60-day notice (Published)

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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 84 / Tuesday, April 30, 2024 / Notices

Any person desiring to intervene, to
protest, or to answer a complaint in any
of the above proceedings must file in
accordance with Rules 211, 214, or 206
of the Commission’s Regulations (18
CFR 385.211, 385.214, or 385.206) on or
before 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on the
specified comment date. Protests may be
considered, but intervention is
necessary to become a party to the
proceeding.
The filings are accessible in the
Commission’s eLibrary system (https://
elibrary.ferc.gov/idmws/search/
fercgensearch.asp) by querying the
docket number.
eFiling is encouraged. More detailed
information relating to filing
requirements, interventions, protests,
service, and qualifying facilities filings
can be found at: http://www.ferc.gov/
docs-filing/efiling/filing-req.pdf. For
other information, call (866) 208–3676
(toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502–8659.
The Commission’s Office of Public
Participation (OPP) supports meaningful
public engagement and participation in
Commission proceedings. OPP can help
members of the public, including
landowners, environmental justice
communities, Tribal members and
others, access publicly available
information and navigate Commission
processes. For public inquiries and
assistance with making filings such as
interventions, comments, or requests for
rehearing, the public is encouraged to
contact OPP at (202) 502–6595 or OPP@
ferc.gov.
Dated: April 23, 2024.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024–09201 Filed 4–29–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. RD23–5–000]

Commission Information Collection
Activities (FERC–725G); Comment
Request; Revision
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, DOE.
ACTION: Notice of information collection
and request for comments.
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1

AGENCY:

In compliance with the
requirements of the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission
(Commission or FERC) is soliciting
public comment on proposed revisions
of the currently approved information

SUMMARY:

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collection, FERC–725G, (Mandatory
Reliability Standards for the Bulk-Power
System), approval of PRC–023–6.
DATES: Comments on the collection of
information are due July 1, 2024.
ADDRESSES: You may submit copies of
your comments (identified by Docket
No. RD23–5–000) by one of the
following methods:
Electronic filing through http://
www.ferc.gov, is preferred.
• Electronic Filing: Documents must
be filed in acceptable native
applications and print-to-PDF, but not
in scanned or picture format.
• For those unable to file
electronically, comments may be filed
by USPS mail or by hand (including
courier) delivery:
Æ Mail via U.S. Postal Service Only:
Addressed to: Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, Secretary of the
Commission, 888 First Street NE,
Washington, DC 20426.
Æ Hand (including courier) delivery:
Deliver to: Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue,
Rockville, MD 20852.
Instructions: All submissions must be
formatted and filed in accordance with
submission guidelines at: http://
www.ferc.gov. For user assistance,
contact FERC Online Support by email
at [email protected], or by
phone at (866) 208–3676 (toll-free).
Docket: Users interested in receiving
automatic notification of activity in this
docket or in viewing/downloading
comments and issuances in this docket
may do so at http://www.ferc.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jean
Sonneman may be reached by email at
[email protected], telephone at
(202) 502–6362.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: FERC–725G (Mandatory
Reliability Standards for the Bulk-Power
System: Approval of PRC Reliability
Standard PRC–023–6.
OMB Control No.: 1902–0252.
Type of Request: Approval of FERC–
725G information collection
requirements associated with proposed
PRC Reliability Standard PRC–023–6.
Abstract: This Notice pertains to the
FERC–725G information collection
requirements associated Reliability
Standard PRC–023–6 (Transmission
Relay Load ability), the associated
proposed implementation plan, and
violation risk factors and violation
severity levels. On March 2, 2023, the
North American Electric Reliability
Corporation (NERC) filed a petition
seeking approval of proposed Reliability
Standard PRC–023–6 (Transmission
Relay Load ability), the associated
proposed implementation plan, and

PO 00000

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Fmt 4703

Sfmt 4703

violation risk factors and violation
severity levels.1 NERC also requested
the Commission’s approval of the
retirement of the version of Reliability
Standard PRC–023 that would be in
effect (i.e., currently effective Reliability
Standard PRC–023–4 or the approved
but not yet effective Reliability Standard
PRC–023–5).2
NERC explains that the proposed
Reliability Standard would advance
Bulk-Power System reliability by
removing certain redundant and
unnecessary language from the Standard
related to the setting of out-of-step
blocking relays. To achieve this, NERC
proposes to retire the Reliability
Standard’s Requirement R2 related to
setting out-of-step blocking schemes to
allow tripping of phase protective relays
and remove the Attachment A, Item 2.3
exclusion for protection systems
intended for protection during stable
power swings.3 NERC states that
Requirement R2 is redundant because
the fault condition addressed by
Requirement R2 is addressed by
Requirement R1 and requires the same
compliance activity by the entity.4
NERC explains, thus, that Requirement
R2 is not needed for reliability. Further,
NERC explains that the exclusion in
Attachment A, Item 2.3 is no longer
necessary due to system changes.5
On October 10, 2023, the Office of
Electric Reliability issued a letter
requesting that NERC provide additional
information to explain how
Requirement R2 of Reliability Standard
PRC–023 is redundant to Requirement
R1 and confirm whether the existing
obligations in Requirement R2 would be
enforced and audited under
Requirement R1.6 NERC filed its
amended petition on November 3, 2023.
In its amended petition, NERC confirms
that because Requirement R2 is
redundant to Requirement R1, any
entity noncompliance with existing
obligations of Requirement R2 would be
assessed under Requirement R1.7
The petition was noticed on March
22, 2023, with interventions, comments,
and protests due on or before April 21,
2023. No interventions, comments, or
protests were filed.
Due to NERC’s confirmation that any
entity noncompliance with existing
obligations under Requirement R2 (i.e.,
the proper setting out out-of-step
blocking relays) can be assessed under
1 NERC

