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 Department of Energy Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. IC24-16-000]
 AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
 ACTION: Notice of information collection and request for comments.
 SUMMARY: 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 the currently approved information collection, FERC-725Y, Mandatory Reliability Standard (Personnel Performance, Training, and Qualifications). The 60-day notice comment period ended on September 23, 2024; no comments were received.
 DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due November 8, 2024.
 ADDRESSES: Send written comments on FERC-725Y to OMB through 
                        *www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain.*
                         Attention: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Desk Officer. Please identify the OMB Control Number (1902-0279) in the subject line of your comments. Comments should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to 
                        *www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain.* Please submit copies of your comments to the Commission. You may submit copies of your comments (identified by Docket No. IC24-16-000) by one of the following methods: Electronic filing through 
                        *https://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 other delivery methods: ○ 
                        *Mail via U.S. Postal Service Only:*
                         Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426. ○ All other delivery methods: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, MD 20852. *Instructions:*
                         OMB submissions must be formatted and filed in accordance with submission guidelines at 
                        *www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain.*
                         Using the search function under the “Currently Under Review” field, select Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; click “submit,” and select “comment” to the right of the subject collection. *FERC submissions*
                         must be formatted and filed in accordance with submission guidelines at: 
                        *https://www.ferc.gov/​ferc-online/​overview.*
                         For user assistance, contact FERC Online Support by email at 
                        *ferconlinesupport@ferc.gov,*
                         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 
                        *https://www.ferc.gov/​ferc-online/​overview.*
 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kayla Williams may be reached by email at 
                        *DataClearance@FERC.gov,*
                         telephone at (202) 502-6468.


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  *Title:*
                     FERC-725Y, Mandatory Reliability Standard (Personnel Performance, Training, and Qualifications). *OMB Control No.:*
                     1902-0279. *Type of Request:*
                     Three-year extension of the FERC-725Y information collection requirements with no changes to the reporting requirements. *Abstract:*
                     The FERC-725Y information collection is intended to help ensure the safe and reliable operation of the interconnected grid through the retention of suitably trained and qualified personnel in positions that can impact the reliable operation of the Bulk-Power System. The Commission uses the FERC-725Y to implement the Congressional mandate of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to develop mandatory and enforceable Reliability Standards to better ensure the reliability of the nation's Bulk-Power System. FERC-725Y ensures that personnel performing or supporting real-time operations on the Bulk Electric System (BES) are trained using a systematic approach. The Reliability Standard requires entities to maintain records subject to review by the Commission and North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) to ensure compliance with the Reliability Standard. Reliability Standard PER-003-2 purpose is to ensure that System Operators performing the reliability-related tasks of the Reliability Coordinator, Balancing Authority, and Transmission Operator are certified through the NERC System Operator Certification Program when filling a Realtime operating position responsible for control of the Bulk Electric System. This standard includes three requirements that are listed below:
                    ( print page 81903) R1. Each Reliability Coordinator shall staff its Real-time operating positions performing Reliability Coordinator reliability-related tasks with System Operators who have demonstrated minimum competency in the areas listed by obtaining and maintaining a valid NERC Reliability Operator certificate.
                R2. Each Transmission Operator shall staff its Real-time operating positions performing Transmission Operator reliability-related tasks with System Operators who have demonstrated minimum competency in the areas listed by obtaining and maintaining one of the following valid NERC certificates.
                R3. Each Balancing Authority shall staff its Real-time operating positions performing Balancing Authority reliability-related tasks with System Operators who have demonstrated minimum competency in the areas listed by obtaining and maintaining one of the following valid NERC certificates. Reliability Standard PER-005-2 requires entities to maintain records subject to review by the Commission and NERC to ensure compliance with the Reliability Standard. This Reliability Standard contains of six Requirements: R1 requires reliability coordinators, balancing authorities, and transmission operators to develop and implement a training program for system operators
                R2 requires transmission owners to develop and implement a training program for system operators
                R3 requires reliability coordinators, balancing authorities, transmission operators and transmission owners to verify the capabilities of their identified personnel
                R4 requires reliability coordinators, balancing authorities, transmission operators and transmission owners to provide those personnel with emergency operations training using simulation technology
                R5 requires reliability coordinators, balancing authorities, and transmission operators develop and implement training for system operators whose job functions can impact BES real-time reliability tasks.
                R6 requires applicable generator operators to develop and implement training for certain of their dispatch personnel at a centrally located dispatch center. Reliability Standard PER-006-1 ensures that personnel are trained on specific topics essential to reliability to perform or support Real-Time operations of the Bulk Electric System and has one requirement: R1 identifies generator operator plant personnel responsible for Real-time control and carrying out Operating instructions are trained on the operational functionality of Protection Systems and Remedial Action Schemes that affect the output of generating facility(ies) it operates. *Type of Respondents:*
                     Transmission owners and generator owners. *Estimate of Annual Burden:*
                     [1]
                    
