FERC-725, In General. The FERC-725 contains the following information collection elements:
Self Assessment and ERO (Electric Reliability Organization) Application: The Commission requires the ERO to submit to FERC a performance assessment report every five years. The next assessment is due in 2019. Each 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. In addition, NERC also submits various other assessments as needed.
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 one of the three principal mechanisms provided to 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 uses a stakeholder survey to solicit feedback from registered entities in preparation for its three year and five year self-performance assessment. The Commission assumes that the ERO will perform another survey prior to the 2019 self- assessment.
Other Reporting: This category refers to all other reporting requirements imposed on the ERO or regional entities in order to comply with the Commissionâs regulations. For example, FERC may require NERC to submit a special reliability assessment. This category captures these types of one-time filings required of NERC or the Regional Entities.
The Commission implements its responsibilities through 18 CFR Part 39.
NOPR in RM18-2 (RIN 1902-AF46). The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) proposes to direct the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), the Commission-certified Electric Reliability Organization, to develop and submit modifications to the NERC Reliability Standards to improve mandatory reporting of Cyber Security Incidents, including incidents that might facilitate subsequent efforts to harm the reliable operation of the bulk electric system.
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 and 2012 the Commission sought renewal of this collection and was able to estimate the burden more accurately than in the initial collection. Since 2006, the ERO Enterprise has undergone continuous change in how it performs its responsibilities and which responsibilities are delegated to the Regions. In preparing the current renewal request package, the Commission closely examined the current programs and corresponding data. Based on this research, the Commission found that it is necessary to adjust the previous burden estimate. The ERO generally decides what Reliability Standard will be developed, which requirements will be audited and which standards will be subject to self-certification. Some of the increase and decreases can be accounted for by NERCâs decisions that Reliability Standards are at a steady state and on the new Reliability Assurance Initiative (RAI) program which determines what to include based on the level of risk in the compliance activities in a given year.
For this ICR, staff reviewed the material submitted by the ERO Enterprise, examined who would put the work together, and who would prepare it for filing with the Commission. Staff determined that the material was prepared by a number of professions (e.g. engineer, attorney and administrative) in various proportions depending upon the item. Staff based the information collection burden on the best assumptions and estimates available..
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.
RM18-2 NOPR 725_Non-Substantive Change Justification 12-26-2017.docx
RM18-2_news_20171222-3082.pdf
FERC-725 supporting statement FINAL2-26-16.doc
Registered Entities