Agency will respond to comments received at final rule stage.
table that charts list comparision
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
08/31/2010
36 Months From Approved
09/30/2010
232
0
232
157,036
0
157,036
0
0
0
FERC in RM10-23-000 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) is proposing to reform its electric transmission planning and cost allocation requirements for public utility transmission providers. The proposed reforms are intended to correct deficiencies in transmission planning and cost allocation processes so that the transmission grid can better support wholesale power markets and thereby ensure that Commission-jurisdictional services are provided at rates, terms and conditions that are just and reasonable and not unduly discriminatory or preferential.
The NOPR builds on Order No. 890, in which the Commission reformed the pro forma open access transmission tariff (OATT). Among other changes, Order No. 890 required each public utility transmission provider to have a coordinated, open, and transparent regional transmission planning process. Order No. 890 also established nine transmission planning principles, one of which addressed cost allocation for new projects.
With respect to transmission planning, the reforms proposed in this NOPR would provide that: (1) regional transmission planning processes account for transmission needs driven by public policy objectives established by state or federal laws and regulations; (2) coordination between neighboring transmission planning regions is improved with respect to facilities that are proposed to be located in both regions, as well as interregional facilities that could address transmission needs more efficiently than separate intraregional facilities; and (3) a right of first refusal that is created by a document subject to the CommissionÂs jurisdiction and that provides an incumbent utility with an undue advantage over nonincumbent transmission project developers is removed from that document. The Commission preliminarily finds that these proposed reforms are needed to protect against unjust and unreasonable rates, terms and conditions and undue discrimination in the provision of Commission-jurisdictional services.
With respect to transmission cost allocation, the Commission is proposing to require public utility transmission providers to establish a closer link between cost allocation and regional transmission planning processes in which the beneficiaries of new transmission facilities are identified, as well as to establish principles that cost allocation methods must satisfy. The Commission sees these proposals as steps that would increase the likelihood that facilities included in regional transmission plans are actually constructed. For example, establishing a closer link between transmission planning and cost allocation processes would diminish the likelihood that a transmission facility would be included in a regional transmission plan, only to later encounter cost allocation disputes that inhibit construction of that facility.
Only FERC-917 is affected by the NOPR in RM10-23.
This NOPR in RM10-23-000 affects FERC-917 and does not affect the cost or burden figures for FERC-918. The current ROCIS inventory reflects $0 for the industry cost, although industry cost estimates are included in the corresponding supporting statement. The industry burden and cost associated with FERC-917 are updated in ROCIS and in the supporting statement, with the industry cost in ROCIS only reflecting the FERC-917 cost, due to its change.
Rather than 116 respondents, we estimate 134 (an adjustment). In addition, as proposed in the rule, we estimate an additional 275 hours per filer (a program increase) in Year 1, with the additional burden in subsequent years being only 125 hours per filer (rather than the Year 1 estimate of 275). See the Worksheet under 'supplemental documents' for more information.
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.
United States Code Title 16,824d_ Rates and charges; schedules; suspension of new rates; automatic adjustment clauses LII - Legal Information Institute.mht
SUPPLEMENTAL SUPPORTING STATEMENT FORREV2.doc
NOPR FactSheet06-17-10-E-9.pdf
FERC-918, Standards for Business Practices & Communications Protocols for Public Utilities (Preventing Undue Discrimination and Preference in Transmission Service)