 ........................... 8 hrs ........ 904 hrs. 381 (TP, BA & DP) .. 1 381 ........................... 8 hrs ........ 3,048 hrs. PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\24JYN1.SGM 24JYN1 44879 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 143 / Friday, July 24, 2020 / Notices PROPOSED CHANGES TO BURDEN DUE TO DOCKET NO. RD20–4–000 AND ADJUSTMENTS AND CLARIFICATIONS 26— Continued Reliability standard & requirements MOD–033–2 (Steady-State Dynamic System Model Validation) R2 Data Submittal [for R2]—adjustment. MOD–033–2 (Steady-State Dynamic System Model Validation),R1–R2, Evidence Retention, adjustment. Net Sub-Total for FERC–725L ............. Number of respondents & type of entity Annual number of responses per respondent Annual number of responses Average burden hrs. per response Total annual burden hours (1) (2) (1) * (2) = (3) (4) (3) * (4) = (5) ¥14 (RC & TOP) 36 1 ¥14 ......................... 8 hrs ........ ¥112 hrs. ¥14 (PC, RC & TOP) 37. 1 ¥14 ......................... 1 hr .......... ¥14 hrs. ¥95 (net reduction) ................. ¥662 hrs.; (net reduction). .................................. ........................ FERC–725Z, OMB Control No. 1902–0276 IRO–010–3 (Reliability Coordinator Data Specification and Collection) R1–R3 Evidence Retention—adjustment. IRO–010–3 (Reliability Coordinator Data Specification and Collection), R3 &Evidence Retention—adjustment/clarification 38. +1 (RC) .................... 1 1 ............................... 36 hrs ...... +36 hrs. 1,388 (BA, GO, GOP, TOP, TO & DP). 1 1,388 ........................ 8 hrs ........ 11,104 hrs. 11,140 hrs.; (net increase). +8,812 hrs. +12,517 hrs. +21,329 hrs. Net Sub-Total for FERC–725Z ............. .................................. ........................ 1,389 (net increase) ................. Net Total Program Changes 39 ............. Net Total Adjustments, ......................... Total Net Changes (Including Program Changes and Adjustments) 39. .................................. .................................. .................................. ........................ ........................ ........................ .................................. .................................. .................................. ................. ................. ................. Comments: Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the collections of information are necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES 26 The adjustments, due to normal industry fluctuations, are based on figures in the NERC registry as of April 10, 2020. 27 This is not a program change (increase) due to Docket No. RD20–4. Rather, we are correcting an earlier oversight. It appears that the estimated burden figures for the GO, GOP, TO and DP were inadvertently omitted from the package submitted to and approved by OMB related to the Final Rule (Order No. 817, issued 11/19/2015) in Docket No. RM15–16. The number of respondents is the current figure based on the NERC registry. 28 The reduction of 93 respondents and corresponding burden hours include 63 LSEs that were de-registered (program decrease of 1,008 hrs.) and an adjustment decrease of 30 respondents (480 hrs.) due to normal industry fluctuations. Out of the total decrease of 1,488 hours, the program decrease of 1,008 hours [corresponding decrease of 63 responses] is due to Docket No. RD20–4. The reduction of 480 hours is due to normal adjustments. 29 Although 1,232 entities are registered as TO, DP, or GO, we expect at the most 123 entities (ten percent) will seek to interconnect and go through the study phase that may require coordination in any given year. 30 The reduction of 93 respondents and corresponding burden hours include 63 LSEs that were de-registered (program decrease of 63 hrs., due to Docket No. RD20–4) and an adjustment decrease of 30 respondents (30 hrs.) due to normal industry fluctuations. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:45 Jul 23, 2020 Jkt 250001 information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency’s estimates of the burden and cost of the collections of information, including the 31 The number of entities is being reduced in order to more clearly identify the applicable entities in subsequent rows in this table. As stated in the NERC Petition, ‘‘[t]he currently effective standard is applicable to Planning Coordinators, ‘‘UFLS entities’’ (which may include Transmission Owners and Distribution Providers that own, operate, or control UFLS equipment), and Transmission Owners that own certain Elements. In proposed Reliability Standard PRC–006–4, NERC proposes to add the UFLS-Only Distribution Provider as an applicable UFLS entity, consistent with the language in Section III(b) of Appendix 5B of the NERC Rules of Procedure (Statement of Compliance Registry Criteria) that the Reliability Standards applicable to UFLS-Only Distribution Providers includes prior effective versions of the PRC–006 standard.’’ The changes are not due to Docket No. RD20–4. 32 The increases are not due to Docket No. RD20– 4. They are a program increase of 64 PCs (and the corresponding hrs.) in order to correct and clarify the estimates. 33 The program increase is due to adding 63 UFLS-only DPs due to Docket No. RD20–4. In addition, 415 TOs and DPs were originally estimated in FERC–725A due to Order No. 693. However, the estimates and descriptions were not clearly spelled out, so we are clarifying them. As a result, there are 315 hours (63*5 hours) and the corresponding increase of 63 respondents of program increase due to Docket No. RD20–4, and 2,075 hours (415*5 hours) of increase due to adjustment. PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collections; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collections of information on those who are to 34 The estimates reflect a program decrease of 63 de-registered LSEs (and corresponding program decrease of 504 hrs.) related to Docket No. RD20– 4, and an adjustment/clarification (decrease) of 498 DPs, TPs, and BAs (and corresponding decrease of 3,984 hrs.), not related to Docket No. RD20–4. The updated number of 381 DPs, TPs and BAs is listed in a new row clarifying their applicability with Requirements R2 and R4. Requirement R2 requires applicable entities to develop and provide data pursuant with Requirement R1. 35 The 113 PCs and BAs were originally estimated in FERC–725A due to Order No. 693. However, the estimates and descriptions were not clearly spelled out, so we are clarifying them. [Some of this burden may still be in FERC–725A (and double counted temporarily).] 36 The estimate is changing to 174 (from 188) due to normal industry fluctuation. 37 The estimate is changing to 188 (from 194) due to normal industry fluctuation. 38 The original Reliability Standard IRO–010–1a was included in Order No. 748 (Docket No. RM10– 15) under FERC–725A. The burden for 11 RCs for IRO–010–2 (Order No. 817 in Docket No. RM15–16) was covered by FERC–725Z. Some of this burden may still be in FERC–725A (and double counted temporarily). This action is an adjustment and not related to Docket No. RD20–4. 