82 FR 60980 - Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-725F); Comment Request; Extension
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 246 (December 26, 2017)
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 246 (December 26, 2017)
| Page Range | 60980-60981 | |
| FR Document | 2017-27732 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 246 (Tuesday, December 26, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 60980-60981] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-27732] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. IC18-3-000] Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-725F); Comment Request; Extension AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice of 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 the currently approved information collection, FERC 725F (Mandatory Reliability Standard for Nuclear Plant Interface Coordination). DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due February 26, 2018. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments (identified by Docket No. IC18-3- 000) by either of the following methods:eFiling at Commission's website: 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 725F, Mandatory Reliability Standard for Nuclear Plant Interface Coordination. OMB Control No.: 1902-0249. Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC-725F information collection requirements with no changes to the current reporting requirements. Abstract: The Commission requires the information collected by the FERC-725F to implement the statutory provisions of section 215 of the Federal Power Act (FPA) (16 U.S.C. 824o). On August 8, 2005, the Electricity Modernization Act of 2005, which is Title XII, Subtitle A, of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005), was enacted into law.\1\ EPAct 2005 added a new section 215 to the FPA, which required a Commission-certified Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) to develop mandatory and enforceable Reliability Standards, which are subject to Commission review and approval. Once approved, the Reliability Standards may be enforced by the ERO subject to Commission oversight, or the Commission can independently enforce Reliability Standards.\2\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ Energy Policy Act of 2005, Public Law 109-58, Title XII, Subtitle A, 119 Stat. 594, 941 (2005), 16 U.S.C. 824o. \2\ 16 U.S.C. 824o(e)(3). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- On February 3, 2006, the Commission issued Order No. 672, implementing section 215 of the FPA.\3\ Pursuant to Order No. 672, the Commission certified one organization, North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), as the ERO. 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. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \3\ 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). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- On November 19, 2007, NERC filed its petition for Commission approval of the Nuclear Plant Interface Coordination Reliability Standard, designated NUC-001-1. In Order No. 716, issued October 16, 2008, the Commission approved the standard while also directing certain revisions.\4\ Revised Reliability Standard, NUC-001-2, was filed with the Commission by NERC in August 2009 and subsequently approved by the Commission January 21, 2010.\5\ On November 4, 2014, in Docket No. RD14-13, the Commission approved revised Reliability Standard NUC-001- 3.\6\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \4\ Mandatory Reliability Standard for Nuclear Plant Interface Coordination, Order No. 716, 125 FERC ] 61,065, at P 189 & n.90 (2008), order on reh'g, Order No. 716-A, 126 FERC ] 61,122 (2009). \5\ North American Electric Reliability Corporation, 130 FERC ] 61,051 (2010). When the revised Reliability Standard was approved, the Commission did not go to OMB for approval. It is assumed that the changes made did not substantively affect the information collection and therefore a formal submission to OMB was not needed. The most recent OMB approval for FERC-725F was issued on 6/15/2015. \6\ The Letter Order is posted at https://elibrary.ferc.gov/idmws/common/OpenNat.asp?fileID=13675845. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The purpose of Reliability Standard NUC-001-3 is to require ``coordination between nuclear plant generator operators and transmission entities for the purpose of ensuring nuclear plant safe operation and shutdown.'' \7\ The Nuclear Reliability Standard applies to nuclear plant generator operators (generally nuclear power plant owners and operators, including licensees) and ``transmission entities,'' defined in the Reliability Standard as including a nuclear plant's suppliers of off-site power and related transmission and distribution services. To account for the variations in nuclear plant design and grid interconnection characteristics, the Reliability Standard defines transmission entities as ``all entities that are responsible for providing services related to Nuclear Plant Interface Requirements (NPIRs),'' and lists eleven types of functional entities (heretofore described as ``transmission entities'') that could provide services related to NPIRs.\8\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \7\ See Reliability Standard NUC-001-2 at http://www.nerc.com/files/NUC-001-3.pdf. \8\ The list of functional entities consists of transmission operators, transmission owners, transmission planners, transmission service providers, balancing authorities, reliability coordinators, planning authorities, distribution providers, load-serving entities, generator owners and generator operators. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- FERC-725F information collection requirements include establishing and maintaining interface agreements, including record retention requirements. These agreements are not filed with FERC, but with the appropriate entities as established by the Reliability Standard. Type of Respondent: Nuclear operators, nuclear plants, transmission entities. Estimate of Annual Burden: \9\ The Commission estimates the average annual burden and cost \10\ for this information collection as follows. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \9\ 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. Refer to 5 CFR 1320.3 for additional information. \10\ The wage and benefit figures are based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data (at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm) for May 2016 for Sector 22, Utilities. (The benefits figure is based on BLS data as of September 8, 2017, which indicates that wages are 69.6% and benefits are 30.4% of total salary (http://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm).) The estimated hourly cost (for wages plus benefits) for reporting requirements is $84.23/hour, based on the average for an electrical engineer (occupation code 17-2071, $68.12/hour), legal (occupation code 23-0000, $143.68/hour), and office and administrative staff (occupation code 43-000, $40.89/hour). The estimated hourly cost (wages plus benefits) for record keeping is $32.74/hour for a file clerk (occupation code 43-4071). [[Page 60981]] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Annual number Number of of responses Total number Average burden hours Total annual burden Cost per FERC-725F respondents per of responses & cost per response hours & total annual respondent respondent ($) (rounded) cost ($) (rounded) ($) (rounded) (1).................. (2) (1) * (2) = (4).................. (3) * (4) = (5)...... *(5) / (1) (3) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- New or Modifications to Existing 60 nuclear plants + 2 360 66.67 hrs.; $5,616... 24,001 hrs.; $11,231 Agreements (Reporting). 120 transmission $2,021,621. entities 11. New or Modifications to Existing 60 nuclear plants + 2 360 6.67 hrs.; $218...... 2,401 hrs.; $78,615.. $437 Agreements (Record Keeping). 120 transmission entities. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total.......................... ..................... .............. 12 360 ..................... 26,402 hrs.; 13 .............. $2,100,236. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \11\ This figure of 120 transmission entities is based on the assumption that each agreement will be between 1 nuclear plant and 2 transmission entities (60 x 2 = 120). However, there is some double counting in this figure because some transmission entities may be party to multiple agreements with multiple nuclear plants. The double counting does not affect the burden estimate, and the correct number of unique respondents will be reported to OMB. \12\ The 180 respondents affected by the reporting requirements are also affected by the recordkeeping requirements. \13\ The reporting requirements have not changed. The decrease in the number of respondents is due to: (a) Normal fluctuations in industry (e.g., companies merging and splitting, and coming into and going out of business), and (b) no new agreements being issued due to the lack of new nuclear plants being developed. Dated: December 19, 2017. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2017-27732 Filed 12-22-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
![60980 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 246 / Tuesday, December 26, 2017 / Notices
and (4) ways to minimize the burden of at (202) 502–8663, and fax at (202) 273– November 4, 2014, in Docket No. RD14–
the collection of information on those 0873. 13, the Commission approved revised
who are to respond, including the use SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Reliability Standard NUC–001–3.6
of automated collection techniques or Title: FERC 725F, Mandatory The purpose of Reliability Standard
other forms of information technology. Reliability Standard for Nuclear Plant NUC–001–3 is to require ‘‘coordination
Dated: December 18, 2017. Interface Coordination. between nuclear plant generator
OMB Control No.: 1902–0249. operators and transmission entities for
Kimberly D. Bose,
Type of Request: Three-year extension the purpose of ensuring nuclear plant
Secretary. of the FERC–725F information safe operation and shutdown.’’ 7 The
[FR Doc. 2017–27736 Filed 12–22–17; 8:45 am] collection requirements with no changes Nuclear Reliability Standard applies to
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P to the current reporting requirements. nuclear plant generator operators
Abstract: The Commission requires (generally nuclear power plant owners
the information collected by the FERC– and operators, including licensees) and
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 725F to implement the statutory ‘‘transmission entities,’’ defined in the
provisions of section 215 of the Federal Reliability Standard as including a
Federal Energy Regulatory Power Act (FPA) (16 U.S.C. 824o). On nuclear plant’s suppliers of off-site
Commission August 8, 2005, the Electricity power and related transmission and
[Docket No. IC18–3–000] Modernization Act of 2005, which is distribution services. To account for the
Title XII, Subtitle A, of the Energy variations in nuclear plant design and
Commission Information Collection Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005), was grid interconnection characteristics, the
Activities (FERC–725F); Comment enacted into law.1 EPAct 2005 added a Reliability Standard defines
Request; Extension new section 215 to the FPA, which transmission entities as ‘‘all entities that
required a Commission-certified Electric are responsible for providing services
AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Reliability Organization (ERO) to related to Nuclear Plant Interface
Commission. develop mandatory and enforceable Requirements (NPIRs),’’ and lists eleven
ACTION: Notice of information collection Reliability Standards, which are subject types of functional entities (heretofore
and request for comments. to Commission review and approval. described as ‘‘transmission entities’’)
Once approved, the Reliability that could provide services related to
SUMMARY: In compliance with the Standards may be enforced by the ERO NPIRs.8
requirements of the Paperwork subject to Commission oversight, or the FERC–725F information collection
Reduction Act of 1995, the Federal Commission can independently enforce requirements include establishing and
Energy Regulatory Commission Reliability Standards.2 maintaining interface agreements,
(Commission or FERC) is soliciting On February 3, 2006, the Commission including record retention
public comment on the currently issued Order No. 672, implementing requirements. These agreements are not
approved information collection, FERC section 215 of the FPA.3 Pursuant to filed with FERC, but with the
725F (Mandatory Reliability Standard Order No. 672, the Commission certified appropriate entities as established by
for Nuclear Plant Interface one organization, North American the Reliability Standard.
