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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 216 (Thursday, November 7, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 88269-88274]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-25847]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket Nos. IC24-23-000]

Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-725A); Comment 
Request; Extension

AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of information collection and request for comments.

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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-725A (Mandatory Reliability Standards for 
the Bulk-Power System). There are no changes to the information 
collection. The 60-day notice comment period ended on October 15, 2024, 
with no comments received.

DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due December 9, 
2024.

ADDRESSES: You may submit copies of your comments (identified by Docket 
No. IC24-23-000) 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 hand (including courier) delivery:
    [cir] Mail via U.S. Postal Service Only: Addressed to: Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 888 First 
Street NE, Washington, DC 20426.
    [cir] 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: https://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 https://www.ferc.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Reimel may be reached by email at 
[email protected], telephone at (202) 502-6461.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: FERC-725A (Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Bulk-
Power System).
    OMB Control No.: 1902-0244.
    Type of Request: Three-year extension of the FERC-725A information 
collection requirements with no changes to the current reporting 
requirements.
    Abstract: On August 8, 2005, the Electricity Modernization Act of 
2005, which is title XII, subtitle A, of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 
(EPAct 2005), was enacted into law.\1\ EPAct 2005 added a new section 
215 to the FPA, which requires a Commission-certified electric 
reliability organization (ERO) (FERC-725) to develop mandatory and 
enforceable Reliability Standards, which are subject to Commission 
review and approval. Once approved, the Reliability Standards may be 
enforced by the ERO, subject to Commission oversight or the Commission 
can independently enforce Reliability Standards (FERC-725A).\2\
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    \1\ Energy Policy Act of 2005, Public Law 109-58, title XII, 
subtitle A, 119 Stat. 594, 941 (2005), to be codified at 16 U.S.C. 
824o.
    \2\ 16 U.S.C. 824o(e)(3).

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[[Page 88270]]