39 The net total program changes due to Docket No. RD20–4 result in a decrease of 1,260 hours and decrease of 126 respondents. E:\FR\FM\24JYN1.SGM 24JYN1 44880 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 143 / Friday, July 24, 2020 / Notices respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Dated: July 17, 2020. Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2020–15977 Filed 7–23–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. ER20–2444–000] jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES Millican Solar Energy LLC; Supplemental Notice That Initial Market-Based Rate Filing Includes Request for Blanket Section 204 Authorization This is a supplemental notice in the above-referenced proceeding of Millican Solar Energy LLC’s application for market-based rate authority, with an accompanying rate tariff, noting that such application includes a request for blanket authorization, under 18 CFR part 34, of future issuances of securities and assumptions of liability. Any person desiring to intervene or to protest should file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426, in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214). Anyone filing a motion to intervene or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant. Notice is hereby given that the deadline for filing protests with regard to the applicant’s request for blanket authorization, under 18 CFR part 34, of future issuances of securities and assumptions of liability, is August 10, 2020. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper, using the FERC Online links at https:// www.ferc.gov. To facilitate electronic service, persons with internet access who will eFile a document and/or be listed as a contact for an intervenor must create and validate an eRegistration account using the eRegistration link. Select the eFiling link to log on and submit the intervention or protests. Persons unable to file electronically may mail similar pleadings to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426. Hand delivered submissions in docketed proceedings should be delivered to Health and Human VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:45 Jul 23, 2020 Jkt 250001 Services, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852. In addition to publishing the full text of this document in the Federal Register, the Commission provides all interested persons an opportunity to view and/or print the contents of this document via the internet through the Commission’s Home Page (https:// ferc.gov) using the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. At this time, the Commission has suspended access to the Commission’s Public Reference Room, due to the proclamation declaring a National Emergency concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID–19), issued by the President on March 13, 2020. For assistance, contact the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or call toll-free, (886) 208–3676 or TYY, (202) 502–8659. Dated: July 20, 2020. Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2020–16080 Filed 7–23–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. AD20–23–000] Notice of Availability of Draft Engineering Guidelines for the Evaluation of Hydropower Projects: Chapter 18—Level 2 Risk Analysis and Request for Comments The staff of the Office of Energy Projects (OEP) has drafted its initial version of ‘‘Chapter 18—Level 2 Risk Analysis’’ of its Engineering Guidelines for the Evaluation of Hydropower Projects (Guidelines). This chapter is one of four draft chapters intended to provide additional guidance related to the notice of proposed rulemaking issued by the Commission in Docket No. RM20–9–000. Please note that any comments on the proposed rulemaking or on draft chapters of the Guidelines other than Chapter 18 should be filed in the corresponding docket number.1 Comments are now requested on the draft ‘‘Chapter 18—Level 2 Risk 1 The Commission is concurrently issuing for public comment four draft chapters of the Guidelines in Docket Nos. AD20–20–000 (Chapter 15—Supporting Technical Information Document), AD20–21–000 (Chapter 16—Part 12D Program), AD20–22–000 (Chapter 17—Potential Failure Mode Analysis), and AD20–23–000 (Chapter 18—Level 2 Risk Analysis). PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Analysis’’ from federal and state agencies, licensees whose projects are subject to Part 12, Subpart D of the Commission’s regulations, independent consultants and inspectors, and other interested parties with special expertise with respect to dam safety. Comments are due 60 days from the date of this Notice. Interested parties can help us determine the appropriate updates and improvements by providing: Meaningful comments or suggestions that focus on the specific sections requiring clarification; updates to reflect current laws and regulations; or best practices related to the identification and evaluation of risk using a semiquantitative process. The more specific your comments, the more useful they will be. A detailed explanation of your submissions and/or any references of scientific studies associated with your comments will greatly help us with this process. We will consider all timely comments on the revised Guidelines before issuing the final version. For your convenience, there are three methods which you can use to submit your comments to the Commission. In all instances please reference the docket number (AD20–23–000) on the first page of your submission. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing. (1) You can file your comments electronically using the eComment feature on the Commission’s website (www.ferc.gov). Select the FERC Online option from the left-hand column and click on eComment. This is an easy method for interested persons to submit brief, text-only comments up to 6,000 characters. You must include your name and contact information at the end of your comments. (2) You can file your comments electronically using the eFiling feature on the Commission’s website (www.ferc.gov). Select the FERC Online option from the left-hand column and click on eFiling. With eFiling, you can provide comments in a variety of formats by attaching them as a file with your submission. New eFiling users must first create an account by clicking on ‘‘eRegister.’’ When selecting the filing type, select ‘‘General’’, then choose ‘‘Comment (on Filing, Environ. Report or Tech Conf).’’ (3) In lieu of electronic filing, you can mail a paper copy of your comments to: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426. Hand-delivered comments, or those delivered by carriers/couriers other than the US Postal Service, should be delivered to Health and Human E:\FR\FM\24JYN1.SGM 24JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 143 (Friday, July 24, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44875-44880]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-15977]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. RD20-4-000]


Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-725A, FERC-
725D, FERC-725F, FERC-725G, FERC-725L, and FERC-725Z); Comment Request; 
Revision

AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of revised information collections 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 revisions to the information 
collections, FERC-725A (Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Bulk-
Power System), FERC-725D (Facilities Design, Connections and 
Maintenance Reliability Standards), FERC-725F (Mandatory Reliability 
Standard for Nuclear Plant Interface Coordination), FERC-725G 
(Reliability Standards for the Bulk Power System: PRC Reliability 
Standards), FERC-725L (Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Bulk-
Power System: MOD Reliability Standards), and FERC-725Z (Mandatory 
Reliability Standards: IRO Reliability Standards), in Docket No. RD20-
4-000 and will be submitting them to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for review of the respective information collection 
requirements.

DATES: Comments on the collections of information are due September 22, 
2020.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by Docket No. RD20-4-000 
by either of the following methods:
     eFiling at Commission's Website: https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp.
     U.S. Postal Service Mail: Persons unable to file 
electronically may mail similar pleadings to the Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426.
     Effective 7/1/2020, delivery of filings other than by 
eFiling or the U.S. Postal Service should be delivered to Health and 
Human Services, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852.

[[Page 44876]]

    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 [email protected], or by phone at: (866) 208-3676 
(toll-free).
    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 
[email protected], and telephone at (202) 502-8663.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Titles: FERC-725A, Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Bulk-
Power System; FERC-725D, Facilities Design, Connections and Maintenance 
Reliability Standards; FERC-725F, Mandatory Reliability Standard for 
Nuclear Plant Interface Coordination; FERC-725G, Reliability Standards 
for the Bulk Power System: PRC Reliability Standards; FERC-725L, 
Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Bulk-Power System: MOD 
Reliability Standards; and FERC-725Z, Mandatory Reliability Standards: 
IRO Reliability Standards.
    OMB Control Nos.: 1902-0244 (FERC-725A); 1902-0247 (FERC-725D); 
1902-0249 (FERC-725F); 1902-0252 (FERC-725G); 1902-0261 (FERC-725L); 
and 1902-0276 (FERC-725Z)
    Type of Request: Revisions to FERC-725A, FERC-725D, FERC-725F, 
FERC-725G, FERC-725L, and FERC-725Z information collection 
requirements, as discussed in Docket No. RD20-4-000.
    Abstract: The North American Electric Reliability Corporation 
(NERC) filed a petition to modify seven Reliability Standards.
    On February 21, 2020, NERC filed a petition in Docket No. RD20-4-
000 \1\ requesting Commission approval of:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The petition and exhibits are posted in the Commission's 
eLibrary system in Docket No. RD20-4-000 (Standards Alignment with 
Registration Petition).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Reliability Standard TOP-003-4 (Operational Reliability 
Data),
     Reliability Standard FAC-002-3 (Facility Interconnection 
Studies),
     Reliability Standard NUC-001-4 (Nuclear Plant Interface 
Coordination),
     Reliability Standard PRC-006-4 (Automatic Underfrequency 
Load Shedding),
     Reliability Standard MOD-031-3 (Demand and Energy Data),
     Reliability Standard MOD-033-2 (Steady-State and Dynamic 
System Model Validation), and
     Reliability Standard IRO-010-3 (Reliability Coordinator 
Data Specification and Collection)
    NERC is requesting approval of the seven proposed Reliability 
Standards pursuant to Section 215(d)(1) of the Federal Power Act 
(``FPA'') \2\ and Sec.  39.5 \3\ of the Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission's (``FERC'' or ``Commission'') regulations. The revisions in 
the proposed Reliability Standards will align these standards with the 
previously-approved changes to the NERC registration criteria \4\ by 
removing reference to entities \5\ that are no longer registered with 
NERC. In proposed Reliability Standard PRC-006-4, NERC adds the UFLS-
only Distribution Provider as an applicable entity. In two instances, 
NERC has proposed changes that will promote consistent use of the term 
Planning Coordinator across the Reliability Standards.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ 16 U.S.C. 824o (2018).
    \3\ 18 CFR 39.5 (2019).
    \4\ Order on Electric Reliability Organization Risk Based 
