83 FR 13743 - Notice of Technical Conference

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 62 (March 30, 2018)

Page Range		13743-13744
FR Document		2018-06409

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 62 (Friday, March 30, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 62 (Friday, March 30, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13743-13744]
From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-06409]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Notice of Technical Conference

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Docket No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Local Transmission Planning Within the AD18-12-000
California Independent System Operator
Corporation.
California Public Utilities Commission, EL17-45-000
Northern California Power Agency, City and
County of San Francisco, State Water
Contractors, Transmission Agency of Northern
California v. Pacific Gas and Electric
Company.
Southern California Edison Company........... ER18-370-000
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By order issued concurrently with this notice,\1\ the Commission
directed staff to convene a technical conference regarding: (1) Local
transmission planning within the California Independent System Operator
Corporation (CAISO) (new Docket No. AD18-12-000); (2) Docket No. ER18-
370-000 related to Southern California Edison Company's (SoCal Edison)
filing of revisions to its transmission owner tariff detailing a new
annual Transmission Maintenance and Compliance Review process; and (3)
a complaint filed in Docket No. EL17-45-000 \2\ against Pacific Gas and
Electric Company (PG&E), regarding PG&E's compliance with the
transmission planning principles of Order No. 890.\3\ The technical
conference will explore the processes used by participating
transmission owners (PTOs) in CAISO to determine which transmission-
related maintenance and compliance activities, including, but not
limited to, transmission-related capital additions, will be subject to
the CAISO Transmission Planning Process (TPP). The technical conference
will take place on May 1, 2018 beginning at approximately 9:00 a.m. and
ending at approximately 4:00 p.m. The conference will be held at the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington,
DC 20426. All interested persons are invited to participate in the
conference. Commission members may participate in the conference.
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\1\ Southern California Edison Co., 162 FERC ] 61,264 (2018).
\2\ The complainants are the California Public Utilities
Commission (CPUC), Northern California Power Agency, the City and
County of San Francisco, State Water Contractors, and the
Transmission Agency of Northern California.
\3\ Preventing Undue Discrimination and Preference in
Transmission Service, Order No. 890, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 31,241,
order on reh'g, Order No. 890-A, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 31,261
(2007), order on reh'g, Order No. 890-B, 123 FERC ] 61,299 (2008),
order on reh'g, Order No. 890-C, 126 FERC ] 61,228, order on
clarification, Order No. 890-D, 129 FERC ] 61,126 (2009).
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In Order No. 890, the Commission required all public utility
transmission providers, including regional transmission organizations
(RTOs) and independent system operators (ISOs), to revise their open
access transmission tariffs (OATTs) to incorporate a transmission
planning process that satisfied nine transmission planning principles
in order to limit the opportunities for undue discrimination and
anticompetitive conduct in the provision of transmission service.\4\ In

[[Page 13744]]