    On February 3, 2006, the Commission issued Order No. 672, 
implementing section 215 of the FPA.\3\ Pursuant to Order No. 672, the 
Commission certified one organization, NERC, as the ERO.\4\ The ERO is 
required to develop Reliability Standards, which are subject to 
Commission review and approval. The Reliability Standards will apply to 
users, owners, and operators of the Bulk-Power System, as set forth in 
each Reliability Standard.
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    \3\ Rules Concerning Certification of the Electric Reliability 
Organization; Procedures for the Establishment, Approval and 
Enforcement of Electric Reliability Standards, Order No. 672, 71 FR 
8662 (February 17, 2006), FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 31,204 (2006), order 
on reh'g, Order No. 672-A, 71 FR 19814 (April 18, 2006), FERC Stats. 
& Regs. ] 31,212 (2006).
    \4\ North American Electric Reliability Corp., 116 FERC ] 61,062 
(ERO Certification Order), order on reh'g & compliance, 117 FERC ] 
61,126 (ERO Rehearing Order) (2006), order on compliance, 118 FERC ] 
61,030 (2007) (January 2007 Compliance Order).
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    On March 16, 2007, the Commission issued Order No. 693, a Final 
Rule adding part 40, a new part, to the Commission's regulations. The 
Final Rule states that this part applies to all users, owners, and 
operators of the Bulk-Power System within the United States (other than 
Alaska or Hawaii). It also requires that each Reliability Standard 
identify the subset of users, owners, and operators to which that 
particular Reliability Standard applies. The new regulations also 
require that each Reliability Standard that is approved by the 
Commission will be maintained on the ERO's internet website for public 
inspection.
    In order for the Commission to perform its oversight function with 
regard to Reliability Standards that are proposed by the ERO, it is 
essential that the Commission receives timely information regarding all 
or potential violations of Reliability Standards. While section 215 of 
the FPA contemplates the filing of the record of an ERO or Regional 
Entity enforcement action, FERC needs information regarding violations 
and potential violations at or near the time of occurrence. Therefore, 
it will work with the ERO and regional reliability organizations to be 
able to use electronic filing of information, so the Commission 
receives timely information. The new regulations also require that each 
Reliability Standard that is approved by the Commission will be 
maintained on the ERO's internet website for public inspection.
    In accordance with section 39.5 of the Commission's regulations, 
the ERO must file each Reliability Standard or a modification to a 
Reliability Standard with the Commission. The filing is to include a 
concise statement of the basis and purpose of the proposed Reliability 
Standard, either a summary of the Reliability development proceedings 
conducted by the ERO or a summary of the Reliability Standard 
development proceedings conducted by a Regional Entity together with a 
summary of the Reliability Standard review proceedings of the ERO and a 
demonstration that the proposed Reliability Standard is ``just, 
reasonable, not unduly discriminatory or preferential, and in the 
public interest.
    The existing burden inventory for the entire FERC-725A collection 
is estimated at 1,103,040 burden hours (table 1). FERC-725A contains 
the information collection requirements for nearly all of the US wide 
Reliability Standards. The collection started in 2007 when FERC 
approved 83 Reliability Standards with an estimated 1,252,680 burden 
hours. Since that time, NERC has revised many of the original standards 
(as well as proposed new standards) resulting in many incremental 
additions to the total burden hours. Additionally, over time FAC-003, 
FAC-008, PER-003; INT-006; INT-009; TOP-001, TOP-002, TOP-003, TOP-010 
revisions were captured in 725A collection. In August 2024, the 
associated manhours and cost for PER-003-2 are being relocated from 
725A into 725Y (table 2). This change will not result in change in the 
number of respondents in 725A as the same group of responsible entities 
have other obligation under 725A but the associated cost per entity 
will decrease slightly overall (table 3).
    In an effort to target similar NERC Reliability Standards by family 
in this 725A renewal, manhours associated with two FAC (Facilities) 
Reliability Standards (FAC-008-5 and FAC-003-2) will be retired from 
725A and then added to the 725D, where other FAC standards are 
collected. This should facilitate future three-year renewal efforts and 
more accurate tracking of for the FAC Reliability Standards.
    In an effort to target similar NERC Reliability Standards by family 
in this 725A renewal, manhours associated with three PRC (Protection 
and Control) Reliability Standards (PRC-008-0, PRC-011-0, and PRC-017-
1) will be retired from 725A Bulk-Power System and then added to the 
725G, where other PRC standards are collected. This should facilitate 
future three-year renewal efforts and more accurate tracking of for the 
PRC Reliability Standards.
    PRC-008 (Underfrequency and Documentation of Underfrequency Load 
Shedding Equipment Maintenance Program) represents responsibility of 
TOs and GOs to create and follow their maintenance program to ensure 
that underfrequency relays operate when needed to drop system load to 
preserve the BES. PRC-011-0 (Undervoltage Load Shedding (UVLS) System 
Maintenance and Testing) identifies that TOs and DPs that own a UVLS 
system to create and follow their maintenance program to ensure that 
undervoltage relays operate when needed to drop system load to preserve 
volage collapse or voltage instability. Not every TO or DP has a UVLS 
program, staff is estimating that half of the registered TOs and DPs 
need to follow PRC-011-0. PRC-017-1 (Remedial Action Scheme (RAS) 
Maintenance and Testing) System Maintenance and Testing) identifies 
that TOs, DPs, GOs that their RASs are properly designed, meet expected 
performance, and are coordinated with other protection systems.\5\ The 
maintenance and testing programs for RAS are reviewed by engineers and 
when a relay mis-operations occurs the RAS is reviewed and corrected. 
PRC-008-0 and PRC-011-0 have been in-service since April 2005 and PRC-
017-1 was revised in November 2015.
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    \5\ RAS are automatic protection systems designed to detect 
abnormal or predetermined system conditions and take corrective 
actions other than and/or in addition to the isolation of faulted 
components to maintain system reliability.

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[[Page 88271]]

    Estimate of Annual Burden: \6\ The Commission estimates the burden 
and cost for this information collection as follows.
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    \6\ 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, refer to 5 CFR part 1320.
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IC24-23-000 Renewal of 725A

