Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 226 / Wednesday, November 24, 2010 / Proposed Rules 71625 

1 16 U.S.C. 824o (2006). 

format and not in a scanned format. 

Commenters filing electronically do not 

need to make a paper filing. 

86. Commenters unable to file 

comments electronically must mail or 

hand-deliver an original copy of their 

comments to: Federal Energy Regulatory 

Commission, Secretary of the 

Commission, 888 First Street, NE., 

Washington, DC 20426. These 

requirements can be found on the 

Commission’s Web site, see, e.g., the 

‘‘Quick Reference Guide for Paper 

Submissions,’’ available at http:// 

www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp or 

via phone from FERC Online Support at 

(202) 502–6652 or toll-free at 1–866– 

208–3676. 

87. All comments will be placed in 

the Commission’s public files and may 

be viewed, printed, or downloaded 

remotely as described in the Document 

Availability section below. Commenters 

on this proposal are not required to 

serve copies of their comments on other 

commenters. 

VII. Document Availability 

88. In addition to publishing the full 

text of this document in the Federal 

Register, the Commission provides all 

interested persons an opportunity to 

view and/or print the contents of this 

document via the Internet through 

FERC’s Home Page (http://www.ferc.gov) 

and in FERC’s Public Reference Room 

during normal business hours (8:30 a.m. 

to 5 p.m. Eastern time) at 888 First 

Street, NE., Room 2A, Washington DC 

20426. 

89. From FERC’s Home Page on the 

Internet, this information is available on 

eLibrary. The full text of this document 

is available on eLibrary in PDF and 

Microsoft Word format for viewing, 

printing, and/or downloading. To access 

this document in eLibrary, type the 

docket number excluding the last three 

digits of this document in the docket 

number field. 

90. User assistance is available for 

eLibrary and the FERC’s Web site during 

normal business hours from FERC 

Online Support at (202) 502–6652 (toll 

free at 1–866–208–3676) or e-mail at 

ferconlinesupport@ferc.gov, or the 

Public Reference Room at (202) 502– 

8371, TTY (202) 502–8659. E-mail the 

Public Reference Room at 

public.referenceroom@ferc.gov. 

By direction of the Commission. 

Kimberly D. Bose, 

Secretary. 

[FR Doc. 2010–29575 Filed 11–23–10; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 6717–01–P 

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 

Federal Energy Regulatory 

Commission 

18 CFR Part 40 

[Docket No. RM10–16–000] 

System Restoration Reliability 

Standards 

November 18, 2010. 

AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory 

Commission, DOE. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. 

SUMMARY: Under section 215 of the 

Federal Power Act (FPA), the Federal 

Energy Regulatory Commission 

(Commission) proposes to approve 

Reliability Standards EOP–001–1 

(Emergency Operations Planning), EOP– 

005–2 (System Restoration from 

Blackstart Resources), and EOP–006–2 

(System Restoration Coordination) 

submitted to the Commission by the 

North American Electric Reliability 

Corporation, the Electric Reliability 

Organization (ERO) certified by the 

Commission. In addition, the 

Commission seeks comment from the 

ERO and other interested parties 

regarding specific concerns. The 

Commission may determine that, after 

considering such comments, it is 

appropriate to direct the ERO, under 

section 215(d)(5) of the FPA, to develop 

additional modifications to proposed 

EOP–005–2 and EOP–006–2. The 

proposed Reliability Standards require 

that plans, facilities and personnel are 

prepared to enable system restoration 

using designated blackstart resources. 

DATES: Comments are due January 24, 

2011. 

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, 

identified by Docket No. RM10–16–000 

and in accordance with the 

requirements posted on the 

Commission’s Web site, http:// 

www.ferc.gov. Comments may be 

submitted by any of the following 

methods: 

• Agency Web Site: Documents 

created electronically using word 

processing software should be filed in 

native applications or print-to-PDF 

format, and not in a scanned format, at 

http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ 

efiling.asp. 

• Mail/Hand Delivery: Commenters 

unable to file comments electronically 

must mail or hand deliver their 

comments to: Federal Energy Regulatory 

Commission, Secretary of the 

Commission, 888 First Street, NE., 

Washington, DC 20426. These 

requirements can be found on the 

Commission’s Web site, see, e.g., the 

‘‘Quick Reference Guide for Paper 

Submissions,’’ available at http:// 

www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp or 

via phone from FERC Online Support at 

202–502–6652 or toll-free at 1–866– 

208–3676. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

David O’Connor (Technical 

Information), Office of Electric 

Reliability, Division of Reliability 

Standards, Federal Energy Regulatory 

Commission, 888 First Street, NE., 

Washington, DC 20426, (202) 502– 

6695. 

Nick Henery (Technical Information), 

Office of Electric Reliability, Division 

of Reliability Standards, Federal 

Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 

First Street, NE. Washington, DC 

20426, (202) 502–8636. 

Terence Burke (Legal Information), 

Office of the General Counsel, Federal 

Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 

First Street, NE., Washington, DC 

20426, (202) 502–6498. 

Jonathan First (Legal Information), 

Office of the General Counsel, Federal 

Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 

First Street, NE., Washington, DC 

20426, (202) 502–8529. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 

1. Under section 215 of the Federal 

Power Act (FPA),1 the Commission 

proposes to approve three Reliability 

Standards, EOP–001–1 (Emergency 

Operations Planning), EOP–005–2 

(System Restoration from Blackstart 

Resources), and EOP–006–2 (System 

Restoration Coordination) developed by 

the North American Electric Reliability 

Corporation (NERC), the Commissioncertified Electric Reliability 

Organization (ERO), as well as the 

definition of the term ‘‘Blackstart 

Resource’’ to be added to the NERC 

Glossary of Terms. The proposed 

Reliability Standards were drafted to 

ensure plans, facilities and personnel 

are prepared to enable system 

restoration from blackstart resources in 

order that reliability is maintained 

during system restoration. The 

Commission also seeks comment from 

the ERO and other interested entities 

regarding the Commission’s specific 

concerns discussed below. The 

Commission may determine that, after 

considering such comments, it is 

appropriate to direct the ERO, under 

section 215(d)(5) of the FPA, to develop 

additional modifications to proposed 

EOP–005–2 and EOP–006–2. The 

Commission also proposes to approve 


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71626 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 226 / Wednesday, November 24, 2010 / Proposed Rules 

2 Mandatory Reliability Standards for the BulkPower System, Order No. 693, 72 FR 16416 at P 297 

(Apr. 4, 2007), FERC Stats. & Regs. ¶ 31,242, order 

on reh’g, Order No. 693–A, 120 FERC ¶ 61,053 

(2007). 

