Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-725A); Comment Request; Extension, 23954-23957 [2021-09519]
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23954
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 85 / Wednesday, May 5, 2021 / Notices
FERC–65 (NOTIFICATION OF HOLDING COMPANY STATUS), FERC–65A (EXEMPTION NOTIFICATION OF HOLDING
COMPANY STATUS), AND FERC–65B (WAIVER NOTIFICATION OF HOLDING COMPANY STATUS)
Number of
respondents
Annual
number of
responses per
respondent
Total number
of responses
Average
burden &
cost per
response 3
Total annual
burden hours
& total annual
cost
($)
Cost per
respondent
($)
(1)
(2)
(1) * (2) = (3)
(4)
(3) * (4) = (5)
(5) ÷ (1)
FERC–65 .................................................
FERC–65A ...............................................
FERC–65B ...............................................
12
4
4
1
1.25
1.75
12
5
7
3; $249.00
1; $83.00
1; $83.00
36; $2,988
5; $415.00
7; $581.00
$249.00
103.75
145.25
Total ..................................................
........................
........................
24
........................
48; 3,984.00
........................
Comments: Comments are invited on:
(1) Whether the collection of
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
Commission, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
(2) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate
of the burden and cost of the collection
of information, including the validity of
the methodology and assumptions used;
(3) ways to enhance the quality, utility
and clarity of the information collection;
and (4) ways to minimize the burden of
the collection of information on those
who are to respond, including the use
of automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
Dated: April 29, 2021.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021–09517 Filed 5–4–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
Combined Notice of Filings
Take notice that the Commission has
received the following Natural Gas
Pipeline Rate and Refund Report filings:
Docket Numbers: RP95–408–088.
Applicants: Columbia Gas
Transmission, LLC.
Description: Annual Report on
Sharing Profits from Base Gas Sales with
Customers of Columbia Gas
Transmission, LLC.
Filed Date: 4/26/21.
Accession Number: 20210426–5152.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 5/10/21.
Docket Numbers: RP21–752–000.
Applicants: ANR Storage Company.
3 The Commission staff estimates that the average
respondent for this collection is similarly situated
to the Commission, in terms of salary plus benefits.
Based on FERC’s 2020 annual average of $172,329
(for salary plus benefits), the average hourly cost is
$83/hour.
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Description: Compliance filing 2021
Operational Purchases and Sales Report.
Filed Date: 4/27/21.
Accession Number: 20210427–5094.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 5/10/21.
Docket Numbers: RP21–753–000.
Applicants: Discovery Gas
Transmission LLC.
Description: Imbalance Cash-out
Report for 2020 Annual Fuel Activity
for Discovery Gas Transmission LLC.
Filed Date: 4/27/21.
Accession Number: 20210427–5138.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 5/10/21.
Docket Numbers: RP21–754–000.
Applicants: Carolina Gas
Transmission, LLC.
Description: Compliance filing CGT—
April 28, 2021 Service Agreement
Termination Notice.
Filed Date: 4/28/21.
Accession Number: 20210428–5032.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 5/10/21.
Docket Numbers: RP21–755–000.
Applicants: Cameron Interstate
Pipeline, LLC.
Description: Annual Report of Penalty
Revenues of Cameron Interstate
Pipeline, LLC.
Filed Date: 4/28/21.
Accession Number: 20210428–5293.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 5/10/21.
Docket Numbers: RP21–756–000.
Applicants: Cameron Interstate
Pipeline, LLC.
Description: Annual Report of
Transportation Imbalances and CashOut Activity of Cameron Interstate
Pipeline, LLC.
Filed Date: 4/28/21.
Accession Number: 20210428–5294.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 5/10/21.
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
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Regulations (18 CFR 385.211 and
385.214) on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern
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: April 29, 2021.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021–09482 Filed 5–4–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket Nos. IC21–19–000, RD21–4–000]
Commission Information Collection
Activities (FERC–725A); Comment
Request; Extension
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, Department of Energy.
AGENCY:
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–
725A (Mandatory Reliability Standards
for the Bulk-Power System). This notice
includes the burden totals for proposed
Reliability Standard FAC–008–5.
