81 FR 46664 - Proposed Agency Information Collection
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 137 (July 18, 2016)
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 137 (July 18, 2016)
| Page Range | 46664-46666 | |
| FR Document | 2016-16899 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 137 (Monday, July 18, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 46664-46666] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-16899] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. RD16-4-000] Proposed Agency Information Collection AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, DOE. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) invites public comment in Docket No. RD16-4-000 on a proposed change to a collection of information (FERC-725M, Mandatory Reliability Standards: Generator Requirements at the Transmission Interface) that the Commission is developing for submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The Commission previously issued a Notice in the Federal Register (81 FR 26543, May 3, 2016) requesting public [[Page 46665]] comments. The Commission received no comments and is making this notation in the submittals to OMB. DATES: Comments regarding the proposed information collections must be received on or before August 17, 2016. ADDRESSES: Comments filed with OMB, identified by the OMB Control No. 1902-0263, should be sent via email to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at: [email protected], Attention: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Desk Officer. A copy of the comments should also be sent to the Commission, in Docket No. RD16-4-000, 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: The Commission will submit the reporting and recordkeeping requirements of proposed Reliability Standard FAC-003-4 (Transmission Vegetation Management) to OMB for review. Proposed Reliability Standard FAC-003-4 \1\ replaces the requirements from the previous version of the Reliability Standard (FAC-003-3 \2\), which is approved under FERC-725M (Mandatory Reliability Standards: Generator Requirements at the Transmission Interface, OMB Control No. 1902-0263). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ The Reliability Standard was approved in a Delegated Order issued on 4/26/2016 (posted at http://elibrary-backup.ferc.gov/idmws/common/opennat.asp?fileID=14218839). \2\ Reliability Standard FAC-003-3 was approved in Order No. 785 in Docket No. RM12-16-000. Revisions to Reliability Standard for Transmission Vegetation Management, Order No. 777, 142 FERC ] 61,208 (2013). The associated reporting and recordkeeping requirements in FAC-003-3 were approved by OMB on Dec. 17, 2013, under FERC-725M. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Type of Request: Three-year approval of the revised FERC-725M information collection requirements with the stated changes to the current reporting and record retention requirements. Abstract: The Commission requires the information collected by the FERC-725M to implement the statutory provisions of section 215 of the Federal Power Act (FPA).\3\ 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).\4\ EPAct 2005 added a new section 215 to the FPA, which requires 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.\5\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \3\ 16 U.S.C. 824o (2012). \4\ Energy Policy Act of 2005, Public Law 109-58, title XII, subtitle A, 119 Stat. 594, 941 (codified at 16 U.S.C. 824o). \5\ 16 U.S.C. 824o(e)(3). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- On February 3, 2006, the Commission issued Order No. 672, implementing section 215 of the FPA.\6\ Pursuant to Order No. 672, the Commission certified one organization, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), as the ERO.\7\ The Reliability Standards developed by the ERO and approved by the Commission apply to users, owners and operators of the Bulk-Power System as set forth in each Reliability Standard. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \6\ Rules Concerning Certification of the Electric Reliability Organization; and Procedures for the Establishment, Approval, and Enforcement of Electric Reliability Standards, Order No. 672, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 31,204, order on reh'g, Order No. 672-A, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 31,212 (2006). \7\ North American Electric Reliability Corp., 116 FERC ] 61,062, order on reh'g and compliance, 117 FERC ] 61,126 (2006), order on compliance, 118 FERC ] 61,190, order on reh'g, 119 FERC ] 61,046 (2007), aff'd sub nom. Alcoa Inc. v. FERC, 564 F.3d 1342 (D.C. Cir. 2009). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- On March 14, 2016, NERC filed a petition for Commission approval of proposed Reliability Standard FAC-003-4 (Transmission Vegetation Management). NERC states in its petition that proposed Reliability Standard FAC-003-4 reflects revisions to the current Minimum Vegetation Clearance Distances (MVCDs) in Reliability Standard FAC-003-3 based on additional testing regarding the appropriate gap factor to be used to calculate clearance distances for vegetation. NERC explains that in response to the Commission's directive as part of its approval of an earlier version of the Reliability Standard, FAC-003-2, NERC contracted with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) to conduct this testing.\8\ As NERC notes, when the Commission approved Reliability Standard FAC-003-2, the Commission stated that ``it is important that NERC develop empirical evidence that either confirms assumptions used in calculating the MVCD values based on the Gallet equation, or gives reason to revisit the Reliability Standard.'' \9\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \8\ NERC Petition at 7 (citing Order No. 777, 142 FERC ] 61,208 (2013)). \9\ Order No. 777, 142 FERC ] 61,208 at P 3. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- NERC states in its petition that preliminary testing conducted by EPRI indicated that the gap factor used to calculate MVCDs should be adjusted. NERC further explains that proposed Reliability Standard FAC- 003-4 proposes higher and more conservative MVCD values, and therefore maintains that these revisions will ``enhance reliability and provide additional confidence by applying a more conservative approach to determining the vegetation clearing distances.'' \10\ NERC states that the revised clearances as reflected in Table 2 were moved into the text of the proposed Reliability Standard, and that MVCD values were added for elevations up to 15,000 feet, but that no other substantive changes were made to the currently-effective Reliability Standard FAC-003- 3.\11\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \10\ NERC Petition at 3. \11\ Id. at 12, and n. 37 (describing certain non-substantive edits to the standard and implementation plan as compared to the currently-effective version of the standard). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Type of Respondents: Transmission Owner (TO) and Generator Owner (GO) Estimate of Annual Burden: \12\ The burden and cost estimates below are based on the number of transmission owners and generator owners as reflected in NERC's registry (i.e., updated since the Commission's approval of earlier versions of FAC-003). Transmission owners and applicable generator owners have a one-time burden to review and modify existing documentation, plans and procedures, as well as an ongoing burden to retain records. Our estimate of the number of respondents affected is based on the NERC Compliance Registry as of February 25, 2016. According to the Compliance Registry, NERC has registered 320 transmission owners and 940 generator owners within the United States, and we estimate that [[Page 46666]] approximately 10 percent (or 94) of the registered generator owners have interconnection facilities that meet the requirements for applicability under the new standard. The estimated annual burden and cost of the new standard follow.\13\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \12\ 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 information, refer to 5 CFR 1320.3. \13\ The estimates for cost per hour (for salary plus benefits) are derived from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics' figures for May 2015 (at http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm#11-0000 and benefits [updated March 10, 2016] at http://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm), as follows: $62.16/hour for salary plus benefits [based on the average for an electrical engineer (code 17-2071, at $64.20/hour), a first-line supervisor of forestry workers (code 45-1011, at $33.34/ hour), and a manager (code 11-0000, at $88.94/hour)] $31.76/hour, salary plus benefits for an information and record clerk (code 43-4000). FERC-725M--Changes Due to FAC-003-4 in Docket No. RD16-4-000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total annual Number of Number of Total number Average burden hours and Total annual burden cost per Requirements/measures \14\ respondents responses per of responses cost per response hours and cost respondent \15\ respondent ($) (1) (2) (1)*(2)=(3) (4)..................... (3)*(4)=(5)............ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Strategies, documentation, processes, 414 1 414 4 hrs.; $248.64......... 1,656 hrs.; $102,936.96 $248.64 & procedures (M3) [one-time]. [@$62.16/hr.]. Record Retention (Compliance 1.2) 414 1 414 1 hr.; $31.76........... 414 hrs.; $13,148.64 31.76 [ongoing]. [@$31.76/hr.]. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total Net Change, due to RD16-4.. .............. .............. .............. ........................ 2,070 hrs.; $116,085.60 .............. \16\. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 estimates of the burden and cost of the collections 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. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \14\ The Order in Docket No. RD16-4 does not modify the following requirements. However, due to normal fluctuations in industry, the number of respondents (TOs and GOs), in the submittal to OMB will be updated as follows. The Quarterly Reporting (Compliance 1.4) is required of 102 respondents (94 GOs and 8 Regional Entities), rather than 96 respondents. The requirements for Annual Vegetation Inspection Document (M6), annual vegetation work plan (M7), evidence of management of vegetation (M1 and M2), confirmed vegetation condition (M4), and corrective action (M5) are required of 94 respondents (rather than 88). \15\ We estimate a total of 414 respondents (320 TOs and 94 GOs) are affected. \16\ This is the estimate for Year 1 (including one-time implementation cost plus ongoing record retention costs). In subsequent years, only the record retention costs ($13,148.64, annual total for all respondents) will continue. For the submittal to OMB (available in reginfo.gov), the one- time implementation burden and cost (which will be completed in Year 1) will be averaged over Years 1-3. Dated: July 11, 2016. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2016-16899 Filed 7-15-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
![46664 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 137 / Monday, July 18, 2016 / Notices
clicking on the links or querying the and 214 of the Commission’s Dated: July 12, 2016.
