In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for three years.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
12/31/2014
36 Months From Approved
08/31/2014
1,940
0
1,940
1,797,530
0
1,788,270
126,725
0
126,725
In this order, FERC finds that Reliability Standard EOP-008-1 is just, reasonable, not unduly discriminatory or preferential, and in the public interest. In addition, the Commission approves the retirement of EOP-008-0 as requested by NERC.
Reliability Standard EOP-008-1 applies to reliability coordinators, transmission operators and balancing authorities and contains eight Requirements for the stated purpose of ensuring continued reliable operations of the bulk electric system in the event that a control center becomes inoperable. Requirement R1 requires each applicable entity to have a current operating plan describing the manner in which it will continue to meet its functional obligations in the event that its primary control center functionality is lost. Requirement R2 instructs each applicable entity to have a copy of its current plan for backup functionality at its primary control center and at the location providing backup functionality. Requirement R3 mandates that each reliability coordinator have a backup control center that provides functionality sufficient to maintain compliance with all Reliability Standards that depend on primary control center functionality.
Reliability Standard EOP-008-1, Requirement R4 directs balancing authorities and transmission operators to have a backup functionality, either through a facility or contracted services, to maintain compliance with all Reliability Standards that depend on their primary control center functionality. Requirement R5 requires each applicable entity to review annually and approve its plan for backup functionality, and Requirement R7 requires each applicable entity to annually test and document the results of its plan demonstrating the transition time between the simulated loss of the primary control center and the full implementation of the backup functionality. Requirement R6 mandates that primary and backup functionality cannot depend on each other. Finally, each reliability coordinator, balancing authority or transmission operator that experiences a loss of either primary or backup functionality anticipated to last for more than six months must, in accordance with Requirement R8, provide a plan to its Regional Entity within six calendar months of the date when functionality is lost showing how it will re-establish such functionality.
This Order results in a 9,260 hour program increase in the burden. Rather than creating entirely new obligations with respect to the loss of control center functionality, Reliability Standard EOP-008-1 upgrades the existing planning requirements contained in EOP-008-0 and specifically requires reliability coordinators, balancing authorities and transmission operators to have backup functionality. Thus, this Order does not impose entirely new burdens on the affected entities. For example, EOP-008-0 requires each applicable entity to have a plan to continue reliable operations in the event its control center becomes inoperable and to conduct reviews and tests, at least annually, to ensure viability of the plan. This Order, however, imposes new requirements regarding the approval, placement, documentation and updating of plans and requires entities that may not already possess backup functionality to obtain, possibly through contractual arrangements, backup capabilities.
The purpose of Reliability Standard EOP-008-1 is to ensure reliability on the bulk electric system in the event that a control center becomes inoperable. The increase in burden is necessary to ensure that this purpose is maintained.
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.
RD11-4_Sup_Stat_v5.doc
RD11-4 Initial Order published.pdf
FERC-725A, Mandatory Reliability Standards for Bulk-Power System