Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-725G); Comment Request; Extension, 29574-29577 [2021-11552]
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 104 / Wednesday, June 2, 2021 / Notices
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 docket
number P–5411–004. 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 project
has not operated since 2012. As a result,
the exemptee has determined it would
like to surrender the conduit exemption.
Electricity to the hydro-generator has
been permanently disconnected. No
ground disturbance is associated with
the proposed surrender and project
features will remain in place.
l. Locations of the Application: This
filing may be viewed on the
Commission’s website at https://
www.ferc.gov using the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link.
Enter the docket number excluding the
last three digits in the docket number
field to access the document. You may
also register online at https://
www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/
esubscription.asp to be notified via
email of new filings and issuances
related to this or other pending projects.
For assistance, call 1–866–208–3676 or
email FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, for
TTY, call (202) 502–8659. Agencies may
obtain copies of the application directly
from the applicant.
m. Individuals desiring to be included
on the Commission’s mailing list should
so indicate by writing to the Secretary
of the Commission.
n. Comments, Protests, or Motions To
Intervene: Anyone may submit
comments, a protest, or a motion to
intervene in accordance with the
requirements of Rules of Practice and
Procedure, 18 CFR 385.210, .211, .214,
respectively. In determining the
appropriate action to take, the
Commission will consider all protests or
other comments filed, but only those
who file a motion to intervene in
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accordance with the Commission’s
Rules may become a party to the
proceeding. Any comments, protests, or
motions to intervene must be received
on or before the specified comment date
for the particular application.
o. Filing and Service of Documents:
Any filing must (1) bear in all capital
letters the title ‘‘COMMENTS’’,
‘‘PROTEST’’, or ‘‘MOTION TO
INTERVENE’’ as applicable; (2) set forth
in the heading the name of the applicant
and the project number of the
application to which the filing
responds; (3) furnish the name, address,
and telephone number of the person
commenting, protesting or intervening;
and (4) otherwise comply with the
requirements of 18 CFR 385.2001
through 385.2005. All comments,
motions to intervene, or protests must
set forth their evidentiary basis. Any
filing made by an intervenor must be
accompanied by proof of service on all
persons listed in the service list
prepared by the Commission in this
proceeding, in accordance with 18 CFR
385.2010.
Dated: May 26, 2021.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021–11554 Filed 6–1–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. IC21–30–000, RD–20–4–000]
Commission Information Collection
Activities (FERC–725G); Comment
Request; Extension
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, Department of Energy.
ACTION: Notice of information collection
and request for comments.
AGENCY:
In compliance with the
requirements of the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(2)(A), the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (Commission or
FERC) is soliciting public comment on
the currently approved information
collection, FERC–725G (Mandatory
Reliability Standards for the Bulk-Power
System: PRC Reliability Standards.).
DATES: Comments on the collection of
information are due August 2, 2021.
ADDRESSES: You may submit copies of
your comments (identified by Docket
No. IC21–30–000) by one of the
following methods:
Electronic filing through https://
www.ferc.gov, is preferred.
SUMMARY:
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• 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–725G (Mandatory
Reliability Standards for the Bulk-Power
System: Regional Reliability Standard
PRC standards: PRC–006–5 Automatic
Underfrequency Load-Shedding (UFLS),
PRC–002–2, PRC–012–2, PRC–019–2,
PRC–023–4, PRC–024–1, PRC–025–2,
PRC–026–1, and PRC–027–1.
OMB Control No.: 1902–0252.
Type of Request: Revisions and
extension to the information collection,
as discussed in Docket No. RD20–4–000.
Abstract: On August 8, 2005, Congress
enacted into law the Electricity
Modernization Act of 2005, which is
Title XII, Subtitle A, of the Energy
Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005).1 EPAct
2005 added a new section 215 to the
FPA, which required a Commissioncertified 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 (codified at
16 U.S.C. 824o).
2 16 U.S.C. 824o(e)(3).
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 104 / Wednesday, June 2, 2021 / Notices
The information collected by the
FERC–725G is required to implement
the statutory provisions of section 215
of the Federal Power Act (FPA).[2]
Section 215 of the FPA buttresses the
Commission’s efforts to strengthen the
reliability of the interstate bulk power
grid.
