FERC-725G3, (NOPR in RM15-8-000) Mandatory Reliability Standards (PRC-026-1 Reliability Standard)

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
RM15-8 NOPR Supporting Statement9-24-2015.docx Supporting Statement A	2015-09-24
EPACT 2005 Section 215 (16 USC 824o).pdf Supplementary Document	2015-09-24
PRC-026-1 Reliability Standard.pdf Supplementary Document	2015-09-24
18 CFR 40.pdf Supplementary Document	2015-09-24

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
218320	PRC-026-1 Reliability Standard	New

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 1902-0285	ICR Reference No: 201509-1902-008
Status: Historical Inactive	Previous ICR Reference No:
Agency/Subagency: FERC	Agency Tracking No: FERC-725G3
Title: FERC-725G3, (NOPR in RM15-8-000) Mandatory Reliability Standards (PRC-026-1 Reliability Standard)
Type of Information Collection: New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Comment filed on proposed rule	Conclusion Date: 12/22/2015
	Date Received in OIRA: 09/24/2015
Terms of Clearance: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, OMB is withholding approval at this time. The agency shall examine public comment in response to the proposed rulemaking and will include in the supporting statement of the next ICR--to be submitted to OMB at the final rule stage--a description of how the agency has responded to any public comments on the ICR, including comments on maximizing the practical utility of the collection and minimizing the burden.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date		36 Months From Approved
Responses	0	0	0
Time Burden (Hours)	0	0	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

---

Abstract: On December 31, 2014, NERC submitted a petition seeking approval of proposed Reliability Standard PRC-026-1, as well as the associated implementation plan, and violation risk factors and violation severity levels. NERC avers that proposed Reliability Standard PRC-026-1 satisfies the Order No. 733 directive to develop a new standard that requires the use of protective relay systems that can differentiate between faults and stable power swings. According to NERC, the proposed Reliability Standard sets forth requirements that prevent the unnecessary tripping of bulk electric system elements in response to stable power swings. NERC further explains that the identification of bulk electric system elements with protection systems at-risk of operating as a result of a stable or unstable power swing and subsequent review by the applicable generator owner or transmission owner "provides assurance that relays will continue to be secure for stable power swings if any changes in system impedance occur." Proposed Reliability Standard PRC-026-1 has four requirements and two attachments. NERC explains that Attachment A "provides clarity on which load-responsive protective relay functions are applicable" under the standard. Specifically, Attachment A provides that proposed Reliability Standard PRC-026-1 applies to: any protective functions which could trip instantaneously or with a time delay of less than 15 cycles on load current (i.e., "load-responsive")…. According to NERC, the 15 cycle time delay "is representative of an expected power swing having a slow slip rate of 0.67 Hertz (Hz) and is the average time that a stable power swing with that slip rate would enter the relays' characteristic, reverse direction, and then exit the characteristic before the time delay expired." NERC states that the proposed standard does not apply to "functions that are either immune to power swings, block power swings, or prevent non-immune protection function operation due to supervision of the function."

---

Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 18 USC 824o Name of Law: EPAct 2005
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

---

Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
1902-AF09	Proposed rulemaking	80 FR 57549	09/24/2015

---

Federal Register Notices & Comments

Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

---

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

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
PRC-026-1 Reliability Standard

---

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: FERC-725G3 is a new collection number for the proposed revised Reliability Standard PRC-026-1 (Relay Performance During Stable Power Swings). (Long-term the info. collection requirements should be part of FERC-725G, however an unrelated item is pending OMB review under 725G.) Pursuant to Section 215 of the Federal Power Act (FPA), FERC proposes to approve a revised Reliability Standard, PRC-026-1, developed and submitted by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), the Commission-certified Electric Reliability Organization (ERO). Reliability Standard PRC-026-1 addresses the Commission's directive from Order No. 733 by helping to prevent the unnecessary tripping of bulk electric system elements in response to stable power swings.

---

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $5,193

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

---

Common Form ICR:  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:

(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: 09/24/2015

---