    The following table represents the current burden associated with 
all Mandatory Reliability Standards that fall under FERC-725A.
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    \7\ This is a list of NERC registered entities who under 725A 
need to follow the NERC Standards. BA=Balancing Authority (98); DP = 
Distribution Provider (371); GP = Generator Owner (1,210); Generator 
Operator (1028); PA/PC Planning Authority/Planning Coordinator (62); 
RC=Reliability Coordinator (12); RP = Resource Planner (159); RSG = 
Reserve Sharing Group (8); FRSG = Frequency Response Sharing Group 
(1); TO = Transmission Owner (324); TOP = Transmission Operator 
(165); TP = Transmission Provided (203); TSP = Transmission Service 
Provider (70); for a sum total of (3,711). The same entity may have 
multiple registration obligation to follow under 725A, so an 
individual entity's obligation increases based on registration 
functions. These values were derived from the NERC Compliance data 
of April 16, 2024, using only unique United States registered 
entities.
    \8\ The estimated hourly cost (salary plus benefits) is a 
combination based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of 
2024, for 75% of the average of an Electrical Engineer (17-2071) 
$79.31/hr., 79.31 x .75 = 59.4825 ($59.48-rounded) ($59.48/hour) and 
25% of an Information and Record Clerk (43-4199) $44.74/hr., $44.74 
x .25% = 11.185 ($11.19 rounded) ($11.19/hour), for a total ($59.48 
+ $11.19 = $70.67/hour).
    \9\ For PER-003-2: 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.
    \10\ The estimated hourly cost (salary plus benefits) is a 
combination based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of 
2024. 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): Electrical Engineer 
(Occupation Code: 17-2071): $79.31 (to calculate the reporting 
requirements); Office and Administrative Support (Occupation Code: 
43-0000): $48.59 (to calculate the recordkeeping requirements).
    \11\ These values were derived from the NERC Compliance data of 
April 16, 2024, using only unique United States registered entities.
    \12\ The estimated hourly cost (salary plus benefits) is a 
combination based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of 
2024, for 75% of the average of an Electrical Engineer (17-2071) 
$79.31/hr., 79.31 x .75 = 59.4825 ($59.48-rounded) ($59.48/hour) and 
25% of an Information and Record Clerk (43-4199) $44.74/hr., $44.74 
x .25% = 11.185 ($11.19 rounded) ($11.19/hour), for a total ($59.48 
+ $11.19 = $70.67/hour).

                                                      Original 725 A IC24-23-000-From 60-Day Notice
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Number and    Annual number                                                                          Cost per
                                            type of     of responses    Total number     Avg. burden & cost per   Total annual burden hours   respondent
                                          respondents  per respondent   of responses          response \8\         & total annual cost ($)       ($)
                                              (1) \7\             (2)     (1) * (2) =  (4)......................  (3) * (4) = (5)..........    (5) / (1)
                                                                                  (3)
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Annual Review of 725A..................         3,711               1           3,711  379.21 hrs., $26,798.77..  1,407,238 hrs.,             $26,798.77
                                                                                                                   $99,449,509.46.
                                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total..............................  ............  ..............  ..............  .........................  1,407,238 hrs.,
                                                                                                                   $99,449,509.46.
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                               Original 725 A Moving to FERC-725Y in Docket No. IC24-16-000 Reliability Standard PER-003-2
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                                                                Annual number                                          Total annual burden     Cost per
                                        Number and type of      of responses    Total number     Avg. burden & cost    hours & total annual   respondent
                                          respondents \9\      per respondent   of responses     per response \10\           cost ($)            ($)
                                     (1).....................             (2)     (1) * (2) =  (4)..................  (3) * (4) = (5)......    (5) / (1)
                                                                                          (3)
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Annual Review of Credentials.......  12 (RC).................               1              12  60 hrs., $4,758.60...  720 hrs., $57,103.20.    $4,758.60
                                     98 (BA).................               1              98  60 hrs., $4,758.60...  5,880 hrs.,               4,758.60
                                                                                                                       $466,342.80.
                                     165 (TOP)...............               1             165  60 hrs., $4,758.60...  9,900 hrs., $785,169.     4,758.60
Record Retention...................  (RC, BA, TOP) 275.......               1             275  60 hrs., $2,915.40...  16,500 hrs., $801,735     2,915.40
                                    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total..........................  ........................  ..............  ..............  .....................  33,000 hrs.,
                                                                                                                       $2,110,350.
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                                 FAC-008-5 Transfer From FERC 725A to FERC 725D
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Number of                    Average number
                                Number of entity      annual     Total number   of burden hours    Total burden
                                      \11\          responses    of responses     per response        hours
                                                    per entity                        \12\
                               (1)...............          (2)     (1) * (2) =  (4)............  (3) * (4) = (5)
                                                                           (3)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               FERC-725A Decrease
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual review and record       324 (TO)..........            1             324  200 hrs., $      64,800 hrs., -
 retention.                                                                      70.67/hrs.       $4,579,416.
                               1210 (GO).........            1            1210  80 hrs., $       96,800 hrs.,
                                                                                 70.67/hrs.       $6,840,856.
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total Reduction in 725A    ..................  ...........  ..............  ...............  161,600 hrs.,
     for FAC-008-5.                                                                               $11,420,272.
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[[Page 88272]]