The FERC–725G information
collection currently contains the
reporting and recordkeeping
requirements for the following
Reliability Standards: PRC–002–2, PRC–
006–5, PRC–012–2, PRC–019–2, PRC–
023–4, PRC–024–1, PRC–025–2, PRC–
026–1, and PRC–027–1.
• PRC–002–2 Disturbance Monitoring
and Reporting Requirements
The purpose is to have adequate data
available to facilitate analysis of Bulk
Electric System (BES) Disturb.
• PRC–006–5 Automatic
Underfrequency Load Shedding
To establish design and
documentation requirements for
automatic Underfrequency Load
Shedding (UFLS) programs to arrest
declining frequency, assist recovery of
frequency following underfrequency
events and provide last resort system
preservation measures.
• PRC–012–2
Schemes
Remedial Action
To ensure that Remedial Action
Schemes (RAS) do not introduce
unintentional or unacceptable reliability
risks to the Bulk Electric System (BES).
• PRC–019–2 Coordination of
Generating Unit or Plant Capabilities,
Voltage Regulating Controls, and
Protection
The purpose is to verify coordination
of generating unit Facility or
synchronous condenser voltage
regulating controls, limit functions,
equipment capabilities and Protection
System settings.
• PRC–023–4
Load-Ability
Transmission Relay
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Protective relay settings shall not
limit transmission load-ability; not
interfere with system operators’ ability
to take remedial action to protect system
reliability and; be set to reliably detect
all fault conditions and protect the
electrical network from these faults.
• PRC–024–1 Generator Frequency
and Voltage Protective Relay Settings
The purpose is to ensure Generator
Owners set their generator protective
relays such that generating units remain
connected during defined frequency and
voltage excursions.
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• PRC–025–2
Ability
Generator Relay Load-
The purpose is to set load-responsive
protective relays associated with
generation Facilities at a level to prevent
unnecessary tripping of generators
during a system disturbance for
conditions that do not pose a risk of
damage to the associated equipment.
• PRC–026–1 Relay Performance
During Stable Power Swings
The purpose is to ensure that loadresponsive protective relays are
expected to not trip in response to stable
power swings during non-Fault
conditions.
• PRC–027–1 Coordination of
Protection Systems for Performance
During Faults
The purpose is to maintain the
coordination of Protection Systems
installed to detect and isolate Faults on
Bulk Electric System (BES) Elements,
such that those Protection Systems
operate in the intended sequence during
Faults.
Each of these Reliability Standards
have three components that impose
burden upon affected industry:
• Requirements (e.g., denoted in each
Reliability Standard as R1, R2 . . .)
• Measures (e.g., denoted in each
Reliability Standard as M1, M2 . . .)
• Evidence Retention
These three components can be
reviewed for the Reliability Standards in
NERC petitions in FERC’s eLibrary
system (https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/
elibrary.asp) or on NERC’s own website
(www.nerc.com).
Type of Respondents: Generator
owners, Planning coordinators,
Distribution providers, UFLS-only
Distribution Providers, and transmission
owners in the Northeast Power
Coordinating Council (NPCC) Region.
Estimate of Annual Burden: 3 Our
estimates are based on the NERC
Compliance Registry Summary of
Entities as of February 5, 2021.
According to the NERC compliance
registry, and Functions as of, which
indicates there are registered as GO, PC,
DP and TO entities. The individual
burden estimates are based on the time
needed to gather data, run studies, and
analyze study results to design or
update the underfrequency load
shedding programs. Additionally,
documentation and the review of
3 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. See 5 CFR
1320 for additional information on the definition of
information collection burden.
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29575
underfrequency load shedding (UFLS)
program results by supervisors and
management is included in the
administrative estimations. These are
consistent with estimates for similar
tasks in other Commission approved
standards.
RD20–4 (PRC–006–4)
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:
• Addition to the burden associated
with UFLS-only distribution providers
to proposed (in RD–20–4) Reliability
Standard PRC–006–4.7 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.8
• Current, Reliability Standard PRC–
006–5 9 (formerly PRC–006–3)
(Automatic Underfrequency Load
Shedding)
Commission estimates the annual
burden and cost for the information
collection as follows:
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 Commission
approved standard, PRC–006–3, is included in
FERC–725G.
8 Standards Alignment with Registration Petition
at 13.
