[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 82 (Friday, April 28, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20985-20988]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-10517]



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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Solicitation of Comments on Proposed Changes to Collection of 
Monthly Electricity Generation Data; Notice

SUMMARY: The Energy Information Administration (EIA) proposes to revise 
the scope of its monthly data collections [[Page 20986]] to conduct an 
integrated survey of both electric utilities and nonutility power 
producers. This would only affect the Form EIA-759, ``Monthly Power 
Plant Report.'' EIA's objective is to publish monthly summary 
statistics for both utilities and nonutilities in 1996 including net 
generation by prime mover and fuel type, fuel consumption, and end-of-
the-month fuel stocks.
    EIA is currently evaluating the two proposed alternatives described 
in this notice for the collection of monthly generation, fuel 
consumption, and fuel stocks from utilities and nonutilities.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted by no later than May 30, 
1995. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but find 
it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this notice, 
you should advise the contact listed below of your intention to do so 
as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Howard L. Walton, Director of the Coal and 
Electric Data and Renewables Division (EI-52), Office of Coal, Nuclear, 
Electric and Alternative Fuels, 1000 Independence Avenue, S.W., 
Washington, DC 20585. Alternatively, Mr. Walton can be reached at 
[email protected] (Internet E-mail), 202-254-6234 or 5765 (fax), or 
202-254-5500 (voice).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Requests for additional information or copies 
of EIA forms and instructions should be directed to Dean A. Fennell at 
[email protected] (Internet E-mail) or 202-254-5660 (voice).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background
II. Current Actions
III. Request for Comments

I. Background

    Created by Congress in 1977 as an independent entity within the 
Department of Energy, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) is 
the principal and authoritative source of comprehensive energy data for 
the Congress, the Federal government, the States, and the public. With 
the mandate to ``collect, assemble, evaluate, analyze, and disseminate 
data and information,'' EIA's mission is to:
     Maintain a comprehensive data and information program 
relevant to energy resources and reserves, energy production, energy 
demand, energy technologies, and related financial and statistical 
information relevant to the adequacy of energy resources to meet the 
Nation's demands in the near and longer term future; and
     Develop and maintain analytical tools and collection and 
processing systems; provide analyses that are accurate, timely, and 
objective; and provide information dissemination services.
    The legal authority for EIA's collection of electric power data is 
provided by Sections 5(a), 5(b), 13(b), and 52 of the Federal Energy 
Administration Act of 1974 as amended, Public Law 93-275.
    EIA's electric power data and analyses have been used extensively 
in the development and evaluation of today's Federal policies and 
regulations regarding the electric power industry. Continued support to 
the Department, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the 
Congress, and the industry is dependent upon EIA's ability to collect 
and disseminate relevant information about the industry during its 
transition from a tightly regulated, cost-of service utility industry 
to an open access, competitively priced power industry.
    EIA periodically reviews data requirements and survey instruments 
to determine if information system enhancements are necessary due to 
changing environments. EIA recently initiated an overall evaluation of 
its electric power data systems. Results of this effort will, among 
other things, identify improvements to survey forms, respondent mailing 
lists, automated data processing methodologies, publication formats, 
and electronic dissemination methods. As currently scheduled, revised 
electric power forms will be published in the Federal Register for 
public comments in late Spring of 1995. When approved by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB), these revised forms will be mailed to 
electric power respondents--utilities and nonutilities--in late 1995 
and early 1996.
    EIA's electric power data requirements review was started in late 
1994, and consists of (1) reviewing what electric power data are 
currently collected by EIA and other Federal agencies, (2) identifying 
those data that are needed by the Department of Energy, other Federal 
departments, and the public to monitor the electric power industry, (3) 
evaluating how well current information systems satisfy identified 
requirements, and (4) proposing better ways of collecting and 
disseminating electric power data. Primary objectives of the 
requirements review are to ensure that data user requirements are being 
met to the extent practicable, ensuring that data are not being 
collected unless needed, and minimizing respondent burden.
    As part of the requirements review, EIA has interviewed about 30 
Federal offices that use EIA electric power information and made site 
visits to 15 utilities and nonutilities providing electric power data 
to EIA. EIA also conducted a workshop on November 2, 1994 at the 
conclusion of the first Department of Energy--National Association of 
Regulatory Utility Commissioners (DOE-NARUC) National Electricity Forum 
held in Washington, D.C. A similar workshop is scheduled for April 21, 
1995 at the second DOE-NARUC Forum to be held in Providence, Rhode 
Island. Additionally, EIA and the North American Electric Reliability 
Council (NERC) have formed a data coordination task force to streamline 
the collection of electric power reliability data.
    One of the earliest findings of the requirements review was that 
monthly electricity production statistics published by EIA are 
incomplete. Generation and fuel consumption data are currently 
collected from nonutility power producers only annually so that EIA 
monthly electric statistics systematically understate U.S. electricity 
production by about 10 percent. This situation is expected to grow 
worse in the future as the electric power industry becomes more 
competitive and its composition more diverse. The primary EIA 
publications that contain monthly electric power information are the 
Electric Power Monthly (EPM), the Monthly Energy Review (MER), and the 
Short-Term Energy Outlook (quarterly data).
    The Form EIA-759 is a monthly census of all operators of electric 
utility power plants and is used to collect monthly data on net 
generation by prime mover and fuel-type combination; consumption of 
coal, petroleum, and natural gas; and end-of-the-month stocks of coal 
and petroleum for each plant. Summary statistics from the Form EIA-759 
are published in EIA's Electric Power Monthly (EPM), Electric Power 
Annual (EPA), Monthly Energy Review (MER), and the Annual Energy Review 
(AER). These reports present aggregated data for electric utilities at 
the U.S., Census division levels and NERC levels.
    Prior to 1935, the Bureau of the Census and the U.S. Geological 
Survey collected, compiled, and published data on the electric power 
industry. In 1936, the Federal Power Commission (FPC) assumed all data 
collection and publication responsibilities for the electric power 
industry and implemented the FPC Form 4, ``Monthly Power Plant 
Report.'' The Federal Power Act, Sections 311 and 312, and FPC Order 
141 define the legislative authority to collect power production data. 
The Form EIA-759 replaced the [[Page 20987]] FPC Form 4 in January 
1982. EIA's collection authority for the Form EIA-759 is provided by 
the Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-275), 
sections 5(a), 5(b), 13(b), and 52.
    Prior to 1980, the FPC Form 4 collected monthly data from all U.S. 
electric power plants operated by utilities and about 250 industrial 
power plants of 10 megawatts or more. In this timeframe, nonutilities 
consisted primarily of industrial manufacturers that produced 
electricity mainly for internal consumption. Due to the decreasing 
importance of nonutility generation, collection of monthly generation, 
fuel consumption, and fuel stocks from industrial power plants was 
discontinued in January 1981.
    The role of nonutility power producers in the Nation's electricity 
supply has grown significantly since 1981 and reflects the emerging 
competition within the wholesale electric power markets. The near 
monopoly of electric generation by regulated electric utilities has 
ended, as many new industry participants generate and sell electric 
power to electric utilities, thus changing long-established 
institutional relationships. In 1993, net generation by nonutilities 
was over 300 billion kilowatthours (kWh) or about 10 percent of the 
total 3,200 billion kWh generated in the United States. The outlook is 
for greater participation by nonutility power producers in wholesale 
power supply.
    The changing roles and relationships between utilities and 
nonutilities in the Nation's electric power industry prompted EIA to 
reinstitute data collection from nonutilities in 1989. The Form EIA-
867, ``Annual Nonutility Power Producer Report,'' was implemented to 
collect generation, fuel consumption, and other electricity-related 
data from nonutility power plants with a generating capacity of 1 
megawatt or more. Data reported on the mandatory Form EIA-867 are 
considered confidential and summary statistics published by EIA from 
the Form EIA-867 are aggregated in a way to protect the confidentiality 
of individual respondents. Data reported on the Form EIA-759 are not 
confidential.

II. Current Actions

    To overcome the lack of monthly data from nonutilities--generation, 
fuel consumption, and fuel stocks--EIA is considering two data 
collection alternatives.

