Notice2026-10502

Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-725U)

Primary source

Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.

Published
May 27, 2026

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 comments on the currently approved information collection, FERC-725U, Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Bulk Power System; CIP Reliability Standards.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 101 (Wednesday, May 27, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 101 (Wednesday, May 27, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31449-31450]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-10502]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. IC26-29-000]


Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-725U)

AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of information collection 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 comments on the currently approved 
information collection, FERC-725U, Mandatory Reliability Standards for 
the Bulk Power System; CIP Reliability Standards.

DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due July 27, 2026.

ADDRESSES: Please submit comments via email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6d290c190c2e01080c1f0c030e082d2b283f2e430a021b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c185a0b5a082ada4a0b3a0afa2a48187849382efa6aeb7">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>. 
You must specify Docket No. (IC26-29-000) and the FERC Information 
Collection number (FERC-725U) in your email. If you are unable to file 
electronically, comments may be filed by USPS mail or by hand 
(including courier) delivery:
    <bullet> Mail via U.S. Postal Service only, addressed to: Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 888 First 
Street NE, Washington, DC 20426.
    <bullet> Hand (including courier) delivery to: Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, MD 20852.
    Docket: To view comments and issuances in this docket, please visit 
<a href="https://elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/search">https://elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/search</a>.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kayla Williams may be reached by email 
at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#90d4f1e4f1d3fcf5f1e2f1fef3f5d0d6d5c2d3bef7ffe6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="dd99bca9bc9eb1b8bcafbcb3beb89d9b988f9ef3bab2ab">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>, or by telephone at (202)502-6468.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: FERC-725U, Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Bulk 
Power System; CIP Reliability Standards.
    OMB Control No.: 1902-0274 (FERC-725U).
    Type of Request: Three-year approval of the currently approved 
collection: FERC-725U with no changes to the reporting or recordkeeping 
requirements.
    Abstract: On August 8, 2005, the Electricity Modernization Act of 
2005, which is Title XII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005), 
was enacted into law. EPAct 2005 added a new section 215 to the Federal 
Power Act (FPA),\1\ which requires a Commission-certified Electric 
Reliability Organization (ERO) to develop mandatory and enforceable 
Reliability Standards, subject to Commission review and approval. Once 
approved, the Reliability Standards may be enforced by the ERO, subject 
to Commission oversight, or by the Commission independently. Section 
215 of the FPA requires a Commission-certified ERO to develop mandatory 
and enforceable Reliability Standards, subject to Commission review and 
approval. Once approved, the Reliability Standards may be enforced by 
the ERO subject to Commission oversight or by the Commission 
independently. In 2006, the Commission certified NERC (now called the 
North American Electric Reliability Corporation) as the ERO pursuant to 
section 215 of the FPA. Reliability Standard CIP-014-3 (Physical 
Security) is part of the implementation of the Congressional mandate of 
the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to develop mandatory and enforceable 
Reliability Standards to better ensure the reliability of the nation's 
Bulk Power system. Reliability Standard CIP-014-3 requires applicable 
transmission owners and transmission operators to identify and protect 
transmission stations and transmission substations, and their 
associated primary control centers that if rendered inoperable or 
damaged resulting from a physical attack could result in widespread 
instability, uncontrolled separation, or cascading within an 
Interconnection.
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    \1\ 16 U.S.C. 824o.
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    In terms of information collection requirements, an applicable 
entity must create or maintain documentation showing compliance, when 
appropriate, with each requirement of the Reliability Standard. This 
Reliability Standard CIP-014-3 has six requirements. Transmission 
owners and transmission operators must keep data or evidence to show 
compliance with the standard for three years unless directed by its 
Compliance Enforcement Authority. If a responsible entity is found non-
compliant, it must keep information related to the non-compliance until 
mitigation is complete and approved, or for three years, whichever is 
longer.
    The number of respondents below is based on an estimate of the NERC 
compliance registry for transmission owners and transmission operators. 
The Commission based its paperwork burden estimates on the NERC 
compliance registry as of April 20, 2026. According to the registry, 
there are 341 transmission owners (TO) and 170

[[Page 31450]]

transmission operators (TOP) who are applicable to CIP-014-3. The 
estimate is based on a zero change in burden from the current standard 
to the standard approved in this Order. The Commission based the burden 
estimate on staff experience, knowledge, and expertise.
    For the new Reliability Standard CIP-014-3, the burden for entities 
remains the same as they will still need to provide the same evidence 
to demonstrate compliance whether it is kept on-site or loaded 
electronically into the SEL.
    Respondents: Business or other for profit, and not for profit 
institutions.
    Frequency of Responses: On occasion.
    Burden Estimates: The Commission estimates the following in the 
annual public reporting burden and cost \2\ as indicated below:
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    \2\ The estimated hourly cost (salary plus benefits) is a 
combination of the following categories from the BLS website, <a href="http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm:">http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm:</a> 75% of the average of an 
Electrical Engineer (17-2071) $71.19/hr., x .75 = 53.3925 ($53.39-
rounded) ($53.39/hour); and 25% of an Information and Record Clerk 
(43-4199) $40.51/hr., $40.51 x .25 = 10.1275 ($10.13 rounded) 
($10.13/hour), for a total ($53.39 + $10.13 = $63.52/hour).

                                       FERC-725U: (Mandatory Reliability Standards: Reliability Standard CIP-014)
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                                        Number of       Number of
                                       respondents    responses per   Total number    Average burden hours   Total burden hours &     Average cost per
                                           \3\         respondent     of responses    & cost per response         total cost             respondent
                                                (1)             (2)     (1) * (2) =  (4)..................  (3) * (4) = (5)        (5) / (1)
                                                                                (3)                          (rounded).
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Change Annual Reporting and                341 (TO)               1             341  32 hrs.; $2,032.64...  10,912 hrs.; $693,130  32 hrs.; $2,032.64
 Recordkeeping.
                                          170 (TOP)               1             170  32 hrs.; $2,032.64...  5,440 hrs.; $345,549.  32 hrs.; $2,032.64
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    Total FERC-725U................  ..............  ..............             511  .....................  16,352 hrs.;
                                                                                                             $1,038,679
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    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.
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    \3\ The number for TOs (341) and TOPs (170) represent the number 
of unique US entities and is taken from the NERC compliance registry 
information as of April 20, 2026.

    Dated: May 21, 2026.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2026-10502 Filed 5-26-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


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Indexed from Federal Register on May 27, 2026.

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