9 PRC–006–5 was approved April 1, 2021 in
RM21–1 which did not trigger the PRA and
therefore did not require prior OMB approval. The
current version of this standard, PRC–006–5, was
approved by the Commission on April 1, 2021. The
only change was a revision to the regional variance
for the WECC region for PRC–006–4 modifications
that needs to be approved through OMB.
10 The number of entities is being reduced in
order to more clearly identify the applicable entities
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 104 / Wednesday, June 2, 2021 / Notices
RD20–4 NET CHANGES FOR FERC–725G, OMB CONTROL NO. 1902–0252
PRC regional reliability standards
PRC–006–4 (Automatic Underfrequency Load Shedding)
Reporting Requirement—program decrease 10.
PRC–006–4 (Automatic Underfrequency Load Shedding)
Evidence Retention—program decrease 14.
PRC–006–4 (Automatic Underfrequency Load Shedding)
R1–R7, R11–R15 Reporting Requirement—program increase & clarification 11.
PRC–006–4 (Automatic Underfrequency Load Shedding)
R1–R7, R11–R15 Evidence Retention-program increase
& clarification 14.
PRC–006–4 (Automatic Underfrequency Load Shedding)
R8–R10 Evidence Retention—program increase & clarification 12.
Net Changes for FERC–725G due to RD20–4 .............
Average
annual number 1
of respondents
Average
annual number
of responses per
respondent
Average annual total
number of responses
Average
burden hours
per response
(1)
(2)
(1) * (2) = (3)
(4)
Total annual
burden hours
¥80 (TO & DP)
1
¥80
47
¥3,760
¥80 (TO & DP)
1
¥80
5
¥400
64 (PC) ..............
1
64
47
3,008
64 (PC) ..............
1
64
5
320
478 (TO, DP,
UFLS-only DP).
1
478
5
2,390
...........................
............................
446 (net increase)
........................
1,558 (net increase)
IC21–30–000 RENEWAL AS EFFECTED BY RD20–4–000: MANDATORY RELIABILITY STANDARDS FOR THE BULK-POWER
SYSTEM: REGIONAL MANDATORY RELIABILITY STANDARDS FOR THE BULK-POWER SYSTEM: REGIONAL RELIABILITY
STANDARD PRC STANDARDS: PRC–006–5, PRC–002–2, PRC–012–2, PRC–019–2, PRC–023–4, PRC–024–1,
PRC–025–2, PRC–026–1, AND PRC–02713
Average
annual
number of
responses per
respondent
Average
annual
number 1 of
respondents
Reliability standard & requirement
I
I
(1)
I
(2)
Average
annual
total
number of
responses
Average
burden hours & cost
($) per response
Total annual
burden hours & cost
($) (rounded)
Cost per
respondent
($)
(1) * (2) = (3)
(4)
(3) * (4) = (5)
(5) ÷ (1)
PRC–006–5 (Current burden after net changes due to RD20–4)
TO/DP/PC 14
......................................
480
1
480
35 hrs.; $2,905 .............
16,800 hrs.; $1,394,400 .........
Net Changes for FERC–725G
due to RD20–4.
........................
........................
926
.......................................
18,358 hrs.; $1,523,714.
303 hrs.; $25,149 .........
212 hrs.; $17,596 .........
398,142 hrs.; $33,045,786 .....
13,780 hrs.; $1,143,740 .........
$2,905
PRC–023–4
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TO/GO/DP 15 .....................................
PC .....................................................
1,314
65
1
1
1,314
65
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.
RD20–4–000.
11 The increases are not due to Docket No. RD20–
4–000. They are a program increase of 64 PCs (and
the corresponding hrs.) in order to correct and
clarify the estimates.
12 The program increase is due to adding 63
UFLS-only DPs due to Docket No. RD20–4–000. 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. RD20–4–000,
and 2,075 hours (415 * 5 hours) of increase due to
adjustment.
