30-day notice (Published)

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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 2, 2024 / Notices

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. RD23–6–000]

Commission Information Collection
Activities Comment Request;
Extension
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, Department of Energy.
ACTION: Notice of information collection
and request for comments.
AGENCY:

In compliance with the
requirements of the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission
(Commission or FERC) is soliciting
public comment on proposed revisions
of the currently approved information
collection, FERC–725A (Mandatory
Reliability Standards for the Bulk-Power
System) and FERC–725Z (Mandatory
Reliability Standards: IRO Reliability
Standards) as it affects information
collection requirements associated with
proposed on Reliability Standards IRO–
010–5 and TOP–003–6.1. The 60-day
notice comment period ended on
February 12, 2024, with one comment
received.

SUMMARY:

Comments on the collection of
information are due May 2, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments on
FERC–725A and 725Z to OMB through
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
Attention: Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission Desk Officer. Please
identify the OMB Control Numbers
725A (1902–0244) and 725Z (1902–
0276) in the subject line of your
comments. Comments should be sent
within 30 days of publication of this
notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/
PRAMain.
Please submit copies of your
comments to the Commission. You may
submit copies of your comments
(identified by Docket No. RD23–6–000)
by one of the following methods:
Electronic filing through https://
www.ferc.gov, is preferred.
• Electronic Filing: Documents must
be filed in acceptable native
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applications and print-to-PDF, but not
in scanned or picture format.
• For those unable to file
electronically, comments may be filed
by USPS mail or by hand (including
courier) delivery.
Æ Mail via U.S. Postal Service Only:
Addressed to: Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, Secretary of the
Commission, 888 First Street NE,
Washington, DC 20426.
Æ Hand (Including Courier) Delivery:
Deliver to: Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, Secretary of the
Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue,
Rockville, MD 20852.
Instructions: OMB submissions must
be formatted and filed in accordance
with submission guidelines at
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
Using the search function under the
‘‘Currently Under Review’’ field, select
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission;
click ‘‘submit,’’ and select ‘‘comment’’
to the right of the subject collection.
FERC submissions must be formatted
and filed in accordance with submission
guidelines at: https://www.ferc.gov. For
user assistance, contact FERC Online
Support by email at ferconlinesupport@
ferc.gov, or by phone at: (866) 208–3676
(toll-free).
Docket: Users interested in receiving
automatic notification of activity in this
docket or in viewing/downloading
comments and issuances in this docket
may do so at https://www.ferc.gov/ferconline/overview.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jean
Sonneman may be reached by email at
DataClearance@FERC.gov, telephone at
(202) 502–6362.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: FERC–725A (Mandatory
Reliability Standards for the Bulk-Power
System) and FERC–725Z (Mandatory
Reliability Standards: IRO Reliability
Standards) as it affects information
collection requirements associated with
proposed on Reliability Standards IRO–
010–5 and TOP–003–6.1.
OMB Control No.: FERC–725A (1902–
0244) FERC–725Z (1902–0276).
Type of Request: Approval of FERC–
725A and FERC–725Z information
collection requirements associated with
proposed on Reliability Standards IRO–
010–5 and TOP–003–6.1.

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Abstract: This Notice pertains to the
FERC–725A and FERC–725Z
information collection requirements. On
September 21, 2023, the North
American Electric Reliability
Corporation (NERC) filed a petition
(NERC Petition) seeking approval of
proposed Reliability Standards IRO–
010–5 (Reliability Coordinator Data and
Information Specification and
Collection), and TOP–003–6.1
(Transmission Operator and Balancing
Authority Data and Information
Specification and Collection), the
associated Violation Risk Factors and
Violation Severity Levels, and the
proposed implementation plan
including the retirement of the
currently-effective Reliability Standards
IRO–010–4 and TOP–003–5.
NERC states in its petition that it
revised both standards so that the
language is parallel in form and
function and uses similar vernacular in
describing the underlying requirements.
The proposed revisions allow applicable
entities to use available technologies,
integrate new technologies, and define
expectations for data and information
exchange.1 The modifications to these
two standards originated through the
second phase of NERC’s Standards
Efficiency Review (SER) to consolidate
information/data exchange
requirements.2
NERC’s petition was noticed on
September 26, 2023, with interventions,
comments, and protests due on or before
October 26, 2023.
NERC’s uncontested filing is hereby
approved pursuant to the relevant
authority delegated to the Director,
Office of Electric Reliability under 18
CFR 375.303(a)(2)(i) (2023).
The following tables were modified to
use annualized totals due to the
comments received.
Revised TOP–003–6.1, 725A in table
below:
NERC Petition at 13.
See NERC, SER Phase 2 Recommendations
Working Document, (Aug. 2021), https://
www.nerc.com/pa/Stand/Standards%
20Efficiency%20Review%20DL/SER_Phase_2_
Recommendations_Working_Document_
08062021.xlsx.
1
2

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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 2, 2024 / Notices

TOP–003–6.1—TRANSMISSION OPERATOR AND BALANCING AUTHORITY DATA AND INFORMATION SPECIFICATION AND
COLLECTION ANNUAL
Type of entity

Number of
respondents 3

Annual
number of
responses per
respondent

Annual
number of
responses

Average burden hrs. & cost
per response

Total annual burden hours
& cost

(1)

(2)

(1) * (2) = (3)

(4) 4

(3) * (4) = (5)

FERC–725A, OMB Control No. 1902–0244
TOP .....................................
BA .......................................
TO .......................................
GOP ....................................
GO .......................................
DP .......................................

