82 FR 21538 - Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-725E); Comment Request; Revision and Extension
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 88 (May 9, 2017)
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 88 (May 9, 2017)
| Page Range | 21538-21541 | |
| FR Document | 2017-09341 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 88 (Tuesday, May 9, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 21538-21541] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-09341] [[Page 21538]] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket Nos. RD17-5-000 and IC17-6-000] Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-725E); Comment Request; Revision and Extension AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice of revised information collection and request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In compliance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC) is soliciting public comment on revisions to the information collection, FERC-725E (Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Western Electric Coordinating Council) and will be submitting FERC-725E to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review of the information collection requirements. DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due July 10, 2017. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by Docket Nos. RD17-5-000 and IC17-6-000 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-725E, Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Western Electric Coordinating Council. OMB Control No.: 1902-0246. Type of Request: Three-year approval of the FERC-725E information collection requirements, as modified by Docket No. RD17-5-000. Abstract: The information collected by the FERC-725E is required to implement the statutory provisions of section 215 of the Federal Power Act (FPA) (16 U.S.C. 824o). Section 215 of the FPA buttresses the Commission's efforts to strengthen the reliability of the interstate grid through the grant of new authority by providing for a system of mandatory Reliability Standards developed by the Electric Reliability Organization (ERO). Reliability Standards that the ERO proposes to the Commission may include Reliability Standards that are proposed to the ERO by a Regional Entity.\1\ A Regional Entity is an entity that has been approved by the Commission to enforce Reliability Standards under delegated authority from the ERO.\2\ On June 8, 2008, the Commission approved eight regional Reliability Standards submitted by the ERO that were proposed by the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC).\3\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ 16 U.S.C. 824o(e)(4). \2\ 16 U.S.C. 824o(a)(7) and (e)(4). \3\ North American Electric Reliability Corp., 119 FERC 61,260 (2007). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- WECC promotes bulk electric system reliability in the Western Interconnection. WECC is the Regional Entity responsible for compliance monitoring and enforcement. In addition, WECC provides an environment for the development of Reliability Standards and the coordination of the operating and planning activities of its members as set forth in the WECC Bylaws. There are several regional Reliability Standards in the WECC region. These regional Reliability Standards generally require entities to document compliance with substantive requirements, retain documentation, and submit reports to WECC. BAL-002-WECC-2a (Contingency Reserve) \4\ requires balancing authorities and reserve sharing groups to document compliance with the contingency reserve requirements described in the standard. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \4\ BAL-002-WECC-2 is included in the OMB-approved inventory for FERC-725E. On November 9, 2016, NERC and WECC submitted a joint petition for approval of an interpretation of BAL-002-WECC-2, to be designated BAL-002-WECC-2a. BAL-002-WECC-2a was approved by order in Docket No. RD17-3-000 on January 24, 2017. The Order determined: The proposed interpretation provides clarification regarding the types of resources that may be used to satisfy Contingency Reserve requirements in regional Reliability Standard BAL-002-WECC-2. BAL- 002-WECC-2a did not trigger the Paperwork Reduction Act and did not affect the burden estimate. BAL-002-WECC-2a is being included in this Notice and the Commission's submittal to OMB as part of the FERC-725E. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- BAL-004-WECC-02 (Automatic Time Error Correction) requires balancing authorities to document that time error corrections and primary inadvertent interchange payback were conducted according the requirements in the standard. FAC-501-WECC-1 (Transmission Maintenance) requires transmission owners with certain transmission paths to have a transmission maintenance and inspection plan and to document maintenance and inspection activities according to the plan. IRO-006-WECC-2 (Qualified Transfer Path Unscheduled Flow (USF) Relief) \5\ requires balancing authorities and reliability coordinators document actions taken to mitigate unscheduled flow. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \5\ On December 20, 2013, NERC and WECC submitted a joint petition for approval of IRO-006-WECC-2 and retirement of IRO-006- WECC-1. IRO-006-WECC-2 was approved by order in Docket No. RD14-9- 000 on May 13, 2014. Because the reporting burden for IRO-006-WECC-2 did not increase for entities that operate within the Western Interconnection, FERC submitted the order to OMB for information only. The burden related to IRO-006-WECC-2 does not differ from the burden of IRO-006-WECC-1, which is included in the OMB-approved inventory. IRO-006-WECC-2 is being included in this Notice and the Commission's submittal to OMB as part of FERC-725E. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- PRC-004-WECC-2 (Protection System and Remedial Action Scheme Misoperation) \6\ requires transmission owners, generator owners and transmission operators to document their analysis and/or mitigation due to certain misoperations on major transfer [[Page 21539]] paths. This standard requires that documentation be kept for six years. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \6\ Order No. 818, issued on November 19, 2015 in Docket Nos. RM15-7, RM15-12, and RM15-13, stated in part: ``NERC requested approval of the following Reliability Standards to incorporate the proposed definition of Remedial Action Scheme and eliminate use of the term Special Protection System: . . . PRC-004-WECC-2, . . . NERC did not propose any changes to the Violation Risk Factors or Violation Severity Levels for the modified standards.'' Revisions to Emergency Operations Reliability Standards; Revisions to Undervoltage Load Shedding Reliability Standards; Revisions to the Definition of ``Remedial Action Scheme'' and Related Reliability Standards, Order No. 818, 153 FERC ] 61,228, at P 23 n.31 (2015). In addition, Order No. 818 stated: ``The Commission approved the definition of Special Protection System (Remedial Action Scheme) in Order No. 693. We approve a revision to the previously approved definition. The revisions to the Remedial Action Scheme definition and related Reliability Standards are not expected to result in changes to the scope of systems covered by the Reliability Standards and other Reliability Standards that include the term Remedial Action Scheme. Therefore, the Commission does not expect the revisions to affect applicable entities' current reporting burden.'' Id. P 67. The change to the definition did not affect the burden of PRC-004-WECC-1 (which is included in the current OMB-approved inventory). PRC-004-WECC-2 (the current version of the standard) is being included in this Notice and the Commission's submittal to OMB as part of the FERC-725E. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- VAR-002-WECC-2 (Automatic Voltage Regulators (AVR)) \7\ requires generator operators and transmission operators to provide quarterly reports to the compliance monitor and have evidence related to their synchronous generators, synchronous condensers, and automatic voltage regulators. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \7\ VAR-002-WECC-2 was approved by order in Docket No. RD15-1 on March 3, 2015. Regional Reliability Standard VAR-002-WECC-2 made a non-material or non-substantive change to the reporting and recordkeeping requirements associated with VAR-002-WECC-1 (currently included in the OMB-approved inventory). VAR-002-WECC-2 (the current version of the standard) is being included in this Notice and the Commission's submittal to OMB as part of FERC-725E. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The associated reporting and recordkeeping requirements included in the standards above are not being revised, and the Commission will be submitting a request to OMB to extend these requirements for three years. The Commission's request to OMB will also reflect the following: Eliminating the burden associated with regional Reliability Standard TOP-007-WECC-1a, which is being retired (addressed in Docket No. RD16-10); \8\ and --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \8\ The Commission approved the retirement of regional Reliability Standard TOP-007-WECC-1a (System Operating Limits (SOL)) by order in Docket No. RD16-10-000 on March 10, 2017. On March 31, 2017, the Commission issued a 60-day Notice requesting public comment on the effect on burden. The Notice is available at 82 FR 16823 (April 6, 2017). Comments are due in Docket No. RD16-10-000 by June 5, 2017. See Docket No. RD16-10-000 for additional information (including the estimated annual burden reduction of 1,188 hours). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Implementing the regional Reliability Standard VAR-501- WECC-3 and the retirement of regional Reliability Standard VAR-501- WECC-2 (addressed in Docket No. RD17-5 and discussed below). On March 10, 2017, NERC and WECC filed a joint petition in Docket No. RD17-5-000 \9\ requesting Commission approval of: (a) Regional Reliability Standard VAR-501-WECC-3 (Power System Stabilizers), and (b) the retirement of then-existing regional Reliability Standard VAR-501- WECC-2. The petition states: ``Regional Reliability Standard VAR-501- WECC-3 establishes the performance criteria for power system stabilizers to help ensure the Western Interconnection is operated in a coordinated manner under normal and abnormal conditions.'' VAR-501- WECC-3 was approved by order in Docket No. RD17-5-000 on April 28, 2017. In this document, we provide estimates of the burden and cost related to those revisions to FERC-725E. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \9\ The joint petition and exhibits are posted in the Commission's eLibrary system in Docket No. RD17-5-000. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Type of Respondents: Balancing authorities, reserve sharing groups, transmission owners, reliability coordinators, transmission operators, generator operators, and generator owners. Estimate of Annual Burden \10\: Details follow on the changes in Docket No. RD17-5-000, and on the continuing burdens, which will be submitted to OMB for approval in a consolidated package under FERC- 725E. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \10\ Burden is defined as the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. For further explanation of what is included in the information collection burden, refer to 5 Code of Federal Regulations 1320.3. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Estimate of Changes to Burden Due to Docket No. RD17-5: The joint petition requested Commission approval of regional Reliability Standard VAR-501-WECC-3 and retirement of then-existing regional Reliability Standard VAR-501-WECC-2. The estimated effects on burden and cost \11\ are as follow: --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \11\ For VAR-501-WECC-3, the hourly cost (for salary plus benefits) uses the figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for three positions involved in the reporting and recordkeeping requirements. These figures include salary (http://bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm) and benefits (http://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm) and are: Manager: $89.07/hour Engineer: $64.91/hour File Clerk: $31.19/hour The hourly cost for the reporting requirements ($76.99) is an average of the cost of a manager and engineer. The hourly cost for recordkeeping requirements uses the cost of a file clerk. FERC-725E, Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Western Electric Coordinating Council, Changes in Docket No. RD17-5-000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Annual number Number of of responses Annual number Average burden hrs. & cost per Total annual burden hours & Entity respondents per of responses response ($) total annual cost ($) Cost per respondent ($) \12\ respondent (1) (2) (1) * (2) = (3) (4).............................. (3) * (4) = (5).................. (5) / (1) = (6) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Retirement Of Former Standard VAR-501-WECC-2 and Associated Reductions ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Reporting Requirements (Annually) Generator Operators................... 249 4 996 1 hr.; $76.22.................... 996 hrs.; $75,915.12 (reduction). $304.88 (reduction) Recordkeeping Requirements (Annually) Generator Operators................... 249 4 996 0.5 hrs.; $31.19................. 498 hrs.; $15,532.62 (reduction). $62.38 (reduction) Reductions (Annually)................. .............. .............. ............... ................................. 1,494 hrs.; $91,447.74 ................................. (reduction). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ New Standard VAR-501-WECC-3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Reporting Requirements................ Generator Owners and/or Operators, in 291 3 873 1 hr.; $76.99.................... 873 hrs.; $67,212.27............. $230.97 Year 1. Generator Owners and/or Operators, in 291 2 582 1 hr.; $76.99.................... 582 hrs.; $44,808.18............. $153.98 Year 2 and Ongoing. Recordkeeping Requirements Generator Owners and/or Operators, in 291 3 873 1 hr.; $31.19.................... 873 hrs.; $27,228.87............. $93.57 Year 1. Generator Owners and/or Operators, in 291 2 582 0.5 hrs.; $15.595................ 291 hrs.; $9,076.29.............. $31.19 Year 2 and Ongoing. New Burden, in Year 1................. .............. .............. ............... ................................. 1,746 hrs.; $94,441.14........... ................................. New Burden, in Year 2 & Ongoing....... .............. .............. ............... ................................. 873 hrs.; $53,884.47............. ................................. Net Burden Change in Year 1........... .............. .............. ............... ................................. +252 hrs (increase).............. ................................. [[Page 21540]] Net Burden Change in Year 2 and .............. .............. ............... ................................. -621 hrs. (decrease)............. ................................. Ongoing. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Estimate of Continuing Annual Burden for Renewal and New Reliability Standard VAR-501-WECC-3: \13\ The Commission estimates the annual public reporting burden and cost \14\ as follows for FERC-725E. (This information will be submitted to OMB for approval.) These estimates reflect: --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \12\ The number of respondents is derived from the NERC Compliance Registry as of March 10, 2017. \13\ The Commission is also removing 36 one-time burden hours associated with the requirements in Docket No. RM13-13. The one-time burden has been completed and will now be administratively removed on submittal to OMB. Those hours are not included in the table. \14\ The hourly cost (for salary plus benefits) uses the figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for three positions involved in the reporting and recordkeeping requirements. These figures include salary (http://bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm) and other associated benefits (http://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm) and are: Manager: $89.07/hour Engineer: $64.91/hour File Clerk: $31.19/hour The hourly cost for the reporting requirements ($76.99) is an average of the cost of a manager and engineer. The hourly cost for recordkeeping requirements uses the cost of a file clerk. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reliability Standards in FERC-725E which continue and remain unchanged (BAL-002-WECC-2a, BAL-004-WECC-02, FAC-501-WECC-1, IRO-006-WECC-2, PRC-004-WECC-2, and VAR-002-WECC-2); Removal of burden due to the retirement of TOP-007-WECC-1a (discussed in Docket No. RD16-10-000) Additional burden due to VAR-501-WECC-3, and removal of burden due to the retirement of VAR-501-WECC-2 (detailed above and in Docket No. RD17-5-000). (The burdens and costs related to TOP-007-WECC-1a and VAR-501-WECC- 2 [the standards being retired] are omitted from the table below, which describes the new and continuing information collection requirements.) FERC-725E, Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Western Electric Coordinating Council [New and Continuing Information Collection Requirements] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Number of Annual number Entity respondents of responses Annual number Average burden hrs. & cost per Total annual burden hours & Cost per respondent ($) \15\ per respondent of responses response ($) total annual cost ($) (1) (2) (1)*(2) = (3) (4).............................. (3)*(4) = (5).................... (5)/(1) = (6) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Reporting Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Balancing Authorities................. 34 1 34 21 hrs., $1,616.79............... 714 hrs., $54,970.86............. $1,616.79 Generator Operators................... 228 1 228 10 hrs., $769.90................. 2,280 hrs., $175,537.20.......... $769.90 Transmission Operators applicable to 86 4 344 10 hrs., $769.90................. 3,440 hrs., $264,845.60.......... $769.90 standard VAR-002. Transmission Owners that operate 5 3 15 40 hrs., $3,079.60............... 600 hrs., $46,194.00............. $3,079.60 qualified transfer paths. Reliability Coordinators.............. 1 1 1 1 hr., $76.99.................... 1 hr., $76.99.................... $76.99 Reserve Sharing Group................. 3 1 3 1 hr., $76.99.................... 3 hrs., $230.97.................. $76.99 Generator Owners and/or Operators , in 291 3 873 1 hr.; $76.99.................... 873 hrs.; $67,212.27............. $230.97 Year 1, per RD17-5 for VAR-501-WECC-3. Generator Owners and/or Operators, in 291 2 582 1 hr.; $76.99.................... 582 hrs.; $44,808.18............. $153.98 Year 2 and Ongoing, per RD17-5 for VAR-501-WECC-3. Sub-Total for Reporting .............. .............. ............... ................................. 7,911 hrs.; $609,067.89.......... ................................. Requirement in Year 1. Sub-Total for Reporting .............. .............. ............... ................................. 7,620 hrs.; $586,663.80.......... ................................. Requirement Burden in Year 2 & ongoing. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Recordkeeping Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Balancing Authorities................. 34 1 34 2.1 hrs., $65.50................. 71.4 hrs., $2,226.97............. $65.50 Balancing Authorities (IRO-006)....... 34 1 34 1 hr., $31.19.................... 34 hrs., $1,060.46............... $31.19 Generator Operators................... 228 1 228 1 hr., $31.19.................... 228 hrs., $7,111.32.............. $31.19 Transmission Operator (VAR-002)....... 86 1 86 4 hrs., $124.76.................. 344 hrs., $10,729.36............. $124.76 Transmission Owner that operate 5 1 5 12 hrs., $374.28................. 60 hrs., $1,871.40............... $374.28 qualified transfer paths. Reliability Coordinator............... 1 1 1 1 hr.; $31.19.................... 1 hr.; $31.19.................... $31.19 Generator Owners and/or Operators, in 291 3 873 1 hr.; $31.19.................... 873 hrs.; $27,228.87............. $93.57 Year 1, per RD17-5 for VAR-501-WECC-3. [[Page 21541]] Generator Owners and/or Operators, in 291 2 582 0.5 hrs.; $15.595................ 291 hrs.; $9,076.29.............. $31.19 Year 2 and Ongoing, per RD17-5 for VAR-501-WECC-3. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub-Total for Recordkeeping .............. .............. ............... ................................. 1,611.4 hrs.; $50,259.57......... ................................. Requirements in Yr. 1. Sub-Total for Recordkeeping .............. .............. ............... ................................. 1,029.4 hrs.; $32,106.99......... ................................. Requirements in Yr. 2 & ongoing. TOTAL FOR FERC-725E, IN YR. 1. .............. .............. ............... ................................. 9,522.4 hrs.; $659,327.46........ ................................. TOTAL FOR FERC-725E, IN YR. 2 .............. .............. ............... ................................. 8,649.4 hrs.; $618,770.79........ ................................. & ONGOING. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Comments: Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden and cost of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collection; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Dated: May 3, 2017. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2017-09341 Filed 5-8-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
![21538 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 88 / Tuesday, May 9, 2017 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY collection requirements, as modified by reserve requirements described in the
Docket No. RD17–5–000. standard.