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25,149
17,596
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 104 / Wednesday, June 2, 2021 / Notices
IC21–30–000 RENEWAL AS EFFECTED BY RD20–4–000: MANDATORY RELIABILITY STANDARDS FOR THE BULK-POWER
SYSTEM: REGIONAL MANDATORY RELIABILITY STANDARDS FOR THE BULK-POWER SYSTEM: REGIONAL RELIABILITY
STANDARD PRC STANDARDS: PRC–006–5, PRC–002–2, PRC–012–2, PRC–019–2, PRC–023–4, PRC–024–1,
PRC–025–2, PRC–026–1, AND PRC–02713—Continued
Reliability standard & requirement
I
Average
annual
number 1 of
respondents
Average
annual
number of
responses per
respondent
(1)
(2)
I
Average
annual
total
number of
responses
Average
burden hours & cost
($) per response
Total annual
burden hours & cost
($) (rounded)
Cost per
respondent
($)
(1) * (2) = (3)
(4)
(3) * (4) = (5)
(5) ÷ (1)
4 hrs.; $332 ..................
5,256 hrs.; $436,248 ..............
332
8.9 hrs.; $664 ...............
9,424 hrs.; $782,192 ..............
664
8 hrs.; $664 ..................
8,024 hrs.; $665,992 ..............
664
18 hrs.; $1,494 .............
21,402 hrs.; $1,776,366 .........
1,494
100 hrs.; $8,300 ...........
59,450 hrs.; $4,934,350 .........
8,300
88 hrs.; $7,304 .............
116,952 hrs.; $9,707,016 .......
7,304
3,652
PRC–025–2 16
GO/TO/DP 17 .....................................
1,314
1
GO/TO ...............................................
1,178
1
1,314
PRC–019–2
1,178
PRC–024–1
GO .....................................................
1,003
1
1,003
PRC–026–1
GO/PC/TO .........................................
1,189
1
1,189
PRC–002–2
TO/GO/PC 18
.....................................
1,189
0.50
594.5
PRC–012–2
RC/PC/TO/GO/DP .............................
1,329
1
1,329
PRC–027–1
TO/GO/DP .........................................
1,314
1
1,314
44 hrs.; $3,652 .............
57,816 hrs.; $4,798,728 .........
Total for FERC–725G ................
........................
........................
10,226.50
.......................................
708,604 hrs.; $58,814,132.
Comments: Comments are invited on:
(1) Whether the collection of
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13 The
number of respondents on this table reflect
information taken from NERC Compliance Registry,
while it may show a decrease from previous years
the 2021 values reflect treating standards as a whole
instead of by requirement which allow for aggregate
values and eliminating multiple counts of the same
entity within a standard.
14 Using NERC Compliance Registration data
(February 5, 2021), the number of respondents are
for US unique entities and takes into account the
overlap between functions of the DP = Distribution
Provider, TO = Transmission Owner and PC=
Planning Coordinator for a total of 480.
15 Using NERC Compliance Registration data
(February 5, 2021), the number of respondents are
for US unique entities and takes into account the
overlap between functions of the DP = Distribution
Provider, TO = Transmission Owner and DP =
Distribution Provider for a total of 1,314. The
number of hours also take into account line
terminal work needed to be done applicable TO,
GO, or DP as per PRC–023–1 approved in Order No.
773 March 18, 2010.
16 Reliability Standard PRC–025–2 from FERC–
725G2 (OMB No. 1902–0281)– a temporary place
holder is now being placed back into 725G.
17 According to the NERC compliance registry as
of February 5, 2021, NERC has registered 379
distribution providers (DP), 1,003 generator owners
(GO) and 321 transmission owners (TO). However,
under NERC’s compliance registration program,
entities may be registered for multiple functions, so
these numbers incorporate some double counting.
The number of unique entities responding will be
approximately 994 entities registered as a
transmission owner, a distribution provider, or a
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17:49 Jun 01, 2021
Jkt 253001
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: May 26, 2021.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021–11552 Filed 6–1–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
generator owner that is also a transmission owner
and/or a distribution owner. These values reflect
removing any year 1–2 costs and covers on-going
cost from version PRC–025–1 and PRC–025–2.
18 Based on the Requirements of PRC–002–2 some
entities do not have to perform tasks annual so
average response rate is set to 0.50.
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
Combined Notice of Filings #1
Take notice that the Commission
received the following electric rate
filings:
Docket Numbers: ER15–1375–012.
Applicants: McCoy Solar, LLC.
Description: Notice of Change in
Status of McCoy Solar, LLC.
Filed Date: 5/26/21.
Accession Number: 20210526–5138.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 6/16/21.
Docket Numbers: ER18–194–000.
Applicants: American Electric Power
Service Corporation, Southwest Power
Pool, Inc.