166
98
323
1,002
1,164
301

1
1
1
1
1
1

166
98
323
1,002
1,164
301

80 hrs.; $5,429.60 ...............
80 hrs.; $5,429.60 ...............
8 hrs.; $542.96 ....................
8 hrs.; $542.96 ....................
8 hrs.; $542.96 ....................
8 hrs.; $542.96 ....................

13,280 hrs.; $901,313.60.
7,840 hrs.; $532,100.80.
2,584 hrs.; $175,376.08.
8,016 hrs.; $544,045.92.
9,312 hrs.; $632,005.44.
2,408 hrs.; $163,430.96.

FERC–725A for TOP–
........................
003–6.1 Total Annual.

........................

..............................

.............................................

43,440 hrs.; $2,948,272.80.

Revised IRO–010–5, 725Z table:

IRO–010–5—RELIABILITY COORDINATOR DATA AND INFORMATION SPECIFICATION AND COLLECTION ANNUAL
Type of entity

Number of
respondents 5

Annual
number of
responses per
respondent

Annual
number of
responses

Average burden & cost per
response

Total annual burden hours
& total annual cost

(1)

(2)

(1) * (2) = (3)

(4) 6

(3) * (4) = (5)

FERC–725Z, OMB Control No. 1902–0276
RC .......................................
BA .......................................
GO .......................................
GOP ....................................
TOP .....................................
TO .......................................
DP .......................................

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FERC–725Z for IRO–
010–5 Annual.

12
98
1,164
1,002
166
323
301

1
1
1
1
1
1
1

12
98
1,164
1,002
166
323
301

80 hrs.; $5,429.60 ...............
8 hrs.; $542.96 ....................
8 hrs.; $542.96 ....................
8 hrs.; $542.96 ....................
8 hrs.; $542.96 ....................
8 hrs.; $542.96 ....................
8 hrs.; $542.96 ....................

960 hrs.; $65,155.20.
784 hrs.; $53,210.08.
9,312 hrs.; $632,005.44.
8,016 hrs.; $544,045.92.
1,328 hrs.; $90,131.36.
2,584 hrs.; $175,376.08.
2,408 hrs.; $163,430.96.

........................

........................

..............................

.............................................

25,392 hrs.; $1,723,355.04.

Comments: Comments are invited on:
(1) whether the collection of
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
Commission, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
(2) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate
of the burden and cost of the collection
of information, including the validity of
the methodology and assumptions used;
(3) ways to enhance the quality, utility
and clarity of the information collection;
and (4) ways to minimize the burden of
the collection of information on those
who are to respond, including the use

of automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
The one comment received offers that
the estimates appear to capture burden
estimates and costs of initial
implementation only within years one
and two and does not capture
requirements beyond year three and
forward. Staff reviewed the comment
and updated the estimates to reflect the
reporting burden to be an annual
burden, instead of just for years one and
two. Tables for 725A (TOP Reliability
Standards) and 725Z (IRO Reliability
Standards) have been updated to show
the change with the original estimates,

followed by the revised table for both
collections.
The Commission’s Office of Public
Participation (OPP) supports meaningful
public engagement and participation in
Commission proceedings. OPP can help
members of the public, including
landowners, environmental justice
communities, Tribal members and
others, access publicly available
information and navigate Commission
processes. For public inquiries and
assistance with making filings such as
interventions, comments, or requests for
rehearing, the public is encouraged to

3 Values represent unique U.S. entities as based
on the NERC compliance registry information as of
September 22, 2023.
4 The estimated hourly cost (salary plus benefits)
is a combination based on the Bureau of Labor
Statistics (BLS), as of 2023, for 75% of the average
of an Electrical Engineer (17–2071) $77.29/hr.,
77.29 × .75 = 57.9675 ($57.97-rounded) ($57.97/
hour) and 25% of an Information and Record Clerk

(43–4199) $39.58/hr., $39.58 × .25% = 9.895 ($9.90
rounded) ($9.90/hour), for a total ($57.97 + $9.90
= $67.87/hour).
5 Values represent unique US entities as based on
the NERC compliance registry information as of
September 22, 2023.
6 The estimated hourly cost (salary plus benefits)
is a combination based on the Bureau of Labor

Statistics (BLS), as of 2022, for 75% of the average
of an Electrical Engineer (17–2071) $77.29/hr.,
77.29 × .75 = 57.9675 ($57.97-rounded) ($57.97/
hour) and 25% of an Information and Record Clerk
(43–4199) $39.58/hr., $39.58 × .25% = 9.895 ($9.90
rounded) ($9.90/hour), for a total ($57.97 + $9.90
= $67.87/hour).

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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 2, 2024 / Notices

contact OPP at (202) 502–6595 or OPP@
ferc.gov.