Federal Energy Regulatory Abstract: The information collected • BAL–004–WECC–02 (Automatic
Commission by the FERC–725E is required to Time Error Correction) requires
[Docket Nos. RD17–5–000 and IC17–6–000] implement the statutory provisions of balancing authorities to document that
section 215 of the Federal Power Act time error corrections and primary
Commission Information Collection (FPA) (16 U.S.C. 824o). Section 215 of inadvertent interchange payback were
Activities (FERC–725E); Comment the FPA buttresses the Commission’s conducted according the requirements
Request; Revision and Extension efforts to strengthen the reliability of the in the standard.
interstate grid through the grant of new • FAC–501–WECC–1 (Transmission
AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Maintenance) requires transmission
authority by providing for a system of
Commission. owners with certain transmission paths
mandatory Reliability Standards
ACTION: Notice of revised information developed by the Electric Reliability to have a transmission maintenance and
collection and request for comments. Organization (ERO). Reliability inspection plan and to document
Standards that the ERO proposes to the maintenance and inspection activities
SUMMARY: In compliance with the
Commission may include Reliability according to the plan.
requirements of the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, the Federal Standards that are proposed to the ERO • IRO–006–WECC–2 (Qualified
Energy Regulatory Commission by a Regional Entity.1 A Regional Entity Transfer Path Unscheduled Flow (USF)
(Commission or FERC) is soliciting is an entity that has been approved by Relief) 5 requires balancing authorities
public comment on revisions to the the Commission to enforce Reliability and reliability coordinators document
information collection, FERC–725E Standards under delegated authority actions taken to mitigate unscheduled
(Mandatory Reliability Standards for the from the ERO.2 On June 8, 2008, the flow.
Western Electric Coordinating Council) Commission approved eight regional • PRC–004–WECC–2 (Protection
and will be submitting FERC–725E to Reliability Standards submitted by the System and Remedial Action Scheme
the Office of Management and Budget ERO that were proposed by the Western Misoperation) 6 requires transmission
(OMB) for review of the information Electricity Coordinating Council owners, generator owners and
collection requirements. (WECC).3 transmission operators to document
WECC promotes bulk electric system their analysis and/or mitigation due to
DATES: Comments on the collection of
reliability in the Western certain misoperations on major transfer
information are due July 10, 2017.
Interconnection. WECC is the Regional
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
Entity responsible for compliance 5 On December 20, 2013, NERC and WECC
identified by Docket Nos. RD17–5–000 submitted a joint petition for approval of IRO–006–
monitoring and enforcement. In
and IC17–6–000 by either of the WECC–2 and retirement of IRO–006–WECC–1.
addition, WECC provides an IRO–006–WECC–2 was approved by order in
following methods:
• eFiling at Commission’s Web site: environment for the development of Docket No. RD14–9–000 on May 13, 2014. Because
http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ Reliability Standards and the the reporting burden for IRO–006–WECC–2 did not
coordination of the operating and increase for entities that operate within the Western
efiling.asp. Interconnection, FERC submitted the order to OMB
• Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier: planning activities of its members as set for information only. The burden related to IRO–
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, forth in the WECC Bylaws. 006–WECC–2 does not differ from the burden of
There are several regional Reliability IRO–006–WECC–1, which is included in the OMB-
Secretary of the Commission, 888 First approved inventory. IRO–006–WECC–2 is being
Street NE., Washington, DC 20426. Standards in the WECC region. These included in this Notice and the Commission’s
Instructions: All submissions must be regional Reliability Standards generally submittal to OMB as part of FERC–725E.
formatted and filed in accordance with require entities to document compliance 6 Order No. 818, issued on November 19, 2015 in
with substantive requirements, retain Docket Nos. RM15–7, RM15–12, and RM15–13,
submission guidelines at: http:// stated in part: ‘‘NERC requested approval of the
www.ferc.gov/help/submission- documentation, and submit reports to following Reliability Standards to incorporate the
guide.asp. For user assistance, contact WECC. proposed definition of Remedial Action Scheme
BAL–002–WECC–2a (Contingency and eliminate use of the term Special Protection
FERC Online Support by email at System: . . . PRC–004–WECC–2, . . . NERC did not
ferconlinesupport@ferc.gov, or by phone Reserve) 4 requires balancing authorities propose any changes to the Violation Risk Factors
at: (866) 208–3676 (toll-free), or (202) and reserve sharing groups to document or Violation Severity Levels for the modified
502–8659 for TTY. compliance with the contingency standards.’’ Revisions to Emergency Operations
Reliability Standards; Revisions to Undervoltage
Docket: Users interested in receiving Load Shedding Reliability Standards; Revisions to
automatic notification of activity in this 1 16 U.S.C. 824o(e)(4). the Definition of ‘‘Remedial Action Scheme’’ and
2 16 U.S.C. 824o(a)(7) and (e)(4).
