[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 16 (Wednesday, January 24, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4602-4603]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-01327]


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

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. IC24-5-000]


Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-725HH); 
Comment Request; Extension

AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, DOE.

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 the currently approved 
information collection FERC-725HH (RF Reliability Standards) with no 
change to the current reporting or recordkeeping requirements.

DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due March 25, 
2024.

ADDRESSES: You may submit your comments (identified by Docket No. IC24-
5-000) on FERC-725HH 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: All 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jean Sonneman may be reached by email 
at [email protected], telephone at (202) 502-6362.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: FERC-725HH, RF Reliability Standards.
    OMB Control No.: 1902-0256.
    Type of Request: Three-year renewal of FERC-725HH without change to 
the reporting or recordkeeping requirements.
    Abstract: This collection of information pertains to the 
Commission's compliance with section 215 of the Federal Power Act (FPA) 
(16 U.S.C. 824o), which enables the Commission to strengthen the 
reliability of the ``bulk-power system.'' \1\ The Commission's 
implementation of FPA section 215 involves review and approval of a 
system of mandatory Reliability Standards that are established and 
enforced by an ``Electric Reliability Organization'' (ERO).\2\ The 
Commission has certified the North American Electric Reliability 
Corporation (NERC) as the ERO.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ FPA section 251(a)(1) defines ``bulk-power system'' as 
follows: ``(A) facilities and control systems necessary for 
operating an interconnected electric energy transmission network (or 
any portion thereof); and (B) electric energy from generation 
facilities needed to maintain transmission system reliability. The 
term does not include facilities used in the local distribution of 
electric energy.''
    \2\ FPA section 215(a)(2) defines ``Electric Reliability 
Organization'' as ``the organization certified by the Commission 
under subsection (c) the purpose of which is to establish and 
enforce reliability standards for the bulk-power system, subject to 
Commission review.''
    \3\ North American Electric Reliability Corp., 116 FERC ] 61,062 
(ERO Certification Order), order on reh'g & compliance, 117 FERC ] 
61,126 (2006), aff'd sub nom. Alcoa, Inc. v. FERC, 564 F.3d 1342 
(D.C. Cir. 2009).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Reliability Standards that the ERO proposes to the Commission may 
include Reliability Standards that are proposed to the ERO by a 
Regional Entity.\4\ A Regional Entity is an entity that has been 
approved by the Commission to enforce Reliability Standards under 
delegated authority from the ERO.\5\ On March 17, 2011, the Commission 
approved a regional Reliability Standard submitted by the ERO that was 
developed by the Reliability First Corporation (RF).\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ 16 U.S.C. 824o(e)(4).
    \5\ 16 U.S.C. 824o(a)(7) and (e)(4).
    \6\ Planning Resource Adequacy Assessment Reliability Standard, 
Order No. 747, 134 FERC ] 61,212 (2011).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    RF promotes bulk electric system reliability in the Eastern 
Interconnection. RF is the Regional Entity responsible for compliance 
monitoring and enforcement in the RF region. In addition, RF provides 
an environment for the development of Reliability Standards and the 
coordination of the operating and planning activities of its members as 
set forth in the RF bylaws.
    There is one regional Reliability Standard in the RF region. The 
Commission requests renewal of OMB clearance for that regional 
Reliability Standard, known as BAL-502-RF-03 (Planning Resource 
Adequacy Analysis, Assessment and Documentation).
    Type of Respondents: Planning coordinators.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: \7\ The estimated burden and cost \8\ 
are as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ 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, refer to 5 CFR 1320.3.
    \8\ For BAL-502-RF-03,
    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).

[[Page 4603]]



                                                          FERC-725HH, RF Reliability Standards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Annual number                                            Total annual burden
               Entity                   Number of       of responses    Annual number   Average burden hrs. &   hours & total annual       Cost per
                                     respondents \9\   per respondent    of responses   cost per response ($)         cost ($)          respondent ($)
                                                (1)              (2)   (1) * (2) = (3)  (4)..................  (3) * (4) = (5)......    (5) / (1) = (6)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Regional Reliability Standard BAL-502-RF-03
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Planning Coordinators..............               2                1                2   16 hrs.; $1,085.92...  32 hrs.; $2,171.84...          $1,085.92
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ The number of respondents is derived from the NERC 
Compliance Registry as of November 14, 2023 for the burden 
associated with the regional Reliability Standard BAL-502-RF-03.

    Dated: January 18, 2024.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024-01327 Filed 1-23-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P