Alternative 1--Electric Control Area Reporting

    The first alternative is to acquire monthly electronic data from 
U.S. electric control area operators. A control area is an electric 
power system or combination of electric power systems to which a common 
automatic generation control scheme is applied in order to: (1) Match, 
at all times, the power output of the generators within the electric 
power system(s) and capacity and energy purchased from entities outside 
the electric power system(s), with the load within the electric power 
system(s); (2) maintain scheduled interchange with other Control Areas; 
(3) maintain the frequency of the electric power system(s) within 
reasonable limits; and (4) provide sufficient generating capacity to 
maintain operating reserves. There are about 150 electric control areas 
operating in the United States each with a unique computer and 
telecommunication system for monitoring and controlling the generators 
and external interconnections in its area. Typically, remote meter 
readings are electronically transmitted every few seconds or minutes to 
the electric control area computers so that system performance can be 
continuously assessed and controlled.
    The real-time data acquired and maintained by electric control area 
operators represents a potential new data source for EIA's monthly 
electric power statistics. Instead of surveying thousands of power 
plants each month, this alternative envisions electric control area 
operators providing electronic summaries of operational data for 
generators and power plants each month. Under this reporting scheme, 
real-time data for utility and nonutility generators (or plants) would 
be aggregated each month and transmitted electronically to EIA. Data 
file transfer could be accomplished using Internet, commercial E-mail 
systems, or modem-to-modem communication protocols. EIA would develop 
one or more standard formats that electric control area operators could 
use for the monthly filings.
    If this alternative is technically feasible and will significantly 
reduce monthly respondent burden, implementation could begin in 1996. 
EIA would continue to use the Form EIA-759 until electric control area 
operators are filing monthly and the data have been validated for 
consistency. Implementation activities would include developing 
standard file formats, establishing electronic communication 
procedures, ensuring the completeness and accuracy of data to be 
submitted, and working with respondents to overcome any technical 
challenges. EIA would consider conducting 1-day regional workshops for 
electric control area personnel to coordinate and facilitate the 
implementation of this alternative. There would be a phase-in period in 
which the Form EIA-759 could be used for any power plants not monitored 
by electric control area operators.

Alternative 2--Form EIA-759 Sample

    The second alternative is to revise the coverage of the current 
Form EIA-759 and sample both utilities and nonutility power producers. 
Nonutilities would receive the Form EIA-759 by mail and be required to 
report monthly generation provided to the electric grid by each prime 
mover and fuel combination, fuel consumption by each prime mover, and 
end-of-month fuel stocks. Current procedures of preprinting static 
administrative information on the form would be continued to help 
respondents complete their submissions by the 10th working day of the 
month following the reporting month.
    If monthly electric power data collection is extended to nonutility 
power producers, the EIA-759 survey methodology would be changed from a 
census of utility power plants to a statistical sample of utility and 
nonutility power plants. EIA has determined that a sample of 
approximately 1,700 power plants would provide sufficient data to 
accurately estimate U.S. and NERC region monthly electricity generation 
by fuel type, fuel consumption, and end-of-the-month fuel stocks. 
Implementation of this sampling methodology means that State and 
company-level information will no longer be available on a monthly 
basis. Monthly estimates of net generation aggregated by calendar year 
would be verified against annual electric power data collected by EIA 
(e.g., Forms EIA-861 and EIA-867) to ensure the accuracy of statistical 
estimates. There are about 5,100 power plants of 1 megawatt and greater 
in the United States--3,000 operated by electric utilities and 2,100 
operated by nonutility power producers.
    Implementation of this alternative would start with the January 
1996 reporting period. Implementation activities would primarily 
consist of combining the utility and nonutility universes of power 
plants and selecting a statistical sample of about one-third of all 
power plants. EIA would work with all new Form EIA-759 respondents to 
[[Page 20988]] ensure that the forms are completed accurately and filed 
on time.

III. Request for Comments

    Prospective respondents and other interested parties are requested 
to comment on the alternatives described above and to prepare 
modifications or refinements deemed useful. The following general 
questions provide a framework for the preparation of responses and will 
be used by EIA in its evaluation of the two alternatives.
    For electric control area operators:
    1. Do electric control area operators telemeter each utility and 
nonutility generators 10 megawatts and over? Is output from generators 
under 10 megawatts telemetered by individual unit or aggregated by type 
of unit at each power plant? Are power plants under 1 megawatt 
telemetered?
    2. Do electric control area operators acquire monthly data (either 
electronic or manual) on fuel consumption by power plant or by 
generating unit? Is fuel consumption by nonutilities collected on any 
basis?
    3. Do electric control area operators acquire data (either 
electronically or manually) on fuel stocks at power plants?
    4. What format(s) would electric control area operators prefer when 
providing electronic data to EIA? What facilities/equipment do control 
area operators have to electronically send data to EIA?
    5. How soon after the end of each month could electric control area 
operators provide electronic data to EIA? Manually prepared data?
    6. What modifications to electric control area computer systems 
would be necessary to provide monthly electronic data on generation 
from all generators 10 megawatts and over? What length of time would be 
necessary to implement those modifications? How much would these 
modifications cost?
    7. What modifications to systems and/or manual procedures would be 
necessary to provide monthly data on fuel consumption from all 
generators 10 megawatts and over? What length of time would be 
necessary to implement these modifications? How much would these 
modifications cost?
    8. What modifications to systems and/or manual procedures would be 
necessary to provide monthly data on power plant fuel stocks. What 
length of time would be necessary to implement these modifications? How 
much would these modifications cost?
    9. What is the estimated monthly burden in person-hours to provide 
electronic data on electricity output from all generators 10 megawatts 
and more? Fuel consumption by generating unit? Plant fuel stocks?
    10. Is monthly electricity output by generator, monthly fuel 
consumption by generating unit, or plant fuel stocks considered 
confidential? Why?
    For nonutility power producers:
    11. Do nonutility power producers maintain monthly records on 
electricity output by generator, fuel consumption by generating unit, 
and plant fuel stocks? Are these data currently recorded in an 
electronic format?
    12. What format(s) would nonutilities prefer when providing 
generation, fuel consumption, and fuel stock data to EIA? What 
facilities/equipment do nonutilities have to electronically send data 
to EIA?
    13. How soon after the end of each month could nonutility power 
producers provide generation and fuel consumption by unit, and plant 
fuel stock data to EIA?
    14. What modifications to systems and/or manual procedures would be 
necessary to provide monthly generation and fuel consumption by unit, 
and plant fuel stock data to EIA?
    15. What is the estimated monthly burden in person-hours to provide 
generation and fuel consumption by unit, and plant fuel stocks data to 
EIA?
    16. Are monthly generation, fuel consumption, or fuel stock data 
considered confidential? Why?
    For data users:
    17. Does the lack of monthly electricity output from nonutility 
producers adversely impact your use of EIA data? Lack of monthly fuel 
consumption data from nonutilities? Lack of fuel stock data from 
nonutilities? How?
    18. What level of accuracy do you need for monthly U.S. electricity 
generation and fuel consumption by the electric power industry?
    19. Do you need generation, fuel consumption, or fuel stock data by 
unit, plant, or company? What level(s) of aggregation are useful to 
you?
    20. For what purposes do you or would you use monthly generation, 
fuel consumption and/or fuel stock data? Please be specific.
    21. What are the weaknesses and strengths of the data collection 
alternatives under consideration by EIA? Please be specific as it 
relates to your use of the data.
    22. Would a determination by EIA that generation, fuel consumption, 
or fuel stock data by plant are confidential affect your use of the 
data?
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will become a matter 
of public record.

    Statutory Authorities: Section 2(a) of the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1980 (Pub. L. No. 96-511), which amended Chapter 35 of Title 
44 of the United States Code [See 44 U.S.C. Sec. 3506(a) and 
(c)(1)].

    Issued in Washington, DC, April 24, 1995.
 Yvonne M. Bishop,
 Director, Office of Statistical Standards, Energy Information 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 95-10517 Filed 4-27-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P