[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 84 (Tuesday, April 30, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34236-34237]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-09196]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. RD23-5-000]


Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-725G); Comment 
Request; Revision

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 comment on proposed revisions of the 
currently approved information collection, FERC-725G, (Mandatory 
Reliability Standards for the Bulk-Power System), approval of PRC-023-
6.

DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due July 1, 2024.

ADDRESSES: You may submit copies of your comments (identified by Docket 
No. RD23-5-000) by one of the following methods:
    Electronic filing through http://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: http://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 http://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-725G (Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Bulk-
Power System: Approval of PRC Reliability Standard PRC-023-6.
    OMB Control No.: 1902-0252.
    Type of Request: Approval of FERC-725G information collection 
requirements associated with proposed PRC Reliability Standard PRC-023-
6.
    Abstract: This Notice pertains to the FERC-725G information 
collection requirements associated Reliability Standard PRC-023-6 
(Transmission Relay Load ability), the associated proposed 
implementation plan, and violation risk factors and violation severity 
levels. On March 2, 2023, the North American Electric Reliability 
Corporation (NERC) filed a petition seeking approval of proposed 
Reliability Standard PRC-023-6 (Transmission Relay Load ability), the 
associated proposed implementation plan, and violation risk factors and 
violation severity levels.\1\ NERC also requested the Commission's 
approval of the retirement of the version of Reliability Standard PRC-
023 that would be in effect (i.e., currently effective Reliability 
Standard PRC-023-4 or the approved but not yet effective Reliability 
Standard PRC-023-5).\2\
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    \1\ NERC Petition at 1.
    \2\ NERC Petition at 1-2.
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    NERC explains that the proposed Reliability Standard would advance 
Bulk-Power System reliability by removing certain redundant and 
unnecessary language from the Standard related to the setting of out-
of-step blocking relays. To achieve this, NERC proposes to retire the 
Reliability Standard's Requirement R2 related to setting out-of-step 
blocking schemes to allow tripping of phase protective relays and 
remove the Attachment A, Item 2.3 exclusion for protection systems 
intended for protection during stable power swings.\3\ NERC states that 
Requirement R2 is redundant because the fault condition addressed by 
Requirement R2 is addressed by Requirement R1 and requires the same 
compliance activity by the entity.\4\ NERC explains, thus, that 
Requirement R2 is not needed for reliability. Further, NERC explains 
that the exclusion in Attachment A, Item 2.3 is no longer necessary due 
to system changes.\5\
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    \3\ NERC Petition at 4.
    \4\ NERC Petition at 21.
    \5\ NERC Petition at 25-26.
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    On October 10, 2023, the Office of Electric Reliability issued a 
letter requesting that NERC provide additional information to explain 
how Requirement R2 of Reliability Standard PRC-023 is redundant to 
Requirement R1 and confirm whether the existing obligations in 
Requirement R2 would be enforced and audited under Requirement R1.\6\ 
NERC filed its amended petition on November 3, 2023. In its amended 
petition, NERC confirms that because Requirement R2 is redundant to 
Requirement R1, any entity noncompliance with existing obligations of 
Requirement R2 would be assessed under Requirement R1.\7\
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    \6\ RFI at 2.
    \7\ NERC Amended Petition at 25.
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    The petition was noticed on March 22, 2023, with interventions, 
comments, and protests due on or before April 21, 2023. No 
interventions, comments, or protests were filed.
    Due to NERC's confirmation that any entity noncompliance with 
existing obligations under Requirement R2 (i.e., the proper setting out 
out-of-step blocking relays) can be assessed under

[[Page 34237]]

Requirement R1 if R2 is retired, NERC's uncontested filing is hereby 
approved pursuant to the relevant authority delegated to the Director, 
Office of Electric Reliability under 18 CFR 375.303, effective as of 
the date of this order.
    This action shall not be construed as approving any other 
application, including proposed revisions of Electric Reliability 
Organization or Regional Entity rules or procedures pursuant to 18 CFR 
375.303(a)(2)(i). Such action shall not be deemed as recognition of any 
claimed right or obligation associated therewith and such action is 
without prejudice to any findings or orders that have been or may 
hereafter be made by the Commission in any proceeding now pending or 
hereafter instituted by or against the Electric Reliability 
Organization or any Regional Entity.
    This order constitutes final agency action. Requests for rehearing 
by the Commission may be filed within 30 days of the date of issuance 
of this order, pursuant to 18 CFR 385.713. The revisions to PRC-023-6 
will result in a change in how relay settings will be assessed under 
Requirement R1 of out-of-step blocking elements but will not result in 
reporting or recordkeeping requirements or burden. As of February 2024, 
there are 324 transmission owner, 1,173 generator owners, 371 
distribution providers and 62 planning coordinators registered with 
NERC. These registered entities will have to comply requirements in the 
proposed Reliability Standard PRC-023-6.

                             Proposed Changes Due to Order in Docket No. RD23-5-000
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                                                  Number of
    Reliability standard &      Type \8\ and       annual       Total number    Average number     Total burden
         requirement              number of     responses per   of responses    of burden hours       hours
                                   entity          entity                      per response \9\
                                          (1)             (2)     (1) * (2) =  (4).............  (3) * (4) = (5)
                                                                          (3)
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                                                    FERC-725G
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PRC-023-6
    TO.......................             324               1             324  16 hrs.           5,184 hrs.
                                                                                $1,067.52.        $345,876.48.
    GO.......................           1,173               1           1,173  16 hrs.           18,768 hrs.
                                                                                $1,067.52.        $1,252,200.96.
    DP.......................             371               1             371  8 hrs. $533.76..  2,968 hrs.
                                                                                                  $198,024.96.
    PC.......................              62               1              62  8 hrs. $533.76..  496 $33,093.12.
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total for PRC-023-6..  ..............  ..............           1,930  48 hrs.           27,416 hrs.
                                                                                $3,202.56.        $1,829,195.52.
        One Time Estimate--
         Years 1 and 2.
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    The one-time burden of 27,416 hours that only applies for Year 1 
and 2 will be averaged over three years (27,416 hours / 3 = 9,138.67 
(9,138.67-rounded) hours/year over three years). The number of 
responses is also averaged over three years (1,930 responses / 3 = 
643.33 (643.33-rounded) responses/year).
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    \8\ TO = Transmission Owner, GO = Generator Owner, DP = 
Distribution Provider and PC = Planning Coordinator.
    \9\ The estimated hourly cost (salary plus benefits) derived 
using the following formula: Burden Hours per Response * $/hour = 
Cost per Response. Based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as 
of August 1, 2023, of an Electrical Engineer (17-2071)--$77.29, and 
for Information and Record Clerks (43-4199) $56.14, The average 
hourly burden cost for this collection is [($77.29 + $56.14)/2 = 
$66.715)] rounded to $66.72 an hour.
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    The responses and burden hours for Years 1-3 will total 
respectively as follows for Year 1 one-time burden:

Year 1: 643.33 responses; 9,138.67 hours
Year 2: 643.33 responses; 9,138.67 hours
Year 3: 643.33 responses; 9,138.67 hours

    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.

    Dated: April 23, 2024.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024-09196 Filed 4-29-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P