[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 234 (Thursday, December 7, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 85284-85285]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-26867]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. IC23-15-000]


Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-516H) Comment 
Request; Extension

AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

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 (PRA), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 
(Commission or FERC) is soliciting public comment on the currently 
approved information collection, FERC-516H, (Electric Rate Schedules 
and Tariff Filings, Pro Forma Open Access Transmission Tariff), which 
will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for 
review. No Comments were received on the 60-day notice published on 
September 28, 2023.

DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due January 8, 
2024.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments on FERC-516H to OMB through 
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Attention: Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission Desk Officer. Please identify the OMB Control Number (1902-
0303) in the subject line of your comments. Comments should be sent 
within 30 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. IC23-15-000) 
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, Secretary of the 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: Jean Sonneman may be reached by email 
at [email protected], telephone at (202) 502-6362.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: FERC-516H, Electric Rate Schedules and Tariff Filings, Pro 
Forma Open Access Transmission Tariff.
    OMB Control No.: 1902-0303.
    Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC-516H information 
collection requirements with no changes to the current reporting 
requirements.
    Abstract: As of March 14, 2022, FERC-516H, requires respondents 
that are subject to 18 CFR 35.28 to submit compliance filings that add 
a new Attachment M to their pro forma Open Access Transmission Tariffs 
(OATTs). The regulation at 18 CFR 35.28, which pertains to non-
discriminatory open access transmission tariffs, applies to:
     Commission-jurisdictional public utilities that own, 
control, or operate facilities used for the transmission of electric 
energy in interstate commerce; and
     Non-jurisdictional utilities that seek voluntary 
compliance with jurisdictional transmission tariff reciprocity 
conditions.
    In Order No. 881, the Commission added 18 CFR 35.28(c)(5) to 
require any public utility that owns transmission facilities that are 
not under the public utility's control to, consistent with the pro 
forma OATT required by 18 CFR 35.28(c)(1), share with the public 
utility that controls such facilities (and its

[[Page 85285]]

Market Monitoring Unit(s), if applicable):
    (i) Transmission line ratings for each period for which 
transmission line ratings are calculated for such facilities (with 
updated ratings shared each time ratings are calculated); and
    (ii) Written transmission line rating methodologies used to 
calculate the transmission line ratings for such facilities provided 
under subparagraph (i), above.
    Additionally, 18 CFR 35.28(c) requires each public utility 
transmission provider to have on file with the Commission and adhere to 
the Commission's pro forma Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT). In 
Order No. 881, the Commission added Attachment M of the Commission's 
pro forma OATT to require each jurisdictional transmission provider to 
maintain on the password-protected section of its OASIS page or on 
another password-protected website a database of transmission line 
ratings and transmission line rating methodologies. Such transmission 
line ratings and transmission line rating methodologies are to be 
calculated and provided by transmission owners. The database must 
include a full record of all transmission line ratings, both as used in 
real-time operations, and as used for all future periods for which 
transmission service is offered. Additionally, Attachment M of the 
Commission's pro forma OATT requires transmission providers, as the 
regulated entities, to share transmission line ratings and 
methodologies with any transmission provider(s) upon request and in a 
timely manner.
    Type of Respondent: Transmission Owners.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: \1\ The Commission estimates the annual 
public reporting burden for the information collection as below:
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    \1\ ``Burden'' is 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, refer to 5 CFR 1320.3.

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                                                                     C. Annual
                                                                     estimated                                                                               F. Total estimated burden hours &
       A. Area of modification         B. Number of respondents      number of      D. Annual estimated number of     E. Average burden hours & cost \2\      total estimated cost (Column D x
                                                                   responses per   responses (column B x column C)               per response                            Column E)
                                                                    respondent
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                                                                                FERC-516H (Control No. 1902-0303)
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Transmission owners \3\ (Year 1 and   289 (TOs).................               1  289..............................  176 hrs.; $16,192...................  50,864 hrs.; $4,679,488.
 Ongoing).
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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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    \2\ The hourly cost (for salary plus benefits) uses the figures 
from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for three positions 
involved in the reporting and recordkeeping requirements. These 
figures include salary (based on BLS data for May 2023, http://bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm) and benefits (based on BLS data 
issued March 19, 2022, http://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm) 
and are Manager (Code 11-0000 $106.33/hour), Electrical Engineer 
(Code 17-2071 $77.29/hour). The hourly cost for the reporting 
requirements ($91.81 = $92 rounded) is an average of the cost of a 
manager and engineer.
    \3\ Transmission owners update forecasts and ratings, and share 
transmission line ratings and facility ratings methodologies w/
transmission providers and, if applicable, RTOs/ISOs & market 
monitors.
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    The Commission's Office of Public Participation (OPP) supports 
meaningful public engagement and participation in Commission 
proceedings. OPP can help members of the public, including landowners, 
environmental justice communities, Tribal members and others, access 
publicly available information and navigate Commission processes. For 
public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as 
interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, the public is 
encouraged to contact OPP at (202) 502-6595 or [email protected].

    Dated: December 1, 2023.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-26867 Filed 12-6-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P