3 North American Electric Reliability Corp., 116 

FERC ¶ 61,062 (ERO Certification Order), order on 

reh’g & compliance, 117 FERC ¶ 61,126 (2006), aff’d 

sub nom. Alcoa, Inc. v. FERC, 564 F.3d 1342 (D.C. 

Cir. 2009). 

4Order No. 693, FERC Stats. & Regs. ¶ 31,242 at 

P 304–1899. 

5 Id. P 542–676. 

6 Id. P 644. 

7 Id. P 630. 

8 Id. P 628. 

9 Id. P 638. 

10 Id. P 297 and 644. 

the retirement of the currently effective 

Reliability Standards EOP–001–0 

(Emergency Operations Planning), EOP– 

005–1 (System Restoration Plans), EOP– 

006–1 (Reliability Coordination— 

System Restoration), and EOP–009–0 

(Documentation of Blackstart Generating 

Unit Test Results) as well as the 

definition of ‘‘Blackstart Capability 

Plan’’ from the NERC Glossary of Terms, 

which are superseded by the proposed 

Reliability Standards EOP–001–1, EOP– 

005–2 and EOP–006–2. 

2. ‘‘Blackstart’’ capability refers to the 

ability of a generating unit or station to 

start operating and delivering electric 

power without assistance from the 

electric system. Blackstart units are 

essential to restart generation and 

restore power to the grid in the event of 

an outage. As discussed below, NERC 

proposes to define ‘‘Blackstart Resource’’ 

as ‘‘a generating unit(s) and its 

associated set of equipment which has 

the ability to be started without support 

from the System or is designed to 

remain energized without connection to 

the remainder of the System, with the 

ability to energize a bus. * * * ’’ The 

proposed EOP Reliability Standards 

addressed in this rulemaking were 

developed by NERC to ensure that 

applicable entities prepare plans, 

facilities and personnel to enable system 

restoration from blackstart resources in 

order that reliability is maintained 

during restoration. 

3. In Order No. 693, the Commission 

determined that it would not take action 

on certain proposed Reliability 

Standards that require supplemental 

information from a Regional Entity. 

Such Reliability Standards refer to 

regional criteria or procedures that have 

not been submitted to the Commission 

for approval and, as such, are referred 

to as ‘‘fill-in-the-blank’’ standards.2

Pending Reliability Standard EOP–007– 

0 is one such fill-in-the-blank standard. 

The proposed Reliability Standards 

provide a national approach to address 

the Commission’s concerns regarding 

pending EOP–007–0, as set forth in 

Order No. 693. Thus, in addition to the 

retirement of certain currently effective 

EOP Reliability Standards, we also 

propose to approve NERC’s to 

withdrawal of pending Reliability 

Standard EOP–007–0. 

I. Background 

A. Section 215 of the FPA 

4. Section 215 of the FPA requires a 

Commission-certified ERO to develop 

mandatory and enforceable Reliability 

Standards, which are subject to 

Commission review and approval. If 

approved, the Reliability Standards are 

enforced by the ERO, subject to 

Commission oversight, or by the 

Commission independently. 

5. In July 2006, the Commission 

certified NERC as the ERO.3 Concurrent 

with its 2006 ERO Application, NERC 

submitted to the Commission a petition 

seeking approval of 107 proposed 

Reliability Standards, including nine 

Emergency Preparedness and 

Operations (EOP) Reliability Standards. 

The EOP group of Reliability Standards 

addresses preparations for emergencies, 

necessary actions during emergencies 

and system restoration and reporting 

following disturbances. 

6. On March 16, 2007, the 

Commission issued Order No. 693, 

approving 83 of the 107 Reliability 

Standards filed by NERC,4 including the 

Reliability Standards: EOP–001–0, EOP– 

005–1, EOP–006–1 and EOP–009–0.5

The Commission neither approved nor 

remanded EOP–007–0 because it 

applied only to regional reliability 

organizations, but Order No. 693 did 

provide guidance for the ERO’s further 

consideration of the Reliability 

Standard.6 In addition, under section 

215(d)(5) of the FPA, the Commission 

directed NERC to develop modifications 

to the EOP Reliability Standards to 

address certain issues identified by the 

Commission. At issue in the immediate 

proceeding are two new EOP standards, 

EOP–005–2 and EOP–006–2 that would 

replace the currently effective 

Reliability Standards EOP–005–1, EOP– 

006–1, and EOP–009–0 and necessitate 

a conforming change in EOP–001–0. 

B. Currently Effective EOP Reliability 

Standards 

1. Reliability Standard EOP–005–1 

7. Currently effective Reliability 

Standard EOP–005–1 requires 

transmission operators, balancing 

authorities, and reliability coordinators 

to have a restoration plan, test the plan, 

train operating personnel in the 

restoration plan and to have the ability 

to restore the Interconnection using the 

plans following a blackout. In Order No. 

693, the Commission directed the ERO 

to develop, through the Reliability 

Standard Development Process, a 

modification to EOP–005–1 that (i) 

identifies time frames for training and 

review of restoration plan requirements 

to simulate contingencies and prepare 

operators for anticipated and unforeseen 

events and (ii) gathers data from 

simulations and drills of system 

restoration on the time taken to restore 

power to nuclear power plants and 

report that information to the 

Commission.7 The Commission also 

directed the ERO to consider various 

commenters suggestions in future 

revisions of the Reliability Standard.8

2. Reliability Standard EOP–006–1 

8. In Order No. 693, the Commission 

also approved Reliability Standard 

EOP–006–1 addressing reliability 

coordination and system restoration. 

The Reliability Standard sets 

requirements for reliability coordinators 

during system restoration and requires 

that reliability coordinators have a 

coordinating role in system restoration 

to ensure reliability is maintained 

during system restoration. Under 

section 215 of the FPA, the Commission 

directed the ERO to develop a 

modification to EOP–006–1 to ensure 

that the reliability coordinator is 

involved in the development and 

approval of system restoration plans.9

3. Reliability Standard EOP–007–0 

9. ‘‘Pending’’ Reliability Standard 

EOP–007–0 deals with establishing, 

maintaining and documenting regional 

blackstart capability plans. In Order No. 

693, the Commission did not act on 

EOP–007–0 because it applies only to 

regional reliability organizations and as 

such was not acted on pending NERC’s 

providing additional information.10 The 

Commission directed the ERO to 

consider various commenters 

suggestions relating to assigning 

compliance obligations directly to the 

entities that provide the pertinent data 

instead of to the Regional Entity, placing 

responsibility for the regional blackstart 

plan with the reliability coordinator 

rather than the Regional Entity, 

recognizing that nuclear units have no 

blackstart capability, revising the 

definition of a blackstart unit, and 

committing arrangements for 


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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 226 / Wednesday, November 24, 2010 / Proposed Rules 71627 

11 Id. P 642–643, 647. 

12 Id. P 674, 676. 

13Concurrent with its filing in this Docket, NERC 

filed a petition in Docket No. RM10–15–000 seeking 

approval of certain Interconnection Reliability 

Operating Limit (IRO) Reliability Standards. As part 

of its IRO filing, NERC proposed to retire 

Requirement R2 of EOP–001–0. Each petition 

proposes unique changes to EOP–001–0 reflecting 

the distinct issues addressed by the respective 

Reliability Standards drafting teams. NERC 

indicated in both petitions that it could not 

anticipate the sequence in which the Commission 

would act and therefore included two sets of 

proposed amendments to EOP–001–0 in each 

petition. The Commission will clarify upon 

issuance of Final Rules in each proceeding which 

revised version of EOP–001–0 it is addressing in its 

determination. 

