80 FR 50846 - Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-725); Comment Request; Extension
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 162 (August 21, 2015)
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 162 (August 21, 2015)
| Page Range | 50846-50847 | |
| FR Document | 2015-20744 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 162 (Friday, August 21, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 50846-50847] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-20744] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. IC15-12-000] Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-725); Comment Request; Extension AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, DOE. 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-725 [Certification of Electric Reliability Organization; Procedures for Electric Reliability Standards]. DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due October 20, 2015. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments (identified by Docket No. IC15-12- 000) by either of the following methods:eFiling at Commission's Web site: http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426. Instructions: All submissions must be formatted and filed in accordance with submission guidelines at: http://www.ferc.gov/help/submission-guide.asp. For user assistance contact FERC Online Support by email at [email protected], or by phone at: (866) 208-3676 (toll-free), or (202) 502-8659 for TTY. 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 http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/docs-filing.asp. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Brown may be reached by email at [email protected], telephone at (202) 502-8663, and fax at (202) 273-0873. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: FERC-725, Certification of Electric Reliability Organization; Procedures for Electric Reliability Standards OMB Control No.: 1902-0225 Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC-725 information collection requirements with no changes to the current reporting requirements. Abstract: The FERC-725 information collection contains the following information collection elements: Self Assessment and Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) Application: The Commission requires the ERO to submit to FERC a performance assessment report every five years. The next assessment is due in 2019. Each Regional Entity submits a performance assessment report to the ERO. Submitting an application to become an ERO is also part of this collection.\1\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ The Commission does not expect any new ERO applications to be submitted in the next five years and is not including any burden for this requirement in the burden estimate. FERC still seeks to renew the regulations pertaining to a new ERO application under this renewal but is expecting the burden to be zero for the foreseeable future. 18 CFR 39.3 contains the regulation pertaining to ERO applications. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reliability Assessments: 18 CFR 39.11 requires the ERO to assess the reliability and adequacy of the Bulk-Power System in North America. Subsequently, the ERO must report to the Commission on its findings. Regional entities perform similar assessments within individual regions. Currently, the ERO submits to FERC three assessments each year: long term, winter, and summer. In addition, NERC also submits various other assessments as needed. Reliability Standards Development: Under Section 215 of the Federal Power Act (FPA), the ERO is charged with developing Reliability Standards. Regional Entities may also develop regional specific standards. Reliability Standards are one of the three principal mechanisms provided to FERC to ensure reliability on the Bulk-Power System. Reliability Compliance: Reliability Standards are mandatory and enforceable upon approval by FERC. In addition to the specific information collection requirements contained in each Reliability Standard (cleared under other information collections), there are general compliance, monitoring and enforcement information collection requirements imposed on applicable entities. Audits, spot checks, self-certifications, exception data submittals, violation reporting, and mitigation plan confirmation are included in this area. Stakeholder Survey: The ERO uses a stakeholder survey to solicit feedback from registered entities \2\ in preparation for its three year and five year self-performance assessment. The Commission assumes that the ERO will perform another survey prior to the 2019 self- assessment. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \2\ A ``registered entity'' is an entity that is registered with the ERO. All Bulk-Power System owners, operators and users are required to register with the ERO. Registration is the basis for determining the Reliability Standards with which an entity must comply. See http://www.nerc.com/page.php?cid=3%7C25 for more details. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Reporting: This category refers to all other reporting requirements imposed on the ERO or regional entities in order to comply with the Commission's regulations. For example, FERC may require NERC to submit a special reliability assessment. This category is mentioned to capture these types of one-time filings required of NERC or the Regions. The Commission implements its responsibilities through 18 CFR part 39. Without the FERC-725 information, the Commission, ERO, and Regional Entities will not have the data needed to determine whether sufficient and appropriate measures are being taken to ensure the reliability of the nation's electric grid. Type of Respondents: ERO and regional entities Estimate of Annual Burden: \3\ The Commission estimates the annual public reporting burden for the information collection as: --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \3\ The Commission defines burden 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, reference 5 Code of Federal Regulations 1320.3. [[Page 50847]] FERC-725--Certification of the ERO; Procedures for Electric Reliability Standards -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Average Type of reporting Number of Number of Total number of burden hours Estimated total Type of respondent requirement respondents responses per responses & cost per annual burden & respondent response cost ..................... (A).................. (B) \4\ (A) x (B) = (C) (D) (C) x (D) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Electric Reliability Organization Self-Assessment...... ..................... .2 .2 7,800 1,560 (ERO) \1\. \5\ $574,704 $114,941 Reliability ..................... 