Description: Formal Challenge of Joint
Customers’ to May 26, 2021 Annual
Informational Filing by American
Electric Power Service Corporation.
Filed Date: 5/21/21.
Accession Number: 20210521–5275.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 6/21/21.
Docket Numbers: ER20–687–003.
Applicants: Tri-State Generation and
Transmission Association, Inc.
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 104 (Wednesday, June 2, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29574-29577]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-11552]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. IC21-30-000, RD-20-4-000]
Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-725G); 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, 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A), the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (Commission or FERC) is soliciting public comment on the
currently approved information collection, FERC-725G (Mandatory
Reliability Standards for the Bulk-Power System: PRC Reliability
Standards.).
DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due August 2,
2021.
ADDRESSES: You may submit copies of your comments (identified by Docket
No. IC21-30-000) 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-725G (Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Bulk-
Power System: Regional Reliability Standard PRC standards: PRC-006-5
Automatic Underfrequency Load-Shedding (UFLS), PRC-002-2, PRC-012-2,
PRC-019-2, PRC-023-4, PRC-024-1, PRC-025-2, PRC-026-1, and PRC-027-1.
OMB Control No.: 1902-0252.
Type of Request: Revisions and extension to the information
collection, as discussed in Docket No. RD20-4-000.
Abstract: On August 8, 2005, Congress enacted into law the
Electricity Modernization Act of 2005, which is Title XII, Subtitle A,
of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005).\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\
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\1\ Energy Policy Act of 2005, Public Law 109-58, Title XII,
Subtitle A, 119 Stat. 594, 941 (codified at 16 U.S.C. 824o).
\2\ 16 U.S.C. 824o(e)(3).
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[[Page 29575]]
The information collected by the FERC-725G is required to implement
the statutory provisions of section 215 of the Federal Power Act
(FPA).\[2]\ Section 215 of the FPA buttresses the Commission's efforts
to strengthen the reliability of the interstate bulk power grid.
The FERC-725G information collection currently contains the
reporting and recordkeeping requirements for the following Reliability
Standards: PRC-002-2, PRC-006-5, PRC-012-2, PRC-019-2, PRC-023-4, PRC-
024-1, PRC-025-2, PRC-026-1, and PRC-027-1.
PRC-002-2 Disturbance Monitoring and Reporting Requirements
The purpose is to have adequate data available to facilitate
analysis of Bulk Electric System (BES) Disturb.
PRC-006-5 Automatic Underfrequency Load Shedding
To establish design and documentation requirements for automatic
Underfrequency Load Shedding (UFLS) programs to arrest declining
frequency, assist recovery of frequency following underfrequency events
and provide last resort system preservation measures.
PRC-012-2 Remedial Action Schemes
To ensure that Remedial Action Schemes (RAS) do not introduce
unintentional or unacceptable reliability risks to the Bulk Electric
System (BES).
PRC-019-2 Coordination of Generating Unit or Plant
Capabilities, Voltage Regulating Controls, and Protection
The purpose is to verify coordination of generating unit Facility
or synchronous condenser voltage regulating controls, limit functions,
equipment capabilities and Protection System settings.
PRC-023-4 Transmission Relay Load-Ability
Protective relay settings shall not limit transmission load-
ability; not interfere with system operators' ability to take remedial
action to protect system reliability and; be set to reliably detect all
fault conditions and protect the electrical network from these faults.
PRC-024-1 Generator Frequency and Voltage Protective Relay
Settings
The purpose is to ensure Generator Owners set their generator
protective relays such that generating units remain connected during
defined frequency and voltage excursions.
PRC-025-2 Generator Relay Load-Ability
The purpose is to set load-responsive protective relays associated
with generation Facilities at a level to prevent unnecessary tripping
of generators during a system disturbance for conditions that do not
pose a risk of damage to the associated equipment.
PRC-026-1 Relay Performance During Stable Power Swings
The purpose is to ensure that load-responsive protective relays are
expected to not trip in response to stable power swings during non-
Fault conditions.
PRC-027-1 Coordination of Protection Systems for Performance
During Faults
The purpose is to maintain the coordination of Protection Systems
installed to detect and isolate Faults on Bulk Electric System (BES)
Elements, such that those Protection Systems operate in the intended
sequence during Faults.
