FERC is amending its regulations
adopted in Order Nos. 888 and 889, and to the pro forma open access
transmission tariff (OATT), to ensure that transmission services
are provided on a basis that is just, reasonable and not unduly
discriminatory or preferential. In April 1996, in response to its
statutory obligation under FPA sections 205 and 206 to remedy undue
discrimination, FERC adopted Order No. 888 prohibiting public
utilities from using their monopoly power over transmission to
unduly discriminate against others. FERC required all public
utilities that own, control or operate facilities used for
transmitting electric energy in interstate commerce to file OATTs
containing minimum terms and conditions of non-discriminatory
service. The Final Rule addresses deficiencies in the OATTs that
had become apparent since 1996 and to facilitate improved planning
and operation of transmission facilities.
The reforms adopted in the
Final Rule provide greater clarity in the terms and conditions of
the pro forma OATT, resolving ambiguities in the existing pro forma
OATT that have made undue discrimination easier to accomplish and
more difficult to detect. The Commissions new civil penalty
authority under EPAct 2005 provides ample power to remedy tariff
violations, but it also places upon the Commission an increased
responsibility to make the rules as clear as possible. The
Commission fulfills that responsibility in the Final Rule by
providing greater clarity where appropriate to several critical
OATT provisions. The Final Rule also adopts a number of posting and
reporting requirements that will provide the Commission and market
participants with information about each transmission providers
performance of pro forma OATT obligations. For example, the
Commission requires transmission providers to post specific
performance metrics related to their completion of studies required
under the pro forma OATT. The Commission will continue to audit
compliance with the pro forma OATT, and toward that end the final
rule requires transmission information kept on OASIS to be retained
for audit purposes for five years. Finally, the Final Rule adopts a
number of reforms to operational penalties assessed under the pro
forma OATT, including so-called over-use penalties and the
treatment of operational penalty revenues collected from
transmission providers and their affiliates.
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.