SUMMARY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 85 / Wednesday, May 5, 2021 / Notices
Comments on the collection of
information are due July 6, 2021.
ADDRESSES: You may submit copies of
your comments (identified by Docket
No. IC21–19–000) by one of the
following methods:
Electronic filing through https://
www.ferc.gov, is preferred.
• Electronic Filing: Documents must
be filed in acceptable native
applications and print-to-PDF, but not
in scanned or picture format.
• For those unable to file
electronically, comments may be filed
by USPS mail or by hand (including
courier) delivery:
Æ Mail via U.S. Postal Service Only:
Addressed to: Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, Secretary of the
Commission, 888 First Street NE,
Washington, DC 20426.
Æ Hand (Including Courier) Delivery:
Deliver to: Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue,
Rockville, MD 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–725A (Mandatory
Reliability Standards for the Bulk-Power
System).
OMB Control No.: 1902–0244.
Type of Request: Three-year extension
of the FERC–725A information
collection requirements with no changes
to the current reporting requirements.
Abstract: 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 enacted into law.1 EPAct 2005
added a new section 215 to the FPA,
which requires a Commission-certified
DATES:
1 Energy Policy Act of 2005, Public Law 109–58,
Title XII, Subtitle A, 119 Stat. 594, 941 (2005), to
be codified at 16 U.S.C. 824o.
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electric reliability organization (ERO)
(FERC–725) 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 (FERC–725A).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, NERC, as the ERO.4
The ERO is required to develop
Reliability Standards, which are subject
to Commission review and approval.
The Reliability Standards will apply to
users, owners and operators of the BulkPower System, as set forth in each
Reliability Standard.
On March 16, 2007, the Commission
issued Order No. 693, a Final Rule
adding part 40, a new part, to the
Commission’s regulations. The Final
Rule states that this part applies to all
users, owners and operators of the BulkPower System within the United States
(other than Alaska or Hawaii). It also
requires that each Reliability Standard
identify the subset of users, owners and
operators to which that particular
Reliability Standard applies. The new
regulations also require that each
Reliability Standard that is approved by
the Commission will be maintained on
the ERO’s internet website for public
inspection.
In order that the Commission is able
to perform its oversight function with
regard to Reliability Standards that are
proposed by the ERO and established by
the Commission, it is essential that the
Commission receive timely information
regarding all or potential violations of
Reliability Standards. While section 215
of the FPA contemplates the filing of the
record of an ERO or Regional Entity
2 16
U.S.C. 824o(e)(3).
Concerning Certification of the Electric
Reliability Organization; Procedures for the
Establishment, Approval and Enforcement of
Electric Reliability Standards, Order No. 672, 71 FR
8662 (February 17, 2006), FERC Stats. & Regs.
¶ 31,204 (2006), order on reh’g, Order No. 672–A,
71 FR 19814 (April 18, 2006), FERC Stats. & Regs.
¶ 31,212 (2006).
4 North American Electric Reliability Corp., 116
FERC ¶ 61,062 (ERO Certification Order), order on
reh’g & compliance, 117 FERC ¶ 61,126 (ERO
Rehearing Order) (2006), order on compliance, 118
FERC ¶ 61,030 (2007) (January 2007 Compliance
Order).
3 Rules
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23955
enforcement action, FERC needs
information regarding violations and
potential violations at or near the time
of occurrence. Therefore, it will work
with the ERO and regional reliability
organizations to be able to use the
electronic filing of information so the
Commission receives timely
information. The new regulations also
require that each Reliability Standard
that is approved by the Commission will
be maintained on the ERO’s internet
website for public inspection. In
accordance with section 39.5 of the
Commission’s regulations, the ERO
must file each Reliability Standard or a
modification to a Reliability Standard
with the Commission. The filing is to
include a concise statement of the basis
and purpose of the proposed Reliability
Standard, either a summary of the
Reliability development proceedings
conducted by the ERO or a summary of
the Reliability Standard development
proceedings conducted by a Regional
Entity together with a summary of the
Reliability Standard review proceedings
of the ERO and a demonstration that the
proposed Reliability Standard is ‘‘just,
reasonable, not unduly discriminatory
or preferential, and in the public
interest.