14NERC Petition at 4. 

15 Id. 5. 

16 Id. 

17Reliability Standard EOP–001–1, Section A.3. 

(Purpose). 

18Reliability Standard EOP–005–2, Section A.4. 

(Purpose). 

coordinating blackstart capability to 

contracts.11

4. Reliability Standard EOP–009–0 

10. Currently effective Reliability 

Standard EOP–009–0 deals with 

implementing and documenting testing 

of blackstart generating units. In Order 

No. 693, the Commission approved 

EOP–009–0. In addition, the 

Commission directed the ERO to 

consider suggestions for improvements 

raised during the comment period. One 

commenter stated the Reliability 

Standard should provide details on 

what constitutes a blackstart test and 

another stated NERC should consolidate 

the Reliability Standard with EOP–007– 

0.12

II. NERC Petition for Proposed EOP 

Reliability Standards 

11. In a December 31, 2009 filing 

(NERC Petition), NERC requests 

Commission approval of its proposed 

definition of the term ‘‘Blackstart 

Resource’’ and proposed Reliability 

Standards EOP–001–1 (Emergency 

Operating Plan),13 EOP–005–2 (System 

Restoration from Blackstart Resources) 

and EOP–006–2 (System Restoration 

Coordination). NERC also seeks to 

concurrently retire four currently 

effective Reliability Standards: EOP– 

001–0, EOP–005–1, EOP–006–1, and 

EOP–009–0 as well as the definition of 

‘‘Blackstart Capability Plan’’ and 

withdraw pending Reliability Standard 

EOP–007–0. 

12. NERC states that the proposed 

Reliability Standards ‘‘represent 

significant revision and improvement 

from the current set of enforceable 

standards’’ and address the 

Commission’s directives in Order No. 

693 related to the EOP standards.14

NERC explains that, among other 

enhancements, ‘‘[t]he proposed revisions 

now clearly delineate the 

responsibilities of the Reliability 

Coordinator and Transmission Operator 

in the restoration process and 

restoration planning.’’ 15 NERC describes 

the proposed Reliability Standards as 

providing ‘‘specific requirements for 

what must be in a restoration plan, how 

and when it needs to be updated and 

approved, what needs to be provided to 

operators and what training is necessary 

for personnel involved in restoration 

processes.’’ 16 NERC requests that the 

Commission approve (1) the proposed 

Reliability Standards, (2) concurrent 

retirement of the currently effective EOP 

Reliability Standards, and (3) the 

revisions to the NERC Glossary of 

Terms. With regard to implementation, 

NERC proposes that the proposed EOP 

Reliability Standards, new definitions 

and retirements of effective standards be 

made effective twenty-four months after 

the first day of the first calendar quarter 

following applicable regulatory 

approval. Below, we describe each of 

the proposed EOP Reliability Standards. 

A. Blackstart Resource 

13. NERC requests approval of the 

term ‘‘Blackstart Resource’’ and the 

concurrent retirement of the term 

‘‘Blackstart Capability Plan.’’ The 

proposed definition of ‘‘Blackstart 

Resource’’ is: 

A generating unit(s) and its associated set 

of equipment which has the ability to be 

started without support from the System or 

is designed to remain energized without 

connection to the remainder of the System, 

with the ability to energize a bus, meeting the 

Transmission Operator’s restoration plan 

needs for real and reactive power capability, 

frequency and voltage control, and that has 

been included in the Transmission 

Operator’s restoration plan. 

The term ‘‘Blackstart Capacity Plan’’ is 

currently used solely in EOP–007–0 and 

EOP–009–0, both of which NERC 

intends to replace with proposed 

Reliability Standards EOP–005–2 and 

EOP–006–2. 

B. Reliability Standard EOP–001–1 

14. Proposed Reliability Standard 

EOP–001–1 contains seven 

requirements for the stated purpose of 

requiring each transmission operator 

and balancing authority to develop, 

maintain and implement a set of plans 

to mitigate operating emergencies and to 

coordinate these plans with other 

transmission operators, balancing 

authorities and the reliability 

coordinator.17 It modifies EOP–001–0 

by deleting currently effective 

Requirement R3.4, which requires 

transmission operators and balancing 

authorities to develop, maintain and 

implement a set of plans for system 

restoration. According to NERC, the 

deletion is proposed because the new 

EOP–005–2 and EOP–006–2 incorporate 

and expand upon this requirement. 

C. Reliability Standard EOP–005–2 

15. Proposed Reliability Standard 

EOP–005–2 contains eighteen 

requirements for the stated purpose of 

ensuring that plans, facilities and 

personnel are prepared to enable system 

restoration from Blackstart Resources, 

and to ensure reliability is maintained 

during restoration and priority is placed 

on restoring the Interconnection.18 The 

proposed Reliability Standard applies to 

transmission operators, generation 

operators, and transmission owners, and 

distribution providers identified in the 

transmission operator’s restoration plan. 

Requirement R1 requires each 

transmission operator to have a 

reliability coordinator-approved 

restoration plan utilizing Blackstart 

Resources and details the scope and 

elements of such a plan. Requirement 

R2 instructs each transmission operator 

to provide entities that have a role in the 

restoration plan with a description of 

their roles and tasks. Requirements R3 

through R6 address annual plan 

reviews, updating practices, location of 

plans and plan verification. Following a 

disturbance, Requirements R7 and R8 

provide guidance on following the plan 

or making needed adjustments and 

coordinating when re-synchronizing 

two systems together. Requirement R9 

describes testing information the 

transmission operator must have to 

verify the Blackstart Resources meet 

required expectations. Requirements 

R10 to R12 cover system restoration 

training requirements for system 

operators and field switching personnel. 

Blackstart Resource agreements between 

the transmission operator and generator 

operator or mutually agreed upon 

procedures or protocols are addressed in 

Requirement R13. Duties of a generator 

owner with a Blackstart Resource are 

provided in Requirements R14 through 

R18, which address operating 

procedures, change notification, testing 

for each Blackstart Resource and 

training of operating personnel on 

Blackstart Resources. NERC has 

requested that EOP–005–1 be retired 

upon the effectiveness of EOP–005–2. 

