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 Commission’s 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 NERC’s 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