Coordination). Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), Type of Respondent: Nuclear
DATES: Comments on the collection of as the ERO. The Reliability Standards operators, nuclear plants, transmission
information are due February 26, 2018. developed by the ERO and approved by entities.
the Commission apply to users, owners Estimate of Annual Burden: 9 The
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments and operators of the Bulk-Power System Commission estimates the average
(identified by Docket No. IC18–3–000) as set forth in each Reliability Standard. annual burden and cost 10 for this
by either of the following methods: On November 19, 2007, NERC filed its information collection as follows.
• eFiling at Commission’s website: petition for Commission approval of the
http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ Nuclear Plant Interface Coordination Reliability Standard was approved, the Commission
efiling.asp. Reliability Standard, designated NUC– did not go to OMB for approval. It is assumed that
• Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier: 001–1. In Order No. 716, issued October the changes made did not substantively affect the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, information collection and therefore a formal
16, 2008, the Commission approved the submission to OMB was not needed. The most
Secretary of the Commission, 888 First standard while also directing certain recent OMB approval for FERC–725F was issued on
Street NE, Washington, DC 20426. revisions.4 Revised Reliability Standard, 6/15/2015.
Instructions: All submissions must be NUC–001–2, was filed with the 6 The Letter Order is posted at https://
formatted and filed in accordance with elibrary.ferc.gov/idmws/common/OpenNat.asp?
Commission by NERC in August 2009 fileID=13675845.
submission guidelines at: http:// and subsequently approved by the 7 See Reliability Standard NUC–001–2 at http://
www.ferc.gov/help/submission- Commission January 21, 2010.5 On www.nerc.com/files/NUC-001-3.pdf.
guide.asp. For user assistance, contact 8 The list of functional entities consists of
FERC Online Support by email at 1 Energy Policy Act of 2005, Public Law 109–58, transmission operators, transmission owners,
ferconlinesupport@ferc.gov, or by phone Title XII, Subtitle A, 119 Stat. 594, 941 (2005), 16 transmission planners, transmission service
U.S.C. 824o. providers, balancing authorities, reliability
at: (866) 208–3676 (toll-free), or (202) 2 16 U.S.C. 824o(e)(3). coordinators, planning authorities, distribution
502–8659 for TTY. 3 Rules Concerning Certification of the Electric providers, load-serving entities, generator owners
Docket: Users interested in receiving Reliability Organization; and Procedures for the and generator operators.
automatic notification of activity in this Establishment, Approval, and Enforcement of 9 Burden is defined as the total time, effort, or
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
docket or in viewing/downloading Electric Reliability Standards, Order No. 672, FERC financial resources expended by persons to
Stats. & Regs. ¶ 31,204, order on reh’g, Order No. generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide
comments and issuances in this docket 672–A, FERC Stats. & Regs. ¶ 31,212 (2006). information to or for a Federal agency. Refer to 5
may do so at http://www.ferc.gov/docs- 4 Mandatory Reliability Standard for Nuclear CFR 1320.3 for additional information.
filing/docs-filing.asp. Plant Interface Coordination, Order No. 716, 125 10 The wage and benefit figures are based on the
FERC ¶ 61,065, at P 189 & n.90 (2008), order on Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data (at https://
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: reh’g, Order No. 716–A, 126 FERC ¶ 61,122 (2009). www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm) for May
Ellen Brown may be reached by email 5 North American Electric Reliability Corporation, 2016 for Sector 22, Utilities. (The benefits figure is
at DataClearance@FERC.gov, telephone 130 FERC ¶ 61,051 (2010). When the revised based on BLS data as of September 8, 2017, which
VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:21 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\26DEN1.SGM 26DEN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/82_FR_61226/page/1.svg)
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 246 / Tuesday, December 26, 2017 / Notices 60981
Annual Average burden Total annual burden Cost per
Number of number of Total number hours hours & total
FERC–725F respondent
respondents responses per of responses & cost per response annual cost ($) (rounded)
respondent ($) (rounded) ($) (rounded)
(1) (2) (1) * (2) = (3) (4) (3) * (4) = (5) *(5) ÷ (1)
New or Modifications 60 nuclear plants + 2 360 66.67 hrs.; $5,616 .... 24,001 hrs.; $11,231
to Existing Agree- 120 transmission $2,021,621.
ments (Reporting). entities 11.