RD21–4 (FAC–008–05)
The proposed information collection
changes in Docket No. RD21–4–000
relate to the proposed Reliability
Standard FAC–008–05 (Facility Ratings)
developed by the North American
Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC),
and submitted to the Commission for
approval. The Commission received
NERC’s petition to approve the
proposed Reliability Standards.
On February 19, 2021, NERC filed a
petition seeking approval of proposed
Reliability Standard FAC–008–5. NERC
states that proposed Reliability Standard
FAC–008–5 reflects the retirement of
Requirement R7 of the currently
effective standard. NERC notes that this
proposal was recommended following
the first phase of work under the NERC
Standards Efficiency Review and that in
its Order No. 873 remanding a
previously proposed version of the
FAC–008 Reliability Standard, the
Commission agreed that the retirement
of Requirement R7 from the standard
would not result in a reliability gap.
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 85 / Wednesday, May 5, 2021 / Notices
In June 2019, following the
conclusion of the standard development
process, NERC submitted a series of
standard retirement proposals to the
Commission. Among the proposals,
NERC submitted for Commission
approval proposed Reliability Standard
FAC–008–4, in which NERC proposed
to retire Requirements R7 and R8 of
currently effective Reliability Standard
FAC–008–3. In September 2020, the
Commission issued Order No. 873
regarding NERC’s retirement proposals.
In this order, the Commission remanded
proposed Reliability Standard FAC–
008–4 to NERC for further
consideration, citing concerns with the
proposed retirement of Requirement R8
of the currently effective standard. The
standard drafting team determined to
develop a new version of the Reliability
Standard, proposed Reliability Standard
FAC–008–5, in which only Requirement
R7 of the currently effective standard
would be proposed for retirement.
Reliability Standard FAC–008–3
Requirement R7 requires Generator
Owners and Transmission Owners to
provide certain information to
requesting Reliability Coordinator(s),
Planning Coordinator(s), Transmission
Planner(s), Transmission Owner(s), and
Transmission Operator(s) regarding
their Facilities, as follows:
R7. Each Generator Owner shall
provide Facility Ratings (for its solely
and jointly owned Facilities that are
existing Facilities, new Facilities,
modifications to existing Facilities and
re-ratings of existing Facilities) to its
associated Reliability Coordinator(s),
Planning Coordinator(s), Transmission
Planner(s), Transmission Owner(s) and
Transmission Operator(s) as scheduled
by such requesting entities.
In the years since Reliability Standard
FAC–008–3 was developed, NERC has
developed other Reliability Standards
that render the data provision
obligations of Requirement R7
redundant. Specifically, Reliability
Standards MOD–032–1, IRO–010–2, and
TOP–003–3 contain provisions to help
ensure that the entities that have the
responsibility to plan and operate the
Bulk Power System have the data they
need from Generator Owners and
Transmission Owners for operations
and planning. Requirement R1 of
Reliability Standard MOD–032–1—Data
for Power System Modeling and
Analysis requires the Planning
Coordinator and Transmission Planner
to develop modeling data requirements
and reporting procedures including the
data listed in Attachment 1 to the
standard. This data would include
information on power capabilities and
Facility Ratings. Requirement R2
requires the Generator Owner and
Transmission Owner to provide the
requested information. Requirement R1
of Reliability Standard IRO–010–2—
Reliability Coordinator Data
Specification and Collection requires
the Reliability Coordinator to maintain
a documented specification for the data
necessary to perform its Operational
Planning Analyses, Real-time
monitoring, and Real-time Assessments.
This data necessarily includes Facility
Ratings as inputs to System Operating
Limit monitoring. Requirement R3
requires the Transmission Owner and
Generator Owner to provide requested
data. Similarly, Requirement R1 of
Reliability Standard TOP–003–3—
Operational Reliability Data requires the
Transmission Operator to maintain a
documented data specification
(Requirement R1) and for the
Transmission Owner and Generator
Owner to provide the requested data
(Requirement R5).
Estimate of Annual Burden: 5 The
Commission estimates the burden and
cost 6 for this information collection as
follows.
