FERC-725E, [RM09-19, Final Rule], Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Western Electric Coordinating Council

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
F725Eombjust_RM09-19_Final rule_final.doc Supporting Statement A	2011-04-11
Norris Statement.doc Supplementary Document	2011-03-25
LaFleur Statement20110317-3034.doc Supplementary Document	2011-03-25
SpitzerStatement20110317-3037.doc Supplementary Document	2011-03-25
Statutes and Regs.doc Supplementary Document	2011-03-25
NERC_IRO-006-WECC-1_6_17_09.pdf Supplementary Document	2010-12-23

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
180804	FERC-725E, Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Western Electricity Coordinating Council	Unchanged

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 1902-0246	ICR Reference No: 201103-1902-005
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201012-1902-007
Agency/Subagency: FERC	Agency Tracking No: FERC-725E
Title: FERC-725E, [RM09-19, Final Rule], Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Western Electric Coordinating Council
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 05/16/2011
	Date Received in OIRA: 04/11/2011
Terms of Clearance: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for 3 years.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	05/31/2014	36 Months From Approved	10/31/2013
Responses	478	0	472
Time Burden (Hours)	8,377	0	8,305
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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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 by granting 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. In RM09-19-000 (Final Rule), FERC approves regional Reliability Standard IRO-006-WECC-1 (Qualified Transfer Path Unscheduled Flow Relief). The purpose of IRO-006-WECC-1 is to mitigate transmission overloads due to unscheduled flow on Qualified Transfer Paths. Under the Reliability Standard, reliability coordinators are responsible for initiating scheduled curtailments and balancing authorities are responsible for implementing curtailments. Reliability coordinators must have evidence that they responded to the curtailment request and balancing authorities must have evidence that they implemented the curtailment request. Both entities must maintain this evidence for three years plus the current year, or since the last audit, whichever is longer.

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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

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
1902-AE14	Final or interim final rulemaking	76 FR 16691	03/25/2011

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Federal Register Notices & Comments

Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? Yes

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
FERC-725E, Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Western Electricity Coordinating Council

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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	478	472	0	6	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	8,377	8,305	0	72	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

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

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: There is a program increase of 72 hours in the Final Rule in Docket RM09-19. This Final Rule approves a new regional Reliability Standard, IRO-006-WECC-1, which will replace currently effective regional Reliability Standard IRO-STD-006-0 approved by the Commission on June 8, 2007. Rather than creating entirely new requirements, the proposed regional Reliability Standard instead modifies and improves the existing regional Reliability Standard governing qualified transfer path unscheduled flow relief. Thus, this rulemaking imposes a minimal additional burden on the affected entities. In modifying the regional Reliability Standard, WECC has eliminated the reference to the Mitigation Plan, included in both the NERC standard, IRO-006-4, and the currently effective WECC standard. The Mitigation Plan includes nine steps to address unscheduled flows; steps four and above requiring varying levels of curtailments of transactions. Requirement R1 of proposed IRO-006-WECC-1 provides that "[u]pon receiving a request of Step 4 or greater … from the Transmission Operator of a Qualified Transfer Path, the Reliability Coordinator shall approve … or deny that request within five minutes," however, steps one through three are no longer referenced in IRO-006-WECC-1 or in the related regional Standard TOP-007-WECC-1. On the other hand, NERC Reliability Standard IRO-006-4 continues to specifically reference the Mitigation Plan with regard to transmission loading relief in the Western Interconnection. However, the Mitigation Plan has not been updated to include the requirement that the reliability coordinator act on a request for relief within five minutes, an improvement contained in WECC's proposed IRO-006-WECC-1. Likewise, the Mitigation Plan continues to reference and require action by "receivers," while that term is removed from the proposed WECC regional Reliability Standard, in conformance with the Commission's directive in the June 8, 2007 Order. The minimal additional burden on the affected entities is deemed necessary by the Commission because the approved standard improves the efficiency of the program, provides for more certain Unscheduled Flow relief, and results in fewer complications associated with multiple entities taking partial responsibility for curtailment activity.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $22,209

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

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Common Form ICR:  No

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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: 04/11/2011

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