FERC-725A, [RD11-4 Order] Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Bulk-Power System

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
RD11-4_Sup_Stat_v5.doc Supporting Statement A	2011-11-01
RD11-4 Initial Order published.pdf Supplementary Document	2011-09-26

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
45896	FERC-725A, Mandatory Reliability Standards for Bulk-Power System	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 1902-0244	ICR Reference No: 201109-1902-009
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201105-1902-007
Agency/Subagency: FERC	Agency Tracking No: FERC-725A
Title: FERC-725A, [RD11-4 Order] 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: Approved with change	Conclusion Date: 12/09/2011
	Date Received in OIRA: 09/28/2011
Terms of Clearance: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for three years.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	12/31/2014	36 Months From Approved	08/31/2014
Responses	1,940	0	1,940
Time Burden (Hours)	1,797,530	0	1,788,270
Cost Burden (Dollars)	126,725	0	126,725

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Abstract: In this order, FERC finds that Reliability Standard EOP-008-1 is just, reasonable, not unduly discriminatory or preferential, and in the public interest. In addition, the Commission approves the retirement of EOP-008-0 as requested by NERC. Reliability Standard EOP-008-1 applies to reliability coordinators, transmission operators and balancing authorities and contains eight Requirements for the stated purpose of ensuring continued reliable operations of the bulk electric system in the event that a control center becomes inoperable. Requirement R1 requires each applicable entity to have a current operating plan describing the manner in which it will continue to meet its functional obligations in the event that its primary control center functionality is lost. Requirement R2 instructs each applicable entity to have a copy of its current plan for backup functionality at its primary control center and at the location providing backup functionality. Requirement R3 mandates that each reliability coordinator have a backup control center that provides functionality sufficient to maintain compliance with all Reliability Standards that depend on primary control center functionality. Reliability Standard EOP-008-1, Requirement R4 directs balancing authorities and transmission operators to have a backup functionality, either through a facility or contracted services, to maintain compliance with all Reliability Standards that depend on their primary control center functionality. Requirement R5 requires each applicable entity to review annually and approve its plan for backup functionality, and Requirement R7 requires each applicable entity to annually test and document the results of its plan demonstrating the transition time between the simulated loss of the primary control center and the full implementation of the backup functionality. Requirement R6 mandates that primary and backup functionality cannot depend on each other. Finally, each reliability coordinator, balancing authority or transmission operator that experiences a loss of either primary or backup functionality anticipated to last for more than six months must, in accordance with Requirement R8, provide a plan to its Regional Entity within six calendar months of the date when functionality is lost showing how it will re-establish such functionality.

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Authorizing Statute(s): PL: Pub.L. 109 - 58 1211 Name of Law: Energy Policy Act of 2005
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	76 FR 23801	04/28/2011
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	76 FR 58803	09/22/2011
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-725A, Mandatory Reliability Standards for Bulk-Power System

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	1,940	1,940	0	0	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	1,797,530	1,788,270	0	9,260	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	126,725	126,725	0	0	0	0

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

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

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

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: This Order results in a 9,260 hour program increase in the burden. Rather than creating entirely new obligations with respect to the loss of control center functionality, Reliability Standard EOP-008-1 upgrades the existing planning requirements contained in EOP-008-0 and specifically requires reliability coordinators, balancing authorities and transmission operators to have backup functionality. Thus, this Order does not impose entirely new burdens on the affected entities. For example, EOP-008-0 requires each applicable entity to have a plan to continue reliable operations in the event its control center becomes inoperable and to conduct reviews and tests, at least annually, to ensure viability of the plan. This Order, however, imposes new requirements regarding the approval, placement, documentation and updating of plans and requires entities that may not already possess backup functionality to obtain, possibly through contractual arrangements, backup capabilities. The purpose of Reliability Standard EOP-008-1 is to ensure reliability on the bulk electric system in the event that a control center becomes inoperable. The increase in burden is necessary to ensure that this purpose is maintained.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $1,575

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: 09/28/2011

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