PROPOSED CHANGES TO BURDEN DUE TO DOCKET NO. RD20–4–000 ADJUSTMENTS AND CLARIFICATIONS
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)
RD21–4 Net Changes to FERC–725A, OMB Control No. 1902–0244
FAC–008–05 (Facility
Ratings) 7.
1,003 (No Change) .....
5 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 part 1320.
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1
1,003 (No Change) .......
6 The Commission staff thinks that the average
respondent for this collection is similarly situated
to the Commission, in terms of salary plus benefits.
Based on FERC’s 2020 annual average of $172,329
(for salary plus benefits), the average hourly cost is
$83/hour.
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Fmt 4703
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¥10 hrs. (Reduction) ..
¥10,030 hrs. (Reduction).
7 The type of entity effect is the NERC registered
GO = Generator Owners (1,003). This reduction for
725A represent a decrease in burden but the GOs
still have other obligations, so the 1,003 is included
for information purpose but does not affect the
overall number of entities in 725A.
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23957
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 85 / Wednesday, May 5, 2021 / Notices
IC21–19–000 Renewal of 725A
Mandatory Reliability Standards that
fall under FERC–725A.
The following table represents the
current burden associated with all
Reliability standard & requirement
Number
of
entity 8
Number of
annual
responses
per entity
Total
number of
responses
Average
number of
burden hours
per
response
Total burden
hours
(1)
(2)
(1) * (2) = (3)
(4)
(3) * (4) = (5)
FERC–725A
Mandatory Reliability Standards for Bulk
Power System.
RD21–4 Net Changes .............................
(3,420) ....................
1
3,420 ........................
428.86
1,003 (No change)
1
1,003 (No Change) ...
¥10
Total for FERC–725A .......................
.................................
........................
...................................
........................
Note: FAC–008–05 is a part of the
Bulk Power System burden totals. The
net changes for the responses and hours
will affect the totals for the row stated
‘‘Mandatory Reliability Standards for
Bulk Power System’’.
Comments: Comments are invited on:
(1) Whether the collection of
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
Commission, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
(2) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate
of the burden and cost of the collection
of information, including the validity of
the methodology and assumptions used;
(3) ways to enhance the quality, utility
and clarity of the information collection;
and (4) ways to minimize the burden of
the collection of information on those
who are to respond, including the use
of automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
Dated: April 29, 2021.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021–09519 Filed 5–4–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
8 This is a list of NERC registered entities who
under 725A need to follow the NERC Standards. BA
= Balancing Authority (99); DP = Distribution
Provider (373); GP = Generator Owner (1,003);
Generator Operator (937); PA PC Planning
Authority Planning Coordinator (65); RC =
Reliability Coordinator (11); RP = Resource Planner
(160); RSG = Reserve Sharing Group (11); FRSG =
Frequency Response Sharing Group (1); TO =
Transmission Owner (321); TOP = Transmission
Operator (167); TP = Transmission Provided (201);
TSP = Transmission Service Provider (71); for a
sum total of (3,420). The same entity may have
multiple registration obligation to follow under
725A so an individual entity’s obligation increases
based on registration functions. These values were
derived from the NERC Compliance data of
February 5, 2021 using only unique United States
registered entities.
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Project No. 2242–125]
Eugene Water and Electric Board;
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: Amended
Recreation and Aesthetics Management
Plan.
b. Project No: 2242–125.
c. Date Filed: January 8, 2021.
d. Applicant: Eugene Water and
Electric Board.
e. Name of Project: Carmen-Smith
Hydroelectric Project.
f. Location: The project is located on
the McKenzie River in Lane and Linn
counties, Oregon and occupies 624.56
acres of federal lands administered by
the U.S. Forest Service.
g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power
Act, 16 U.S.C. 791a–825r.
h. Applicant Contact: Scarlett
Philibosian, Eugene Water and Electric
Board, 500 East 4th Avenue, Eugene, OR
97440; telephone (541) 685–7120; or
email scarlett.philibosian@eweb.org.
i. FERC Contact: Mark Ivy, (202) 502–
6156, or mark.ivy@ferc.gov.
j. Deadline for filing comments,
motions to intervene, and protests: June
1, 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,
without prior registration, using the
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1,466,716 hrs.