                     Our estimate below regarding the number of respondents is based on the NERC compliance registry as of April 16, 2024. In general, the number of respondents has increased from previous renewal as each entity may have multiple responsibilities under these standards and those responsibilities are counted separately. When the original PER-003-0 was approved in Order No. 693 the associated manhours were part of the 83 NERC Reliability Standards approved at one time.[2]
                    
                     In the two revisions done PER-003-1 and PER-003-2 it was determined at that there was no change in burden specific to PER-003. To increase clarity, manhours associated with the original PER-003-0 are being moved from the 725A collection and being added into the 725Y collection. The next update to 725A (2024) will reflect the change in burden associated with PER-003 and moving manhours from 725A into 725Y. The Commission estimates the additional annual reporting burden and cost as follows:[3 4] Electrical Engineer (Occupation Code: 17-2071): $77.29 (to calculate the reporting requirements)
                Office and Administrative Support (Occupation Code: 43-0000): $45.59 (to calculate the recordkeeping requirements). Number and type of
                             
                                respondents 3
Annual
                             number of 
                             responses 
                             per 
                             respondent
Total number of responses
Avg. burden &
                             cost per 
                             
                                response 4
Total annual burden hours &
                             total annual cost 
                             ($)
Cost per
                             respondent 
                             ($)(1)
(2)
(1) * (2) = (3)
(4)
(3) * (4) = (5)(5) ÷ (1)**FERC-725Y in Docket No. IC24-16-000 Reliability Standard PER-003-2**Annual Review of Credentials
12 (RC)
1
12
60 hrs. $4,637.40
720 hrs. $55,648.80
$4,637.4098 (BA)
1
98
60 hrs. 4,637.40
5,880 hrs. 454,465.20
4,637.40165 (TOP)
1
165
60 hrs. 4,637.40
9.900 hrs. 765,171.00
4,637.40Record Retention
(RC, BA, TOP) 275
1
275
60 hrs. 2,735.40
16,500 hrs. 752,235.00
2,735.40Total




33,000 hrs. 2,027,520.00**FERC-725Y(Reliability Standard PER-005-2)**Annual Evaluation, Update of Training Program
12 (RC)
1
12
14 hrs.; 1,082.06
168 hrs.; 12,984.72
1,082.0698 (BA)
1
98
14 hrs.; 1,082.06
1,372 hrs.; 106,041.88
1,082.06165 (TOP)
1
165
14 hrs.; 1,082.06
2,310 hrs.; 178,539.90
1,082.06324 (TO)
1
324
14 hrs.; 1,082.06
4,536 hrs.; 350,587.44
1,082.061028 (GOP)
1
1028
14 hrs.; 1,082.06
14,392 hrs.; 1,112,357.68
1,082.06( print page 81904)Annual Evaluation and Update of Training Program
(RC, BA, TOP, TO, GOP)  1627
1
1627
8 hrs.; 364.72
13,016 hrs.; 593,399.44
364.72Retention of Records
(RC, BA, TOP, TO, GOP) 1627
1
1627
10 hrs.; 455.90
16,270 hrs.; 741,749.30
455.90Total




68,892 hrs.; 3,095,660.36**FERC-725Y (Reliability Standard PER-006-1)**GOP; Reporting, Recordkeeping Req
1028
1
1028
14 hrs.; 1,082.06
14,392 hrs.; 1,112,357.68
1,082.06GOP; Reporting Req. R1
1028
1
1028
5 hrs.; 386.45
5,140 hrs.; 397,270.60
386.45GOP; Recordkeeping Req
5
                             1028
1
1028
10 hrs.; 455.90
10,280 hrs.; 468,665.20
455.90Total




29,812 hrs.; $1,978,293.485
                         The number of US unique GOPs is 1028 taken from the NERC compliance registry information of April 16, 2024.
 *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; (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: October 2, 2024. Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Acting Secretary.


# Footnotes

1.
    
                         Burden is defined as the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide information to or for a federal agency. For further explanation of what is included in the information collection burden, reference 5 Code of Federal Regulations 1320.3. Back to Citation
 2.
    
                         Order No. 693 Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Bulk-Power System—approved March 16, 2007. Back to Citation
 3.
    
                         For PER-003-2, PER-005-2, and PER-006-1: RC=Reliability Coordinator; BA=Balancing Authority; TOP=Transmission Operator; TO=Transmission Owner; GOP=Generator Operator. The NERC compliance registry table April 16, 2024, was used to perform analysis. 4.
    
                         The estimated hourly cost (salary plus benefits) is a combination based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of 2023. The estimates for cost per response are loaded hourly wage figure (includes benefits) based on two occupational categories for 2023 found on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website (
                        *http://www.bls.gov/​oes/​current/​naics2_​22.htm*): Back to Citation


[FR Doc. 2024-23298 Filed 10-8-24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P