Registration Initiative and Requiring Compliance Filing, 150 FERC ] 
61,213 (2015); Order on Compliance Filing, 153 FERC ] 61,024 (2015).
    \5\ NERC's risk-based registration initiative resulted in the 
removal of the load-serving entity and purchasing-selling entity 
from the NERC compliance registry.
    \6\ Standards Alignment with Registration Petition at 7.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission's request to OMB will reflect the following:
     Elimination of the burden associated with the load-serving 
entity (LSE) function in Requirement R5 of proposed Reliability 
Standard TOP-003-4.\7\ The petition states that the currently effective 
standard is applicable to the transmission operator, balancing 
authority, generator owner, generator operator, load-serving entity, 
transmission owner, and distribution provider. As the load-serving 
entity is no longer a NERC registration category, NERC proposes to 
remove this entity from the applicability section of proposed 
Reliability Standard TOP-003-4 and remove reference to this entity in 
Requirement R5.\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ The burden associated with the current version of this 
standard, TOP-003-3, is included in FERC-725A.
    \8\ Standards Alignment with Registration Petition at 14.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Elimination of the burden associated with the load-serving 
entity (LSE) function in Requirement R3 of proposed Reliability 
Standard FAC-002-3.\9\ The NERC petition states as the load-serving 
entity is no longer a NERC registration category, NERC proposes to 
remove this entity from the applicability section of proposed 
Reliability Standard FAC-002-3 and remove reference to this entity in 
Requirement R3.\10\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ The burden associated with the current version of this 
standard, FAC-002-2, is included in FERC-725D.
    \10\ Standards Alignment with Registration Petition at 8.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Removal of the load-serving entity (LSE) function in the 
applicability section of proposed Reliability Standard NUC-001-4.\11\ 
The NERC petition states as the load-serving entity is no longer a NERC 
registration category, NERC proposes to remove this entity from the 
list of applicable transmission entities in the applicability section 
of proposed Reliability Standard NUC-001-4.\12\ Removing this function 
from the list of transmission entities will not change the estimated 
burden associated with this standard.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ The burden associated with the current version of this 
standard, NUC-001-3, is included in FERC-725F.
    \12\ Standards Alignment with Registration Petition at 12.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Addition of the burden associated with UFLS-only 
distribution providers to proposed Reliability Standard PRC-006-4.\13\ 
The petition states that the currently effective standard is applicable 
to planning coordinators, ``UFLS entities'' (which may include 
transmission owners and distribution providers that own, operate, or 
control UFLS equipment), and transmission owners that own certain 
elements. In proposed Reliability Standard PRC-006-4, NERC proposes to 
add the UFLS-only distribution provider as an applicable UFLS 
entity.\14\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ The burden associated with the Commission approved 
standard, PRC-006-2, is included in FERC-725G. The current version 
of this standard, PRC-006-3, was adopted by the NERC Board of 
Trustees on August 10, 2017. Reliability Standard PRC-006-3 was not 
submitted to the Commission for approval because it is identical to 
the Commission-approved version, PRC-006-2. The only change was a 
revision to the regional variance for the Quebec Interconnection and 
does not impact the requirements for entities in the United States.
    \14\ Standards Alignment with Registration Petition at 13.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Elimination of the burden associated with the load-serving 
entity (LSE) function in Requirement R1 of proposed Reliability 
Standard MOD-031-3.\15\ The NERC petition states as the load-serving 
entity is no longer a NERC registration category, NERC proposes to 
remove this entity from the applicability section of proposed 
Reliability Standard MOD-031-3 and remove reference to this entity in 
Requirement R1, Part 1.1, where it is listed as an ``Applicable 
Entity'' for purposes of Requirements R2 and R4.\16\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ The burden associated with the current version of this 
standard, MOD-031-2, is included in FERC-725L.
    \16\ Standards Alignment with Registration Petition at 10.

