FERC-725E, [NOPR in RM09-14-000] Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Western Electric Coordinating Council

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
ombjustRM09-14__FERC725Efinal to OMB.doc Supporting Statement A	2011-03-01
Statute.doc Supplementary Document	2011-01-31
Regs.doc Supplementary Document	2011-01-25

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
180804	FERC-725E, Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Western Electricity Coordinating Council	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 1902-0246	ICR Reference No: 201102-1902-002
Status: Historical Inactive	Previous ICR Reference No: 201101-1902-006
Agency/Subagency: FERC	Agency Tracking No: FERC-725E
Title: FERC-725E, [NOPR in RM09-14-000] Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Western Electric Coordinating Council
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: 03/15/2011
	Date Received in OIRA: 03/01/2011
Terms of Clearance: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved. The agency should address any comments in the final rule stage.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	10/31/2013	36 Months From Approved	10/31/2013
Responses	472	0	472
Time Burden (Hours)	8,305	0	8,305
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: The passage of the Electricity Modernization Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005)added to the Commission’s efforts by giving it the authority to strengthen the reliability of the interstate grid through the grant of new authority pursuant to section 215 of the Federal Power Act (FPA) which provides for a system of mandatory Reliability Standards developed by the Electric Reliability Organization (ERO), established by FERC, and enforced by the ERO and Regional Entities. These regional Reliability Standards allow for the continuation of certain reliability practices that are in effect in the Western Interconnection. The Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) is responsible for coordinating and promoting electric system reliability. In addition to promoting a reliable electric power system in the Western Interconnection, WECC supports efficient competitive power markets, assures open and non-discriminatory transmission access among members, provides a forum for resolving transmission access disputes, and provides an environment for coordinating the operating and planning activities of its members. The WECC region encompasses a vast area of nearly 1.8 million square miles. It is the largest and most diverse of the ten regional councils of the North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC). WECC’s service territory extends from Canada to Mexico. It includes the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, the northern portion of Baja California, Mexico, and all or portions of the 14 western states in between. Transmission lines span long distances connecting the Pacific Northwest with its abundant hydroelectric resources to the arid Southwest with its large coal-fired and nuclear resources. WECC and the nine other regional reliability councils were formed due to national concern regarding the reliability of the interconnected bulk power systems, the ability to operate these systems without widespread failures in electric service, and the need to foster the preservation of reliability through a formal organization. The Commission in accordance with section 215(d)(2) of the Federal Power Act (FPA)has approved the regional Reliability Standards. The proposed standard in the NOPR in RM09-14 does not modify or otherwise affect the burdens related to the collection of information already in place. Thus, the proposed replacement Reliability Standard will neither increase the reporting burden nor impose any additional information collection requirements. The burden and cost figures of FERC-725E are not being modified. The information collection requirements under FERC-725E are necessary for FERC and industry to ensure reliability on the western interconnection of the bulk-power system. The currently effective reliability standards under FERC-725E apply to the following entities within the WECC region: balancing authorities, generator operators, generator owners, load-serving entities, transmission operators, and transmission owners. The standard contained in RM09-14 applies to transmission operators as defined in the supporting statement and Reliability Standard text (see footnote 18 in the supporting statement).

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 16 USC 824(o) Name of Law: Federal Power Act
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
1902-AE20	Proposed rulemaking	75 FR 81157	12/27/2010

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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
FERC-725E, Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Western Electricity Coordinating Council

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

Burden Increase Due to:

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

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement:

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $37,422

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]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

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

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

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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: 03/01/2011

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