In accordance
with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for three
years.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
04/30/2023
36 Months From Approved
18
0
0
2,144
0
0
0
0
0
In September 2008, the United States
Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report recommending
that the Commission, among other actions, work with Regional
Transmission Organizations (RTOs), Independent System Operators
(ISOs), stakeholders, and other experts to develop standardized
metrics to track the performance of RTO/ISO operations and markets
and publicly report those metrics. In accordance with the 2008 GAO
Report, Commission staff developed a set of standardized metrics
(the Common Metrics), sought and received OMB approval to collect
information on those metrics from RTOs/ISOs, and later non-RTO/ISO
utilities, and ultimately issued five public reports (Common
Metrics Reports). In December 2017, the GAO issued a report on the
RTOs/ISOs with centralized capacity markets. Among other
recommendations, the GAO found that the Commission should take
steps to improve the quality of the data collected for its Common
Metrics Reports, such as implementing improved data quality checks
and, where feasible, ensuring that RTOs/ISOs report consistent
metrics over time by standardizing definitions. Furthermore, the
GAO recommended that the Commission develop and document an
approach to regularly identify, assess, and respond to risks that
capacity markets face. In response to the 2017 GAO Report,
Commission staff has proposed changes to the Common Metrics
information collection. First, Commission staff proposes to improve
the data collection process by creating a standardized information
collection Input Spreadsheet (i.e., the reporting form) and an
updated, more detailed User Guide, which will provide guidance on
completing the information collection request, including
information about who should respond; the timeline for responses;
the metrics being collected, including important definitions and a
description of the types of metrics and their structure in the
information collection; and how to properly use the reporting form.
Also, Commission staff proposes to update the list of Common
Metrics to focus on centrally-organized energy markets and capacity
markets, which involves adding capacity market metrics. The update
eliminates previously-collected metrics on reliability, RTO/ISO
billing controls and customer satisfaction, interconnection and
transmission processes, and system lambda. Commission staff
proposes eliminating these metrics because they provide limited
information, do not significantly help Commission staff or the
public draw any conclusions regarding the benefits of an RTO/ISO,
and to reduce the reporting burden for respondents. The revised
data collection, after additions and deletions, consists of
twenty-nine Common Metrics. Without information allowing for a
comparison of performance between ISOs/RTOs and regions outside of
ISOs/RTOs, the Commission will not have the information necessary
to identify the benefits of ISOs/RTOs based on actual performance
of ISOs/RTOs and regions outside of ISOs/RTOs over the same time
periods. Furthermore, as noted above, the GAO report specifically
criticized the Commission's initial measures for evaluating ISO/RTO
performance as "not comprehensive" because they "do not compare
performance between RTO and non-RTO regions." Consequently, the
Commission is seeking information from RTOs, ISOs and entities
outside RTO and ISO regions.
US Code:
16
USC 824e Name of Law: Federal Power Act
US Code: 16
USC 824d Name of Law: Federal Power Act
In September 2008, the United
States Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report
recommending that the Commission, among other actions, work with
Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs), Independent System
Operators (ISOs), stakeholders, and other experts to develop
standardized metrics to track the performance of RTO/ISO operations
and markets and publicly report those metrics. In accordance with
the 2008 GAO Report, Commission staff developed a set of
standardized metrics (the Common Metrics), sought and received OMB
approval to collect information on those metrics from RTOs/ISOs,
and later non-RTO/ISO utilities, and ultimately issued five public
reports (Common Metrics Reports). In response to the 2017 GAO
Report, Commission staff has proposed changes to the Common Metrics
information collection. First, Commission staff proposes to improve
the data collection process by creating a standardized information
collection Input Spreadsheet (i.e., the reporting form) and an
updated, more detailed User Guide, which will provide guidance on
completing the information collection request, including
information about who should respond; the timeline for responses;
the metrics being collected, including important definitions and a
description of the types of metrics and their structure in the
information collection; and how to properly use the reporting form.
Also, Commission staff proposes to update the list of Common
Metrics to focus on centrally-organized energy markets and capacity
markets, which involves adding capacity market metrics.
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.