In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for 3 years. Upon resubmission, it is suggested the agency check burden estimates for accuracy and include annual cost burden estimates.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
03/31/2013
36 Months From Approved
10/31/2011
1,439
0
1,439
1,281,450
0
1,252,680
134,766,955
0
0
FERC implemented the Electricity Modernization Act of 2005 which added a new section 215 to the Federal Power Act. FERC approved 83 of 107 proposed Reliability Standards, including six of the eight regional differences, and the Glossary of Terms Used in Reliability Standards as developed by the North American Electric Reliability Council, on behalf of its wholly-owned subsidiary, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). FERC certified NERC as the Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) responsible for developing and enforcing mandatory reliability standards. Bulk-Power System means facilities and control systems necessary for operating an interconnected electric energy transmission network and electric energy from generating facilities needed to maintain transmission system reliability.
In RM08-19-000 Final Rule (1902-AD76) FERC is approving and also directing modifications to six Reliability Standards submitted to it for approval by NERC. The six Reliability Standards pertain to MOD Reliability Standards that contain methodologies for the consistent and transparent calculation of available transfer capability or available flowgate capability. The proposed Reliability Standards will enhance transparency in the calculation of available transfer capability, requiring transmission operators and transmission service providers to calculate available transfer capability using a specific methodology that is both explicitly documented and available to reliability entities who request it. The proposed Reliability Standards also require documentation of the detailed representations of the various components that comprise the available transfer capability equation, including the specification of modeling and risk assumptions and the disclosure of outage processing rules to other reliability entities. These actions will make the processes to calculate available transfer capability and its various components more transparent, which in turn will allow the Commission and others to ensure consistency in their application.
The changes to the reporting burden are due to revisions to the MOD Reliability Standards. FERC believes that the Reliability Standards proposed in this Final Rule address the potential for undue discrimination by requiring industry-wide transparency and increased consistency regarding all components of the available transfer capability calculation methodology and certain definitions, data, and modeling assumptions. Specifically, the proposed Reliability Standards contain methodologies for the consistent and transparent calculation of available transfer capability or available flowgate capability.
As noted in the submission, FERC found in Order No. 890, that the lack of a consistent and transparent methodology for calculating available transfer capability is a significant problem because the calculation of available transfer capability, which varies greatly depending on the criteria and assumptions used, may allow the transmission service provider to discriminate in subtle ways against its competitors. The calculation of available transfer capability is one of the most critical functions under the open access transmission tariff (OATT) because it determines whether transmission customers can access alternative power supplies. Improving transparency and consistency of available transfer capability calculation methodologies will eliminate transmission service providers wide discretion in calculating available transfer capability and ensure that customers are treated fairly in seeking alternative power supplies.
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.
RM08-16-000 NOPR Press release.doc
Fact Sheet.pdf
Mandatory Reliability Standards for Bulk-Power System