D. Reliability Standard EOP–006–2 

16. Proposed Reliability Standard 

EOP–006–2 contains ten requirements 

for the stated purpose of ensuring that 


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71628 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 226 / Wednesday, November 24, 2010 / Proposed Rules 

19Reliability Standard EOP–006–2, Section A.3. 

(Purpose). 

20The version of EOP–001–1 that the Commission 

proposes to approve is the version contained in 

Exhibit A in the NERC Petition. 

21See Order No. 693, FERC Stats. & Regs. 

¶ 31,242 at P 548, 554, 555, 561, 562 and 566. 

22See NERC Petition, Exh. E (Record of 

Development of Proposed Reliability Standards) at 

1429, 1500, and 1748 (as identified in the PDF 

version available on eLibrary on the FERC’s Home 

Page (http://www.ferc.gov)). 

23U.S.-Canada Power System Outage Task Force, 

Final Report on the August 14, 2003 Blackout in the 

the reliability coordinator establishes 

plans and prepares personnel to enable 

effective coordination of the system 

restoration process, to maintain 

reliability during restoration and to 

place priority on restoring the 

Interconnection.19 Requirement R1 

requires reliability coordinators to have 

restoration plans that utilize Blackstart 

Resources and specifies the scope and 

elements of such plans. Requirement R2 

covers distribution of the reliability 

coordinator’s restoration plan. 

Requirements R3 through R5 provide for 

review of the reliability coordinator’s 

restoration plan and the plans of each 

neighboring reliability coordinator and 

each transmission operator located in 

the reliability coordinator’s area. Any 

conflicts between reliability 

coordinators’ plans are to be resolved 

within thirty days, and transmission 

operators’ plans shall be approved or 

disapproved, with stated reasons, 

within thirty days. Requirement R6 

requires that the reliability coordinator 

must maintain copies of restoration 

plans in the reliability coordinator’s 

primary and backup control room. 

Requirements R7 and R8 describe the 

roles of reliability coordinators to 

coordinate restoration efforts and 

authorize re-synchronizing of ‘‘island’’ 

areas. Requirements R9 and R10 address 

training and participation in annual 

drills, exercises and simulations. NERC 

has requested with acceptance of EOP– 

006–2 that EOP–006–1 be retired. 

III. Discussion 

17. We believe that the proposed 

glossary term ‘‘Blackstart Resource’’ and 

Reliability Standards EOP–001–1, EOP– 

005–2, and EOP–006–2 comply with the 

relevant directives set forth in Order No. 

693. We also believe that the proposed 

EOP Reliability Standards represent an 

improvement in blackstart restoration 

requirements, as represented by NERC. 

Accordingly, under section 215(d)(2) of 

the FPA, the Commission proposes to 

approve the new term and proposed 

Reliability Standards as just, reasonable, 

not unduly discriminatory or 

preferential and in the public interest. 

In addition, the Commission seeks 

comment from the ERO and other 

interested parties regarding specific 

concerns and may determine, after 

considering such comments, that it is 

appropriate to direct the ERO, under 

section 215(d)(5) of the FPA, to develop 

additional modifications to proposed 

Reliability Standards EOP–005–2 and 

EOP–006–2. Below, we discuss each 

proposed EOP Reliability Standard and 

relevant concerns. 

A. EOP–001–1 Emergency Operation 

Planning 

18. The Commission proposes to 

approve EOP–001–1 as requested by 

NERC.20 Current Requirement R3.4 of 

Reliability Standard EOP–001–0 

requires each transmission operator and 

balancing authority to develop, 

maintain and implement system 

restoration plans. The removal of that 

Requirement from EOP–001–0 is 

appropriate because NERC proposes to 

address system restoration plans in its 

new Reliability Standards EOP–005–2 

and EOP–006–2. The Order No. 693 

directives applicable to EOP–001–0 

were not addressed in the NERC 

Petition since the proposed standards 

are narrowly focused on system 

restoration that is a part, and not the 

sole subject, of the EOP standards. We 

note that all of the Order No. 693 

directives relating to EOP–001–0 are 

still applicable to EOP–001–1 and will 

need to be addressed by NERC in 

another filing.21

B. EOP–005–2 System Restoration From 

Blackstart Resources 

19. The Commission proposes to 

approve proposed Reliability Standard 

EOP–005–2. The Reliability Standard 

effectively addresses the Commission’s 

directive in Order No. 693 to develop 

time frames for training and review of 

restoration plan requirements to 

simulate contingencies and prepare 

operators for anticipated and unforeseen 

events. Requirements R3 and R4 set 

forth time frames for review of 

restoration plans. Frequency of testing 

Blackstart Resources is addressed in 

Requirement R9, and Requirement R6 

requires each transmission operator to 

verify every five years through analysis 

of actual events, steady state and 

dynamic simulations, or testing that its 

restoration plan accomplishes its 

intended function. Periodic drills and 

training are the most effective method of 

demonstrating restoration plans are 

current and appropriate personnel are 

prepared, and proposed Requirements 

R10, R11 and R17 address training 

requirements for system operators, field 

switching personnel and generator 

operators with Blackstart Resources. 

20. Proposed Requirement R11 of 

EOP–005–2 provides that applicable 

entities ‘‘shall provide a minimum of 

two hours of System restoration every 

two calendar years to their field 

switching personnel identified as 

performing unique tasks associated with 

the Transmission Operator’s restoration 

plan that are outside of their normal 

tasks.’’ NERC’s Petition indicates that, in 

the development process, three 

stakeholders commented that the use of 

the term ‘‘unique tasks’’ is vague and 

requested a better definition and 

examples.22 The Commission is also 

concerned that the applicable entities 

may not understand what the term 

‘‘unique tasks’’ means, and we request 

comment on what is intended by that 

term. Also, given that there a variety of 

means by which the ERO, if necessary, 

can provide greater clarity regarding the 

term ‘‘unique tasks,’’ we request 

comment on whether guidance should 

be provided to the transmission 

operators, transmission owners and 

distribution providers who are 

responsible for providing training, and 

if so, how this guidance should be 

provided. In addition, we seek comment 

as to whether those tasks should be 

identified in each transmission 

operator’s restoration plan. 

21. Requirement R5 of currently 

effective EOP–005–1 addresses periodic 

testing of telecommunication facilities 

needed to implement restoration plans. 

This requirement, however, is not 

carried over to proposed EOP–005–2. 