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

[[Page 44877]]

    Additionally, NERC proposes to strike the term ``Planning 
Authority'' from the applicability section of the standard and the 
explanatory text that follows. The preferred terminology for the 
responsible entity that coordinates and integrates transmission 
facilities and service plans, resource plans, and protection systems is 
``Planning Coordinator.'' \17\ This is a terminology change and will 
not result in a change in burden.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ Standards Alignment with Registration Petition at 10.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Modification of the term ``Planning Authority'' to 
``Planning Coordinator'' in proposed Reliability Standard MOD-033-
2.\18\ In the petition, NERC proposes to strike the term ``Planning 
Authority'' from the applicability section of the standard and the 
explanatory text that follows. The proposed change is intended to 
promote consistent use of ``Planning Coordinator'' throughout the 
Reliability Standards.\19\ This is a terminology change and will not 
result in a change in burden.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \18\ The burden associated with the current version of this 
standard, MOD-033-1, is included in FERC-725L.
    \19\ Standards Alignment with Registration Petition at 11.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Elimination of the burden associated with the load-serving 
entity (LSE) function in Requirement R3 of proposed Reliability 
Standard IRO-010-3.\20\ The NERC petition states as the load-serving 
entity is no longer a NERC registration category, NERC proposes to 
remove this entity from the applicability section of proposed 
Reliability Standard IRO-010-3 and remove reference to this entity in 
Requirement R3.\21\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \20\ The burden associated with the current version of this 
standard, IRO-010-2, is included in FERC-725Z.
    \21\ Standards Alignment with Registration Petition at 9.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Type of Respondents: Reliability coordinator (RC), balancing 
authority (BA), transmission owner (TO), transmission operator (TOP), 
generator owner (GO), generator operator (GOP), distribution provider 
(DP), UFLS-only distribution provider (UFLS-only DP), planning 
coordinator (PC), and transmission planner (TP).
    Estimate of Annual Burden: \22\ The Commission based its estimates 
on the NERC compliance registry as of April 10, 2020. According to the 
registry, there are 12 reliability coordinators, 98 balancing 
authorities, 314 distribution providers, 63 UFLS-only distribution 
providers, 973 generator owners, 916 generator operators, 321 
transmission owners, 169 transmission operators, 64 planning 
coordinators, and 196 transmission planners in the United States. NERC 
registered entities can be registered as multiple functions, and the 
burden estimates reflect the overlapping of functions per entity 
respondent.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \22\ Burden is defined as the total time, effort, or financial 
resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or 
disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. For 
further explanation of what is included in the information 
collection burden, refer to 5 CFR 1320.3.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Changes Due to Docket No. RD20-4

