[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 174 (Friday, September 9, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55422-55425]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-19475]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. RD22-2-000]


Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-725A, FERC-
725D, FERC-725G, FERC-725M and FERC-725Z)

AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Department of Energy.

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 a renewal of currently approved 
information collection, (FERC-725A, FERC-725D, FERC-725G, FERC-725M and 
FERC-725Z) the proposed retirement of FAC-010-3, the proposed FAC-011-
4, FAC-014-3, IRO-008-3, TOP-001-6 and proposed corresponding revisions 
to FAC-003-5, PRC-002-3, PRC-023-5 and PRC-026-2 Reliability Standards, 
which will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
for review. No Comments were received for the 60-day notice published 
on April 14, 2022.

DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due October 11, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments on (FERC-725A, FERC-725D, FERC-725G, 
FERC-725M and FERC-725Z) the proposed retirement of FAC-010-3, the 
proposed FAC-011-4, FAC-014-3, IRO-008-3, TOP-001-6 and proposed 
corresponding revisions to FAC-003-5, PRC-002-3, PRC-023-5 and PRC-026-
2 to OMB through www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Attention: Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission Desk Officer. Please identify the OMB 
Control Number(s) in the subject line of your comments: 1902-0244 
(FERC-725A), 1902-0247 (FERC-725D), 1902-0252 (FERC-725G), 1902-0263 
(FERC-725M) and 1902-0276 (FERC-725Z) in the subject line of your 
comments. Comments should be sent within 30

[[Page 55423]]