We recognize that currently effective 

communication Reliability Standard 

COM–001–1.1 requires that reliability 

coordinators, transmission operators 

and balancing authorities manage, 

alarm, test and/or actively monitor vital 

telecommunication facilities, with 

special attention given to emergency 

facilities and equipment. Consistent 

with that requirement, the Commission 

proposes to require that the ERO 

develop a modification to EOP–005–2 

that addresses this concern, for 

example, by specifying that such testing 

of telecommunication facilities be 

identified in the restoration plan and be 

part of any restoration drill, exercise or 

simulation. By placing the duty to test 

telecommunications facilities in the 

restoration plan, entities will ensure 

restoration-specific telecommunications 

equipment, phone lists and protocols 

are tested by restoration personnel as 

part of their ongoing restoration 

preparedness. In addition, 

recommendation 26 of the U.S.-Canada 

report 23 on the August 14, 2003 


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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 226 / Wednesday, November 24, 2010 / Proposed Rules 71629 

United States and Canada: Causes and 

Recommendations at 161 (April 2004) (Blackout 

Report), available at http://www.ferc.gov/industries/ 

electric/indus-act/blackout.asp. 

24 Information on the relationship between 

communications and electricity is available from 

Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureau of the 

Federal Communications Commission. See http:// 

www.fcc.gov/pshs/. 

blackout recognizes that effective 

communication protocols during alerts 

and emergencies are essential to 

reliability. Consistent with the Blackout 

Report, applicable entities should have 

standing hotline networks or functional 

equivalents to receive timely and 

accurate information and should 

regularly test such communication 

networks. 

22. Given the importance of 

communication to the restoration 

process, however, the Commission 

further believes that testing should be 

done more frequently than during 

annual drills, exercises or simulations 

(as is contained in the currently 

effective Requirement R5 of EOP–005– 

1). The Commission is concerned that in 

an emergency event, communication 

devices must be readily available and 

functioning properly.24 For example, 

wireless devices may be missing or nonfunctional and emergency contact 

information may be out of date. A 

relatively unintrusive, periodic test or 

drill of communications may provide 

greater assurance that communications 

equipment is available for responding in 

an emergency. The Commission invites 

comment on this issue. 

C. EOP–006–2 System Restoration 

Coordination 

23. Proposed Reliability Standard 

EOP–006–2, is intended to ensure that 

plans are established and personnel are 

prepared to enable effective 

coordination of the system restoration 

process to ensure reliability is 

maintained during restoration. The 

Commission proposes to approve EOP– 

006–2 as it addresses the Commission’s 

directive in Order No. 693 to ensure the 

reliability coordinator is involved in the 

development and approval of system 

restoration plans. 

24. Under proposed Reliability 

Standard EOP–005–2, Requirement R1.4 

requires the transmission operator to 

indentify each Blackstart Resource and 

its characteristics. Currently effective 

Reliability Standard EOP–007–0 

similarly requires the Regional Entity to 

maintain a database of Blackstart 

Resources, but these requirements have 

no counterpart in EOP–006–2. The 

Commission is concerned that the 

absence of a counterpart to such a 

requirement in EOP–006–2 could deny 

the Reliability Coordinator a potentially 

useful tool in maintaining reliability. 

Since the reliability coordinator is 

responsible for overall system 

awareness, the Commission invites 

comments as to why the current EOP– 

007–0 requirement was not carried 

forward into proposed Reliability 

Standard EOP–006–2 and whether it 

would be beneficial to include a 

provision in EOP–006–2 that would 

require the reliability coordinator to 

maintain a database of each Blackstart 

Resource within its area. 

25. While proposed EOP–005–2 

Requirement R6 requires each 

transmission operator to verify through 

analysis of actual events, simulations or 

testing that its restoration plan 

accomplishes its intended function, 

there is no similar requirement in 

proposed EOP–006–2 regarding the 

reliability coordinator’s restoration plan. 

The Commission is concerned that the 

absence of a comparable verification 

requirement may have a detrimental 

effect on the quality of Reliability 

Coordinators’ planning. Accordingly we 

seek comment on whether the same or 

similar requirement (verification 

through actual events, steady state and 

dynamic simulations or testing) should 

apply to reliability coordinators. 

26. Pursuant to proposed EOP–006–2 

Requirements R5 and R5.1, the 

reliability coordinators must review the 

restoration plans required of 

transmission operators by EOP–005–2 

and must approve or disapprove the 

plans within 30 days of receipt. We are 

concerned that no clear guidance is 

provided on how a transmission 

operator should handle a situation 

where the reliability coordinator 

disapproves a transmission operator’s 

plan. Although the reliability 

coordinator is the final authority, 

should there be a give and take with the 

transmission operator whose restoration 

plan contains an element that the 

reliability coordinator believes is 

incompatible with another restoration 

plan? If neighboring transmission 

operators have conflicting plans, how 

will the reliability coordinator 

determine which plan needs to change? 

We invite comment on how a 

transmission operator should proceed 

when a transmission operator’s plan is 

rejected by a reliability coordinator. 

D. Withdrawal of EOP–007–0 and 

Retirement of EOP–009–0 

27. The Commission proposes to 

allow NERC to withdraw pending 

Reliability Standards EOP–007–0 and to 

retire EOP–009–0 because, as explained 

by NERC, the requirements contained in 

those standards are now included in 

proposed Reliability Standards EOP– 

005–2 and EOP–006–2. 

E. Proposed Data Reporting 

Requirement 

28. Given the importance of having 

effective blackstart and restoration plans 

and well-trained personnel in place to 

address system restoration events, the 

Commission proposes that the ERO 

collect data on the performance of 

system restoration exercises conducted 

by transmission operators and reliability 

coordinators. Results from restoration 

exercises are typically maintained as 

evidence of compliance but generally 

not shared with other entities or 

available from a single source and thus 

are not available for others to learn 

from. Accordingly, the collection of this 

data will assist the ERO and 

Commission in identifying the 

effectiveness of restoration plans, 

establishing best practices among 

transmission operators and reliability 

coordinators, and determining the 

effects on personnel performance. The 

ERO could, for example, use this 

information to develop and disseminate 

‘‘lessons learned’’ regarding black start 

capability. 

29. Thus, under section 39.2(d) of the 

Commission’s regulations, we propose 

to direct the ERO to gather data and 

establish a database that can be accessed 

by transmission operators, reliability 

coordinators and the Commission 

regarding transmission operator and 

reliability coordinator system 

restoration drills, exercises and 

simulations. In particular, we propose 

that the database should include: (1) 

The duration of each drill, exercise and/ 

or simulation; (2) the amount of load 

considered lost at the beginning of the 

drill, exercise and/or simulation; (3) the 

amount of load restored at the 

conclusion of the event; (4) whether the 

drill, exercise and/or simulation was 

table top, walk through simulation or 

computer simulation; (5) which entities 

participated in the drill, exercise and/or 

simulation; and (6) whether Blackstart 

Resources were used. Reliability 

coordinators, transmission operators 

and the ERO will be able to use this data 

to identify the effectiveness of 

restoration plans and to help identify 

improvements that may be necessary or 

that could enhance restoration. The 

Commission seeks comment on the 

proposed data collection including the 

benefits of the information to be 

provided in the proposed collection, the 

types of information proposed to be 

collected, and any potential burden of 

the proposed collection. 


jdjones on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with PROPOSALS-1
71630 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 226 / Wednesday, November 24, 2010 / Proposed Rules 

25See North American Electric Reliability Corp., 

119 FERC ¶ 61,145, order on reh’g, 120 FERC 

¶ 61,145, at P 8–13 (2007) (Violation Risk Factor 

Rehearing Order). The guidelines are: (1) 

Consistency with the conclusions of the Blackout 

Report; (2) consistency within a Reliability 

Standard; (3) consistency among Reliability 

Standards; (4) consistency with NERC’s definition 

of the violation risk factor level; and (5) treatment 

of requirements that co-mingle more than one 

obligation. 