    The changes proposed in Docket No. RD20-4-000 include the removal 
of load-serving entity from the applicability of five Reliability 
Standards; addition of UFLS-only distribution provider in one 
Reliability Standard; and a terminology change of ``planning 
authority'' to ``planning coordinator'' in the applicability of two 
Reliability Standards. The load-serving entity function was removed 
from the NERC compliance registry in October 2015 as a result of the 
risk-based registration order.\23\ Prior to the removal of the load-
serving entity function, the NERC compliance registry in early 2015 
included 446 registered load-serving entities, however, many of these 
entities were also registered as other functions and remained on the 
registry. NERC deregistered 63 load-serving entities from the 
compliance registry on October 15, 2015, coinciding with the Commission 
approval of NERC's risk-based registration initiative.\24\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \23\ Order on Electric Reliability Organization Risk Based 
Registration Initiative and Requiring Compliance Filing, 150 FERC ] 
61,213 (2015); Order on Compliance Filing, 153 FERC ] 61,024 (2015).
    \24\ NERC posts its list of deregistered entities at the 
following link. https://www.nerc.com/pa/comp/Registration%20and%20Certification%20DL/NCR%20Deregistered%20Entities.xls.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed Reliability Standard NUC-001-4 modification of 
removing the load-serving entity from its applicability is not a 
substantive change and does not require a change in burden. This is due 
to the current burden assumptions based on: (1) The number of nuclear 
plants in the United States, and (2) applicability including two 
transmission entities \25\ for each nuclear plant. The removal of load-
serving entity from the list of possible transmission entities does not 
change these assumptions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \25\ The current Reliability Standard NUC-001-3 defines the 
phrase ``transmission entities'' as all entities that are 
responsible for providing services related to nuclear plant 
interface requirements (NPIRs). Such entities may include one or 
more of the following: transmission operators, transmission owners, 
transmission planners, transmission service providers, balancing 
authorities, reliability coordinators, planning coordinators, 
distribution providers, load-serving entities, generator owners, and 
generator operators.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission staff estimates the program changes, due to Docket 
No. RD20-4, for the listed information collections. Because the 
affected Reliability Standards were implemented at various times since 
Order No. 693 in March 2007, using the hourly cost estimates in effect 
at that time, we are being conservative and not showing cost estimates 
for the changes.

Adjustments, Updates, and Clarification of Estimates (Not Due to Docket 
No. RD20-4)

    In addition to the changes identified in Docket No. RD20-4-000, the 
Commission is updating the entire burden estimates for six of the 
Reliability Standards. These adjustments are warranted based on updates 
to the number of applicable registered entities and to ensure that the 
burden for each applicable function is quantified with clear 
granularity.
    The table also includes adjustments due to normal industry 
fluctuations (e.g., companies merging or splitting, going into or 
leaving the industry, or filling more or fewer roles in the NERC 
registry); the figures are based on the NERC registry as of April 10, 
2020.

[[Page 44878]]