docket or in viewing/downloading Related Reliability Standards, Order No. 818, 153
3 North American Electric Reliability Corp., 119
comments and issuances in this docket FERC ¶ 61,228, at P 23 n.31 (2015). In addition,
FERC 61,260 (2007). Order No. 818 stated: ‘‘The Commission approved
may do so at http://www.ferc.gov/docs- 4 BAL–002–WECC–2 is included in the OMB- the definition of Special Protection System
filing/docs-filing.asp. approved inventory for FERC–725E. On November (Remedial Action Scheme) in Order No. 693. We
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 9, 2016, NERC and WECC submitted a joint petition approve a revision to the previously approved
Ellen Brown may be reached by email for approval of an interpretation of BAL–002– definition. The revisions to the Remedial Action
WECC–2, to be designated BAL–002–WECC–2a. Scheme definition and related Reliability Standards
at DataClearance@FERC.gov, telephone BAL–002–WECC–2a was approved by order in are not expected to result in changes to the scope
at (202) 502–8663, and fax at (202) 273– Docket No. RD17–3–000 on January 24, 2017. The of systems covered by the Reliability Standards and
0873. Order determined: The proposed interpretation other Reliability Standards that include the term
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES
provides clarification regarding the types of Remedial Action Scheme. Therefore, the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: resources that may be used to satisfy Contingency Commission does not expect the revisions to affect
Title: FERC–725E, Mandatory Reserve requirements in regional Reliability applicable entities’ current reporting burden.’’ Id. P
Reliability Standards for the Western Standard BAL–002–WECC–2. BAL–002–WECC–2a 67. The change to the definition did not affect the
Electric Coordinating Council. did not trigger the Paperwork Reduction Act and burden of PRC–004–WECC–1 (which is included in
did not affect the burden estimate. BAL–002– the current OMB-approved inventory). PRC–004–
OMB Control No.: 1902–0246. WECC–2a is being included in this Notice and the WECC–2 (the current version of the standard) is
Type of Request: Three-year approval Commission’s submittal to OMB as part of the being included in this Notice and the Commission’s
of the FERC–725E information FERC–725E. submittal to OMB as part of the FERC–725E.
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![21540 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 88 / Tuesday, May 9, 2017 / Notices
FERC–725E, MANDATORY RELIABILITY STANDARDS FOR THE WESTERN ELECTRIC COORDINATING COUNCIL, CHANGES IN
DOCKET NO. RD17–5–000—Continued
Annual Total annual
Annual Average burden hrs. &
Number of number of burden hours & Cost per respondent
Entity number of cost per response
respondents 12 responses per total annual cost ($)
responses ($)
respondent ($)
(1) (2) (1) * (2) = (3) (4) (3) * (4) = (5) (5) ÷ (1) = (6)
Net Burden Change in Year 2 and ........................ ........................ .......................... ..................................... ¥621 hrs. (decrease)
Ongoing.
Estimate of Continuing Annual (BAL–002–WECC–2a, BAL–004–WECC– WECC–2 (detailed above and in Docket
Burden for Renewal and New Reliability 02, FAC–501–WECC–1, IRO–006– No. RD17–5–000).
Standard VAR–501–WECC–3: 13 The WECC–2, PRC–004–WECC–2, and VAR– (The burdens and costs related to
Commission estimates the annual public 002–WECC–2); TOP–007–WECC–1a and VAR–501–
reporting burden and cost 14 as follows • Removal of burden due to the
WECC–2 [the standards being retired]
for FERC–725E. (This information will retirement of TOP–007–WECC–1a
are omitted from the table below, which
be submitted to OMB for approval.) (discussed in Docket No. RD16–10–000)
• Additional burden due to VAR– describes the new and continuing
These estimates reflect:
• Reliability Standards in FERC–725E 501–WECC–3, and removal of burden information collection requirements.)
which continue and remain unchanged due to the retirement of VAR–501–
FERC–725E, MANDATORY RELIABILITY STANDARDS FOR THE WESTERN ELECTRIC COORDINATING COUNCIL
[New and Continuing Information Collection Requirements]
Annual Total annual
Annual Average burden hrs. &
Number of number of burden hours & Cost per respondent
Entity number of cost per response
respondents 15 responses per total annual cost ($)
responses ($)
respondent ($)
(1) (2) (1)*(2) = (3) (4) (3)*(4) = (5) (5)÷(1) = (6)
Reporting Requirements
Balancing Authorities ....................... 34 1 34 21 hrs., $1,616.79 ...... 714 hrs., $54,970.86 .. $1,616.79
Generator Operators ........................ 228 1 228 10 hrs., $769.90 ......... 2,280 hrs., $769.90
$175,537.20.
