In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for three years.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
01/31/2016
36 Months From Approved
01/31/2013
1
0
6
1,180
0
1,192
0
0
73,524
To encourage investment in transmission infrastructure, the Commission requires all Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs), Independent Service Operators (ISOs), independent transmission providers, or other independent transmission organizations to make available long-term firm transmission rights to load-serving entities (LSEs). The Commission implemented this policy with Order No. 681, Order No. 681-A and Order No. 681-B, following direction provided by Congress in EPAct 2005, Title VII Section 1233 (b). A summary and needed clarification to the Commission's policy for long-term firm transmission rights is posted in the OMB clearance package.
To ensure that long-term firm transmission rights are made available in organized markets, the Commission requires that RTOs, ISOs, independent transmission providers, or other independent transmission organizations submit tariff sheets and rate schedules that make available long-term firm transmission rights, or alternatively, an explanation of how their current tariff and rate schedule provide for long-term firm transmission rights. These long-term firm transmission rights made available to transmission customers must satisfy each of the guidelines for long-term firm transmission rights set forth in 18 CFR 42.1(d) in order to comply with Commission requirements.
All existing RTOs and ISOs were required to submit the applicable tariff sheets and rate schedules and have done so. However, FERC-732 requirements in 18 CFR 42.1(d) continue to apply to any transmission organization approved by the Commission after January 29, 2007. Therefore, a small burden for this reporting requirement remains to ensure FERC is compliant with related Congressional requirements in EPAct 2005.
The Commission will use the tariff sheets and rate schedules submitted by transmission organizations in accordance with this requirement to ensure that the transmission organizations make available long-term firm transmission rights in a way that is compliant with FERC procedures to implement Congressional EPAct 2005 policy. Failure to collect this information would prevent the Commission from complying with Congressional mandates related to long-term firm transmission rights in transmission organizations.
The requirements within FERC-732 did not change. These one-time requirements will increase if and only if the Commission approves another transmission organization to operate. However, there is a decrease in burden estimated within this clearance package.
More specifically, the estimated burden of 1 response is the minimal amount the Commission can posit to OMB for approval. The previously estimated burden of 6 responses included the one-time (i.e. currently unnecessary and infrequently filed) reporting requirement. That one-time burden is not addressed in this clearance package nor the supporting statement and, thus, a minimal difference in reporting burden will be noticed from the previous clearance package to the current. This is the sole factor causing the decrease in estimated burden for this information collection.
$4,458
No
No
No
No
No
Uncollected
Norma McOmber 202 502-8022
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:
(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.