         Proposed Changes to Burden Due to Docket No. RD20-4-000 and Adjustments and Clarifications \26\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Number of      Annual number                    Average burden
   Reliability standard &      respondents &    of responses    Annual number       hrs. per       Total annual
        requirements           type of entity  per respondent    of responses       response       burden hours
                              (1)............             (2)  (1) * (2) = (3)  (4)............  (3) * (4) = (5)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      FERC-725A, OMB Control No. 1902-0244
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOP-003-4 (Operational        -3 (TOP & BA)..               1  -3.............  230 hrs........  -690 hrs.
 Reliability Data), R1-R5, &
 Evidence Retention--
 adjustment.
TOP-003-4 (Operational        1,363 (GO, GOP,               1  1,363..........  8 hrs..........  10,904 hrs.
 Reliability Data), R5         TO & DP).
 &Evidence Retention--
 program increase \27\.
                             -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Net Sub-Total for FERC-   ...............  ..............  1,360 (net       ...............  10,214 hr. (net
     725A.                                                      increase).                        increase).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      FERC-725D, OMB Control No. 1902-0247
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FAC-002-3 (Facility           +20 (PC & TP)..               1  +20............  32 hrs.........  640 hrs.
 Interconnection Studies) R1
 Study--adjustment.
FAC-002-3 (Facility           +20 (PC & TP)..               1  +20............  1 hr...........  20 hrs.
 Interconnection Studies) R1
 Evidence Retention--
 adjustment.
FAC-002-3 (Facility           -93 (TO, GO &                 1  -93............  16 hrs.........  -1,488 hrs.
 Interconnection Studies) R2-  DP) \29\.
 R5 Coordination--(program
 decrease & adjustment
 decrease) \28\.
FAC-002-3 (Facility           -93(TO, GO &                  1  -93............  1 hr...........  -93 hrs.
 Interconnection Studies) R2-  DP).
 R5 Evidence Retention--
 (program decrease &
 adjustment decrease) \30\.
                             -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Net Sub-Total for FERC-   ...............  ..............  -146 (net        ...............  -921 hrs. (net
     725D.                                                      reduction).                       reduction).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      FERC-725G, OMB Control No. 1902-0252
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRC-006-4 (Automatic          -80 (TO & DP)..               1  -80............  47 hrs.........  -3,760 hrs.
 Underfrequency Load
 Shedding) Reporting
 Requirement--program
 decrease \31\.
PRC-006-4 (Automatic          -80 (TO & DP)..               1  -80............  5 hrs..........  -400 hrs.
 Underfrequency Load
 Shedding) Evidence
 Retention--program decrease
 \31\.
PRC-006-4 (Automatic          64 (PC)........               1  64.............  47 hrs.........  3,008 hrs.
 Underfrequency Load
 Shedding) R1-R7, R11-R15
 Reporting Requirement--
 program increase &
 clarification \32\.
PRC-006-4 (Automatic          64 (PC)........               1  64.............  5 hrs..........  320 hrs.
 Underfrequency Load
 Shedding) R1-R7, R11-R15
 Evidence Retention-program
 increase & clarification
 \32\.
PRC-006-4 (Automatic          478 (TO, DP,                  1  478............  5 hrs..........  2,390 hrs.
 Underfrequency Load           UFLS-only DP).
 Shedding) R8-R10 Evidence
 Retention--program increase
 & clarification \33\.
                             -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Net Sub-Total for FERC-   ...............  ..............  446 (net         ...............  1,558 hrs. (net
     725G.                                                      increase).                        increase).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      FERC-725L, OMB Control No. 1902-0261
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MOD-031-3 (Demand and Energy  -561 (DP, LSE,                1  -561...........  8 hrs..........  -4,488 hrs.
 Data) Develop summary in      TP & BA).
 accordance w/R1, Subparts
 1.5.4 and 1.5.5.--program
 decrease & adjustment/
 clarification \34\.
MOD-031-3 (Demand and Energy  113 (PC & BA)..               1  113............  8 hrs..........  904 hrs.
 Data) Develop data request
 in accordance w/R1 and R3 &
 Evidence Retention--
 adjustment/clarification
 \35\.
MOD-031-3 (Demand and Energy  381 (TP, BA &                 1  381............  8 hrs..........  3,048 hrs.
 Data) Develop and provide     DP).
 data in accordance w/R2 and
 R4 & Evidence Retention--
 adjustment/clarification
 \34\.

[[Page 44879]]

 
MOD-033-2 (Steady-State       -14 (RC & TOP)                1  -14............  8 hrs..........  -112 hrs.
 Dynamic System Model          \36\.
 Validation) R2 Data
 Submittal [for R2]--
 adjustment.
MOD-033-2 (Steady-State       -14 (PC, RC &                 1  -14............  1 hr...........  -14 hrs.
 Dynamic System Model          TOP) \37\.
 Validation),R1-R2, Evidence
 Retention, adjustment.
                             -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Net Sub-Total for FERC-   ...............  ..............  -95 (net         ...............  -662 hrs.; (net
     725L.                                                      reduction).                       reduction).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      FERC-725Z, OMB Control No. 1902-0276
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IRO-010-3 (Reliability        +1 (RC)........               1  1..............  36 hrs.........  +36 hrs.
 Coordinator Data
 Specification and
 Collection) R1-R3 Evidence
 Retention--adjustment.
IRO-010-3 (Reliability        1,388 (BA, GO,                1  1,388..........  8 hrs..........  11,104 hrs.
 Coordinator Data              GOP, TOP, TO &
 Specification and             DP).
 Collection), R3 &Evidence
 Retention--adjustment/
 clarification \38\.
                             -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Net Sub-Total for FERC-   ...............  ..............  1,389 (net       ...............  11,140 hrs.;
     725Z.                                                      increase).                        (net
                                                                                                  increase).
    Net Total Program         ...............  ..............  ...............  ...............  +8,812 hrs.
     Changes \39\.
    Net Total Adjustments,..  ...............  ..............  ...............  ...............  +12,517 hrs.
        Total Net Changes     ...............  ..............  ...............  ...............  +21,329 hrs.
         (Including Program
         Changes and
         Adjustments) \39\.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Comments: Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the collections of 
information are 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 estimates of the 
burden and cost of the collections of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways  to enhance 
the quality, utility and clarity of the information collections; and 
(4) ways to minimize the burden of the collections of information on 
those who are to