Milestone

Target date

Comments on EA ..............

Dated: March 26, 2024.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Acting Secretary.

October 2024.

Any questions regarding this notice
may be directed to Kelly Wolcott at
(202) 502–6480 or kelly.wolcott@
ferc.gov.

[FR Doc. 2024–06869 Filed 4–1–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P

Dated: March 26, 2024.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Acting Secretary.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission

[FR Doc. 2024–06873 Filed 4–1–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P

[Project No. 2715–026]

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Kaukauna Utilities; Notice of Intent To
Prepare an Environmental Assessment
On July 22, 2022, Kaukana Utilities
(Kaukauna) filed a relicense application
for the 6.2-megawatt Combined Locks
Hydroelectric Project No. 2715 (project).
The project is located on the Lower Fox
River in the Village of Combined Locks
and the Village of Little Chute,
Outagamie County, Wisconsin.
In accordance with the Commission’s
regulations, on January 16, 2024,
Commission staff issued a notice that
the project was ready for environmental
analysis (REA Notice). Based on the
information in the record, including
comments filed on the REA Notice, staff
does not anticipate that licensing the
project would constitute a major federal
action significantly affecting the quality
of the human environment. Therefore,
staff intends to prepare an
Environmental Assessment (EA) on the
application to relicense the project.
The EA will be issued and circulated
for review by all interested parties. All
comments filed on the EA will be
analyzed by staff and considered in the
Commission’s final licensing decision.
The Commission’s Office of Public
Participation (OPP) supports meaningful
public engagement and participation in
Commission proceedings. OPP can help
members of the public, including
landowners, environmental justice
communities, Tribal members and
others, access publicly available
information and navigate Commission
processes. For public inquiries and
assistance with making filings such as
interventions, comments, or requests for
rehearing, the public is encouraged to
contact OPP at (202) 502–6595 or OPP@
ferc.gov.
The application will be processed
according to the following schedule.
Revisions to the schedule may be made
as appropriate.
Milestone
Commission issues EA ......

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. CP24–60–000]

Northern Natural Gas; Notice of
Scoping Period Requesting Comments
on Environmental Issues for the
Proposed Northern Lights 2025
Expansion Project
The staff of the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) will prepare an
environmental document, that will
discuss the environmental impacts of
the Northern Lights 2025 Expansion
Project involving construction and
operation of facilities by Northern
Natural Gas (Northern) in Freeborn,
Houston, and Washington Counties,
Minnesota, and Monroe County,
Wisconsin. The Commission will use
this environmental document in its
decision-making process to determine
whether the project is in the public
convenience and necessity.
This notice announces the opening of
the scoping process the Commission
will use to gather input from the public
and interested agencies regarding the
project. As part of the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
review process, the Commission takes
into account concerns the public may
have about proposals and the
environmental impacts that could result
from its action whenever it considers
the issuance of a Certificate of Public
Convenience and Necessity. This
gathering of public input is referred to
as ‘‘scoping.’’ The main goal of the
scoping process is to focus the analysis
in the environmental document on the
important environmental issues.
1 The Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ)
regulations under 40 CFR 1501.10(b)(1) (2023)
require that EAs be completed within 1 year of the
Federal action agency’s decision to prepare an EA.
See National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C.
4321 et seq., as amended by section 107(g)(1)(B)(iii)
of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, Public Law
118–5, section 4336a, 137 Stat. 42.

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Additional information about the
Commission’s NEPA process is
described below in the NEPA Process
and Environmental Document section of
this notice.
By this notice, the Commission
requests public comments on the scope
of issues to address in the
environmental document. To ensure
that your comments are timely and
properly recorded, please submit your
comments so that the Commission
receives them in Washington, DC on or
before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on April
25, 2024. Comments may be submitted
in written form. Further details on how
to submit comments are provided in the
Public Participation section of this
notice.
Your comments should focus on the
potential environmental effects,
reasonable alternatives, and measures to
avoid or lessen environmental impacts.
Your input will help the Commission
staff determine what issues they need to
evaluate in the environmental
document. Commission staff will
consider all written comments during
the preparation of the environmental
document.
If you submitted comments on this
project to the Commission before the
opening of this docket on February 16,
2024, you will need to file those
comments in Docket No. CP24–60–000
to ensure they are considered as part of
this proceeding.
This notice is being sent to the
Commission’s current environmental
mailing list for this project. State and
local government representatives should
notify their constituents of this
proposed project and encourage them to
comment on their areas of concern.
If you are a landowner receiving this
notice, a pipeline company
representative may contact you about
the acquisition of an easement to
construct, operate, and maintain the
proposed facilities. The company would
seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable
easement agreement. You are not
required to enter into an agreement.
However, if the Commission approves
the project, the Natural Gas Act conveys
the right of eminent domain to the
company. Therefore, if you and the
company do not reach an easement
agreement, the pipeline company could
initiate condemnation proceedings in
court. In such instances, compensation
would be determined by a judge in
accordance with state law. The
Commission does not subsequently
grant, exercise, or oversee the exercise
of that eminent domain authority. The
courts have exclusive authority to
handle eminent domain cases; the

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