¥10,030 hrs. (Reduction).
1,456,686 hrs.
eComment system at https://www.ferc.
gov/docs-filing/ecomment.asp. You
must include your name and contact
information at the end of your
comments. For assistance, please
contact FERC Online Support at
FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, (866)
208–3676 (toll free), or (202) 502–8659
(TTY). 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. The first
page of any filing should include the
docket number P–2242–125. Comments
emailed to Commission staff are not
considered part of the Commission
record.
The Commission’s Rules of Practice
and Procedure require all intervenors
filing documents with the Commission
to serve a copy of that document on
each person whose name appears on the
official service list for the project.
Further, if an intervenor files comments
or documents with the Commission
relating to the merits of an issue that
may affect the responsibilities of a
particular resource agency, they must
also serve a copy of the document on
that resource agency.
k. Description of Request: The
licensees filed an amended Recreation
and Aesthetics Management Plan (plan)
which incorporates changes requested
by the U.S. Forest Service to align the
plan with current agency management
strategies and proposes additional
modifications, for Commission
approval. The recreation facilities
available at many recreation sites would
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 85 (Wednesday, May 5, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23954-23957]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-09519]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket Nos. IC21-19-000, RD21-4-000]
Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-725A); Comment
Request; Extension
AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Department of Energy.
ACTION: Notice of information collection and request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In compliance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or
FERC) is soliciting public comment on the currently approved
information collection, FERC-725A (Mandatory Reliability Standards for
the Bulk-Power System). This notice includes the burden totals for
proposed Reliability Standard FAC-008-5.
[[Page 23955]]
DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due July 6, 2021.
ADDRESSES: You may submit copies of your comments (identified by Docket
No. IC21-19-000) by one of the following methods:
Electronic filing through https://www.ferc.gov, is preferred.
Electronic Filing: Documents must be filed in acceptable
native applications and print-to-PDF, but not in scanned or picture
format.
For those unable to file electronically, comments may be
filed by USPS mail or by hand (including courier) delivery:
[cir] Mail via U.S. Postal Service Only: Addressed to: Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 888 First
Street NE, Washington, DC 20426.
[cir] Hand (Including Courier) Delivery: Deliver to: Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, MD 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-725A (Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Bulk-
Power System).
OMB Control No.: 1902-0244.
Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC-725A information
collection requirements with no changes to the current reporting
requirements.
Abstract: 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 enacted into law.\1\ EPAct 2005 added a new section
215 to the FPA, which requires a Commission-certified electric
reliability organization (ERO) (FERC-725) 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 (FERC-725A).\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Energy Policy Act of 2005, Public Law 109-58, Title XII,
Subtitle A, 119 Stat. 594, 941 (2005), to be codified at 16 U.S.C.
824o.
\2\ 16 U.S.C. 824o(e)(3).
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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, NERC, as the ERO.\4\ The ERO is
required to develop Reliability Standards, which are subject to
Commission review and approval. The Reliability Standards will apply to
users, owners and operators of the Bulk-Power System, as set forth in
each Reliability Standard.
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\3\ Rules Concerning Certification of the Electric Reliability
Organization; Procedures for the Establishment, Approval and
Enforcement of Electric Reliability Standards, Order No. 672, 71 FR
8662 (February 17, 2006), FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 31,204 (2006), order
on reh'g, Order No. 672-A, 71 FR 19814 (April 18, 2006), FERC Stats.
& Regs. ] 31,212 (2006).
\4\ North American Electric Reliability Corp., 116 FERC ] 61,062
(ERO Certification Order), order on reh'g & compliance, 117 FERC ]
61,126 (ERO Rehearing Order) (2006), order on compliance, 118 FERC ]
61,030 (2007) (January 2007 Compliance Order).
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On March 16, 2007, the Commission issued Order No. 693, a Final
Rule adding part 40, a new part, to the Commission's regulations. The
Final Rule states that this part applies to all users, owners and
operators of the Bulk-Power System within the United States (other than
Alaska or Hawaii). It also requires that each Reliability Standard
identify the subset of users, owners and operators to which that
particular Reliability Standard applies. The new regulations also
require that each Reliability Standard that is approved by the
Commission will be maintained on the ERO's internet website for public
inspection.