[[Page 44880]]

respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other 
forms of information technology.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \26\ The adjustments, due to normal industry fluctuations, are 
based on figures in the NERC registry as of April 10, 2020.
    \27\ This is not a program change (increase) due to Docket No. 
RD20-4. Rather, we are correcting an earlier oversight. It appears 
that the estimated burden figures for the GO, GOP, TO and DP were 
inadvertently omitted from the package submitted to and approved by 
OMB related to the Final Rule (Order No. 817, issued 11/19/2015) in 
Docket No. RM15-16. The number of respondents is the current figure 
based on the NERC registry.
    \28\ The reduction of 93 respondents and corresponding burden 
hours include 63 LSEs that were de-registered (program decrease of 
1,008 hrs.) and an adjustment decrease of 30 respondents (480 hrs.) 
due to normal industry fluctuations.
    Out of the total decrease of 1,488 hours, the program decrease 
of 1,008 hours [corresponding decrease of 63 responses] is due to 
Docket No. RD20-4. The reduction of 480 hours is due to normal 
adjustments.
    \29\ Although 1,232 entities are registered as TO, DP, or GO, we 
expect at the most 123 entities (ten percent) will seek to 
interconnect and go through the study phase that may require 
coordination in any given year.
    \30\ The reduction of 93 respondents and corresponding burden 
hours include 63 LSEs that were de-registered (program decrease of 
63 hrs., due to Docket No. RD20-4) and an adjustment decrease of 30 
respondents (30 hrs.) due to normal industry fluctuations.
    \31\ The number of entities is being reduced in order to more 
clearly identify the applicable entities in subsequent rows in this 
table. As stated in the NERC Petition, ``[t]he currently effective 
standard is applicable to Planning Coordinators, ``UFLS entities'' 
(which may include Transmission Owners and Distribution Providers 
that own, operate, or control UFLS equipment), and Transmission 
Owners that own certain Elements. In proposed Reliability Standard 
PRC-006-4, NERC proposes to add the UFLS-Only Distribution Provider 
as an applicable UFLS entity, consistent with the language in 
Section III(b) of Appendix 5B of the NERC Rules of Procedure 
(Statement of Compliance Registry Criteria) that the Reliability 
Standards applicable to UFLS-Only Distribution Providers includes 
prior effective versions of the PRC-006 standard.'' The changes are 
not due to Docket No. RD20-4.
    \32\ The increases are not due to Docket No. RD20-4. They are a 
program increase of 64 PCs (and the corresponding hrs.) in order to 
correct and clarify the estimates.
    \33\ The program increase is due to adding 63 UFLS-only DPs due 
to Docket No. RD20-4. In addition, 415 TOs and DPs were originally 
estimated in FERC-725A due to Order No. 693. However, the estimates 
and descriptions were not clearly spelled out, so we are clarifying 
them. As a result, there are 315 hours (63*5 hours) and the 
corresponding increase of 63 respondents of program increase due to 
Docket No. RD20-4, and 2,075 hours (415*5 hours) of increase due to 
adjustment.
    \34\ The estimates reflect a program decrease of 63 de-
registered LSEs (and corresponding program decrease of 504 hrs.) 
related to Docket No. RD20-4, and an adjustment/clarification 
(decrease) of 498 DPs, TPs, and BAs (and corresponding decrease of 
3,984 hrs.), not related to Docket No. RD20-4. The updated number of 
381 DPs, TPs and BAs is listed in a new row clarifying their 
applicability with Requirements R2 and R4. Requirement R2 requires 
applicable entities to develop and provide data pursuant with 
Requirement R1.
    \35\ The 113 PCs and BAs were originally estimated in FERC-725A 
due to Order No. 693. However, the estimates and descriptions were 
not clearly spelled out, so we are clarifying them. [Some of this 
burden may still be in FERC-725A (and double counted temporarily).]
    \36\ The estimate is changing to 174 (from 188) due to normal 
industry fluctuation.
    \37\ The estimate is changing to 188 (from 194) due to normal 
industry fluctuation.
    \38\ The original Reliability Standard IRO-010-1a was included 
in Order No. 748 (Docket No. RM10-15) under FERC-725A. The burden 
for 11 RCs for IRO-010-2 (Order No. 817 in Docket No. RM15-16) was 
covered by FERC-725Z. Some of this burden may still be in FERC-725A 
(and double counted temporarily). This action is an adjustment and 
not related to Docket No. RD20-4.
    \39\ The net total program changes due to Docket No. RD20-4 
result in a decrease of 1,260 hours and decrease of 126 respondents.

    Dated: July 17, 2020.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2020-15977 Filed 7-23-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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