5.5 5.5 15,600 85,800 Assessments. \5\ $1,149,408 $6,321,744 Reliability ..................... 2 2 12,480 24,960 Compliance. \5\ $919,526 $1,839,053 Standards Development ..................... 1 1 28,080 28,080 \6\ $1,865,916 $1,865,916 Other Reporting...... 1.................... 1 1 2080 2,080 \7\ $270,130 $270,130 Regional Entities.................. Self-Assessment...... ..................... .2 1.6 16,640 26,624 \6\ $1,105,728 $1,769,164 Reliability ..................... 1 8 15,600 124,800 Assessments. \6\ $1,036,620 $8,292,960 Reliability ..................... 1 8 40,560 324,480 Compliance. \5\ $2,988,461 $23,907,688 Standards Development ..................... 1 8 2,340 18,720 \6\ $155,493 $1,243,944 Other Reporting...... 8.................... 1 8 1,040 8,320 \7\ $135,065 $1,080,520 Registered Entities................ Stakeholder Survey... ..................... .2 289 8 2,312 \5\ $589 $170,221 Reliability estimated 1446....... 1 1446 400 578,400 Compliance. \5\ $29,472 $42,616,512 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ERO N/A 142,480 hrs. Regional 502,944 hrs. Registered 580,712 hrs. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Cost................. ..................... ..................... ................ ................ .............. $89,492,791 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \4\ In all instances below where the number of responses per respondent is ``1'' the Commission acknowledges that actual number of responses varies and cannot be estimated clearly. \5\ Uses the weighted hourly average wage (salary plus benefits) for electrical engineers and lawyers obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (data for May 2014, posted on 4/1/2015 at http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm): $91.82/hour. The weighted average used the following calculation: [(0.20) * ($129.87) + (0.60) * ($66.45) + (0.2) * ($39.18)] = $73.68. $129.87/hour is the wage for lawyers. $66.45/hour is the wage for engineers. $39.17/hour is the wage for office and administrative support. Occupation codes are 23-0000, 17-2071, and 43-0000 respectively. \6\ Uses the hourly average wage (salary plus benefits) for electrical engineers obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (data for May 2014, posted on 4/1/2015 at http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm): $66.45/hour. Occupation code is 17-2071. \7\ Uses the hourly average wage (salary plus benefits) for lawyers obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (data for May 2014, posted on 4/1/2015 at http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm): $129.87/hour. Occupation code is 23-0000. Dated: August 17, 2015. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2015-20744 Filed 8-20-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
![50846 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 162 / Friday, August 21, 2015 / Notices
The filings are accessible in the • eFiling at Commission’s Web site: winter, and summer. In addition, NERC
Commission’s eLibrary system by http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ also submits various other assessments
clicking on the links or querying the efiling.asp as needed.
docket number. • Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier: • Reliability Standards Development:
Any person desiring to intervene or Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Under Section 215 of the Federal Power
protest in any of the above proceedings Secretary of the Commission, 888 First Act (FPA), the ERO is charged with
must file in accordance with Rules 211 Street NE., Washington, DC 20426. developing Reliability Standards.
and 214 of the Commission’s Instructions: All submissions must be Regional Entities may also develop
Regulations (18 CFR 385.211 and formatted and filed in accordance with regional specific standards. Reliability
385.214) on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern submission guidelines at: http:// Standards are one of the three principal
time on the specified comment date. www.ferc.gov/help/submission- mechanisms provided to FERC to ensure
Protests may be considered, but guide.asp. For user assistance contact
reliability on the Bulk-Power System.
intervention is necessary to become a FERC Online Support by email at
ferconlinesupport@ferc.gov, or by phone • Reliability Compliance: Reliability
party to the proceeding.
at: (866) 208–3676 (toll-free), or (202) Standards are mandatory and
eFiling is encouraged. More detailed
502–8659 for TTY. enforceable upon approval by FERC. In
information relating to filing
Docket: Users interested in receiving addition to the specific information
requirements, interventions, protests,
automatic notification of activity in this collection requirements contained in
service, and qualifying facilities filings
docket or in viewing/downloading each Reliability Standard (cleared under
can be found at: http://www.ferc.gov/
comments and issuances in this docket other information collections), there are
docs-filing/efiling/filing-req.pdf. For
may do so at http://www.ferc.gov/docs- general compliance, monitoring and
other information, call (866) 208–3676
filing/docs-filing.asp. enforcement information collection
(toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502–8659.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: requirements imposed on applicable
Dated: August 13, 2015. entities. Audits, spot checks, self-
Ellen Brown may be reached by email
Kimberly D. Bose, certifications, exception data submittals,
at DataClearance@FERC.gov, telephone
Secretary. at (202) 502–8663, and fax at (202) 273– violation reporting, and mitigation plan
[FR Doc. 2015–20651 Filed 8–20–15; 8:45 am] 0873. confirmation are included in this area.
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: • Stakeholder Survey: The ERO uses
Title: FERC–725, Certification of a stakeholder survey to solicit feedback
Electric Reliability Organization; from registered entities 2 in preparation
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Procedures for Electric Reliability for its three year and five year self-
Standards performance assessment. The
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission assumes that the ERO will
OMB Control No.: 1902–0225
Commission Type of Request: Three-year extension perform another survey prior to the
[Docket No. IC15–12–000] of the FERC–725 information collection 2019 self- assessment.
requirements with no changes to the • Other Reporting: This category
Commission Information Collection current reporting requirements. refers to all other reporting requirements
Activities (FERC–725); Comment Abstract: The FERC–725 information imposed on the ERO or regional entities
Request; Extension collection contains the following in order to comply with the
information collection elements: Commission’s regulations. For example,
AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory • Self Assessment and Electric
Commission, DOE. FERC may require NERC to submit a
Reliability Organization (ERO) special reliability assessment. This
ACTION: Notice of information collection Application: The Commission requires
and request for comments. category is mentioned to capture these
the ERO to submit to FERC a types of one-time filings required of
SUMMARY: In compliance with the performance assessment report every NERC or the Regions.
requirements of the Paperwork five years. The next assessment is due
The Commission implements its
Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. in 2019. Each Regional Entity submits a
responsibilities through 18 CFR part 39.
3506(c)(2)(A), the Federal Energy performance assessment report to the
Without the FERC–725 information, the
Regulatory Commission (Commission or ERO. Submitting an application to
Commission, ERO, and Regional Entities
FERC) is soliciting public comment on become an ERO is also part of this
will not have the data needed to
the currently approved information collection.1
• Reliability Assessments: 18 CFR determine whether sufficient and
collection, FERC–725 [Certification of appropriate measures are being taken to
39.11 requires the ERO to assess the
Electric Reliability Organization; ensure the reliability of the nation’s
reliability and adequacy of the Bulk-
Procedures for Electric Reliability electric grid.
Power System in North America.
Standards]. Type of Respondents: ERO and
Subsequently, the ERO must report to
DATES: Comments on the collection of the Commission on its findings. regional entities
information are due October 20, 2015. Regional entities perform similar Estimate of Annual Burden: 3 The
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments assessments within individual regions. Commission estimates the annual public
(identified by Docket No. IC15–12–000) Currently, the ERO submits to FERC reporting burden for the information
by either of the following methods: three assessments each year: long term, collection as:
rmajette on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
1 The Commission does not expect any new ERO 2 A ‘‘registered entity’’ is an entity that is 3 The Commission defines burden as the total
applications to be submitted in the next five years registered with the ERO. All Bulk-Power System time, effort, or financial resources expended by
and is not including any burden for this owners, operators and users are required to register persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or
requirement in the burden estimate. FERC still with the ERO. Registration is the basis for provide information to or for a Federal agency. For
seeks to renew the regulations pertaining to a new
determining the Reliability Standards with which further explanation of what is included in the
ERO application under this renewal but is
expecting the burden to be zero for the foreseeable an entity must comply. See http://www.nerc.com/ information collection burden, reference 5 Code of
future. 18 CFR 39.3 contains the regulation page.php?cid=3%7C25 for more details. Federal Regulations 1320.3.
pertaining to ERO applications.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 162 / Friday, August 21, 2015 / Notices 50847
FERC–725—CERTIFICATION OF THE ERO; PROCEDURES FOR ELECTRIC RELIABILITY STANDARDS
Average
Number of Estimated total
Type of reporting Number of Total number of burden hours
Type of respondent responses per annual burden
requirement respondents responses & cost per
respondent & cost
response
(A) (B) 4 (A) × (B) = (C) (D) (C) × (D)
Electric Reliability Self-Assessment ..... ................................. .2 .2 7,800 1,560
Organization 5 $574,704 $114,941
(ERO) 1.