days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
    Please submit copies of your comments to the Commission. You may 
submit copies of your comments (identified by Docket No. RD22-2-000) by 
one of the following methods: Electronic filing through https://www.ferc.gov, is preferred.
     Electronic Filing: Documents must be filed in acceptable 
native applications and print-to-PDF, but not in scanned or picture 
format.
     For those unable to file electronically, comments may be 
filed by USPS mail or by hand (including courier) delivery.
    [cir] Mail via U.S. Postal Service Only: Addressed to: Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 888 First 
Street NE, Washington, DC 20426.
    [cir] Hand (Including Courier) Delivery: Deliver to: Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, MD 20852.
    Instructions: OMB submissions must be formatted and filed in 
accordance with submission guidelines at www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Using the search function under the ``Currently Under Review'' 
field, select Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; click ``submit,'' 
and select ``comment'' to the right of the subject collection.
    FERC submissions must be formatted and filed in accordance with 
submission guidelines at: https://www.ferc.gov. For user assistance, 
contact FERC Online Support by email at [email protected], or 
by phone at: (866) 208-3676 (toll-free).
    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 https://www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Brown may be reached by email at 
[email protected], telephone at (202) 502-8663.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: FERC-725A, FERC-725D, FERC-725G, FERC-725M and FERC-725Z.
    OMB Control No.: OMB Control No: 1902-0244 (FERC-725A), 1902-0247 
(FERC-725D), 1902-0252 (FERC-725G), 1902-0263 (FERC-725M) and 1902-0276 
(FERC-725Z).
    Type of Request: Three-year approval of the FERC-725A, FERC-725D, 
FERC-725G, FERC-725M and FERC-725Z information collection requirements 
with changes to the current reporting requirements as follows.
    Abstract: Section 215 of the Federal Power Act (FPA) \1\ requires a 
Commission-certified Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) to develop 
mandatory and enforceable Reliability Standards, which are subject to 
Commission review and approval. The Commission has certified the North 
American Reliability Corporation (NERC) as the ERO. In addition, a 
Regional Entity may propose Reliability Standards to be effective in 
that region.\2\ Once approved, Reliability Standards may be enforced by 
the ERO subject to Commission oversight or by the Commission 
independently.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 16 U.S.C. 824o.
    \2\ 16 U.S.C. 824o(e)(4). A Regional Entity is an entity that 
has been approved by the Commission to enforce Reliability Standards 
under delegated authority from the ERO. See 16 U.S.C. 824o(a)(7) and 
(e)(4).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The number of respondents below is based on an estimate of the NERC 
compliance registry for balancing authority, transmission operator, 
generator operator, generator owner and reliability coordinator. The 
Commission based its paperwork burden estimates on the NERC compliance 
registry as of January 7, 2022. According to the registry, there are 98 
balancing authorities (BAs), 325 transmission owners (TOs), 168 
transmission operators (TOPs), 204 transmission planners (TPs), 1,068 
generator owners (GOs), 945 generator operators (GOPs), 302 
distribution providers (DPs), 63 planning coordinators (PCs) and 12 
reliability coordinators (RCs). The estimates are based on the change 
in burden from the current standards to the standards approved in this 
Order. The Commission based the burden estimates on staff experience, 
knowledge, and expertise. The estimates are based combination on one-
time (years 1 and 2) and ongoing execution (year 3) obligations to 
follow the revised Reliability Standards.
    The Project 2015-09 Establish and Communicate System Operating 
Limits Standard Drafting Team (SDT): (1) developed proposed revisions 
to Reliability Standards and their applicable functional entities: FAC-
011-4 (RC), FAC-014-3 (PC, RC, TO, TP), IRO-008-3 (RC), and TOP-001-6 
(BA, TO, GO, DP); (2) proposed the retirement of FAC-010-3 (PA/PC) and 
developed corresponding revisions to FAC-003-5 (TO, GO), PRC-002-3 (RC, 
TO, GO), PRC-023-5 (TO, GO, DP, PC), and PRC-026-2 (TO, GO, PC) 
Reliability Standards to remove or replace references to system 
operating limits (SOLs) and interconnection reliability operating 
limits (IROLs) established by planning entities.
    The developed proposed revisions to Reliability Standards are:
     FAC-011-4 is applicable to the RC and its purpose is to 
ensure that SOLs used in the reliable operation of the bulk electric 
system are determined based on an established RC methodology or 
methodologies. NERC clarified acceptable system performance criteria 
for the operations horizon and developed an SOL risk-based notification 
framework through the RC's SOL methodology.
     FAC-014-3 is applicable to the PC, RC, TOP and TP and its 
purpose is to ensure that SOLs used in the reliable operation of the 
bulk electric system are determined based on an established RC 
methodology or methodologies and that Planning Assessment performance 
criteria is coordinated with these methodologies. NERC removed 
references to planning horizon SOLs and IROLs and clearly delineate 
specific functional entity responsibility for determining and 
communicating each type of SOL used in operations.
     IRO-008-3 is applicable to the RC and requires RCs to 
perform analyses and assessments to prevent instability, uncontrolled 
separation, or cascading. NERC added a new requirement requiring a RC 
to use its SOL methodology when determining SOL exceedances for its 
analyses and assessments and further revised a requirement requiring 
the RC to use its SOL risk-based notification framework when 
communicating SOL or IROL exceedances.
     TOP-001-6 is applicable to the BA, TOP, GOP, and DP but 
the proposed revisions only impact the TOP. NERC added a new 
requirement requiring a TOP to use its RC SOL methodology when 
determining SOL exceedances and further revised a requirement requiring 
TOP notifications regarding SOL exceedances to be done according to the 
risk-based approach in the RC's SOL methodology.
    NERC further proposes the retirement of currently effective 
Reliability Standard FAC-010-3 that requires PCs and TPs to establish 
SOLs for the planning horizon. The proposed retirement of FAC-010-3 is 
mainly due to its redundancy with currently effective TPL-001-4 
Standard and new requirements in proposed FAC-014-3. In addition, the 
proposed retirement of FAC-010-3 developed corresponding revisions to 
proposed Reliability Standards FAC-003-5, PRC-002-3, PRC-023-5, and 
PRC-026-2 as follows:
     FAC-003-5 is applicable to TOs and GOs and NERC proposes 
to modify Applicability Sections 4.2.2 and 4.3.1.2 of FAC-003-5 to 
replace references to

[[Page 55424]]

``elements of an IROL under NERC Standard FAC-014 by the Planning 
Coordinator'' with references to facilities:

``Identified by the Planning Coordinator or Transmission Planner, 
per its Planning Assessment of the Near[hyphen]Term Transmission 
Planning Horizon as a Facility that if lost or degraded are expected 
to result in instances of instability, Cascading, or uncontrolled 
separation that adversely impacts the reliability of the Bulk 
Electric System for a planning event.''

     PRC-002-3 is applicable to the RC, TO and GO and NERC 
proposes to modify the applicability of the PRC-002-3 standard to 
remove PCs as a responsible entity subject to the standard and replace 
any references in the standard that would have included PCs with 
references to RCs. NERC concluded that the RC was the appropriate 
entity to carry out the duties that currently apply to PCs in certain 
interconnections, including the identification of BES elements that are 
part of an IROL or stability-related SOL.
 PRC-023-5 is applicable to the TO, GO, DP and PC and NERC 
proposes to modify Section B2 of Attachment B to PRC-023-5 as follows:

    ``B2. The circuit is selected by the Planning Coordinator or 
Transmission Planner based on Planning Assessments of the Near-Term 
Transmission Planning Horizon that identify instances of 
instability, Cascading, or uncontrolled separation, that adversely 
impact the reliability of the Bulk Electric System for planning 
events.''