26North American Electric Reliability Corp., 123 

FERC ¶ 61,284, at P 20–35 (Violation Severity Level 

Order), order on reh’g & compliance, 125 FERC 

¶ 61,212 (2008). The guidelines provide that VSL 

assignments should: (1) Not lower the current level 

of compliance; (2) ensure uniformity and 

consistency in the determination of penalties; (3) be 

consistent with the corresponding requirement; and 

(4) be based on a single violation. 

27We note that in Version Two Facilities Design, 

Connections and Maintenance Reliability 

Standards, Order No. 722, 126 FERC ¶ 61,255, at 

P 45 (2009), the ERO proposed to develop violation 

risk factors and violation severity levels for 

Requirements but not sub-requirements. The 

Commission denied the proposal as ‘‘premature’’ 

and, instead, encouraged the ERO to ‘‘develop a new 

and comprehensive approach that would better 

facilitate the assignment of violation severity levels 

and violation risk factors.’’ As directed, on March 

5, 2010, NERC submitted a comprehensive 

approach that is currently pending with the 

Commission in Docket No. RR08–4–005. 

28NERC Petition at 22. 

29 Docket No. RR08–4–005 comprises NERC’s 

March 5, 2010 Violation Severity Level Compliance 

Filing submitted in response to Order No. 722. See 

Order No. 722, 126 FERC ¶ 61,255 at P 45. 

30 5 CFR 1320.11. 

31 44 U.S.C. 3501–20. 

32 44 U.S.C. 3502(3)(A)(i), 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(3). 

F. Violation Risk Factors/Violation 

Security Levels 

30. To determine a base penalty 

amount for a violation of a Requirement 

within a Reliability Standard, NERC 

must first determine an initial range for 

the base penalty amount. To do so, 

NERC assigns a violation risk factor to 

each Requirement and sub-Requirement 

of a Reliability Standard that relates to 

the expected or potential impact of a 

violation of the Requirement on the 

reliability of the Bulk-Power System. 

The Commission has established 

guidelines for evaluating the validity of 

each violation risk factor assignment.25

31. NERC also will assign each 

Requirement and sub-Requirement one 

of four violation severity levels—low, 

moderate, high, and severe—as 

measurements for the degree to which 

the Requirement was violated in a 

specific circumstance. On June 19, 2008, 

the Commission issued an order 

establishing four guidelines for the 

development of violation severity 

levels.26

32. With respect to proposed 

Reliability Standards EOP–005–2 and 

EOP–006–2, NERC proposes to assign 

violation risk factors only to the main 

Requirements and did not propose 

violation risk factors for any of the subRequirements.27 NERC noted that such 

practice is consistent with NERC’s 

August 10, 2009 Informational Filing 

Regarding the Assignment of violation 

risk factors and violation severity 

levels.28 With respect to proposed 

Reliability Standard EOP–001–1, NERC 

proposes to carry forward the violation 

risk factors and violation severity levels 

currently assigned to the existing 

Reliability Standard EOP–001–0. 

33. On May 5, 2010, NERC 

incorporated by reference into Docket 

No. RR08–4–005,29 its August 10, 2009 

information filing in which NERC 

proposes assigning violation risk factors 

and violation severity levels only to the 

main Requirements in each Reliability 

Standard, and not to the subRequirements. Because the violation 

risk factors and violation severity levels 

for proposed Reliability Standards EOP– 

001–1, EOP–005–2, and EOP–006–2 are 

affected by the NERC’s pending petition, 

we propose to defer discussion on the 

proposed violation risk factors and 

violation severity levels assigned to 

EOP–001–1, EOP–005–2, and EOP–006– 

2 until after we act on NERC’s petition 

in Docket No. RR08–4–005. 

G. Summary 

34. We propose to approve proposed 

Reliability Standards EOP–001–1, EOP– 

005–2 and EOP–006–2 as well as the 

definition of the term ‘‘Blackstart 

Resource’’ as just, reasonable, not 

unduly discriminatory or preferential, 

and in the public interest. We also seek 

comment from the ERO and other 

interested entities regarding the 

Commission’s specific concerns 

discussed above. The Commission may 

determine after considering such 

comments that it is appropriate to direct 

the ERO, under section 215(d)(5) of the 

FPA, to develop additional 

modifications to proposed EOP–005–2 

and EOP–006–2. We also propose to 

approve the retirement of the currently 

effective Reliability Standards EOP– 

001–0, EOP–005–1, EOP–006–1, and 

EOP–009–0 as well as the definition of 

‘‘Blackstart Capability Plan’’ which are 

superseded by the proposed Reliability 

Standards EOP–001–1, EOP–005–2, and 

EOP–006–2, and we also propose to 

allow NERC to withdraw the pending 

Reliability Standard EOP–007–0. 

IV. Information Collection Statement 

35. The Office of Management and 

Budget (OMB) regulations require 

approval of certain information 

collection requirements imposed by 

agency rules.30 Upon approval of a 

collection(s) of information, OMB will 

assign an OMB control number and an 

expiration date. Respondents subject to 

the filing requirements of this rule will 

not be penalized for failing to respond 

to these collections of information 

unless the collections of information 

display a valid OMB control number. 

The Paperwork Reduction Act 31

requires each federal agency to seek and 

obtain OMB approval before 

undertaking a collection of information 

directed to ten or more persons, or 

continuing a collection for which OMB 

approval and validity of the control 

number are about to expire.32

36. The Commission is submitting 

these reporting and recordkeeping 

requirements to OMB for its review and 

approval under section 3507(d) of the 

Paperwork Reduction Act. Comments 

are solicited on the Commission’s need 

for this information, whether the 

information will have practical utility, 

the accuracy of provided burden 

estimates, ways to enhance the quality, 

utility, and clarity of the information to 

be collected, and any suggested methods 

for minimizing the respondent’s burden, 

including the use of automated 

information techniques. 