                                 FAC-003-2 Transfer From FERC 725A to FERC 725D
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                                                    Number of                    Average number
                                    Number of         annual     Total number   of burden hours    Total burden
                                   entity\13\       responses    of responses         per             hours
                                                    per entity                    response\14\
                               (1)...............          (2)     (1) * (2) =  (4)............  (3) * (4) = (5)
                                                                           (3)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               FERC-725A Decrease
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual review and record       324 (TO)..........            1             324  -24 hrs., $      -7,776 hrs., -
 retention.                                                                      70.67/hrs.       $549,529.92.
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total Reduction in 725A    ..................  ...........  ..............  ...............  -7,776 hrs., -
     for FAC-003-2.                                                                               $549,529.92.
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                                      PRC-008-0 Transfer From 725A to 725G
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Number of                    Average number
                                Number of entity      annual     Total number   of burden hours    Total burden
                                      \15\          responses    of responses     per response        hours
                                                    per entity                        \16\
                               (1)...............          (2)     (1) * (2) =  (4)............  (3) * (4) = (5)
                                                                           (3)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               FERC-725A Reduction
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual review and record       324 (TO)..........            1             324  -24 hrs., -      -7,776 hrs., -
 retention.                                                                      $1,696.08/hr.    $549,529.92.
                               371 (DP)..........            1             371  -24 hrs., -      -8,904 hrs., -
                                                                                 $1,696.08/hr.    $629,245.68.
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total Reduction in 725A    ..................  ...........  ..............  ...............  -18,680 hrs., -
     for PRC-008-0.                                                                               $1,178,775.60.
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                               PRC-011-0 Transfer From FERC 725A to FERC 725G \17\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Number of                    Average number
    Reliability standard &      Number of entity      annual     Total number   of burden hours    Total burden
         requirement                  \18\          responses    of responses     per response        hours
                                                    per entity                        \19\
                               (1)...............          (2)     (1) * (2) =  (4)............  (3) * (4) = (5)
                                                                           (3)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               FERC-725A Reduction
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual review and record       162 (TO)..........            1             162  -24 hrs.,        -3,888 hrs., -
 retention.                                                                      $1,696.08/hr.    $274,764.96.
                               181 (DP)..........            1             181  -24 hrs., -      -4,344 hrs., -
                                                                                 $1,696.08/hr.    $306,990.48.
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total Reduction in 725A    ..................  ...........  ..............  ...............  -8,232 hrs., -
     for PRC-011-0.                                                                               $581,755.44.
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    \13\ These values were derived from the NERC Compliance data of 
April 16, 2024, using only unique United States registered entities.
    \14\ The estimated hourly cost (salary plus benefits) is a 
combination based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of 
2024, for 75% of the average of an Electrical Engineer (17-2071) 
$79.31/hr., 79.31 x .75 = 59.4825 ($59.48-rounded) ($59.48/hour) and 
25% of an Information and Record Clerk (43-4199) $44.74/hr., $44.74 
x .25% = 11.185 ($11.19 rounded) ($11.19/hour), for a total ($59.48 
+ $11.19 = $70.67/hour).
    \15\ These values were derived from the NERC Compliance data of 
April 16, 2024, using only unique United States registered entities.
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    \16\ The estimated hourly cost (salary plus benefits) is a 
combination based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of 
2024, for 75% of the average of an Electrical Engineer (17-2071) 
$79.31/hr., 79.31 x .75 = 59.4825 ($59.48-rounded) ($59.48/hour) and 
25% of an Information and Record Clerk (43-4199) $44.74/hr., $44.74 
x .25% = 11.185 ($11.19 rounded) ($11.19/hour), for a total ($59.48 
+ $11.19 = $70.67/hour).
    \17\ For PRC-011-0 (Undervoltage Load Shedding System 
Maintenance and Testing) Reliability Standard, not ever applicable 
TO (324) and DP (371) have UVLS programs. Staff estimates that fifty 
percent of the TOs and DPs need to follow PRC-011-0, so the number 
of entities will be TO (162) and DP (181).
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    \18\ These values were derived from the NERC Compliance data of 
April 16, 2024, using only unique United States registered entities. 
For PRC-011-0 only half of the TO = Transmission Owner (324/2 = 162) 
and DP = Distribution Provider (371/2 = 180.5, rounded to 181).
    \19\ The estimated hourly cost (salary plus benefits) is a 
combination based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of 
2024, for 75% of the average of an Electrical Engineer (17-2071) 
$79.31/hr., 79.31 x .75 = 59.4825 ($59.48-rounded) ($59.48/hour) and 
25% of an Information and Record Clerk (43-4199) $44.74/hr., $44.74 
x .25% = 11.185 ($11.19 rounded) ($11.19/hour), for a total ($59.48 
+ $11.19 = $70.67/hour).