Transmission Operators applicable 86 4 344 10 hrs., $769.90 ......... 3,440 hrs., $769.90
to standard VAR–002. $264,845.60.
Transmission Owners that operate 5 3 15 40 hrs., $3,079.60 ...... 600 hrs., $46,194.00 .. $3,079.60
qualified transfer paths.
Reliability Coordinators .................... 1 1 1 1 hr., $76.99 ............... 1 hr., $76.99 ............... $76.99
Reserve Sharing Group ................... 3 1 3 1 hr., $76.99 ............... 3 hrs., $230.97 ........... $76.99
Generator Owners and/or Operators 291 3 873 1 hr.; $76.99 ............... 873 hrs.; $67,212.27 .. $230.97
, in Year 1, per RD17–5 for VAR–
501–WECC–3.
Generator Owners and/or Opera- 291 2 582 1 hr.; $76.99 ............... 582 hrs.; $44,808.18 .. $153.98
tors, in Year 2 and Ongoing, per
RD17–5 for VAR–501–WECC–3.
Sub-Total for Reporting Re- ........................ ........................ .......................... ..................................... 7,911 hrs.;
quirement in Year 1. $609,067.89.
Sub-Total for Reporting Re- ........................ ........................ .......................... ..................................... 7,620 hrs.;
quirement Burden in Year 2 $586,663.80.
& ongoing.
Recordkeeping Requirements
Balancing Authorities ....................... 34 1 34 2.1 hrs., $65.50 .......... 71.4 hrs., $2,226.97 ... $65.50
Balancing Authorities (IRO–006) ..... 34 1 34 1 hr., $31.19 ............... 34 hrs., $1,060.46 ...... $31.19
Generator Operators ........................ 228 1 228 1 hr., $31.19 ............... 228 hrs., $7,111.32 .... $31.19
Transmission Operator (VAR–002) .. 86 1 86 4 hrs., $124.76 ........... 344 hrs., $10,729.36 .. $124.76
Transmission Owner that operate 5 1 5 12 hrs., $374.28 ......... 60 hrs., $1,871.40 ...... $374.28
qualified transfer paths.
Reliability Coordinator ...................... 1 1 1 1 hr.; $31.19 ............... 1 hr.; $31.19 ............... $31.19
Generator Owners and/or Opera- 291 3 873 1 hr.; $31.19 ............... 873 hrs.; $27,228.87 .. $93.57
tors, in Year 1, per RD17–5 for
VAR–501–WECC–3.
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES
12 The number of respondents is derived from the 14 The hourly cost (for salary plus benefits) uses • Engineer: $64.91/hour
NERC Compliance Registry as of March 10, 2017. the figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for • File Clerk: $31.19/hour
13 The Commission is also removing 36 one-time three positions involved in the reporting and
The hourly cost for the reporting requirements
burden hours associated with the requirements in recordkeeping requirements. These figures include
salary (http://bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm) ($76.99) is an average of the cost of a manager and
Docket No. RM13–13. The one-time burden has
been completed and will now be administratively and other associated benefits (http://www.bls.gov/ engineer. The hourly cost for recordkeeping
removed on submittal to OMB. Those hours are not news.release/ecec.nr0.htm) and are: requirements uses the cost of a file clerk.
included in the table. • Manager: $89.07/hour
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 88 / Tuesday, May 9, 2017 / Notices 21541
FERC–725E, MANDATORY RELIABILITY STANDARDS FOR THE WESTERN ELECTRIC COORDINATING COUNCIL—Continued
[New and Continuing Information Collection Requirements]
Annual Total annual
Annual Average burden hrs. &
Number of number of burden hours & Cost per respondent
Entity number of cost per response
respondents 15 responses per responses ($) total annual cost ($)
respondent ($)
(1) (2) (1)*(2) = (3) (4) (3)*(4) = (5) (5)÷(1) = (6)
Generator Owners and/or Opera- 291 2 582 0.5 hrs.; $15.595 ........ 291 hrs.; $9,076.29 .... $31.19
tors, in Year 2 and Ongoing, per
RD17–5 for VAR–501–WECC–3.
Sub-Total for Recordkeeping ........................ ........................ .......................... ..................................... 1,611.4 hrs.;
Requirements in Yr. 1. $50,259.57.
Sub-Total for Recordkeeping ........................ ........................ .......................... ..................................... 1,029.4 hrs.;
Requirements in Yr. 2 & on- $32,106.99.
going.
TOTAL FOR FERC–725E, ........................ ........................ .......................... ..................................... 9,522.4 hrs.;
IN YR. 1. $659,327.46.
