Notice2023-27221
Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-725A(1D) and FERC-725Z); Comment Request; Revision
Primary source
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Published
December 12, 2023
Issuing agencies
Energy DepartmentFederal Energy Regulatory Commission
Abstract
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 collections, FERC-725A(1D) (Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Bulk-Power System TOP-003-6.1) and FERC-725Z (Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Bulk-Power System IRO-010-5 Reliability Standards).
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 237 (Tuesday, December 12, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 237 (Tuesday, December 12, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 86121-86123]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-27221]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. RD23-6-000]
Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-725A(1D) and
FERC-725Z); Comment Request; Revision
AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Notice of information collections and request for comments.
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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 collections, FERC-725A(1D) (Mandatory Reliability Standards
for the Bulk-Power System TOP-003-6.1) and FERC-725Z (Mandatory
Reliability Standards for the Bulk-Power System IRO-010-5 Reliability
Standards).
DATES: Comments on the collections of information are due February 12,
2024.
ADDRESSES: You may submit copies of your comments (identified by Docket
No. RD23-6-000) by one of the following methods:
<bullet> Electronic Filing: Documents must be filed in acceptable
native applications and print-to-PDF, but not in scanned or picture
format. Electronic filing through <a href="http://www.ferc.gov">http://www.ferc.gov</a>, is preferred.
<bullet> 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: All submissions must be formatted and filed in
accordance with submission guidelines at: <a href="http://www.ferc.gov">http://www.ferc.gov</a>. Please
ensure each comment refers to the appropriate collection. For user
assistance, contact FERC Online Support by email at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#20464552434f4e4c494e45535550504f525460464552430e474f56"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b9dfdccbdad6d7d5d0d7dccaccc9c9d6cbcdf9dfdccbda97ded6cf">[email protected]</span></a>, 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 <a href="http://www.ferc.gov">http://www.ferc.gov</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jean Sonneman may be reached by email
at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c286a3b6a381aea7a3b0a3aca1a78284879081eca5adb4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f6b2978297b59a93978497989593b6b0b3a4b5d8919980">[email protected]</span></a>, telephone at (202) 502-6362.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Titles: FERC-725Z, Mandatory Reliability Standards: IRO Reliability
Standards, and FERC-725A(1D), Mandatory Reliability Standards for the
Bulk-Power System Reliability Standards (TOP-003-6.1).
Action: Proposed Changes to Collections.
OMB Control Nos.: 1902-0276 (FERC-725Z); 1902-0324 (FERC-725A(1D)).
Type of Request: Modification of the FERC-725Z and FERC-725A(1D)
information collection requirements.
Abstract: On 9/21/2023, the North American Electric Reliability
Corporation (NERC) filed a petition on the proposed Modifications to
Reliability Standards IRO-010 and TOP-003 to improve the approaches
used for data and information specification and exchange by, among
other things: (i) clarifying that specifications include both data and
information; (ii) requiring the identification of the applicable entity
that is required to respond to the request for the specification; (iii)
including a data conflict resolution provision within the data
specification requirement; (iv) clarifying that specifications should
include protocols to address periodicity, performance criterion, and
update and correction mechanisms; and (v) consolidating the format and
security protocols within the data specification requirements.
The proposed Modifications to FERC-725Z for IRO-010-5 and FERC-
725A(1D) for TOP-003-6.1, address recommendations arising from the SER
Phase 2 Team by clarifying, consolidating, and improving approaches for
data and information specification and exchange. The proposed revisions
are intended to advance the reliability of the Bulk-Power System
(``BPS'') by ensuring that Registered Entities with operational
responsibilities are able to request and receive the data and
information necessary to support Operational
[[Page 86122]]
Planning Analysis, Real-time Assessments, Real-time monitoring, and
Balancing Authority analysis functions in an optimal manner.
The proposed modifications would advance the reliability of the BPS
by facilitating improved coordination of information and data sharing,
thus allowing the entities responsible for the reliable operation of
the BPS to request and receive data and information necessary to
support Operational Planning Analysis, Real-time Assessments, Real-time
monitoring, and Balancing Authority analysis functions in an optimal
manner.
The changes being implemented primarily affect the reliability
coordinator in IRO-010-5 and the transmission operator and balancing
authority in TOP-003-6.1 with other entities have much lower burden.
Additionally, the burden is expected to only be needed for years 1 and
2 as the burden is only focused on procedures for sharing data and
moving details from one requirement to another within the same
standard. After year two with procedures fully in place there are no
expectations for additional burden to continue as documents will be in
place. The existing burden will remain the same until updated further
for these reliability standards.
These Standards, FERC-725A(1D) (Temporary placeholder for FERC-
725A) for TOP-003-6.1, FERC-725Z for IRO-010-5, which are all currently
approved information collections.
Type of Respondents: NERC-registered entities including generator
owner, generator operator, reliability coordinator, balancing
authorities, distribution provider, transmission owner, and
transmission operators.\1\
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\1\ In subsequent portions of this notice, the following
acronyms will be used: DP = Distribution Provider, BA = Balancing
Authority, RC = Reliability Coordinator, TOP = Transmission Owner,
GO = Generator Owner, GOP = Generator Operator, TOP = Transmission
Operator.
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Estimate of Annual Burden: \2\ The Commission estimates the annual
public reporting burden and cost for the information collections as:
\3\
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\2\ ``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, reference 5 Code of Federal
Regulations 1320.3.