Reliability Assess- ................................. 5.5 5.5 15,600 85,800
ments. 5 $1,149,408 $6,321,744
Reliability Compli- ................................. 2 2 12,480 24,960
ance. 5 $919,526 $1,839,053
Standards Develop- ................................. 1 1 28,080 28,080
ment. 6 $1,865,916 $1,865,916
Other Reporting ...... 1 .............................. 1 1 2080 2,080
7 $270,130 $270,130
Regional Entities ..... Self-Assessment ..... ................................. .2 1.6 16,640 26,624
6 $1,105,728 $1,769,164
Reliability Assess- ................................. 1 8 15,600 124,800
ments. 6 $1,036,620 $8,292,960
Reliability Compli- ................................. 1 8 40,560 324,480
ance. 5 $2,988,461 $23,907,688
Standards Develop- ................................. 1 8 2,340 18,720
ment. 6 $155,493 $1,243,944
Other Reporting ...... 8 .............................. 1 8 1,040 8,320
7 $135,065 $1,080,520
Registered Entities .. Stakeholder Survey ................................. .2 289 8 2,312
5 $589 $170,221
Reliability Compli- estimated 1446 ....... 1 1446 400 578,400
ance. 5 $29,472 $42,616,512
Subtotals:
ERO N/A 142,480 hrs.
Regional 502,944 hrs.
Registered 580,712 hrs.
Total Burden ................................. ................................. ............................ ............................ ........................ 1,226,136 hrs.
Hours.
Total Cost .. ................................. ................................. ............................ ............................ ........................ $89,492,791
Comments: Comments are invited on: Commission, including whether the DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
(1) Whether the collection of information will have practical utility;
information is necessary for the proper (2) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate Federal Energy Regulatory
performance of the functions of the of the burden and cost of the collection Commission
of information, including the validity of
4 In all instances below where the number of
the methodology and assumptions used; [Docket No. AD14–15–000]
responses per respondent is ‘‘1’’ the Commission
acknowledges that actual number of responses (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility
varies and cannot be estimated clearly. and clarity of the information collection; Common Performance Metrics;
5 Uses the weighted hourly average wage (salary
and (4) ways to minimize the burden of Request for Information on Common
plus benefits) for electrical engineers and lawyers Performance Metrics for RTOs and
obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (data
the collection of information on those
for May 2014, posted on 4/1/2015 at http:// who are to respond, including the use ISOs and Utilities Outside RTO and ISO
www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm): $91.82/ of automated collection techniques or Regions
hour. The weighted average used the following
calculation: [(0.20) * ($129.87) + (0.60) * ($66.45)
other forms of information technology.
On August 26, 2014, Commission
+ (0.2) * ($39.18)] = $73.68. $129.87/hour is the Dated: August 17, 2015.
wage for lawyers. $66.45/hour is the wage for Staff issued a ‘‘Common Metrics
engineers. $39.17/hour is the wage for office and Kimberly D. Bose, Report,’’ establishing 30 common
administrative support. Occupation codes are 23– Secretary. metrics for independent system
0000, 17–2071, and 43–0000 respectively.
6 Uses the hourly average wage (salary plus
[FR Doc. 2015–20744 Filed 8–20–15; 8:45 am] operators (ISOs), regional transmission
benefits) for electrical engineers obtained from the BILLING CODE 6717–01–P organizations (RTOs), and utilities in
Bureau of Labor Statistics (data for May 2014, non-ISO/RTO regions. In that report,
rmajette on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
posted on 4/1/2015 at http://www.bls.gov/oes/ Commission Staff indicated that upon
current/naics2_22.htm): $66.45/hour. Occupation
code is 17–2071.
approval by the Office of Management
7 Uses the hourly average wage (salary plus and Budget (OMB) for additional data
benefits) for lawyers obtained from the Bureau of collection, a notice would be issued
Labor Statistics (data for May 2014, posted on 4/1/ requesting that the ISOs, RTOs, and
2015 at http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_
22.htm): $129.87/hour. Occupation code is 23–
participating utilities in non-ISO/RTO
0000. regions provide performance
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Document Created: 2018-02-23 11:00:56
Document Modified: 2018-02-23 11:00:56
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of information collection and request for comments. | |
| Dates | Comments on the collection of information are due October 20, 2015. | |
| Contact | Ellen Brown may be reached by email at [email protected], telephone at (202) 502-8663, and fax at (202) 273-0873. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 50846 |
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