Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Western Electric Coordinating Council

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
RM09-15-000 OMB Justification.doc Justification for No Material/Nonsubstantive Change	2010-10-27
SNL Interactive Article.mht Supplementary Document	2010-09-15
F725Eombjust8-10].doc Supporting Statement A	2010-09-15
RR07-11-000.doc Supplementary Document	2007-06-20
FRnotice.pdf Supplementary Document	2007-06-20

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
180804	Madatory Reliability Standards for the Western Electricity Coordinating Council	Unchanged

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 1902-0246	ICR Reference No: 201010-1902-003
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201009-1902-001
Agency/Subagency: FERC	Agency Tracking No: FERC-725E
Title: Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Western Electric Coordinating Council
Type of Information Collection: No material or nonsubstantive change to a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 12/21/2010
	Date Received in OIRA: 10/27/2010
Terms of Clearance: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the change is approved.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	10/31/2013	10/31/2013	10/31/2013
Responses	472	0	472
Time Burden (Hours)	8,305	0	8,305
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

---

Abstract: The passage of the Electricity Modernization Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005)added to the Commission’s efforts by giving it the authority to strengthen the reliability of the interstate grid through the grant of new authority pursuant to section 215 of the Federal Power Act (FPA) which provides for a system of mandatory Reliability Standards developed by the Electric Reliability Organization (ERO), established by FERC, and enforced by the ERO and Regional Entities. These regional Reliability Standards allow for the continuation of certain reliability practices that are in effect in the Western Interconnection. The Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) is responsible for coordinating and promoting electric system reliability. In addition to promoting a reliable electric power system in the Western Interconnection, WECC supports efficient competitive power markets, assures open and non-discriminatory transmission access among members, provides a forum for resolving transmission access disputes, and provides an environment for coordinating the operating and planning activities of its members. The WECC region encompasses a vast area of nearly 1.8 million square miles. It is the largest and most diverse of the ten regional councils of the North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC). WECC’s service territory extends from Canada to Mexico. It includes the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, the northern portion of Baja California, Mexico, and all or portions of the 14 western states in between. Transmission lines span long distances connecting the Pacific Northwest with its abundant hydroelectric resources to the arid Southwest with its large coal-fired and nuclear resources. WECC and the nine other regional reliability councils were formed due to national concern regarding the reliability of the interconnected bulk power systems, the ability to operate these systems without widespread failures in electric service, and the need to foster the preservation of reliability through a formal organization. The Commission in accordance with section 215(d)(2) of the Federal Power Act (FPA)has approved the regional Reliability Standards.

---

Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 16 USC 824(o) Name of Law: Federal Power Act
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: PL: Pub.L. 105 - 98 1211 Name of Law: Energy Policy Act of 2005

---

Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Final or interim final rulemaking	72 FR 33462	06/18/2007

---

Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	75 FR 35001	06/21/2010
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	75 FR 56082	09/15/2010
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
Madatory Reliability Standards for the Western Electricity Coordinating Council

---

ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	472	472	0	0	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	8,305	8,305	0	0	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: There is an adjustment to the estimates that the Commission submitted with the order approving the regional Reliability Standards (Docket No. RR07-11-000). In particular, the number of entities in WECC has increased significantly due to entities that have entered the market place to meet increasing demand. In particular, the number of load serving entities went from 50 to 149; generator operators went from 146 to 206 and transmission owners/operators which went from 14 to 83. This increase has resulted in an additional 3729 hours. (8305 hrs. - 4576 hrs.)

---

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $35,847

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: 10/27/2010

---