\3\ <a href="https://www.nerc.com/FilingsOrders/us/NERC%20Filings%20to%20FERC%20DL/Petition%20for%20Approval%20of%20IRO-010%20and%20TOP-003_final.pdf">https://www.nerc.com/FilingsOrders/us/NERC%20Filings%20to%20FERC%20DL/Petition%20for%20Approval%20of%20IRO-010%20and%20TOP-003_final.pdf</a>.
Reliability Standard IRO-010-5 (Reliability Coordinator Data
Specification and Collection)
Reliability Standard TOP-003-6.1 (Transmission Operator and Balancing
Authority Data and Information Specification and Collection)
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\4\ Values represent unique U.S. entities as based on the NERC
compliance registry information as of September 22, 2023.
\5\ The estimated hourly cost (salary plus benefits) is a
combination based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of
2023, for 75% of the average of an Electrical Engineer (17-2071)
$77.29/hr., 77.29 x .75 = 57.9675 ($57.97-rounded) ($57.97/hour) and
25% of an Information and Record Clerk (43-4199) $39.58/hr, $39.58 x
.25% = 9.895 ($9.90 rounded) ($9.90/hour), for a total ($57.97 +
$9.90 = $67.87/hour).
TOP-003-6.1--Transmission Operator and Balancing Authority Data and Information Specification and Collection for Years 1 and 2
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Annual number
Number of of responses Annual number of Average burden hours & Total annual burden hours & cost
respondents \4\ per respondent responses cost per response
Type of entity (1) (2) (1) * (2) = (3) (4) \5\................... (3) * (4) = (5)
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FERC-725A(1D), OMB Control No. 1902-0324
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TOP........................... 166 1 166 80 hrs.; $5,429.60........ 13,280 hrs.; $901,313.60.
BA............................ 98 1 98 80 hrs.; $5,429.60........ 7,840 hrs.; $532,100.80.
TO............................ 323 1 323 8 hrs.; $542.96........... 2,584 hrs.; $175,376.08.
GOP........................... 1,002 1 1,002 8 hrs.; $542.96........... 8,016 hrs.; $544,045.92.
GO............................ 1,164 1 1,164 8 hrs.; $542.96........... 9,312 hrs.; $632,005.44.
DP............................ 301 1 301 8 hrs.; $542.96........... 2,408 hrs.; $163,430.96.
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FERC-725A(1D) for TOP-003-6.1 ................ .............. ................. .......................... 43,440 hrs.; $2,948,272.80.
Total Years 1 & 2.
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FERC-725A(1D) for TOP-003-6.1 ................ .............. ................. .......................... No Change to existing burden.
Total Year 3 and beyond.
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IRO-010-5--Reliability Coordinator Data and Information Specification and Collection for Years 1 and 2
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Annual number
Number of of responses Total number of Average burden & cost per Total annual burden hours & total
respondents \6\ per respondent responses response annual cost
Type of entity (1) (2) (1) * (2) = (3) (4) \7\................... (3) * (4) = (5)
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FERC-725Z, OMB Control No. 1902-0276
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RC............................ 12 1 12 80 hrs.; $5,429.60........ 960 hrs.; $65,155.20.
BA............................ 98 1 98 8 hrs.; $542.96........... 784 hrs.; $53,210.08.
GO............................ 1,164 1 1,164 8 hrs.; $542.96........... 9,312 hrs.; $632,005.44.
GOP........................... 1,002 1 1,002 8 hrs.; $542.96........... 8,016 hrs.; $544,045.92.
TOP........................... 166 1 166 8 hrs.; $542.96........... 1,328 hrs.; $90,131.36.
TO............................ 323 1 323 8 hrs.; $542.96........... 2,584 hrs.; $175,376.08.
DP............................ 301 1 301 8 hrs.; $542.96........... 2,408 hrs.; $163,430.96.
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FERC-725Z for IRO-010-5 Total ................ .............. ................. .......................... 25,392 hrs.; $1,723,355.04.
Years 1 & 2.
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[[Page 86123]]
FERC-725Z for IRO-010-5 Total ................ .............. ................. .......................... No Change to existing burden.
Year 3 and beyond.
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The total annual estimated burden and cost for the FERC-725A(1D)
information collection is 43,440 hours and $2,948,272.80. FERC 725Z is
25,392 hours and $1,723,355.04 respectively.
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\6\ Values represent unique U.S. entities as based on the NERC
compliance registry information as of September 22, 2023.
\7\ The estimated hourly cost (salary plus benefits) is a
combination based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of
2022, for 75% of the average of an Electrical Engineer (17-2071)
$77.29/hr., 77.29 x .75 = 57.9675 ($57.97-rounded) ($57.97/hour) and
25% of an Information and Record Clerk (43-4199) $39.58/hr, $39.58 x
.25% = 9.895 ($9.90 rounded) ($9.90/hour), for a total ($57.97 +
$9.90 = $67.87/hour).
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Comments: Comments are invited on: (1) whether the collections of
information are 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
burdens and costs of the collections of information, including the
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance
the quality, utility and clarity of the information collections; and
(4) ways to minimize the burden of the collections of information on
those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection
techniques or other forms of information technology.
Dated: December 6, 2023.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-27221 Filed 12-11-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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