New or Modifications 60 nuclear plants + 2 360 6.67 hrs.; $218 ......... 2,401 hrs.; $78,615 .. $437
to Existing Agree- 120 transmission
ments (Record entities.
Keeping).
Total ................... .................................. ........................ 12 360 .................................. 26,402 hrs.; 13 ........................
$2,100,236.
Comments: Comments are invited on: environmental assessment (EA) that will mailing list for this project. State and
(1) Whether the collection of discuss the environmental impacts of local government representatives should
information is necessary for the proper the Line 8000 Replacement Project notify their constituents of this
performance of the functions of the involving the abandonment, proposed project and encourage them to
Commission, including whether the construction, and operation of facilities comment on their areas of concern.
information will have practical utility; by Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC If you are a landowner receiving this
(2) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate (Columbia) in Mineral County, West notice, a pipeline company
of the burden and cost of the collection Virginia and Allegany County, representative may contact you about
of information, including the validity of Maryland. The Commission will use the acquisition of an easement to
the methodology and assumptions used; this EA in its decision-making process construct, operate, and maintain the
(3) ways to enhance the quality, utility to determine whether the project is in proposed facilities. The company would
and clarity of the information collection; the public convenience and necessity. seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable
and (4) ways to minimize the burden of This notice announces the opening of agreement. However, if the Commission
the collection of information on those the scoping process the Commission approves the project, that approval
who are to respond, including the use will use to gather input from the public conveys with it the right of eminent
of automated collection techniques or and interested agencies on the project. domain. Therefore, if easement
other forms of information technology. You can make a difference by providing negotiations fail to produce an
Dated: December 19, 2017. us with your specific comments or agreement, the pipeline company could
Kimberly D. Bose, concerns about the project. Your initiate condemnation proceedings
comments should focus on the potential where compensation would be
Secretary.
environmental effects, reasonable determined in accordance with state
[FR Doc. 2017–27732 Filed 12–22–17; 8:45 am]
alternatives, and measures to avoid or law.
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
lessen environmental impacts. Your Columbia provided landowners with
input will help the Commission staff a fact sheet prepared by the FERC
determine what issues they need to entitled ‘‘An Interstate Natural Gas
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
evaluate in the EA. To ensure that your Facility On My Land? What Do I Need
Federal Energy Regulatory comments are timely and properly To Know?’’ This fact sheet addresses a
Commission recorded, please send your comments so number of typically asked questions,
that the Commission receives them in including the use of eminent domain
[Docket No. CP18–13–000] Washington, DC on or before January 18, and how to participate in the
2018. Commission’s proceedings. It is also
Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC;
If you sent comments on this project available for viewing on the FERC
Notice of Intent to Prepare an
to the Commission before the opening of website (www.ferc.gov).
Environmental Assessment for the
this docket on November 3, 2017, you
Proposed Line 8000 Replacement Public Participation
will need to file those comments in
Project and Request for Comments on
Docket No. CP18–13–000 to ensure they For your convenience, there are three
Environmental Issues
are considered as part of this methods you can use to submit your
The staff of the Federal Energy proceeding. comments to the Commission. The
Regulatory Commission (FERC or This notice is being sent to the Commission encourages electronic filing
Commission) will prepare an Commission’s current environmental of comments and has expert staff
indicates that wages are 69.6% and benefits are The estimated hourly cost (wages plus benefits) number of unique respondents will be reported to
30.4% of total salary (http://www.bls.gov/ for record keeping is $32.74/hour for a file clerk OMB.
news.release/ecec.nr0.htm).) (occupation code 43–4071). 12 The 180 respondents affected by the reporting
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
The estimated hourly cost (for wages plus 11 This figure of 120 transmission entities is based requirements are also affected by the recordkeeping
benefits) for reporting requirements is $84.23/hour, on the assumption that each agreement will be requirements.
13 The reporting requirements have not changed.
based on the average for an electrical engineer between 1 nuclear plant and 2 transmission entities
(occupation code 17–2071, $68.12/hour), legal (60 × 2 = 120). However, there is some double The decrease in the number of respondents is due
to: (a) Normal fluctuations in industry (e.g.,
(occupation code 23–0000, $143.68/hour), and counting in this figure because some transmission
companies merging and splitting, and coming into
office and administrative staff (occupation code 43– entities may be party to multiple agreements with and going out of business), and (b) no new
000, $40.89/hour). multiple nuclear plants. The double counting does agreements being issued due to the lack of new
not affect the burden estimate, and the correct nuclear plants being developed.
VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:21 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\26DEN1.SGM 26DEN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/82_FR_61226/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2017-12-23 03:09:09
Document Modified: 2017-12-23 03:09:09
| 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 February 26, 2018. | |
| 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 60980 |
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR