Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-725G); Comment Request; Extension, 43533-43536 [2021-16919]
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 150 / Monday, August 9, 2021 / Notices
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Signed in Washington, DC, on August 4,
2021.
LaTanya Butler,
Deputy Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2021–16933 Filed 8–6–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. IC21–30–000, RD20–4–000]
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, the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission
(Commission or FERC) is soliciting
public comment on a renewal of
currently approved information
collection, FERC 725G (Mandatory
Reliability Standards for the Bulk-Power
System: PRC Reliability Standards),
which will be submitted to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for
review.
DATES: Comments on the collection of
information are due September 8, 2021.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments on
FERC–725–G to OMB through
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
Attention: Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission Desk Officer. Please
identify the OMB Control Number
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SUMMARY:
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(1902–0252) in the subject line of your
comments. Comments should be sent
within 30 days of publication of this
notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/
PRAMain.
Please submit copies of your
comments to the Commission. 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.
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: OMB submissions must
be formatted and filed in accordance
with submission guidelines at
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
Using the search function under the
‘‘Currently Under Review’’ field, select
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission;
click ‘‘submit,’’ and select ‘‘comment’’
to the right of the subject collection.
FERC 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/ferconline/overview.
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.
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43533
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
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
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. 150 / Monday, August 9, 2021 / Notices
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 LoadAbility
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
North American Electric Reliability
Commission (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.
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).
The following table outline net
changes in burden hours and responses
as a result of Docket No. RD20–4.
RD20–4 NET CHANGES FOR FERC–725G, OMB CONTROL NO. 1902–0252
PRC regional
reliability standards
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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.
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.
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).
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Average
annual number 1
of respondents
Average
annual number
of responses
per
respondent
Average
annual total
number of
responses
Average
annual burden
hrs. per
response
(1)
(2)
(1) * (2) = (3)
(4)
¥80 (TO & DP)
1
¥80 ...................
47
¥80 (TO & DP)
1
¥80 ...................
5
¥400.
64 (PC) ..............
1
64 ......................
47
3,008.
64 (PC) ..............
1
64 ......................
5
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.
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Total annual
burden hours
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¥3,760.
320.
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.
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 150 / Monday, August 9, 2021 / Notices
RD20–4 NET CHANGES FOR FERC–725G, OMB CONTROL NO. 1902–0252—Continued
PRC regional
reliability standards
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
annual burden
hrs. per
response
(1)
(2)
(1) * (2) = (3)
(4)
478 (TO, DP,
1
UFLS-only DP).
........................... ........................
478 ....................
446 (net increase).
5
........................
Total annual
burden hours
2,390.
1,558 hrs. (net
increase).
The Commission estimates the annual
burden and cost 13 for the information
collection as follows:
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–027 14
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
annual
burden
hrs. & cost ($) per
response
Total average
annual burden
hours & cost
($) (rounded)
Cost per
respondent
($)
(1) * (2) = (3)
(4)
(3) * (4) = (5)
(5) ÷ (1)
35 hrs.; $2,905 .............
.......................................
16,800 hrs.; $1,394,400 .........
18,358 hrs.; $1,523,714 .........
$2,905
........................
303 hrs.; $25,149 .........
212 hrs.; $17,596 .........
398,142 hrs.; $33,045,786 .....
13,780 hrs.; $1,143,740 .........
25,149
17,596
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 .........
4,150
88 hrs.; $7,304 .............
116,952 hrs.; $9,707,016 .......
7,304
PRC–006–5 (Current burden after net changes due to RD20–4)
TO/DP/PC 15 ......................................
Net Changes for FERC–725G
due to RD20–4.
480
........................
1
........................
480
926
PRC–023–4
TO/GO/DP 16 .....................................
PC .....................................................
1,314
65
1
1
1,314
65
PRC–025–217
GO/TO/DP 18 .....................................
1,314
1
1,314
PRC–019–2
GO/TO ...............................................
1,178
1
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 19
.....................................
1,189
0.50
594.5
PRC–012–2
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RC/PC/TO/GO/DP .............................
1,329
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
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1
1,329
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.
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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.
13 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 $83/hour.
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 150 / Monday, August 9, 2021 / Notices
IC21–30–000 RENEWAL AS EFFECTED BY RD20–4–000: MANDATORY RELIABILITY STANDARDS FOR THE BULK-POWER
SYSTEM: REGIONAL MANDATORY RELIABILITY STANDARDS FOR THE BULK-POWER SYSTEM: REGIONAL RELIABILITY
STANDARD PRC STANDARDS: PRC–006–5, PRC–002–2, PRC–012–2, PRC–019–2, PRC–023–4, PRC–024–1,
PRC–025–2, PRC–026–1, AND PRC–027 14—Continued
Reliability standard & requirement
I
Average
annual
number 1 of
respondents
Average
annual
number of
responses per
respondent
(1)
(2)
I
Average
annual
total
number of
responses
Average
annual
burden
hrs. & cost ($) per
response
Total average
annual burden
hours & cost
($) (rounded)
Cost per
respondent
($)
(1) * (2) = (3)
(4)
(3) * (4) = (5)
(5) ÷ (1)
PRC–027–1
TO/GO/DP .........................................
1,314
1
1,314
44 hrs.; $3,652 .............
57,816 hrs.; $4,798,728 .........
3,652
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
14 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.
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 PC =
Planning Coordinator for a total of 480.
16 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.
17 Reliability Standard PRC–025–2 from FERC–
725G2 (OMB No. 1902–0281)– a temporary place
holder is now being placed back into 725G.
18 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.
19 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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17:26 Aug 06, 2021
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of automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
Dated: August 3, 2021.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021–16919 Filed 8–6–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. ER21–2573–000]
HollyFrontier Puget Sound Refining
LLC; Supplemental Notice That Initial
Market-Based Rate Filing Includes
Request for Blanket Section 204
Authorization
This is a supplemental notice in the
above-referenced proceeding of
HollyFrontier Puget Sound Refining
LLC’s application for market-based rate
authority, with an accompanying rate
tariff, noting that such application
includes a request for blanket
authorization, under 18 CFR part 34, of
future issuances of securities and
assumptions of liability.
Any person desiring to intervene or to
protest should file with the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888
First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426,
in accordance with Rules 211 and 214
of the Commission’s Rules of Practice
and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and
385.214). Anyone filing a motion to
intervene or protest must serve a copy
of that document on the Applicant.
Notice is hereby given that the
deadline for filing protests with regard
to the applicant’s request for blanket
authorization, under 18 CFR part 34, of
future issuances of securities and
assumptions of liability, is August 23,
2021.
The Commission encourages
electronic submission of protests and
interventions in lieu of paper, using the
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 9990
FERC Online links at https://
www.ferc.gov. To facilitate electronic
service, persons with internet access
who will eFile a document and/or be
listed as a contact for an intervenor
must create and validate an
eRegistration account using the
eRegistration link. Select the eFiling
link to log on and submit the
intervention or protests.
Persons unable to file electronically
may mail similar pleadings to the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
888 First Street NE, Washington, DC
20426. Hand delivered submissions in
docketed proceedings should be
delivered to Health and Human
Services, 12225 Wilkins Avenue,
Rockville, Maryland 20852.
In addition to publishing the full text
of this document in the Federal
Register, the Commission provides all
interested persons an opportunity to
view and/or print the contents of this
document via the internet through the
Commission’s Home Page (https://
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 the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission at
FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or call
toll-free, (886) 208–3676 or TYY, (202)
502–8659.
Dated: August 3, 2021.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021–16917 Filed 8–6–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 150 (Monday, August 9, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43533-43536]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-16919]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. IC21-30-000, RD20-4-000]
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.
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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 a renewal of currently approved
information collection, FERC 725G (Mandatory Reliability Standards for
the Bulk-Power System: PRC Reliability Standards), which will be
submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review.
DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due September 8,
2021.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments on FERC-725-G to OMB through
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Attention: Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission Desk Officer. Please identify the OMB Control Number (1902-
0252) in the subject line of your comments. Comments should be sent
within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
Please submit copies of your comments to the Commission. 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: OMB submissions must be formatted and filed in
accordance with submission guidelines at www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Using the search function under the ``Currently Under Review''
field, select Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; click ``submit,''
and select ``comment'' to the right of the subject collection. FERC
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/ferc-online/overview.
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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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
[[Page 43534]]
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 North American Electric Reliability Commission (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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The following table outline net changes in burden hours and
responses as a result of Docket No. RD20-4.
RD20-4 Net Changes for FERC-725G, OMB Control No. 1902-0252
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Average annual
Average annual number \1\ number of Average annual total Average annual
PRC regional reliability standards of respondents responses per number of responses burden hrs. Total annual burden hours
respondent per response
(1)....................... (2) (1) * (2) = (3).......... (4)
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PRC-006-4 (Automatic Underfrequency -80 (TO & DP)............. 1 -80....................... 47 -3,760.
Load Shedding) Reporting
Requirement--program decrease \10\.
PRC-006-4 (Automatic Underfrequency -80 (TO & DP)............. 1 -80....................... 5 -400.
Load Shedding) Evidence Retention--
program decrease \14\.
PRC-006-4 (Automatic Underfrequency 64 (PC)................... 1 64........................ 47 3,008.
Load Shedding) R1-R7, R11-R15
Reporting Requirement--program
increase & clarification \11\.
PRC-006-4 (Automatic Underfrequency 64 (PC)................... 1 64........................ 5 320.
Load Shedding) R1-R7, R11-R15
Evidence Retention-program increase
& clarification \14\.
[[Page 43535]]
PRC-006-4 (Automatic Underfrequency 478 (TO, DP, UFLS-only DP) 1 478....................... 5 2,390.
Load Shedding) R8-R10 Evidence
Retention--program increase &
clarification \12\.
Net Changes for FERC-725G due to .......................... .............. 446 (net increase)........ .............. 1,558 hrs. (net increase).
RD20-4.
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The Commission estimates the annual burden and cost \13\ 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.
\13\ 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
$83/hour.
IC21-30-000 Renewal as Effected by RD20-4-000: Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Bulk-Power System: Regional Mandatory Reliability Standards for
the Bulk-Power System: Regional Reliability Standard PRC Standards: PRC-006-5, PRC-002-2, PRC-012-2, PRC-019-2, PRC-023-4, PRC-024-1, PRC-025-2, PRC-026-
1, and PRC-027 14
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Average annual
Average annual number of Average annual Average annual burden Total average annual Cost per
Reliability standard & requirement number \1\ of responses per total number hrs. & cost ($) per burden hours & cost ($) respondent ($)
respondents respondent of responses response (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 \15\........................ 480 1 480 35 hrs.; $2,905......... 16,800 hrs.; $1,394,400 $2,905
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 \16\........................ 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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PRC-025-217
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GO/TO/DP \18\........................ 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 \19\........................ 1,189 0.50 594.5 100 hrs.; $8,300........ 59,450 hrs.; $4,934,350 4,150
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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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\14\ 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.
\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 PC = Planning Coordinator for
a total of 480.
\16\ 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.
\17\ Reliability Standard PRC-025-2 from FERC-725G2 (OMB No.
1902-0281)- a temporary place holder is now being placed back into
725G.
\18\ 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.
\19\ 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: August 3, 2021.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-16919 Filed 8-6-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