Each of these Reliability Standards have three components that
impose burden upon affected industry:
Requirements (e.g., denoted in each Reliability Standard as
R1, R2 . . .)
Measures (e.g., denoted in each Reliability Standard as M1, M2
. . .)
Evidence Retention
These three components can be reviewed for the Reliability
Standards in NERC petitions in FERC's eLibrary system (https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/elibrary.asp) or on NERC's own website
(www.nerc.com).
Type of Respondents: Generator owners, Planning coordinators,
Distribution providers, UFLS-only Distribution Providers, and
transmission owners in the Northeast Power Coordinating Council (NPCC)
Region.
Estimate of Annual Burden: \3\ Our estimates are based on the NERC
Compliance Registry Summary of Entities as of February 5, 2021.
According to the NERC compliance registry, and Functions as of, which
indicates there are registered as GO, PC, DP and TO entities. The
individual burden estimates are based on the time needed to gather
data, run studies, and analyze study results to design or update the
underfrequency load shedding programs. Additionally, documentation and
the review of underfrequency load shedding (UFLS) program results by
supervisors and management is included in the administrative
estimations. These are consistent with estimates for similar tasks in
other Commission approved standards.
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\3\ 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. See 5
CFR 1320 for additional information on the definition of information
collection burden.
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RD20-4 (PRC-006-4)
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\
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\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.
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The Commission's request to OMB will reflect the following:
Addition to the burden associated with UFLS-only
distribution providers to proposed (in RD-20-4) Reliability Standard
PRC-006-4.\7\ 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.\8\
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\7\ The burden associated with the Commission approved standard,
PRC-006-3, is included in FERC-725G.
\8\ Standards Alignment with Registration Petition at 13.
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Current, Reliability Standard PRC-006-5 \9\ (formerly PRC-
006-3) (Automatic Underfrequency Load Shedding)
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\9\ PRC-006-5 was approved April 1, 2021 in RM21-1 which did not
trigger the PRA and therefore did not require prior OMB approval.
The current version of this standard, PRC-006-5, was approved by the
Commission on April 1, 2021. The only change was a revision to the
regional variance for the WECC region for PRC-006-4 modifications
that needs to be approved through OMB.
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Commission estimates the annual burden and cost for the information
collection as follows:
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\10\ 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. RD20-4-000.
\11\ The increases are not due to Docket No. RD20-4-000. They
are a program increase of 64 PCs (and the corresponding hrs.) in
order to correct and clarify the estimates.
\12\ The program increase is due to adding 63 UFLS-only DPs due
to Docket No. RD20-4-000. 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. RD20-4-000, and 2,075 hours (415 * 5 hours) of
increase due to adjustment.
[[Page 29576]]
RD20-4 Net Changes for FERC-725G, OMB Control No. 1902-0252
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Average annual
Average annual number 1 of number of Average annual total Average Total annual burden
PRC regional reliability standards respondents responses per number of responses burden hours hours
respondent per response
(1)............................ (2) (1) * (2) = (3) (4)
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PRC-006-4 (Automatic Underfrequency Load -80 (TO & DP).................. 1 -80 47 -3,760
Shedding) Reporting Requirement--program
decrease 10.
PRC-006-4 (Automatic Underfrequency Load -80 (TO & DP).................. 1 -80 5 -400
Shedding) Evidence Retention--program
decrease 14.
PRC-006-4 (Automatic Underfrequency Load 64 (PC)........................ 1 64 47 3,008
Shedding) R1-R7, R11-R15 Reporting
Requirement--program increase &
clarification 11.
PRC-006-4 (Automatic Underfrequency Load 64 (PC)........................ 1 64 5 320
Shedding) R1-R7, R11-R15 Evidence
Retention-program increase &
clarification 14.
PRC-006-4 (Automatic Underfrequency Load 478 (TO, DP, UFLS-only DP)..... 1 478 5 2,390
Shedding) R8-R10 Evidence Retention--
program increase & clarification 12.
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Net Changes for FERC-725G due to RD20- ............................... ................ 446 (net increase) .............. 1,558 (net increase)
4.