[[Page 88273]]

                                 PRC-017-1 Transfer From FERC 725A to FERC 725G
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Number of                    Average number
                                Number of entity      annual     Total number   of burden hours    Total burden
                                      \20\          responses    of responses     per response        hours
                                                    per entity                        \21\
                               (1)...............          (2)     (1) * (2) =  (4)............  (3) * (4) = (5)
                                                                           (3)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               FERC-725A Reduction
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual review and record       324 (TO)..........            1             324  -80 hrs., -      -25,920 hrs., -
 retention.                                                                      $5,653.60/hr.    $1,831,766.40.
                               371 (DP)..........            1             371  -24 hrs., -      -8,904 hrs., -
                                                                                 $1,696.08/hr.    $629,245.68.
                               1,210 (GO)........            1           1,210  -24 hrs., -      -29,040 hrs., -
                                                                                 $1,696.08/hr.    $2,052,256.80.
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total Reduction in 725A    ..................  ...........  ..............  ...............  -63,864 hrs., -
     for PRC-017-1.                                                                               $4,513,268.88.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                   725A Master
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Number of                    Average number
                                Number of entity      annual     Total number   of burden hours    Total burden
                                      \22\          responses    of responses     per response        hours
                                                    per entity                        \23\
                               (1)...............          (2)     (1) * (2) =  (4)............  (3) * (4) = (5)
                                                                           (3)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    FERC-725A
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INT-006-5....................  168 (BA, TSP).....            1             168  120 hrs.,        20,160 hrs.,
                                                                                 $8,480.40.       $1,424,707.20.
INT-009-3....................  98 (BA)...........            1              98  120 hrs.,        11,760 hrs.,
                                                                                 $8,480.40.       $831,079.20.
TOP-001-6....................  1,567 (BA, TOP,               1            1567  120 hrs.,        188,040 hrs.,
                                GOP, DP).                                        $8,480.40.       $13,288,787.80
                                                                                                  .
TOP-002-5....................  422 (TO, BA)......            1             422  120 hrs.,        50,640 hrs.,
                                                                                 $8,480.40.       $3,578,728.80.
TOP-003-6.1..................  1,567 (BA, TOP,               1            1567  120 hrs.,        188,040 hrs.,
                                GOP, DP).                                        $8,480.40.       $13,288,786.80
                                                                                                  .
TOP-010-1(i).................  422 (TO, BA)......            1             422  120 hrs.,        50,640 hrs.,
                                                                                 $8,480.40.       $3,578,728.80.
725A BPS Record Keeping......  3,711 (All).......            1           3,711  160 hrs.,        593,760 hrs.,
                                                                                 $11,307.20.      $41,961,019.20
                                                                                                  .
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    FERC 725A Total..........  ..................  ...........  ..............  ...............  1,103,040 hrs.,
                                                                                                  $77,951,836.80
                                                                                                  .
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     
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    \20\ These values were derived from the NERC Compliance data of 
April 16, 2024, using only unique United States registered entities.
    \21\ The estimated hourly cost (salary plus benefits) is a 
combination based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of 
2024, for 75% of the average of an Electrical Engineer (17-2071) 
$79.31/hr., 79.31 x .75 = 59.4825 ($59.48-rounded) ($59.48/hour) and 
25% of an Information and Record Clerk (43-4199) $44.74/hr., $44.74 
x .25% = 11.185 ($11.19 rounded) ($11.19/hour), for a total ($59.48 
+ $11.19 = $70.67/hour).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \22\ This is a list of NERC registered entities who under 725A 
need to follow the NERC Standards. BA = Balancing Authority (98); DP 
= Distribution Provider (371); GP = Generator Owner (1,210); 
Generator Operator (1028); PA/PC Planning Authority/Planning 
Coordinator (62); RC=Reliability Coordinator (12); RP = Resource 
Planner (159); RSG = Reserve Sharing Group (8); FRSG = Frequency 
Response Sharing Group (1); TO = Transmission Owner (324); TOP = 
Transmission Operator (165); TP = Transmission Provided (203); TSP = 
Transmission Service Provider (70); for a sum total of (3,711). The 
same entity may have multiple registration obligation to follow 
under 725A, so an individual entity's obligation increases based on 
registration functions. These values were derived from the NERC 
Compliance data of April 16, 2024, using only unique United States 
registered entities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \23\ The estimated hourly cost (salary plus benefits) is a 
combination based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of 
2024, for 75% of the average of an Electrical Engineer (17-2071) 
$79.31/hr., 79.31 x .75 = 59.4825 ($59.48-rounded) ($59.48/hour) and 
25% of an Information and Record Clerk (43-4199) $44.74/hr., $44.74 
x .25% = 11.185 ($11.19 rounded) ($11.19/hour), for a total ($59.48 
+ $11.19 = $70.67/hour).