37. This Notice of Proposed 

Rulemaking (NOPR), proposes to 

approve three new Reliability 

Standards, EOP–001–1, EOP–005–2 and 

EOP–006–2 governing system 

restoration from blackstart, which 

standards will replace currently 

effective Reliability Standards EOP– 

001–0, EOP–005–1, EOP–006–1, and 

EOP–009–0 as well as pending 

Reliability Standard EOP–007–0, all of 

which the Commission addressed in 

Order No. 693. Rather than creating 

entirely new blackstart requirements, 

the proposed Reliability Standards 

EOP–005–2 and EOP–006–2 instead 

consolidate and upgrade the overall 

quality of the existing Reliability 

Standards governing blackstart 

planning, testing and training and 

ensure enhanced coordination of the 

Bulk-Power System restoration process. 

Thus, this proposed rulemaking does 

not impose entirely new burdens on the 

effected entities. For example, the 

currently effective restoration Reliability 

Standards require transmission 

operators to create, maintain and test 

restoration plans and train personnel in 

those plans. Similarly, reliability 

coordinators are currently required to a 

have a role in coordinating system 

restoration and in focusing on 

restoration of the Interconnection, and 

generation owners and operators are 

currently required to test and report the 

results of the start up and operation of 

blackstart generating units. Accordingly, 

the requirements imposed by proposed 


jdjones on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with PROPOSALS-1
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 226 / Wednesday, November 24, 2010 / Proposed Rules 71631 

33Regulations Implementing the National 

Environmental Policy Act, Order No. 486, 52 FR 

47897 (Dec. 17, 1987), FERC Stats. & Regs. ¶ 30,783 

(1987). 

Reliability Standards EOP–005–2 and 

EOP–006–2 are more specific but not 

necessarily more expansive than 

currently effective EOP Reliability 

Standards addressing restoration 

requirements. However, the 

Commission’s proposal that the ERO 

gather and report data on the 

performance of system restoration 

exercises does enlarge the duties placed 

on the affected entities. 

38. Public Reporting Burden: Our 

estimate below regarding the number of 

respondents is based on the NERC 

compliance registry as of September 28, 

2010. According to the registry, there 

are 26 reliability coordinators and 176 

transmission operators that would be 

involved in providing information. 

However, under NERC’s compliance 

registration program, entities may be 

registered for multiple functions, so 

there is some double counting involved 

in these numbers. Proposed EOP–006–2 

requires the reliability coordinator to 

conduct two system restoration drills, 

exercises or simulations per calendar 

year involving transmission operators 

and generation operators. Depending on 

the scope of the drill, exercise or 

simulation, certain transmission 

operators or generation operators may 

not be required to provide data to the 

reliability coordinator in any given year. 

Proposed reliability Standard EOP–005– 

2 requires generator operators with 

Blackstart Resources who have not 

already done so to document in writing 

both the terms of their blackstart 

arrangements with their transmission 

operator and their procedures for 

energizing a bus. The registry indicates 

there are 773 generator operators, but 

we estimate of these the requirements 

will apply to 230. Lastly, EOP–005–2 

requires transmission owners and 

distribution providers whose field 

switching personnel have unique tasks 

under a restoration plan to provide two 

hours of training every two years. The 

registry shows a net 678 entities that 

might be required to carry out such 

training as a result of these Reliability 

Standards. Given these parameters, the 

Commission estimates that the Public 

Reporting burden for the requirements 

contained in this NOPR is as follows: 

Data 

collection 

Number of 

respondents 

Number of 

annual 

responses 

Hours per 

respondent 

Total 

annual hours 

FERC–725A: 

Reliability coordinators reporting data to 

NERC on annual basis.

26 1 Reporting: 8 ........................

Recordkeeping: 8 ...............

Reporting: 208. 

Recordkeeping: 208. 

Transmission operators reporting data to 

their reliability coordinator and reducing 

blackstart arrangements to writing.

176 1 Compliance: 116 ................

Recordkeeping: 16 .............

Compliance: 20,416. 

Recordkeeping: 2,816. 

Generator operator system restoration responsibilities including testing and maintaining records.230 1 80 ....................................... 18,400. 

Transmission owner and distribution provider 

training and recordkeeping.

678 1 8 ......................................... 5,424. 

Total ......................................................... ........................ ........................ ............................................. 47,472. 

Information Collection Costs: The 

Commission seeks comments on the 

costs to comply with these requirements 

and recordkeeping burden associated 

with the proposed Reliability Standards. 

• Total Annual hours for Collection: 

(Reporting/Compliance + 

recordkeeping) = hours. 

• Reporting/Compliance = 44,448 

hours @ $132/hour = $5,867,136. 

• Recordkeeping = 3,024 hours @ 

$17/hour = $51,408. 

• Total Cost = $5,918,544. 

• Title: Mandatory Reliability 

Standards for the Bulk-Power System. 

• Action: Proposed Collection of 

Information. 

• OMB Control No: 1902–0244. 

• Respondents: Business or other for 

profit, and/or not for profit institutions. 

• Frequency of Responses: Annually. 

• Necessity of the Information: This 

proposed rule would approve revised 

Reliability Standards that modify the 

existing requirement for system 

restoration from a blackstart. The 

proposed Reliability Standards require 

some entities to commit agreements or 

understandings to writing and/or draft 

written procedures. Other entities may 

have to produce and maintain training 

materials. A proposed directive to those 

Reliability Standards would require 

entities to report annually to the ERO 

who will in turn report to the 

Commission regarding transmission 

operator and reliability coordinator 

system restoration drills, exercises and 

simulations. 

• Internal review: The Commission 

has reviewed the requirements 

pertaining to the proposed Reliability 

Standards for the Bulk-Power System 

and determined that the proposed 

requirements are necessary to meet the 

statutory provisions of the Energy Policy 

Act of 2005. These requirements 

conform to the Commission’s plan for 

efficient information collection, 

communication and management within 

the energy industry. The Commission 

has assured itself, by means of internal 

review, that there is specific, objective 

support for the burden estimates 

associated with the information 

requirements. 

39. Interested persons may obtain 

information on the reporting 

requirements by contacting: Federal 

Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 

First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426 

[Attention: Ellen Brown, Office of the 

Executive Director, Phone: (202) 502– 

8663, fax: (202) 273–0873, e-mail: 

DataClearance@ferc.gov]. Comments on 

the requirements of this order may also 

be sent to the Office of Information and 

Regulatory Affairs, Office of 

Management and Budget, Washington, 

DC 20503 [Attention: Desk Officer for 

the Federal Energy Regulatory 

Commission]. For security reasons, 

comments should be sent by e-mail to 

OMB at oira_submission@omb.eop.gov. 

Please reference 1902–0244 and the 

docket number of this proposed 

rulemaking in your submission. 