Order No. 890-A, the Commission noted that each RTO and ISO may fulfill
its obligations under Order No. 890 by delegating certain planning
activities to, or otherwise relying on, its transmission owning
members, provided that the rights and responsibilities of all parties
are clearly stated in the RTO/ISO OATT.\5\ The Commission also
explained that, in many cases, RTO/ISO transmission planning processes
may focus principally on regional problems and solutions, while local
planning issues may be addressed by individual transmission owners.
Noting that these local planning issues may be critically important to
transmission customers, the Commission stated that transmission owners
must, to the extent that they perform transmission planning within an
RTO or ISO, comply with Order No. 890 as well.\6\
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\4\ Order No. 890, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 31,241 at PP 426, 435;
see Order No. 890-A, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 31,261 at P 171. These
transmission planning principles are: (1) Coordination; (2)
openness; (3) transparency; (4) information exchange; (5)
comparability; (6) dispute resolution; (7) regional participation;
(8) economic planning studies; and (9) cost allocation for new
projects.
\5\ Order No. 890-A, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 31,261 at P 175.
\6\ Order No. 890, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 31,241 at P 440.
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In a series of orders issued between 2008 and 2010, the Commission
accepted CAISO's TPP as consistent with the requirements of Order No.
890.\7\ As is relevant here, in an order issued on May 21, 2009, the
Commission found that ``the local planning activities conducted by the
participating transmission owners [in CAISO] are reasonable and the
process, as set forth in the [CAISO] tariff and business practice
manual, is transparent.'' \8\ However, more recently, a number of
interested parties have raised concerns regarding the lack of
opportunity for stakeholder review of transmission-related maintenance
and compliance activities, including, but not limited to, certain
transmission-related capital additions, which CAISO PTOs do not submit
to CAISO's TPP.\9\
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\7\ See Cal. Indep. Sys. Operator Corp., 123 FERC ] 61,283
(2008), order denying reh'g and on compliance filing, 127 FERC ]
61,172 (2009), order on compliance filing, 130 FERC ] 61,048 (2010).
\8\ Cal. Indep. Sys. Operator Corp., 127 FERC ] 61,172 at P 118.
\9\ See, e.g., Cal. Pub. Utils. Comm'n, et al. v. Pacific Gas &
Elec. Co., Complaint, Docket No. EL17-45-000 (filed Feb. 2, 2017)
(asserting that Pacific Gas & Electric Co. is in violation of Order
No. 890 because it conducts more than 80 percent of its transmission
planning on an internal basis without stakeholder review); Cal. Pub.
Utils. Comm'n Dec. 22, 2017 Protest, Docket No. ER18-370-000
(protesting Southern California Edison Co.'s filing of an amendment
to its Transmission Owner Tariff to create an annual Transmission
Maintenance and Compliance Review process on the basis that the
proposed process does not meet the requirements of Order No. 890).
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In an order issued concurrently with this notice in Docket No.
ER18-370-000, the Commission finds that protesters in that proceeding
raise important questions that relate to the processes by which all
CAISO PTOs determine which transmission-related maintenance and
compliance activities, including, but not limited to, transmission-
related capital additions, must be submitted to CAISO's TPP. In that
order, the Commission directs Commission staff to convene a technical
conference to explore these issues.
The specific issues to be discussed include, but are not limited
to: (1) The types of transmission-related maintenance and compliance
activities, including, but not limited to, certain transmission-related
capital additions, that the PTOs submit for review through CAISO's TPP;
(2) the process by which PTOs determine which transmission-related
maintenance and compliance activities must be considered through
CAISO's TPP; and (3) the types of transmission-related maintenance and
compliance activities and the process that the CAISO PTOs undertake
independent of CAISO's TPP. As part of this discussion, staff seeks to
understand the differences in the processes used by each individual PTO
in CAISO, the concerns of interested parties regarding these processes,
and any role that CAISO may play in these processes. Staff emphasizes
that, while Docket Nos. ER18-370-000 and EL17-45-000 specifically
relate to Southern California Edison Company and PG&E, respectively,
this technical conference will explore the transmission planning
processes of all PTOs in CAISO and of CAISO itself.
A supplemental notice(s) will be issued prior to the technical
conference with further details regarding the agenda and organization
of the technical conference.
All interested persons may attend the conference, and registration
is not required. However, in-person attendees are encouraged to
register on-line at https://www.ferc.gov/whats-new/registration/05-01-18-form.asp. This event will NOT be webcast. However, for those who
cannot attend in person we will provide a listen-only telephone line,
if requested. Those wishing this service should register at the link
provided and specify the telephone line option.
The technical conference will be transcribed, and transcripts will
be available immediately for a fee from Ace Reporting Company (202)
347-3700).
Commission conferences are accessible under section 508 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973. For accessibility accommodations, please
send an email to accessibility@ferc.gov or call toll free (866) 208-
3372 (voice) or (202) 502-8659 (TTY), or send a fax to (202) 208-2106
with the required accommodations.
For further information, please contact individuals identified for
each topic:
Technical Information: Laura Switzer, Office of Energy Markets
Regulation, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE,
Washington, DC 20426, (202) 502-6231, laura.switzer@ferc.gov.
Legal Information for Docket Nos. AD18-12-000 and EL17-45-000:
Linda Kizuka, Office of the General Counsel, Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426, (202) 502-8773,
linda.kizuka@ferc.gov.
Legal Information for Docket Nos. AD18-12-000 and ER18-370-000:
Susanna Ehrlich, Office of the General Counsel, Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426, (202)
502-6260, susanna.ehrlich@ferc.gov.
Logistical Information: Sarah McKinley, Office of External Affairs,
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington,
DC 20426, (202) 502-8368, sarah.mckinley@ferc.gov.

Dated: March 23, 2018.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-06409 Filed 3-29-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 62 / Friday, March 30, 2018 / Notices 13743