docket number. Regulations (18 CFR 385.211 and Kimberly D. Bose,
Any person desiring to intervene or § 385.214) on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Secretary.
protest in any of the above proceedings time on the specified comment date. [FR Doc. 2016–16894 Filed 7–15–16; 8:45 am]
must file in accordance with Rules 211 Protests may be considered, but BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
and 214 of the Commission’s intervention is necessary to become a
Regulations (18 CFR 385.211 and party to the proceeding.
385.214) on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Filings in Existing Proceedings
time on the specified comment date.
Protests may be considered, but Docket Numbers: RP01–382–026. Federal Energy Regulatory
intervention is necessary to become a Applicants: Northern Natural Gas Commission
party to the proceeding. Company. [Docket No. EL16–96–000]
eFiling is encouraged. More detailed Description: Northern Natural Gas
information relating to filing Company submits Carlton PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.; Notice of
requirements, interventions, protests, Reimbursement Report. Institution of Section 206 Proceeding
service, and qualifying facilities filings Filed Date: 6/1/16. and Refund Effective Date
can be found at: http://www.ferc.gov/ Accession Number: 20160601–5395.
docs-filing/efiling/filing-req.pdf. For Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 6/18/16. On July 11, 2016, the Commission
other information, call (866) 208–3676 issued an order in Docket No. EL16–96–
Any person desiring to protest in any 000, pursuant to section 206 of the
(toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502–8659. of the above proceedings must file in Federal Power Act (FPA), 16 U.S.C.
Dated: July 12, 2016. accordance with Rule 211 of the 824e (2012), instituting an investigation
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., Commission’s Regulations (18 CFR into the justness and reasonableness of
Deputy Secretary. 385.211) on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern certain aspects of PJM Interconnection,
[FR Doc. 2016–16878 Filed 7–15–16; 8:45 am]
time on the specified comment date. L.L.C.’s Amended and Restated
The filings are accessible in the Operating Agreement. PJM
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
Commission’s eLibrary system by Interconnection, L.L.C., 156 FERC ¶
clicking on the links or querying the 61,030 (2016).
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY docket number. The refund effective date in Docket
eFiling is encouraged. More detailed No. EL16–96–000, established pursuant
Federal Energy Regulatory information relating to filing to section 206(b) of the FPA, will be the
Commission requirements, interventions, protests, date of publication of this notice in the
service, and qualifying facilities filings Federal Register.
Combined Notice of Filings can be found at: http://www.ferc.gov/
Dated: July 12, 2016.
docs-filing/efiling/filing-req.pdf. For
Take notice that the Commission has Kimberly D. Bose,
other information, call (866) 208–3676
received the following Natural Gas Secretary.
(toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502–8659.
