[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 141 (Tuesday, July 23, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59733-59735]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-16080]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. RD23-5-000]


Commission Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; 
Revision

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, 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 
Reliability Standard PRC-023-6. The 60-day notice comment period ended 
on July 1, 2024.

DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due August 22, 
2024.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments on FERC-725G (1902-0252) to OMB 
through www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Attention: Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission Desk Officer. Please identify the OMB Control 
Numbers 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. RD23-5-000) 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-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 with Reliability Standard PRC-023-6 
(Transmission Relay Loadability), 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 Loadability), 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

[[Page 59734]]

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 Commission's 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's noncompliance with 
existing obligations under Requirement R2 (i.e., the proper setting out 
out-of-step blocking relays) can be assessed under 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 owners, 1,173 generator owners, 371 
distribution providers and 62 planning coordinators registered with 
NERC. These registered entities will have to comply with requirements 
in the Reliability Standard PRC-023-6.
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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.

                             Proposed Changes Due to Order in Docket No. RD23-5-000
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                                               Number of
     Reliability standard &        Type \8\      annual     Total number    Average number of     Total burden
          requirement             and number   responses    of responses    burden hours per         hours
                                  of entity    per entity                     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.; $1,067.52  5,184 hrs.;
                                                                                                $345,876.48.
    GO.........................        1,173            1           1,173  16 hrs.; $1,067.52  18,768 hrs.;
                                                                                                $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.
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        Total for PRC-023-6 One  ...........  ...........           1,930  48 hrs.; $3,202.56  27,416 hrs.;
         Time Estimate--Years 1                                                                 $1,829,195.52.
         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 
hours/year over three years). The number of responses is also averaged 
over three years (1,930 responses / 3 = 643.33 responses/year).
    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.
    The Commission's Office of Public Participation (OPP) supports 
meaningful public engagement and participation in

[[Page 59735]]

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: July 16, 2024.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024-16080 Filed 7-22-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P