In order that the Commission is able to perform its oversight
function with regard to Reliability Standards that are proposed by the
ERO and established by the Commission, it is essential that the
Commission receive timely information regarding all or potential
violations of Reliability Standards. While section 215 of the FPA
contemplates the filing of the record of an ERO or Regional Entity
enforcement action, FERC needs information regarding violations and
potential violations at or near the time of occurrence. Therefore, it
will work with the ERO and regional reliability organizations to be
able to use the electronic filing of information so the Commission
receives timely information. The new regulations also require that each
Reliability Standard that is approved by the Commission will be
maintained on the ERO's internet website for public inspection. In
accordance with section 39.5 of the Commission's regulations, the ERO
must file each Reliability Standard or a modification to a Reliability
Standard with the Commission. The filing is to include a concise
statement of the basis and purpose of the proposed Reliability
Standard, either a summary of the Reliability development proceedings
conducted by the ERO or a summary of the Reliability Standard
development proceedings conducted by a Regional Entity together with a
summary of the Reliability Standard review proceedings of the ERO and a
demonstration that the proposed Reliability Standard is ``just,
reasonable, not unduly discriminatory or preferential, and in the
public interest.
RD21-4 (FAC-008-05)
The proposed information collection changes in Docket No. RD21-4-
000 relate to the proposed Reliability Standard FAC-008-05 (Facility
Ratings) developed by the North American Electric Reliability
Corporation (NERC), and submitted to the Commission for approval. The
Commission received NERC's petition to approve the proposed Reliability
Standards.
On February 19, 2021, NERC filed a petition seeking approval of
proposed Reliability Standard FAC-008-5. NERC states that proposed
Reliability Standard FAC-008-5 reflects the retirement of Requirement
R7 of the currently effective standard. NERC notes that this proposal
was recommended following the first phase of work under the NERC
Standards Efficiency Review and that in its Order No. 873 remanding a
previously proposed version of the FAC-008 Reliability Standard, the
Commission agreed that the retirement of Requirement R7 from the
standard would not result in a reliability gap.
[[Page 23956]]
In June 2019, following the conclusion of the standard development
process, NERC submitted a series of standard retirement proposals to
the Commission. Among the proposals, NERC submitted for Commission
approval proposed Reliability Standard FAC-008-4, in which NERC
proposed to retire Requirements R7 and R8 of currently effective
Reliability Standard FAC-008-3. In September 2020, the Commission
issued Order No. 873 regarding NERC's retirement proposals. In this
order, the Commission remanded proposed Reliability Standard FAC-008-4
to NERC for further consideration, citing concerns with the proposed
retirement of Requirement R8 of the currently effective standard. The
standard drafting team determined to develop a new version of the
Reliability Standard, proposed Reliability Standard FAC-008-5, in which
only Requirement R7 of the currently effective standard would be
proposed for retirement. Reliability Standard FAC-008-3 Requirement R7
requires Generator Owners and Transmission Owners to provide certain
information to requesting Reliability Coordinator(s), Planning
Coordinator(s), Transmission Planner(s), Transmission Owner(s), and
Transmission Operator(s) regarding their Facilities, as follows:
R7. Each Generator Owner shall provide Facility Ratings (for its
solely and jointly owned Facilities that are existing Facilities, new
Facilities, modifications to existing Facilities and re-ratings of
existing Facilities) to its associated Reliability Coordinator(s),
Planning Coordinator(s), Transmission Planner(s), Transmission Owner(s)
and Transmission Operator(s) as scheduled by such requesting entities.
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\5\ 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 part 1320.
\6\ The Commission staff thinks that the average respondent for
this collection is similarly situated to the Commission, in terms of
salary plus benefits. Based on FERC's 2020 annual average of
$172,329 (for salary plus benefits), the average hourly cost is $83/
hour.
\7\ The type of entity effect is the NERC registered GO =
Generator Owners (1,003). This reduction for 725A represent a
decrease in burden but the GOs still have other obligations, so the
1,003 is included for information purpose but does not affect the
overall number of entities in 725A.
