View Information Collection Request (ICR) Package

OMB Control No: 1902-0259	ICR Reference No: 201404-1902-004
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201212-1902-003
Agency/Subagency: FERC	Agency Tracking No: FERC-725J
Title: Definition of the Bulk Electric System (Order in RD14-2-000)
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR: No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved with change	Conclusion Date: 06/19/2014
	Date Received in OIRA: 04/24/2014
Terms of Clearance: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the revisions to the information collection are approved and the expiration date of May 31, 2016, from the current clearance remains in effect.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	05/31/2016	36 Months From Approved	05/31/2016
Responses	2,193	0	2,193
Time Burden (Hours)	154,073	0	154,960
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

Abstract: On December 13, 2013, NERC filed proposed revisions to the definition of bulk electric system. NERC states that the proposed revisions address the Commission's directives in Order Nos. 773 and 773-A, and respond to industry concerns raised during the initial development of the revisions to the definition (Phase 1). NERC states that the proposed revisions should result in minimal changes to the elements included in the bulk electric system. NERC explains that the proposed revisions add clarity and granularity that will allow for greater transparency and consistency in the identification of elements and facilities that make up the bulk electric system and are responsive to the technical and policy concerns discussed in Order Nos. 773 and 773-A. NERC states that the proposed revisions improve upon the Phase 1 definition approved by the Commission in Order Nos. 773 and 773-A and provide a "technically grounded and legally supportable foundation" for identifying elements and facilities that make up the bulk electric system. According to NERC, the proposed definition is consistent, repeatable, and verifiable and will provide clarity that will assist NERC and affected entities in implementing Reliability Standards. The Order in RD14-2-000 proposes no changes to the core BES definition, Inclusion I3 or Exclusion E2. Rather, the primary revisions are to inclusion I4 (dispersed power producing resources) and exclusions E1 (radial systems), E3 (local networks) and E4 (reactive power devices). NERC proposes minor clarifying changes to inclusion I1 (transformers), inclusion I2 (generating resources), and inclusion I5 (static or dynamic reactive power devices). This results in a net decrease of 887 burden hours.

Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 16 USC 824o Name of Law: Energy Policy Act of 2005

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	79 FR 4894	01/30/2014
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	79 FR 22811	04/24/2014
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? Yes

ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to Agency Discretion
Annual Number of Responses	2,193	2,193	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	154,073	154,960	-887
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Reduction Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Short Statement: The Commission estimates a modest decrease (887 burden hours) in information collection and reporting that would result from implementing the proposed revisions to the definition of bulk electric system. Specifically, the Commission estimates a decrease in information collection and reporting that would result from implementing NERC's proposed revisions to the definition of bulk electric system. The estimate is derived in NERC's alternative proposal in addressing the Commission's concern regarding low voltage looped configurations. This administrative burden falls into the category of "System Review and List Creation" as described in Order Nos. 773 and 773-A.

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $5,092

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Is the Supporting Statement intended to be a Privacy Impact Assessment required by the E-Government Act of 2002? No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

Agency Contact: Susan Morris 202 502-6803

View ICR - OIRA Conclusion