toll-free, (866) 208–3676 or TTY, (202) within 90 days of this Notice the required to serve copies of filed
502–8659. Commission staff will either: Complete documents on all other parties.
Any questions regarding this its environmental assessment (EA) and However, the non-party commentary,
application should be directed to place it into the Commission’s public will not receive copies of all documents
Francisco Tarin, Director, Regulatory, record (eLibrary) for this proceeding; or filed by other parties or issued by the
Wyoming Interstate Company, L.L.C.; issue a Notice of Schedule for Commission (except for the mailing of
P.O. Box 1087, Colorado Springs, Environmental Review. If a Notice of environmental documents issued by the
Colorado 80944, by phone (719) 667– Schedule for Environmental Review is Commission) and will not have the right
7517, or by fax (719) 520–4697, or Mark issued, it will indicate, among other to seek court review of the
Minich, Assistant General Counsel, P.O. milestones, the anticipated date for the Commission’s final order.
Box 1087, Colorado Springs, Colorado Commission staff’s issuance of the final The Commission strongly encourages
80944, by phone (719) 520–4416, or by environmental impact statement (FEIS) electronic filings of comments, protests,
fax (719) 520–4898. or EA for this proposal. The filing of the and interventions via the internet in lieu
Any person may, within 60 days after EA in the Commission’s public record of paper. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii)
the issuance of the instant notice by the for this proceeding or the issuance of a
and the instructions on the
Commission, file pursuant to Rule 214 Notice of Schedule for Environmental
Commission’s website (www.ferc.gov)
of the Commission’s Procedural Rules Review will serve to notify federal and
under the ‘‘e-Filing’’ link. Persons
(18 CFR 385.214) a motion to intervene state agencies of the timing for the
unable to file electronically should
or notice of intervention. Any person completion of all necessary reviews, and
submit original and 5 copies of the
filing to intervene or the Commission’s the subsequent need to complete all
protest or intervention to the Federal
staff may, pursuant to section 157.205 of federal authorizations within 90 days of
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888
the Commission’s Regulations under the the date of issuance of the Commission
First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426.
NGA (18 CFR 157.205) file a protest to staff’s FEIS or EA.
the request. If no protest is filed within Persons who wish to comment only Dated: March 23, 2018.
the time allowed therefore, the proposed on the environmental review of this Kimberly D. Bose,
activity shall be deemed to be project should submit an original and Secretary.
authorized effective the day after the two copies of their comments to the [FR Doc. 2018–06411 Filed 3–29–18; 8:45 am]
time allowed for protest. If a protest is Secretary of the Commission.
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
filed and not withdrawn within 30 days Environmental commenter’s will be
after the time allowed for filing a placed on the Commission’s
protest, the instant request shall be environmental mailing list, will receive DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
treated as an application for copies of the environmental documents,
authorization pursuant to section 7 of and will be notified of meetings Federal Energy Regulatory
the NGA. associated with the Commission’s Commission
Pursuant to section 157.9 of the environmental review process.
Commission’s rules, 18 CFR 157.9, Environmental commenter’s will not be Notice of Technical Conference

Docket No.

Local Transmission Planning Within the California Independent System Operator Corporation .................................................... AD18–12–000
California Public Utilities Commission, Northern California Power Agency, City and County of San Francisco, State Water EL17–45–000
Contractors, Transmission Agency of Northern California v. Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
Southern California Edison Company .............................................................................................................................................. ER18–370–000

By order issued concurrently with compliance with the transmission Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street
this notice,1 the Commission directed planning principles of Order No. 890.3 NE, Washington, DC 20426. All
staff to convene a technical conference The technical conference will explore interested persons are invited to
regarding: (1) Local transmission the processes used by participating participate in the conference.
planning within the California transmission owners (PTOs) in CAISO Commission members may participate
Independent System Operator to determine which transmission-related in the conference.
Corporation (CAISO) (new Docket No. maintenance and compliance activities, In Order No. 890, the Commission
AD18–12–000); (2) Docket No. ER18– including, but not limited to, required all public utility transmission
370–000 related to Southern California transmission-related capital additions, providers, including regional
Edison Company’s (SoCal Edison) filing will be subject to the CAISO transmission organizations (RTOs) and
of revisions to its transmission owner Transmission Planning Process (TPP). independent system operators (ISOs), to
tariff detailing a new annual The technical conference will take place revise their open access transmission
Transmission Maintenance and on May 1, 2018 beginning at tariffs (OATTs) to incorporate a
Compliance Review process; and (3) a approximately 9:00 a.m. and ending at transmission planning process that
complaint filed in Docket No. EL17–45– approximately 4:00 p.m. The conference satisfied nine transmission planning
000 2 against Pacific Gas and Electric will be held at the Federal Energy principles in order to limit the
Company (PG&E), regarding PG&E’s opportunities for undue discrimination
amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES

3 Preventing Undue Discrimination and
and anticompetitive conduct in the
1 Southern California Edison Co., 162 FERC ¶ Preference in Transmission Service, Order No. 890, provision of transmission service.4 In
61,264 (2018). FERC Stats. & Regs. ¶ 31,241, order on reh’g, Order
2 The complainants are the California Public No. 890–A, FERC Stats. & Regs. ¶ 31,261 (2007), 4 Order No. 890, FERC Stats. & Regs. ¶ 31,241 at

Utilities Commission (CPUC), Northern California order on reh’g, Order No. 890–B, 123 FERC ¶ 61,299 PP 426, 435; see Order No. 890–A, FERC Stats. &
Power Agency, the City and County of San (2008), order on reh’g, Order No. 890–C, 126 FERC Regs. ¶ 31,261 at P 171. These transmission
Francisco, State Water Contractors, and the ¶ 61,228, order on clarification, Order No. 890–D, planning principles are: (1) Coordination; (2)
Transmission Agency of Northern California. 129 FERC ¶ 61,126 (2009). Continued

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Document Created: 2018-11-01 08:57:41
Document Modified: 2018-11-01 08:57:41

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
FR Citation		83 FR 13743

83 FR 13743 - Notice of Technical Conference

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGYFederal Energy Regulatory Commission

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 62 (March 30, 2018)

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission