Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-725F); Comment Request; Extension, 9499-9501 [2021-03040]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 29 / Tuesday, February 16, 2021 / Notices Conservation, and Environmental Protection Agency Liaisons • Presentation: Budget Update • Public Comment Period • Motions/Approval of February 12, 2020 and March 11, 2020 Meeting Minutes • Status of Outstanding Recommendations • Alternate DDFO Report • Committee Reports • Adjourn Public Participation: The online meeting is open to the public. Written statements may be filed with the Board either before or after the meeting as there will not be opportunities for live public comment during this online virtual meeting. The Deputy Designated Federal Officer is empowered to conduct the meeting in a fashion that will facilitate the orderly conduct of business. Individuals wishing to submit public comments should email them as directed above. Minutes: Minutes will be available by writing or calling Melyssa P. Noe at the address and telephone number listed above. Minutes will also be available at the following website: https:// www.energy.gov/orem/listings/oakridge-site-specific-advisory-boardmeetings. Signed in Washington, DC, on February 9, 2021. LaTanya Butler, Deputy Committee Management Officer. [FR Doc. 2021–03021 Filed 2–12–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. EL21–24–000] khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES System Energy Resources, Inc.; Notice of Institution of Section 206 Proceeding and Refund Effective Date On February 5, 2021, the Commission issued an order in Docket No. EL21–24– 000, pursuant to section 206 of the Federal Power Act (FPA), 16 U.S.C. 824e, instituting an investigation into whether System Energy Resources, Inc.’s proposed rate decrease is unjust, unreasonable, unduly discriminatory, or preferential, or otherwise unlawful and further decreases may be warranted. System Energy Resources, Inc., 174 FERC ¶ 61,082 (2021). The refund effective date in Docket No. EL21–24–000, established pursuant to section 206(b) of the FPA, will be the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:04 Feb 12, 2021 Jkt 253001 Any interested person desiring to be heard in Docket No. EL21–24–000 must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate, with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, in accordance with Rule 214 of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR 385.214 (2020), within 21 days of the date of issuance of the order. 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:// 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. 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 FERC at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or call toll-free, (886) 208–3676 or TYY, (202) 502–8659. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings of comments, protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the ‘‘eFile’’ link at https://www.ferc.gov. In lieu of electronic filing, you may submit a paper copy. Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal Service must be addressed to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. Submissions sent via any other carrier must be addressed to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852. Dated: February 9, 2021. Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2021–03030 Filed 2–12–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. IC21–10–000] Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC–725F); Comment Request; Extension Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 9499 Notice of information collection and request for comments. ACTION: 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 725F (Mandatory Reliability Standard for Nuclear Plant Interface Coordination). SUMMARY: Comments on the collection of information are due April 19, 2021. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments (identified by Docket No. IC21–10–000) by either of the following methods: • eFiling at Commission’s Website: https://www.ferc.gov. • U.S. Postal Service Mail: Persons unable to file electronically may mail similar pleadings to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Office of the Secretary, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426 • Delivery of filings other than by eFiling or the U.S. Postal Service should be delivered to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Office of the Secretary, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852. Instructions: All submissions must be formatted and filed in accordance with submission guidelines at: https:// www.ferc.gov. 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. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Brown may be reached by email at DataClearance@FERC.gov, telephone at (202) 502–8663. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: FERC 725F, Mandatory Reliability Standard for Nuclear Plant Interface Coordination. OMB Control No.: 1902–0249. Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC–725F information collection requirements with no changes to the current reporting requirements. Abstract: The Commission requires the information collected by the FERC– 725F to implement the statutory provisions of section 215 of the Federal Power Act (FPA) (16 U.S.C. 824o). On August 8, 2005, the Electricity Modernization Act of 2005, which is Title XII, Subtitle A, of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005), was DATES: E:\FR\FM\16FEN1.SGM 16FEN1 9500 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 29 / Tuesday, February 16, 2021 / Notices enacted into law.1 EPAct 2005 added a new section 215 to the FPA, which required a Commission-certified Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) to develop mandatory and enforceable Reliability Standards, which are subject to Commission review and approval. Once approved, the Reliability Standards may be enforced by the ERO subject to Commission oversight, or the Commission can independently enforce Reliability Standards.2 On February 3, 2006, the Commission issued Order No. 672, implementing section 215 of the FPA.3 Pursuant to Order No. 672, the Commission certified one organization, North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), as the ERO. The Reliability Standards developed by the ERO and approved by the Commission apply to users, owners and operators of the Bulk-Power System as set forth in each Reliability Standard. On November 19, 2007, NERC filed its petition for Commission approval of the Nuclear Plant Interface Coordination Reliability Standard, designated NUC– 001–1. In Order No. 716, issued October FERC–725F New or Modifications to Existing Agreements (Reporting). New or Modifications to Existing Agreements (Record Keeping). khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Total ........................ 16, 2008, the Commission approved the standard while also directing certain revisions.4 Revised Reliability Standard, NUC–001–2, was filed with the Commission by NERC in August 2009 and subsequently approved by the Commission January 21, 2010.5 On November 4, 2014, in Docket No. RD14– 13, the Commission approved revised Reliability Standard NUC–001–3.6 On February 21, 2020 NERC filed a petition in Docket No. RD20–4 to revise Reliability Standard NUC–001–3 to NUC–0001–4. The purpose of Reliability Standard NUC–001–4 is to require ‘‘coordination between nuclear plant generator operators and transmission entities for the purpose of ensuring nuclear plant safe operation and shutdown.’’ 7 The Nuclear Reliability Standard applies to nuclear plant generator operators (generally nuclear power plant owners and operators, including licensees) and ‘‘transmission entities,’’ defined in the Reliability Standard as including a nuclear plant’s suppliers of off-site power and related transmission and Annual number of responses per respondent Number of respondents Total number of responses distribution services. To account for the variations in nuclear plant design and grid interconnection characteristics, the Reliability Standard defines transmission entities as ‘‘all entities that are responsible for providing services related to Nuclear Plant Interface Requirements (NPIRs),’’ and lists eleven types of functional entities (heretofore described as ‘‘transmission entities’’) that could provide services related to NPIRs.8 FERC–725F information collection requirements include establishing and maintaining interface agreements, including record retention requirements. These agreements are not filed with FERC, but with the appropriate entities as established by the Reliability Standard. Type of Respondent: Nuclear operators, nuclear plants, transmission entities Estimate of Annual Burden: 9 The Commission estimates the average annual burden and cost 10 for this information collection as follows: Average burden hrs. & cost per response ($) (rounded) Total annual burden hrs. & total annual cost ($) (rounded) Cost per respondent ($) (rounded) (1) ................................. (2) (1) * (2) = (3) (4) ................................. (3) * (4) = (5) ................ (5) ÷ (1) 57 nuclear plants + 114 transmission entities 11. 57 nuclear plants + 114 transmission entities. 2 342 66.67 hrs.; $5,694 ........ 22,801 hrs.; $1,947,433 $11,388 2 342 6.67 hrs.; $232 ............. 2,281 hrs.; $79,356 ...... 464.07 ...................................... ........................ 12 342 ...................................... 25,082 hrs.; 13 $2,026,789. 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 1 Energy Policy Act of 2005, Public Law 109–58, Title XII, Subtitle A, 119 Stat. 594, 941 (2005), 16 U.S.C. 824o. 2 16 U.S.C. 824o(e)(3). 3 Rules Concerning Certification of the Electric Reliability Organization; and Procedures for the Establishment, Approval, and Enforcement of Electric Reliability Standards, Order No. 672, FERC Stats. & Regs. 31,204, order on reh’g, Order No. 672–A, FERC Stats. & Regs. 31,212 (2006). 4 Mandatory Reliability Standard for Nuclear Plant Interface Coordination, Order No. 716, 125 FERC 61,065, at P 189 & n.90 (2008), order on reh’g, Order No. 716–A, 126 FERC 61,122 (2009). 5 North American Electric Reliability Corporation, 130 FERC 61,051 (2010). When the revised Reliability Standard was approved, the Commission did not go to OMB for approval. It is assumed that the changes made did not substantively affect the information collection and therefore a formal submission to OMB was not needed. 6 The Letter Order is posted at https:// elibrary.ferc.gov/idmws/common/OpenNat.asp? fileID=13675845. 7 See Reliability Standard NUC–001–4 at https:// www.nerc.com/files/NUC-001-4.pdf. 8 The list of functional entities consists of transmission operators, transmission owners, transmission planners, transmission service providers, balancing authorities, reliability coordinators, planning authorities, distribution providers, load-serving entities, generator owners, and generator operators. 9 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. Refer to 5 CFR 1320.3 for additional information. 10 The wage and benefit figures are based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data (at https:// www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm) for May 2019 for Sector 22, Utilities. (The benefits figure is based on BLS data as of May 2020 https:// www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm).) The estimated hourly cost (for wages plus benefits) for reporting requirements is $85.41/hour, based on the average for an electrical engineer (occupation code 17–2071, $70.19/hour), legal (occupation code 23– 0000, $142.65/hour), and office and administrative staff (occupation code 43–0000, $43.38/hour). The estimated hourly cost (wages plus benefits) for record keeping is $34.79/hour for a file clerk (occupation code 43–4071). 11 This figure of 120 transmission entities is based on the assumption that each agreement will be between 1 nuclear plant and 2 transmission entities (57 × 2 = 114). However, there is some double counting in this figure because some transmission entities may be party to multiple agreements with multiple nuclear plants. The double counting does not affect the burden estimate, and the correct number of unique respondents will be reported to OMB. 12 The 171 respondents affected by the reporting requirements are also affected by the recordkeeping requirements. 13 The reporting requirements have not changed. The decrease in the number of respondents is due to: (a) Normal fluctuations in industry (e.g., companies merging and splitting, and coming into and going out of business), and (b) no new agreements being issued due to the lack of new nuclear plants being developed. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:13 Feb 12, 2021 Jkt 253001 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\16FEN1.SGM 16FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 29 / Tuesday, February 16, 2021 / Notices 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: February 9, 2021. Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2021–03040 Filed 2–12–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Combined Notice of Filings #1 Take notice that the Commission received the following electric rate filings: Docket Numbers: ER10–2881–037; ER10–2882–038; ER10–2883–036; ER10–2884–036; ER16–2509–007; ER17–2400–008; ER17–2401–008; ER17–2403–008; ER17–2404–008. Applicants: Alabama Power Company, Georgia Power Company, Mississippi Power Company, Southern Power Company, Rutherford Farm, LLC, SP Butler Solar, LLC, SP Decatur Parkway Solar, LLC, SP Pawpaw Solar, LLC, SP Sandhills Solar, LLC. Description: Notice of Non-Material Change in Status of Alabama Power Company, et al. Filed Date: 2/8/21. Accession Number: 20210208–5170. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 3/1/21. Docket Numbers: ER20–1683–004. Applicants: Wabash Valley Power Association, Inc. Description: Compliance filing: Compliance Filing of Amended Distributed Generation Policy D–11 to be effective 9/11/2020. Filed Date: 2/9/21. Accession Number: 20210209–5020. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 3/2/21. Docket Numbers: ER21–653–000; ER21–654–000. Applicants: Centerfield Cooper Solar, LLC. Description: Second Supplement to December 15, 2020 Centerfield Cooper Solar, LLC, et al. Filed Date: 2/5/21. Accession Number: 20210205–5196. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 2/26/21. Docket Numbers: ER21–1023–000. Applicants: Thunderhead Wind Energy LLC. Description: Request for Prospective Tariff Waiver of Thunderhead Wind Energy LLC. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:04 Feb 12, 2021 Jkt 253001 Filed Date: 2/2/21. Accession Number: 20210202–5138. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 2/23/21. Docket Numbers: ER21–1070–000. Applicants: Upper Missouri G. & T. Electric Cooperation. Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing: Revised Rate Schedules FERC to be effective 2/9/2021. Filed Date: 2/8/21. Accession Number: 20210208–5143. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 3/1/21. Docket Numbers: ER21–1071–000. Applicants: Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC. Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing: Wholesale Contract Revisions to Rate Schedule Nos. 330, 337, and 338 to be effective 1/1/2021. Filed Date: 2/8/21. Accession Number: 20210208–5161. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 3/1/21. Docket Numbers: ER21–1072–000. Applicants: PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. Description: Tariff Cancellation: Notice of Cancellation of WMPA, SA No. 5100; Queue No. AC1–212 to be effective 2/14/2021. Filed Date: 2/9/21. Accession Number: 20210209–5034. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 3/2/21. Docket Numbers: ER21–1073–000. Applicants: DATC SLTP, LLC. Description: Tariff Cancellation: Cancellation to be effective 3/11/2021. Filed Date: 2/9/21. Accession Number: 20210209–5108. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 3/2/21. Docket Numbers: ER21–1074–000. Applicants: New York Independent System Operator, Inc. Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing: 205: enhancements to economic planning process to be effective 4/11/2021. Filed Date: 2/9/21. Accession Number: 20210209–5122. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 3/2/21. Docket Numbers: ER21–1075–000. Applicants: DATC Midwest Holdings, LLC. Description: Tariff Cancellation: Cancellation to be effective 3/11/2021. Filed Date: 2/9/21. Accession Number: 20210209–5131. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 3/2/21. The filings are accessible in the Commission’s eLibrary system (https:// elibrary.ferc.gov/idmws/search/ fercgensearch.asp) by querying the docket number. Any person desiring to intervene or protest in any of the above proceedings must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission’s Regulations (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214) on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 9501 time on the specified comment date. Protests may be considered, but intervention is necessary to become a party to the proceeding. eFiling is encouraged. More detailed information relating to filing requirements, interventions, protests, service, and qualifying facilities filings can be found at: https://www.ferc.gov/ docs-filing/efiling/filing-req.pdf. For other information, call (866) 208–3676 (toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502–8659. Dated: February 9, 2021. Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2021–03039 Filed 2–12–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project No. 1417–277] Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District; Notice of Application Accepted for Filing and Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, and Protests Take notice that the following hydroelectric application has been filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection: a. Application Type: Amendment of Project Boundary. b. Project No: 1417–277. c. Date Filed: December 31, 2020. d. Applicant: Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District. e. Name of Project: Kingsley Dam Hydroelectric Project. f. Location: The project is located on the North Platte and Platte Rivers in Garden, Keith, Lincoln, Dawson, and Gosper counties, in south-central Nebraska. g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 791a–825r. h. Applicant Contact: Mike Drain, Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District, P.O. Box 740, Holdrege, Nebraska 68949, (308) 995– 8601 or mdrain@cnppid.com. i. FERC Contact: Jon Cofrancesco, (202) 502–8951 or Jon.Cofrancesco@ ferc.gov. j. Deadline for filing comments, motions to intervene, and protests: March 11, 2021. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing. Please file comments, motions to intervene, and protests using the Commission’s eFiling system at https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ efiling.asp. Commenters can submit brief comments up to 6,000 characters, E:\FR\FM\16FEN1.SGM 16FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 29 (Tuesday, February 16, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9499-9501]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-03040]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. IC21-10-000]


Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-725F); Comment 
Request; Extension

AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

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 725F (Mandatory Reliability Standard for 
Nuclear Plant Interface Coordination).

DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due April 19, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments (identified by Docket No. IC21-10-
000) by either of the following methods:
     eFiling at Commission's Website: https://www.ferc.gov.
     U.S. Postal Service Mail: Persons unable to file 
electronically may mail similar pleadings to the Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission, Office of the Secretary, 888 First Street NE, 
Washington, DC 20426
     Delivery of filings other than by eFiling or the U.S. 
Postal Service should be delivered to Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, Office of the Secretary, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, 
Maryland 20852.
    Instructions: All submissions must be formatted and filed in 
accordance with submission guidelines at: https://www.ferc.gov. 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Brown may be reached by email at 
[email protected], telephone at (202) 502-8663.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: FERC 725F, Mandatory Reliability Standard for Nuclear Plant 
Interface Coordination.
    OMB Control No.: 1902-0249.
    Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC-725F information 
collection requirements with no changes to the current reporting 
requirements.
    Abstract: The Commission requires the information collected by the 
FERC-725F to implement the statutory provisions of section 215 of the 
Federal Power Act (FPA) (16 U.S.C. 824o). On August 8, 2005, the 
Electricity Modernization Act of 2005, which is Title XII, Subtitle A, 
of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005), was

[[Page 9500]]

enacted into law.\1\ EPAct 2005 added a new section 215 to the FPA, 
which required a Commission-certified Electric Reliability Organization 
(ERO) to develop mandatory and enforceable Reliability Standards, which 
are subject to Commission review and approval. Once approved, the 
Reliability Standards may be enforced by the ERO subject to Commission 
oversight, or the Commission can independently enforce Reliability 
Standards.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Energy Policy Act of 2005, Public Law 109-58, Title XII, 
Subtitle A, 119 Stat. 594, 941 (2005), 16 U.S.C. 824o.
    \2\ 16 U.S.C. 824o(e)(3).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On February 3, 2006, the Commission issued Order No. 672, 
implementing section 215 of the FPA.\3\ Pursuant to Order No. 672, the 
Commission certified one organization, North American Electric 
Reliability Corporation (NERC), as the ERO. The Reliability Standards 
developed by the ERO and approved by the Commission apply to users, 
owners and operators of the Bulk-Power System as set forth in each 
Reliability Standard.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ Rules Concerning Certification of the Electric Reliability 
Organization; and Procedures for the Establishment, Approval, and 
Enforcement of Electric Reliability Standards, Order No. 672, FERC 
Stats. & Regs. 31,204, order on reh'g, Order No. 672-A, FERC Stats. 
& Regs. 31,212 (2006).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On November 19, 2007, NERC filed its petition for Commission 
approval of the Nuclear Plant Interface Coordination Reliability 
Standard, designated NUC-001-1. In Order No. 716, issued October 16, 
2008, the Commission approved the standard while also directing certain 
revisions.\4\ Revised Reliability Standard, NUC-001-2, was filed with 
the Commission by NERC in August 2009 and subsequently approved by the 
Commission January 21, 2010.\5\ On November 4, 2014, in Docket No. 
RD14-13, the Commission approved revised Reliability Standard NUC-001-
3.\6\ On February 21, 2020 NERC filed a petition in Docket No. RD20-4 
to revise Reliability Standard NUC-001-3 to NUC-0001-4.
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    \4\ Mandatory Reliability Standard for Nuclear Plant Interface 
Coordination, Order No. 716, 125 FERC 61,065, at P 189 & n.90 
(2008), order on reh'g, Order No. 716-A, 126 FERC 61,122 (2009).
    \5\ North American Electric Reliability Corporation, 130 FERC 
61,051 (2010). When the revised Reliability Standard was approved, 
the Commission did not go to OMB for approval. It is assumed that 
the changes made did not substantively affect the information 
collection and therefore a formal submission to OMB was not needed.
    \6\ The Letter Order is posted at https://elibrary.ferc.gov/idmws/common/OpenNat.asp?fileID=13675845.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The purpose of Reliability Standard NUC-001-4 is to require 
``coordination between nuclear plant generator operators and 
transmission entities for the purpose of ensuring nuclear plant safe 
operation and shutdown.'' \7\ The Nuclear Reliability Standard applies 
to nuclear plant generator operators (generally nuclear power plant 
owners and operators, including licensees) and ``transmission 
entities,'' defined in the Reliability Standard as including a nuclear 
plant's suppliers of off-site power and related transmission and 
distribution services. To account for the variations in nuclear plant 
design and grid interconnection characteristics, the Reliability 
Standard defines transmission entities as ``all entities that are 
responsible for providing services related to Nuclear Plant Interface 
Requirements (NPIRs),'' and lists eleven types of functional entities 
(heretofore described as ``transmission entities'') that could provide 
services related to NPIRs.\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ See Reliability Standard NUC-001-4 at https://www.nerc.com/files/NUC-001-4.pdf.
    \8\ The list of functional entities consists of transmission 
operators, transmission owners, transmission planners, transmission 
service providers, balancing authorities, reliability coordinators, 
planning authorities, distribution providers, load-serving entities, 
generator owners, and generator operators.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    FERC-725F information collection requirements include establishing 
and maintaining interface agreements, including record retention 
requirements. These agreements are not filed with FERC, but with the 
appropriate entities as established by the Reliability Standard.
    Type of Respondent: Nuclear operators, nuclear plants, transmission 
entities
    Estimate of Annual Burden: \9\ The Commission estimates the average 
annual burden and cost \10\ for this information collection as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ 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. Refer to 
5 CFR 1320.3 for additional information.
    \10\ The wage and benefit figures are based on the Bureau of 
Labor Statistics (BLS) data (at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm) for May 2019 for Sector 22, Utilities. (The benefits 
figure is based on BLS data as of May 2020 https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm).) The estimated hourly cost (for wages 
plus benefits) for reporting requirements is $85.41/hour, based on 
the average for an electrical engineer (occupation code 17-2071, 
$70.19/hour), legal (occupation code 23-0000, $142.65/hour), and 
office and administrative staff (occupation code 43-0000, $43.38/
hour). The estimated hourly cost (wages plus benefits) for record 
keeping is $34.79/hour for a file clerk (occupation code 43-4071).
    \11\ This figure of 120 transmission entities is based on the 
assumption that each agreement will be between 1 nuclear plant and 2 
transmission entities (57 x 2 = 114). However, there is some double 
counting in this figure because some transmission entities may be 
party to multiple agreements with multiple nuclear plants. The 
double counting does not affect the burden estimate, and the correct 
number of unique respondents will be reported to OMB.
    \12\ The 171 respondents affected by the reporting requirements 
are also affected by the recordkeeping requirements.
    \13\ The reporting requirements have not changed. The decrease 
in the number of respondents is due to: (a) Normal fluctuations in 
industry (e.g., companies merging and splitting, and coming into and 
going out of business), and (b) no new agreements being issued due 
to the lack of new nuclear plants being developed.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Annual number                  Average burden hrs.  Total annual burden
            FERC-725F                  Number of        of responses    Total number   & cost per response  hrs. & total annual  Cost per respondent ($)
                                      respondents      per respondent   of responses      ($) (rounded)      cost ($) (rounded)         (rounded)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  (1)................             (2)     (1) * (2) =  (4)................  (3) * (4) = (5)....                (5) / (1)
                                                                                  (3)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New or Modifications to Existing  57 nuclear plants +               2             342  66.67 hrs.; $5,694.  22,801 hrs.;                         $11,388
 Agreements (Reporting).           114 transmission                                                          $1,947,433.
                                   entities \11\.
New or Modifications to Existing  57 nuclear plants +               2             342  6.67 hrs.; $232....  2,281 hrs.; $79,356                   464.07
 Agreements (Record Keeping).      114 transmission
                                   entities.
                                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................  ...................  ..............        \12\ 342  ...................  25,082 hrs.; \13\    .......................
                                                                                                             $2,026,789.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

[[Page 9501]]

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: February 9, 2021.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-03040 Filed 2-12-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


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