    Attachment B sets the criteria used to determine the circuits in a 
Planning Coordinator area for which Transmission Owners, Generator 
Owners, and Distribution Providers must comply with certain 
requirements in the standard applicable to protective relays.
     PRC-026-2 is applicable to the GO, PC and TO and NERC 
proposes modification to the PRC-026-2 standard, Requirement R1, 
Criteria 1, 2, and 4 to replace references to planning horizon SOLs 
with references to the TPL-001-4 Planning Assessment.
    The Commission estimates that the NERC proposal, which would retire 
FAC-010-3, moves impacted and revised Reliability Standards without 
adding new obligations on registered entities resulting in a change in 
burden for industry of 128 hours. The proposed retirement of FAC-010-3 
is mainly due to its redundancy with currently effective TPL-001-4 
Standard and new requirements in proposed FAC-014-3. The Commission 
based the change in burden estimates on staff experience, knowledge, 
and expertise.

Proposed Changes Due to the Approval of NERC's Proposed Reliability Standards and the Retirement of FAC-010-3 in
                                                Docket No. RD22-2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Number of
                                 Type \3\ and       annual       Total number    Average number    Total burden
     Reliability standard         number of      responses per   of responses   of burden hours       hours
                                    entity          entity                        per response
                               (1)............             (2)     (1) * (2) =  (4)............  (3) * (4) = (5)
                                                                           (3)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    FERC-725D
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FAC-010-3 \4\ Retire.........  PA/PC (63).....               1            (63)  (220.6 hrs.);    (13,898 hrs.);
                                                                                 ($19,192).       ($1,209,109)
FAC-010-2.1, R5 \5\ (FERC-     PA.............               1            (63)  (25.4 hrs.);     (1,600 hrs.);
 725D).                                                                          ($2,209.8).      ($139,217)
                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------
    Total Retirement for FAC-  PA.............               1            (63)  (246)..........  (15,498 hrs.);
     010-3 \6\.                                                                                   ($1,348,326)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One Time Estimate Years 1 and
 2:
    FAC-011-4................  RC (12)........               1              12  176 hrs.;        2,112 hrs.;
                                                                                 $15,312.         $183,744
    FAC-014-3................  RC (12)........               1              12  64 hrs.; $5,568  768 hrs.;
                                                                                                  $66,816
    FAC-014-3................  PA/PC (63).....               1              63  96 hrs.; $8,352  6,048 hrs.;
                                                                                                  $526,176
    FAC-014-3................  TP (204).......               1             204  96 hrs.; $8,352  19,584 hrs.;
                                                                                                  $1,703,808
    FAC-014-3................  TOP (168)......               1             168  32 hrs.; $2,784  5,376 hrs.;
                                                                                                  $467,712
Ongoing Estimate Year 3
 ongoing:
    FAC-011-4................  RC (12)........               1              12  16 hrs.; $1,392  192 hrs.;
                                                                                                  $16,704
    FAC-014-3................  RC (12)........               1              12  16 hrs.; $1,392  192 hrs.;
                                                                                                  $16,704
    FAC-014-3................  PA/PC (63).....               1              63  16 hrs.; $1,392  1,008 hrs.;
                                                                                                  $87,696
    FAC-014-3................  TP (204).......               1             204  16 hrs.; $1,392  3,264 hrs.;
                                                                                                  $334,080
    FAC-014-3................  TOP (168)......               1             168  16 hrs.; $1,392  2,688 hrs.;
                                                                                                  $233,856
                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------
        Sub-Total for FERC-    ...............  ..............             918  ...............  41,232 hrs.;
         725D.                                                                                    $3,637,296
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  FERC-725M \7\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One Time Estimate Years 1 and
 2:
    FAC-003-5................  TO (325).......               4           1,300  8 hrs.; $696...  10,400 hrs.;
                                                                                                  $904,800
    FAC-003-5................  GO (1068)......               4           4,272  8 hrs.; $696...  34,176 hrs.;
                                                                                                  $2,973,312
                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------
        Sub-Total for FERC-    ...............  ..............           5,572  ...............  44,576 hrs.;
         725M.                                                                                    $3,878,112
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    FERC-725G
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One Time Estimate Years 1 and
 2:
    PRC-002-3 \8\............  RC (12)........               1              12  32 hrs.; $2,784  384 hrs.;
                                                                                                  $33,408
    PRC-002-3 \9\ Retired....  PA/PC (35).....               1            (35)  (32 hrs.);       (2,016 hrs.);
                                                                                 ($2,784).        ($175,392)
    PRC-023-5 \10\...........  PA/PC (63).....               1              63  32 hrs.; $2,784  2,016 hrs.;
                                                                                                  $175,392
    PRC-026-2 \11\...........  PA/PC (63).....               1              63  32 hrs.; $2,784  2,016 hrs.;
                                                                                                  $175,392
Ongoing Estimate Year 3
 ongoing:
    PRC-002-3................  RC (12)........               1              12  16 hrs.; $1,392  192 hrs.;
                                                                                                  $16,704
                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------
        Sub-Total for FERC-    ...............  ..............             150  ...............  4,608 hrs.;
         725G.                                                                                    $400,896
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    FERC-725Z
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One Time Estimate Years 1 and
 2:
    IRO-008-3................  RC (12)........               1              12  32 hrs.; $2784.  384 hrs.;
                                                                                                  $33,408
Ongoing Estimate Year 3
 ongoing:

[[Page 55425]]

 
    IRO-008-3................  RC (12)........               1              12  16 hrs.; $1,392  144 hrs.;
                                                                                                  $16,704
                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------
        Sub-Total for FERC-    ...............  ..............              24  ...............  528 hrs.;
         725Z.                                                                                    $50,112
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    FERC-725A
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One Time Estimate Years 1 and
 2:
    TOP-001-6 \12\...........  TOP (168)......               1             168  32 hrs.; $2,784  5,376 hrs.;
                                                                                                  $467,712
Ongoing Estimate Year 3
 ongoing:
    TOP-001-6................  TOP (168)......               1             168  16 hrs.; $1,392  2,688 hrs.;
                                                                                                  $233,856
        Sub-Total for FERC-    ...............  ..............             336  ...............  8,064 hrs.;
         725A.                                                                                    $701,568
                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------
        Total Reductions Due   ...............  ..............  ..............  ...............  99,008 hrs.;
         to Docket No. RD22-2-                                                                    $8,667,984
         000.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ RC = Reliability Coordinator; BA = Balancing Authority; TP = 
Transmission Planner; TOP = Transmission Operator; TO = Transmission 
Owner; GO = Generator Owner; DP = Distribution Provider; PA/PC = 
Planning Coordinator; and RC = Reliability Coordinator.
    \4\ FAC-010-2, FAC-011-2 and FAC-014 -2 were all approved by the 
Commission in Docket No. IC14-5-000 COMMISSION INFORMATION 
COLLECTION ACTIVITIES (FERC-725D); COMMENT REQUEST; EXTENSION 
(February 21, 2014)) with a burden of 138,979 hours. Staff estimates 
that the PC burden under FAC-010-3 from that estimate is 10 percent 
of the total or 13,898 hours. FERC staff estimates that industry 
costs for salary plus benefits are similar to Commission costs. The 
FERC 2021 average salary plus benefits for one FERC full-time 
equivalent (FTE) is $180,703/year (or $87.00/hour) posted by the 
Bureau of Labor Statistics for the Utilities sector (available at 
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics3_221000.htm).
    \5\ In Docket No. RM13-8-000 FERC 725D OMB Control: From 1902-
0247 for the FAC-010-2.1 Requirement R5 burden of 1,600hrs should be 
retired with full retirement of FAC-010-3.
    \6\ The total of manhours associated FAC-010-3 equals the sum of 
13,898 hrs. + 1,600 hrs. = 15,498 hrs.
    \7\ Proposed revision is a one-time change to align updated 
terminology in the NERC Standards.
    \8\ Proposed revision adds burden to the RC only.
    \9\ The removal of the PC from PRC-002-3 is a one-time reduction 
in burden. Eastern and ERCOT interconnection impacted.
    \10\ Proposed revision adds burden to the PA/PC only and is a 
one-time change to align updated terminology in the NERC Standards.
    \11\ Proposed revision adds burden to the PA/PC only and is a 
one-time change to align updated terminology in the NERC Standards.
    \12\ Proposed revision adds burden to the TOP only.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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: September 2, 2022.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-19475 Filed 9-8-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


