In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for 3 years.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
08/31/2014
36 Months From Approved
05/31/2014
478
0
478
10,145
0
8,377
0
0
0
Under section 215 of the Federal Power Act (FPA), the Commission hereby approves four revised regional Reliability Standards developed by the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) and approved by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), which the Commission has certified as the Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) responsible for developing and enforcing mandatory Reliability Standards. These regional Reliability Standards have been designated by WECC as FAC-501-WECC-1 Â Transmission Maintenance, PRC-004-WECC-1 Â Protection System and Remedial Action Scheme Misoperation, VAR-002-WECC-1 Â Automatic Voltage Regulators, and VAR-501-WECC-1 Â Power System Stabilizer. Reliability Standard FAC-501-WECC-1 addresses transmission maintenance for specified transmission paths in the Western Interconnection. Reliability Standard PRC-004-WECC-1 addresses the analysis of misoperations that occur on transmission and generation protection systems and remedial action schemes in the Western Interconnection. Reliability Standard VAR-002-WECC-1 is meant to ensure that automatic voltage regulators remain in service on synchronous generators and condensers in the Western Interconnection. Reliability Standard VAR-501-WECC-1 is meant to ensure that power system stabilizers remain in service on synchronous generators in the Western Interconnection. In addition, the Commission approves five new regional definitions applicable within the Western Interconnection.
The four new regional Reliability Standards (FAC-501-WECC-1, PRC-004-WECC-1, VAR-002-WECC-1, and VAR-501-WECC-1) replace existing regional Reliability Standards PRC-STD-001-1, PRC-STD-003-1, PRC-STD-005-1, VAR-STD-002a-1, and VAR-STD-002b-1, which were approved by the Commission in its June 2007 Order. In addition, the new regional Reliability Standards introduce five new regional definitions for the NERC Glossary: Functionally Equivalent Protection System, Functionally Equivalent Remedial Action Scheme, Security-Based Misoperations, Dependability-Based Misoperations, and Commercial Operation. We find that the requirements of these revised regional Reliability Standards may result in minor changes in burden to applicable entities but, overall, these requirements will not substantially add to or increase burden to entities that must already comply with the existing regional Reliability Standards and the corresponding NERC Reliability Standards.
There are, however, two differences with respect to the applicability of the new versus the existing regional Reliability Standards. First, existing regional Reliability Standard WECC PRC-STD-005-1 is applicable to transmission owners or operators that maintain transmission paths indicated in the WECC Transfer Path Table. By contrast, new Reliability Standard FAC-501-WECC-1 is applicable only to transmission owners that maintain transmission paths indicated in the WECC Transfer Path Table. Thus, transmission operators no longer must comply with these regional requirements. Second, existing regional Reliability Standard WECC VAR-STD-002a-1 is applicable only to generator operators of synchronous generators whereas new regional Reliability Standard VAR-002-WECC-1 is applicable to both generator operators and transmission operators of synchronous condensers. Thus, Reliability Standard VAR-002-WECC-1 creates a new burden for transmission operators of synchronous condensers. This change to the Reliability Standard was deemed necessary by those participating in the standards drafting process in order to maintain reliability of the Bulk-Power System.
$37,422
No
No
No
No
No
Uncollected
Tim Friel 202 502-6447
No
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:
(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;
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.
RM09-9 Fin rule draft5_26_11.doc
FERC-725E, Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Western Electricity Coordinating Council