In the final rule in Docket RM12-22 (Order 779; RIN 1902-AE57; 78FR30747, 5/23/2013), FERC directs the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), the Commission-certified Electric Reliability Organization (ERO), to submit to the Commission for approval proposed Reliability Standards that address the impact of geomagnetic disturbances (GMD) on the reliable operation of the Bulk-Power System. The Commission directs NERC to implement the directive in two stages.
The Public Reporting Burden and cost related to the rule in Docket RM12-22-000 are covered by, and already included in, the existing FERC-725, Certification of Electric Reliability Organization; Procedures for Electric Reliability (OMB Control No. 1902-0225). FERC-725 includes the ERO's overall responsibility for developing Reliability Standards, such as the Reliability Standards for Geomagnetic Disturbances.
In general, the FERC-725 contains the following information collection elements:
Self Assessment and ERO Application: The Commission requires the ERO to submit to FERC a performance assessment report every five years. The next assessment is due in 2015. Each of regional entity submits a performance assessment report to the ERO. Submitting an application to become an ERO is also part of this collection.
Reliability Assessments: 18 CFR 39.11 requires the ERO to assess the reliability and adequacy of the Bulk-Power System in North America. Subsequently, the ERO must report to the Commission on its findings. Regional entities perform similar assessments within individual regions. Currently the ERO submits to FERC three assessments each year: long term, winter, and summer.
Reliability Standards Development: Under Section 215 of the FPA the ERO is charged with developing Reliability Standards. Regional entities may also develop regional specific standards. Reliability Standards are the principal mechanism provided FERC to ensure reliability on the Bulk-Power System.
Reliability Compliance: Reliability Standards are mandatory and enforceable upon approval by FERC. In addition to the specific information collection requirements contained in each standard (cleared under other information collections), there are general compliance, monitoring and enforcement information collection requirements imposed on applicable entities. Audits, spot checks, self-certifications, exception data submittals, violation reporting, and mitigation plan confirmation are included in this area.
Stakeholder Survey: The ERO used a stakeholder survey to solicit feedback from registered entities in preparation for its three year performance assessment. The Commission assumes that the ERO will perform another survey prior to the 2014 performance assessment.
Other Reporting: This category refers to all other reporting requirements imposed on the ERO or regional entities in order to comply with the Commission regulations. For example, FERC may require NERC to submit a special reliability assessment. This category is mention to capture these types of one-time filings required of NERC or the Regions.
The Commission implements its responsibilities through 18 CFR Part 39.
Without the FERC-725 information, the FERC, ERO, and Regional Entities will not have the data needed to determine whether sufficient and appropriate measures are being taken to ensure the reliability of the nation's electric grid.
US Code:
16 USC 824o
Name of Law: Energy Policy Act of 2005
The Commission first estimated the burden for this collection in 2006, at a time when the Reliability program was not yet established. In 2009 the Commission sought renewal of this collection and was able to estimate the burden more accurately than in 2006. In preparing the current renewal request package, the Commission closely examined the current Reliability program and corresponding data. Based on this research, the Commission found that it is necessary to adjust the previous burden estimate. The data show that in the area of Reliability Compliance the number of audits, self-certifications, spot checks, and mitigation plans has increased. The ERO generally decides what Reliability Standard requirements will be audited and which standards will be subject to self-certification. Some of the increase can be accounted for by NERC's decisions on what to include and not include for compliance activities in a given year. The Commission also found that the area of Reliability Standards development was not included in prior estimates and is including the associated burden in this renewal.
It is important to note that the Commission does not directly control many of the variables that cause the burden hours to need adjustment. NERC, in its role as ERO is charged with the Reliability Standard development, compliance, enforcement, and monitoring. Each year NERC issues updated information regarding the focus of audits and other compliance and monitoring activities. The regional entities also have some autonomy over compliance activities in their respective regions, subject to NERC/Commission oversight.
The increase (adjustment) in burden is necessary in order for FERC, NERC and the Regional Entities to continue to improve the reliability of the bulk-power system.
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.
corrected docket_LaFleur Statement20130516-3080.pdf
RM12-22 FinalRule_final2 supp state for non-substantive change request.docx
Registered Entities