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IC21-30-000 Renewal as Effected by RD20-4-000: Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Bulk-Power System: Regional Mandatory Reliability Standards for
the Bulk-Power System: Regional Reliability Standard PRC Standards: PRC-006-5, PRC-002-2, PRC-012-2, PRC-019-2, PRC-023-4, PRC-024-1, PRC-025-2, PRC-026-
1, and PRC-02713
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Average annual
Average annual number of Average annual Average burden hours & Total annual burden Cost per
Reliability standard & requirement number 1 of responses per total number cost ($) per response hours & cost ($) respondent ($)
respondents respondent of responses (rounded)
(1) (2) (1) * (2) = (4)..................... (3) * (4) = (5)........ (5) / (1)
(3)
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PRC-006-5 (Current burden after net changes due to RD20-4)
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TO/DP/PC 14.......................... 480 1 480 35 hrs.; $2,905......... 16,800 hrs.; $1,394,400 $2,905
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Net Changes for FERC-725G due to .............. .............. 926 ........................ 18,358 hrs.; $1,523,714
RD20-4.
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PRC-023-4
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TO/GO/DP 15.......................... 1,314 1 1,314 303 hrs.; $25,149....... 398,142 hrs.; 25,149
$33,045,786.
PC................................... 65 1 65 212 hrs.; $17,596....... 13,780 hrs.; $1,143,740 17,596
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[[Page 29577]]
PRC-025-2
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GO/TO/DP 17.......................... 1,314 1 1,314 4 hrs.; $332............ 5,256 hrs.; $436,248... 332
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PRC-019-2
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GO/TO................................ 1,178 1 1,178 8.9 hrs.; $664.......... 9,424 hrs.; $782,192... 664
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PRC-024-1
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GO................................... 1,003 1 1,003 8 hrs.; $664............ 8,024 hrs.; $665,992... 664
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PRC-026-1
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GO/PC/TO............................. 1,189 1 1,189 18 hrs.; $1,494......... 21,402 hrs.; $1,776,366 1,494
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PRC-002-2
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TO/GO/PC 18.......................... 1,189 0.50 594.5 100 hrs.; $8,300........ 59,450 hrs.; $4,934,350 8,300
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PRC-012-2
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RC/PC/TO/GO/DP....................... 1,329 1 1,329 88 hrs.; $7,304......... 116,952 hrs.; 7,304
$9,707,016.
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PRC-027-1
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TO/GO/DP............................. 1,314 1 1,314 44 hrs.; $3,652......... 57,816 hrs.; $4,798,728 3,652
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Total for FERC-725G.............. .............. .............. 10,226.50 ........................ 708,604 hrs.;
$58,814,132.
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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.
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\13\ The number of respondents on this table reflect information
taken from NERC Compliance Registry, while it may show a decrease
from previous years the 2021 values reflect treating standards as a
whole instead of by requirement which allow for aggregate values and
eliminating multiple counts of the same entity within a standard.
\14\ Using NERC Compliance Registration data (February 5, 2021),
the number of respondents are for US unique entities and takes into
account the overlap between functions of the DP = Distribution
Provider, TO = Transmission Owner and PC= Planning Coordinator for a
total of 480.
\15\ Using NERC Compliance Registration data (February 5, 2021),
the number of respondents are for US unique entities and takes into
account the overlap between functions of the DP = Distribution
Provider, TO = Transmission Owner and DP = Distribution Provider for
a total of 1,314. The number of hours also take into account line
terminal work needed to be done applicable TO, GO, or DP as per PRC-
023-1 approved in Order No. 773 March 18, 2010.
\16\ Reliability Standard PRC-025-2 from FERC-725G2 (OMB No.
1902-0281)- a temporary place holder is now being placed back into
725G.
\17\ According to the NERC compliance registry as of February 5,
2021, NERC has registered 379 distribution providers (DP), 1,003
generator owners (GO) and 321 transmission owners (TO). However,
under NERC's compliance registration program, entities may be
registered for multiple functions, so these numbers incorporate some
double counting. The number of unique entities responding will be
approximately 994 entities registered as a transmission owner, a
distribution provider, or a generator owner that is also a
transmission owner and/or a distribution owner. These values reflect
removing any year 1-2 costs and covers on-going cost from version
PRC-025-1 and PRC-025-2.
\18\ Based on the Requirements of PRC-002-2 some entities do not
have to perform tasks annual so average response rate is set to
0.50.
Dated: May 26, 2021.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-11552 Filed 6-1-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