V. Environmental Analysis 

40. The Commission is required to 

prepare an Environmental Assessment 

or an Environmental Impact Statement 

for any action that may have a 

significant adverse effect on the human 

environment.33 The actions proposed 

here fall within the categorical 

exclusion in the Commission’s 

regulations for rules that are clarifying, 

corrective or procedural, for information 


jdjones on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with PROPOSALS-1
71632 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 226 / Wednesday, November 24, 2010 / Proposed Rules 

34 18 CFR 380.4(a)(5). 35 5 U.S.C. 601–12. 36The RFA definition of ‘‘small entity’’ refers to 

the definition provided in the Small Business Act 

(SBA), which defines a ‘‘small business concern’’ as 

a business that is independently owned and 

operated and that is not dominant in its field of 

operation. See 15 U.S.C. 632. According to the SBA, 

a small electric utility is defined as one that has a 

total electric output of less than four million MWh 

in the preceding year. 

gathering, analysis, and 

dissemination.34 Accordingly, neither 

an environmental impact statement nor 

environmental assessment is required. 

VI. Regulatory Flexibility Act Analysis 

41. The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 

1980 (RFA) 35 generally requires a 

description and analysis of final rules 

that will have significant economic 

impact on a substantial number of small 

entities. Many of the entities, i.e., 

reliability coordinators, transmission 

operators, generation operators, 

transmission owners and distribution 

providers identified in the transmission 

operator’s restoration plan, to which the 

requirements of this rule would apply 

do not fall within the definition of small 

entities,36 but most transmission owners 

and most distribution providers would 

be deemed small entities. The proposed 

Reliability Standards clarify the 

elements of restoration plans and 

training requirements and give 

reliability coordinators a greater role in 

review and approval of plans, but the 

proposed Reliability Standards reflect 

primarily a continuation of existing 

system restoration requirements 

currently applicable to reliability 

coordinators, transmission operators 

and generation operators. 

42. Based on available information 

regarding NERC’s compliance registry, 

and our best assessment of the 

application of the proposed Reliability 

Standards, approximately 1,110 entities 

will be responsible for compliance with 

proposed Reliability Standards EOP– 

005–2 and EOP–006–2, of which 

approximately 678 are transmission 

owners and distribution providers not 

already subject to the existing system 

restoration Reliability Standards. Of the 

678 transmission owners and 

distribution providers, only that subset 

whose field switching personnel are 

identified in the restoration plan as 

having unique tasks will be subject to a 

new requirement under the proposed 

standards, i.e., providing two hours of 

system restoration training every two 

calendar years to such personnel. The 

Commission estimates that this 

requirement will impose a cost of 

perhaps $1,056 per year on transmission 

owners and distribution providers, and 

indeed for some entities there will be no 

additional cost because field personnel 

are already being trained in restoration 

tasks and therefore should not present 

significant operating costs. Based on the 

foregoing, the Commission certifies that 

this proposed Reliability Standard will 

not have a significant impact on a 

substantial number of small entities. 

43. Based on this understanding, the 

Commission certifies that this rule will 

not have a significant economic impact 

on a substantial number of small 

entities. Accordingly, no regulatory 

flexibility analysis is required. 

VII. Comment Procedures 

44. The Commission invites interested 

persons to submit comments on the 

matters and issues proposed in this 

notice to be adopted, including any 

related matters or alternative proposals 

that commenters may wish to discuss. 

Comments are due January 24, 2011. 

Comments must refer to Docket No. 

RM10–16–000, and must include the 

commenter’s name, the organization 

they represent, if applicable, and their 

address in their comments. 

45. Commenters may submit 

comments, identified by Docket No. 

RM10–16–000 and in accordance with 

the requirements posted on the 

Commission’s Web site, http:// 

www.ferc.gov. Comments may be 

submitted by any of the following 

methods: 

• Agency Web Site: Documents 

created electronically using word 

processing software should be filed in 

native applications or print-to-PDF 

format, and not in a scanned format, at 

http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ 

efiling.asp. 

• Mail/Hand Delivery: Commenters 

unable to file comments electronically 

must mail or hand deliver their 

comments to: Federal Energy Regulatory 

Commission, Secretary of the 

Commission, 888 First Street, NE., 

Washington, DC 20426. These 

requirements can be found on the 

Commission’s Web site, see, e.g., the 

‘‘Quick Reference Guide for Paper 

Submissions,’’ available at http:// 

www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp or 

via phone from FERC Online Support at 

202–502–6652 or toll-free at 1–866– 

208–3676. 

46. All comments will be placed in 

the Commission’s public files and may 

be viewed, printed, or downloaded 

remotely as described in the Document 

Availability section below. Commenters 

on this proposal are not required to 

serve copies of their comments on other 

commenters. 

VIII. Document Availability 

47. In addition to publishing the full 

text of this document in the Federal 

Register, the Commission provides all 

interested persons an opportunity to 

view and/or print the contents of this 

document via the Internet through 

FERC’s Home Page (http://www.ferc.gov) 

and in FERC’s Public Reference Room 

during normal business hours (8:30 a.m. 

to 5 p.m. Eastern time) at 888 First 

Street, NE., Room 2A, Washington, DC 

20426. 

48. From FERC’s Home Page on the 

Internet, this information is available on 

eLibrary. The full text of this document 

is available on eLibrary in PDF and 

Microsoft Word format for viewing, 

printing, and/or downloading. To access 

this document in eLibrary, type the 

docket number excluding the last three 

digits of this document in the docket 

number field. 

49. User assistance is available for 

eLibrary and the FERC’s Web site during 

normal business hours from FERC 

Online Support at 202–502–6652 (toll 

free at 1–866–208–3676) or e-mail at 

ferconlinesupport@ferc.gov, or the 

Public Reference Room at (202) 502– 

8371, TTY (202)502–8659. E-mail the 

Public Reference Room at 

public.referenceroom@ferc.gov. 

By direction of the Commission. 

Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., 

Deputy Secretary. 

[FR Doc. 2010–29569 Filed 11–23–10; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 6717–01–P 

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION 

20 CFR Parts 404 and 416 

[Docket No. SSA–2007–0101] 

RIN 0960–AF69 

Revised Medical Criteria for Evaluating 

Mental Disorders 

AGENCY: Social Security Administration. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking; 

limited reopening of comment period. 

SUMMARY: We are reopening for a 

limited purpose the comment period for 

the notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM) that we published in the 

Federal Register on August 19, 2010 (75 

FR 51336). We are reopening the 

comment period for 15 days to clarify 

and to seek additional public comment 

about an aspect of the proposed 

definitions of the terms ‘‘marked’’ and 

‘‘extreme’’ in sections 12.00 and 112.00 

of our Listing of Impairments (listings). 

We are reopening the comment period 

to accept comments about that issue 


jdjones on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with PROPOSALS-1