Petition at 1.
Petition at 1–2.
3 NERC Petition at 4.
4 NERC Petition at 21.
5 NERC Petition at 25–26.
6 RFI at 2.
7 NERC Amended Petition at 25.
2 NERC

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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 84 / Tuesday, April 30, 2024 / Notices
Requirement R1 if R2 is retired, NERC’s
uncontested filing is hereby approved
pursuant to the relevant authority
delegated to the Director, Office of
Electric Reliability under 18 CFR
375.303, effective as of the date of this
order.
This action shall not be construed as
approving any other application,
including proposed revisions of Electric
Reliability Organization or Regional
Entity rules or procedures pursuant to
18 CFR 375.303(a)(2)(i). Such action
shall not be deemed as recognition of

any claimed right or obligation
associated therewith and such action is
without prejudice to any findings or
orders that have been or may hereafter
be made by the Commission in any
proceeding now pending or hereafter
instituted by or against the Electric
Reliability Organization or any Regional
Entity.
This order constitutes final agency
action. Requests for rehearing by the
Commission may be filed within 30
days of the date of issuance of this
order, pursuant to 18 CFR 385.713. The

34237

revisions to PRC–023–6 will result in a
change in how relay settings will be
assessed under Requirement R1 of outof-step blocking elements but will not
result in reporting or recordkeeping
requirements or burden. As of February
2024, there are 324 transmission owner,
1,173 generator owners, 371 distribution
providers and 62 planning coordinators
registered with NERC. These registered
entities will have to comply
requirements in the proposed Reliability
Standard PRC–023–6.

PROPOSED CHANGES DUE TO ORDER IN DOCKET NO. RD23–5–000
Reliability standard &
requirement

Type 8 and
number of
entity

Number of
annual
responses per
entity

Total number
of responses

Average number of burden
hours per response 9

Total burden hours

(1)

(2)

(1) * (2) = (3)

(4)

(3) * (4) = (5)

FERC–725G
PRC–023–6
TO ..................................
GO ..................................
DP ..................................
PC ..................................
Total for PRC–023–
6.
One Time Estimate—Years 1
and 2.

324
1,173
371
62

1
1
1
1

324
1,173
371
62

16 hrs. $1,067.52 .................
16 hrs. $1,067.52 .................
8 hrs. $533.76 ......................
8 hrs. $533.76 ......................

5,184 hrs. $345,876.48.
18,768 hrs. $1,252,200.96.
2,968 hrs. $198,024.96.
496 $33,093.12.

........................

........................

1,930

48 hrs. $3,202.56 .................

27,416 hrs. $1,829,195.52.

lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1

The one-time burden of 27,416 hours
that only applies for Year 1 and 2 will
be averaged over three years (27,416
hours ÷ 3 = 9,138.67 (9,138.67–rounded)
hours/year over three years). The
number of responses is also averaged
over three years (1,930 responses ÷ 3 =
643.33 (643.33–rounded) responses/
year).
The responses and burden hours for
Years 1–3 will total respectively as
follows for Year 1 one-time burden:
Year 1: 643.33 responses; 9,138.67 hours
Year 2: 643.33 responses; 9,138.67 hours
Year 3: 643.33 responses; 9,138.67 hours
Comments: Comments are invited on:
(1) whether the collection of
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
Commission, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
8 TO = Transmission Owner, GO = Generator
Owner, DP = Distribution Provider and PC =
Planning Coordinator.
9 The estimated hourly cost (salary plus benefits)
derived using the following formula: Burden Hours
per Response * $/hour = Cost per Response. Based
on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of August
1, 2023, of an Electrical Engineer (17–2071)—
$77.29, and for Information and Record Clerks (43–
4199) $56.14, The average hourly burden cost for
this collection is [($77.29 + $56.14)/2 = $66.715)]
rounded to $66.72 an hour.

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(2) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate
of the burden and cost of the collection
of information, including the validity of
the methodology and assumptions used;
(3) ways to enhance the quality, utility
and clarity of the information collection;
and (4) ways to minimize the burden of
the collection of information on those
who are to respond, including the use
of automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
Dated: April 23, 2024.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024–09196 Filed 4–29–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Project No. 2407–179]

Alabama Power Company; Notice of
Application Accepted for Filing and
Soliciting Comments, Motions To
Intervene, and Protests
Take notice that the following
hydroelectric application has been filed

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with the Commission and is available
for public inspection.
a. Application Type: Temporary
Variance from Reservoir Elevation.
b. Project No.: 2407–179.
c. Date Filed: February 15, 2024.
d. Applicant: Alabama Power
Company.
e. Name of Project: Yates and
Thurlow Project.
f. Location: The Yates and Thurlow
Project is located on the Tallapoosa
River in Elmore County, Alabama, and
Tallapoosa County, Alabama.
g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power
Act, 16 U.S.C. 791 (a)–825(r).
h. Applicant Contact: David K.
Anderson, Hydro Licensing Specialist,
600 North 18th Street, Hydro Services
16N–8180, Birmingham, AL 35203,
(205) 257–1398, dkanders@
southernco.com.
i. FERC Contact: Greg Morris, (202)
502–8116, [email protected].
j. Cooperating agencies: With this
notice, the Commission is inviting
federal, state, local, and Tribal agencies
with jurisdiction and/or special
expertise with respect to environmental
issues affected by the proposal, that
wish to cooperate in the preparation of
any environmental document, if

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