Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Bulk-Power System

OMB Control No: 1902-0244	ICR Reference No: 201003-1902-002
Status: Historical Inactive	Previous ICR Reference No: 200912-1902-005
Agency/Subagency: FERC	Agency Tracking No: FERC-725A
Title: Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Bulk-Power System
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Comment filed on proposed rule and continue	Conclusion Date: 05/27/2010
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 03/26/2010
Terms of Clearance: FERC is continuing to consider public comments. In response to comments already filed, FERC is reviewing its burden estimates.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	03/31/2013	36 Months From Approved	03/31/2013
Responses	1,439	0	1,439
Time Burden (Hours)	1,281,450	0	1,281,450
Cost Burden (Dollars)	134,766,955	0	134,766,955

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Abstract: FERC implemented the Electricity Modernization Act of 2005 which added a new section 215 to the Federal Power Act. FERC approved 83 of 107 proposed Reliability Standards, including six of the eight regional differences, and the Glossary of Terms Used in Reliability Standards as developed by the North American Electric Reliability Council, on behalf of its wholly-owned subsidiary, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). FERC certified NERC as the Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) responsible for developing and enforcing mandatory reliability standards. Bulk-Power System means facilities and control systems necessary for operating an interconnected electric energy transmission network and electric energy from generating facilities needed to maintain transmission system reliability. In RM09-18-000 NOPR FERC proposes to direct the Electric Reliability Organization (ERO)to revise the definition of the term

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Authorizing Statute(s): PL: Pub.L. 109 - 58 1211, amneds section 215 FPA Name of Law: Energy Policy Act

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: PL: Pub.L. 109 - 58 1211 Name of Law: Energy Policy Act of 2005

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
1902-AE00	Proposed rulemaking	75 FR 14097	03/24/2010

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Federal Register Notices & Comments

Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title Form No. Form Name Mandatory Reliability Standards for Bulk-Power System

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Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Changing Regulations

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: This proposal would eliminate the discretion provided in the current definition for a Regional Entity to define “bulk electric system” within a region. Importantly, however, the Commission emphasizes that it is not proposing to eliminate all regional variations and it does not anticipate that the proposed change would affect most entities. The goal of the proposal is to eliminate significant inconsistencies across regions and provide a backstop review to ensure that any regional variations do not compromise reliability and that facilities that could significantly impact reliability are subject to mandatory rules. Simply put, if the Commission does not take this step, the Commission is concerned that it would not be fulfilling the intent of Congress in enacting section 215 to protect reliability of the Nation’s Bulk-Power System, including reliability in major cities. This NOPR does not add or decrease to the information collection requirements that implement the provisions of section 215 of the Federal Power Act. The proposed revision to the ERO’s definition of the term bulk electric system, if adopted, would implement the Congressional mandate of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to develop mandatory and enforceable Reliability Standards to better ensure the reliability of the nation’s Bulk-Power System. Specifically, the proposal would ensure that certain facilities needed for the reliable operation of the nation’s bulk electric system are subject to mandatory and enforceable Reliability Standards.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $323,308

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Is the Supporting Statement intended to be a Privacy Impact Assessment required by the E-Government Act of 2002? No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? Uncollected

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? Uncollected

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

Agency Contact: Jonathan First 202 502-8529 [email protected]

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
		(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;
		(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;
		(c) It reduces burden on small entities;
		(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;
		(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;
		(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;
		(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:
			(i) Why the information is being collected;
			(ii) Use of information;
			(iii) Burden estimate;
			(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
			(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
			(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
		(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.
		(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and
		(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Certification Date: 03/26/2010

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