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In the years since Reliability Standard FAC-008-3 was developed,
NERC has developed other Reliability Standards that render the data
provision obligations of Requirement R7 redundant. Specifically,
Reliability Standards MOD-032-1, IRO-010-2, and TOP-003-3 contain
provisions to help ensure that the entities that have the
responsibility to plan and operate the Bulk Power System have the data
they need from Generator Owners and Transmission Owners for operations
and planning. Requirement R1 of Reliability Standard MOD-032-1--Data
for Power System Modeling and Analysis requires the Planning
Coordinator and Transmission Planner to develop modeling data
requirements and reporting procedures including the data listed in
Attachment 1 to the standard. This data would include information on
power capabilities and Facility Ratings. Requirement R2 requires the
Generator Owner and Transmission Owner to provide the requested
information. Requirement R1 of Reliability Standard IRO-010-2--
Reliability Coordinator Data Specification and Collection requires the
Reliability Coordinator to maintain a documented specification for the
data necessary to perform its Operational Planning Analyses, Real-time
monitoring, and Real-time Assessments. This data necessarily includes
Facility Ratings as inputs to System Operating Limit monitoring.
Requirement R3 requires the Transmission Owner and Generator Owner to
provide requested data. Similarly, Requirement R1 of Reliability
Standard TOP-003-3--Operational Reliability Data requires the
Transmission Operator to maintain a documented data specification
(Requirement R1) and for the Transmission Owner and Generator Owner to
provide the requested data (Requirement R5).
Estimate of Annual Burden: \5\ The Commission estimates the burden
and cost \6\ for this information collection as follows.
Proposed Changes to Burden Due to Docket No. RD20-4-000 Adjustments and Clarifications
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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)
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RD21-4 Net Changes to FERC-725A, OMB Control No. 1902-0244
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FAC-008-05 (Facility 1,003 (No 1 1,003 (No -10 hrs. -10,030 hrs.
Ratings) \7\. Change). Change). (Reduction). (Reduction).
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[[Page 23957]]
IC21-19-000 Renewal of 725A
The following table represents the current burden associated with
all Mandatory Reliability Standards that fall under FERC-725A.
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Number of Average number
Reliability standard & Number of annual Total number of of burden Total burden
requirement entity \8\ responses per responses hours per hours
entity response
(1)............ (2) (1) * (2) = (3) (4) (3) * (4) = (5)
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FERC-725A
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Mandatory Reliability (3,420)........ 1 3,420.......... 428.86 1,466,716 hrs.
Standards for Bulk Power
System.
RD21-4 Net Changes........... 1,003 (No 1 1,003 (No -10 -10,030 hrs.
change). Change). (Reduction).
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Total for FERC-725A...... ............... .............. ............... .............. 1,456,686 hrs.
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Note: FAC-008-05 is a part of the Bulk Power System burden totals.
The net changes for the responses and hours will affect the totals for
the row stated ``Mandatory Reliability Standards for Bulk Power
System''.
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\8\ This is a list of NERC registered entities who under 725A
need to follow the NERC Standards. BA = Balancing Authority (99); DP
= Distribution Provider (373); GP = Generator Owner (1,003);
Generator Operator (937); PA PC Planning Authority Planning
Coordinator (65); RC = Reliability Coordinator (11); RP = Resource
Planner (160); RSG = Reserve Sharing Group (11); FRSG = Frequency
Response Sharing Group (1); TO = Transmission Owner (321); TOP =
Transmission Operator (167); TP = Transmission Provided (201); TSP =
Transmission Service Provider (71); for a sum total of (3,420). The
same entity may have multiple registration obligation to follow
under 725A so an individual entity's obligation increases based on
registration functions. These values were derived from the NERC
Compliance data of February 5, 2021 using only unique United States
registered entities.
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Comments: Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the collection of
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of
the Commission, including whether the information will have practical
utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden and
cost of the collection of information, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality,
utility and clarity of the information collection; and (4) ways to
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are
to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
Dated: April 29, 2021.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-09519 Filed 5-4-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