TOTAL FOR FERC–725E, ........................ ........................ .......................... ..................................... 8,649.4 hrs.;
IN YR. 2 & ONGOING. $618,770.79.
Comments: Comments are invited on: which were damaged as a result of authorization pursuant to section 7 of
(1) Whether the collection of undermining activity that took place in the NGA.
information is necessary for the proper 2010 and are at risk for gas loss. The Pursuant to section 157.9 of the
performance of the functions of the abandonment will have no effect on the Commission’s rules, 18 CFR 157.9,
Commission, including whether the certificated physical parameters of the within 90 days of this Notice the
information will have practical utility; field, and there will be no effect on Commission staff will either: Complete
(2) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate service to any of Equitrans’ customers, its environmental assessment (EA) and
of the burden and cost of the collection all as more fully set forth in the place it into the Commission’s public
of information, including the validity of application which is on file with the record (eLibrary) for this proceeding; or
the methodology and assumptions used; Commission and open to public issue a Notice of Schedule for
(3) ways to enhance the quality, utility inspection. The filing may also be Environmental Review. If a Notice of
and clarity of the information collection; viewed on the web at http:// Schedule for Environmental Review is
and (4) ways to minimize the burden of www.ferc.gov using the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link. issued, it will indicate, among other
the collection of information on those Enter the docket number excluding the milestones, the anticipated date for the
who are to respond, including the use last three digits in the docket number Commission staff’s issuance of the final
of automated collection techniques or field to access the document. For environmental impact statement (FEIS)
other forms of information technology. assistance, contact FERC at or EA for this proposal. The filing of the
Dated: May 3, 2017. FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or call EA in the Commission’s public record
Kimberly D. Bose,
toll-free, (866) 208–3676 or TTY, (202) for this proceeding or the issuance of a
502–8659. Notice of Schedule for Environmental
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017–09341 Filed 5–8–17; 8:45 am]
Any questions regarding this Review will serve to notify federal and
Application should be directed to Paul state agencies of the timing for the
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
W. Diehl, Counsel, Midstream at completion of all necessary reviews, and
Equitrans, L.P., 625 Liberty Avenue, the subsequent need to complete all
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Suite 1700, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania federal authorizations within 90 days of
15222, by phone (412) 395–5540, or by the date of issuance of the Commission
Federal Energy Regulatory fax (412) 553–7781, or by email at staff’s FEIS or EA.
Commission pdiehl@eqt.com. Persons who wish to comment only
Any person may, within 60 days after on the environmental review of this
[Docket No. CP17–239–000] the issuance of the instant notice by the project should submit an original and
Equitrans, L.P.; Notice of Request Commission, file pursuant to Rule 214 two copies of their comments to the
Under Blanket Authorization of the Commission’s Procedural Rules Secretary of the Commission.
(18 CFR 385.214) a motion to intervene Environmental commenter’s will be
Take notice that on April 25, 2017, or notice of intervention. Any person placed on the Commission’s
Equitrans, L.P. (Equitrans), 625 Liberty filing to intervene or the Commission’s environmental mailing list, will receive
Avenue, Suite 1700, Pittsburgh, staff may, pursuant to section 157.205 of copies of the environmental documents,
Pennsylvania 15222 filed a prior notice the Commission’s Regulations under the and will be notified of meetings
request pursuant to sections 157.205 NGA (18 CFR 157.205) file a protest to associated with the Commission’s
and 157.216(b) of the Commission’s the request. If no protest is filed within environmental review process.
regulations under the Natural Gas Act the time allowed therefore, the proposed Environmental commenter’s will not be
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES
for authorization to abandon two wells activity shall be deemed to be required to serve copies of filed
in Equitrans’ Logansport Storage Field authorized effective the day after the documents on all other parties.
located in Marion County, West time allowed for protest. If a protest is However, the non-party commentary,
Virginia. Specifically, Equitrans seeks to filed and not withdrawn within 30 days will not receive copies of all documents
plug and abandon two natural gas after the time allowed for filing a filed by other parties or issued by the
storage injection and withdrawal wells, protest, the instant request shall be Commission (except for the mailing of
Logansport 6188 and Logansport 8271, treated as an application for environmental documents issued by the
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Document Created: 2018-11-08 08:41:26
Document Modified: 2018-11-08 08:41:26
| 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 revised information collection and request for comments. | |
| Dates | Comments on the collection of information are due July 10, 2017. | |
| Contact | Ellen Brown may be reached by email at [email protected], telephone at (202) 502-8663, and fax at (202) 273-0873. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 21538 |
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