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[[Page 88274]]

    Third table to show different from table 1 minus table 2.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                Number of
     Reliability standard &        Number of      annual     Total number   Average number of     Total burden
          requirement              entities     responses    of  responses   burden hours per        hours
                                     \24\       per entity                    response \25\
                                          (1)          (2)     (1) * (2) =  (4)..............  (3) * (4) = (5)
                                                                       (3)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         FERC-725A--Reliability Standards being removed and transferred
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mandatory Reliability Standards         3,711            1           3,711  379.21 hrs.,       1,407,238 hrs.,
 for Bulk Power System.                                                      $26,798.77.        $99,449,509.46.
Determine facility ratings               -369            1            -369  -48 hrs..........  -17,712 hrs.
 consistent with methodology,                                                                   (Reduction).
 R6 Net Changes.
FAC-008-5 Net Changes..........        -1,003            1          -1,003  -418.86 hrs......  -420,117 hrs.
                                                                                                (Reduction).
FAC-003-2 Net Changes..........          -330            1            -330  -24 hrs..........  -1,760 hrs.
                                                                                                (Reduction).
Mandatory Bulk-Power System:             -251            1            -251  -2,782.53 hrs....  -698,414 hrs.
 Reporting Net Changes.                                                                         (Reduction).
TOP-002-5 (One-Time) Net                  -98            1             -98  -13.33 hrs.......  -1,306 hrs.
 Changes.                                                                                       (Reduction).
Total Net Changes..............  ............  ...........  ..............  .................  -510,736 hrs.
                                                                                                removed/
                                                                                                transferred +
                                                                                                206,538 hrs.
                                                                                                Modified =
                                                                                                304,198 hrs.
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total for FERC-725A........  ............  ...........  ..............  .................  1,103,040 hrs.,
                                                                                                $77,951,836.80.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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.
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    \24\ These values were derived from the NERC Compliance data of 
April 16, 2024, using only unique United States registered entities.
    \25\ The estimated hourly cost (salary plus benefits) is a 
combination based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of 
2024, for 75% of the average of an Electrical Engineer (17-2071) 
$79.31/hr., 79.31 x .75 = 59.4825 ($59.48-rounded) ($59.48/hour) and 
25% of an Information and Record Clerk (43-4199) $44.74/hr., $44.74 
x .25% = 11.185 ($11.19 rounded) ($11.19/hour), for a total ($59.48 
+ $11.19 = $70.67/hour).

    Dated: October 31, 2024.
Carlos D. Clay,
Acting Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024-25847 Filed 11-6-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
```