Pipeline Rate and Refund Report filings: [FR Doc. 2016–16895 Filed 7–15–16; 8:45 am]
Dated: July 11, 2016.
Filings Instituting Proceedings Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
Docket Numbers: CP16–469–000. Deputy Secretary.
Applicants: ANR Storage Company. [FR Doc. 2016–16879 Filed 7–15–16; 8:45 am] DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Description: Abbreviated Application BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
of ANR Storage Company for Approval Federal Energy Regulatory
to Abandon Individually Certificated Commission
Part 157 Service and Provide Part 284 DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY [Docket No. RD16–4–000]
Service.
Filed Date: 6/16/16. Federal Energy Regulatory Proposed Agency Information
Accession Number: 20160616–5109. Commission Collection
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 7/15/16.
Docket Numbers: RP16–1082–000. [Docket No. EL16–90–000] AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory
Applicants: Columbia Gas Commission, DOE.
Transmission, LLC. Panda Liberty LLC; Notice of ACTION: Notice and request for
Description: Petition for Approval of Institution of Section 206 Proceeding comments.
Settlement of Columbia Gas and Refund Effective Date
SUMMARY: The Federal Energy
Transmission, LLC. On July 12, 2016, the Commission Regulatory Commission (Commission)
Filed Date: 6/30/16. issued an order in Docket No. EL16–90– invites public comment in Docket No.
Accession Number: 20160630–5425. 000, pursuant to section 206 of the RD16–4–000 on a proposed change to a
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 7/12/16. Federal Power Act (FPA), 16 U.S.C. collection of information (FERC–725M,
Docket Numbers: RP16–1083–000. 824e (2012), instituting an investigation Mandatory Reliability Standards:
Applicants: MIGC LLC. into the justness and reasonableness of Generator Requirements at the
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Description: Annual Fuel Retention Panda Liberty LLC’s proposed reactive Transmission Interface) that the
Percentage Tracker of MIGC LLC. power rate schedule. Panda Liberty LLC, Commission is developing for
Filed Date: 7/1/16. 156 FERC ¶ 61,033 (2016). submission to the Office of Management
Accession Number: 20160701–5344. The refund effective date in Docket and Budget (OMB) pursuant to the
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 7/13/16. No. EL16–90–000, established pursuant Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The
Any person desiring to intervene or to section 206(b) of the FPA, will be the Commission previously issued a Notice
protest in any of the above proceedings date of publication of this notice in the in the Federal Register (81 FR 26543,
must file in accordance with Rules 211 Federal Register. May 3, 2016) requesting public
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![46666 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 137 / Monday, July 18, 2016 / Notices
approximately 10 percent (or 94) of the requirements for applicability under the burden and cost of the new standard
registered generator owners have new standard. The estimated annual follow.13
interconnection facilities that meet the
FERC–725M—CHANGES DUE TO FAC–003–4 IN DOCKET NO. RD16–4–000
Total annual
Number of Average burden hours
Requirements/meas- Number of Total number Total annual burden cost per
responses per and
ures 14 respondents 15 of responses hours and cost respondent
respondent cost per response ($)
(1) (2) (1)*(2)=(3) (4) (3)*(4)=(5)
Strategies, documenta- 414 1 414 4 hrs.; $248.64 ............ 1,656 hrs.; $248.64
tion, processes, & $102,936.96
procedures (M3) [@$62.16/hr.].
[one-time].
Record Retention 414 1 414 1 hr.; $31.76 ................ 414 hrs.; $13,148.64 31.76
(Compliance 1.2) [on- [@$31.76/hr.].
going].
Total Net Change, ........................ ........................ ........................ ..................................... 2,070 hrs.; ........................
due to RD16–4. $116,085.60 16.
Comments: Comments are invited on: DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
(1) Whether the collection of
information is necessary for the proper Federal Energy Regulatory Federal Energy Regulatory
performance of the functions of the Commission Commission
Commission, including whether the
[Docket Nos. CP16–3–000 and CP16–3–001]
information will have practical utility; [Project No. 12965–002]
(2) the accuracy of the agency’s Texas Eastern Transmission, LP;
estimates of the burden and cost of the Wickiup Hydro Group, LLC; Notice of
Notice of Schedule for Environmental
collections of information, including the Schedule Change Review of the Access South, Adair
validity of the methodology and Southwest, and Lebanon Extension
assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance On June 27, 2016, the Commission
Projects
the quality, utility and clarity of the issued a ‘‘Notice of Teleconference to
information collection; and (4) ways to Discuss Endangered Species Act On October 8, 2015, Texas Eastern
minimize the burden of the collection of Consultation’’ for the Wickiup Dam Transmission, LP (Texas Eastern) filed
information on those who are to Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. an application requesting a Certificate of
respond, including the use of automated 12965. This teleconference has been Public Convenience and Necessity
collection techniques or other forms of rescheduled due to unforeseen pursuant to Section 7(c) of the Natural
scheduling conflicts to August 1, 2016 Gas Act to construct, operate, and
information technology.
at 1:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time (4:00 maintain pipeline loops, install
Dated: July 11, 2016. additional compression, and allow for
p.m. Eastern Daylight Time). Please
Kimberly D. Bose, email Karen Sughrue at karen.sughrue@ reverse flow capabilities. The proposed
Secretary. ferc.gov to RSVP. projects, known as Access South, Adair
[FR Doc. 2016–16899 Filed 7–15–16; 8:45 am] Southwest, and the Lebanon Extension
Dated: July 11, 2016. Projects would enable Texas Eastern to
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
Kimberly D. Bose, transport up to an additional 622,000
Secretary. dekatherms per day of natural gas on its
[FR Doc. 2016–16898 Filed 7–15–16; 8:45 am] mainline system from Uniontown,
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
Pennsylvania to points in Ohio,
Kentucky, and Mississippi.
On October 22, 2015, the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission
(Commission or FERC) issued its Notice
of Application for the projects. Among
13 The estimates for cost per hour (for salary plus 14 The Order in Docket No. RD16–4 does not 15 We estimate a total of 414 respondents (320
benefits) are derived from the Bureau of Labor and modify the following requirements. However, due TOs and 94 GOs) are affected.
Statistics’ figures for May 2015 (at http:// to normal fluctuations in industry, the number of 16 This is the estimate for Year 1 (including one-
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm#11-0000 respondents (TOs and GOs), in the submittal to
time implementation cost plus ongoing record
and benefits [updated March 10, 2016] at http:// OMB will be updated as follows.
retention costs). In subsequent years, only the
www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm), as • The Quarterly Reporting (Compliance 1.4) is
follows: required of 102 respondents (94 GOs and 8 Regional record retention costs ($13,148.64, annual total for
• $62.16/hour for salary plus benefits [based on Entities), rather than 96 respondents. all respondents) will continue.
the average for an electrical engineer (code 17– • The requirements for Annual Vegetation For the submittal to OMB (available in
2071, at $64.20/hour), a first-line supervisor of Inspection Document (M6), annual vegetation work reginfo.gov), the one-time implementation burden
forestry workers (code 45–1011, at $33.34/hour), plan (M7), evidence of management of vegetation and cost (which will be completed in Year 1) will
and a manager (code 11–0000, at $88.94/hour)] (M1 and M2), confirmed vegetation condition (M4), be averaged over Years 1–3.
• $31.76/hour, salary plus benefits for an and corrective action (M5) are required of 94
information and record clerk (code 43–4000). respondents (rather than 88).
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Document Created: 2016-07-16 02:28:18
Document Modified: 2016-07-16 02:28:18
| 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 and request for comments. | |
| Dates | Comments regarding the proposed information collections must be received on or before August 17, 2016. | |
| Contact | Ellen Brown may be reached by email at [email protected], telephone at (202) 502-8663, and fax at (202) 273-0873. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 46664 |
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