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View ICR - Agency Submission
OMB Control No:
1902-0246
ICR Reference No:
202506-1902-001
Status:
Received in OIRA
Previous ICR Reference No:
202404-1902-004
Agency/Subagency:
FERC
Agency Tracking No:
FERC-725E
Title:
FERC-725E: Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Western Electric Coordinating Council (RD25-6) (BAL-004-WECC-4)
Type of Information Collection:
No material or nonsubstantive change to a currently approved collection
Common Form ICR:
No
Type of Review Request:
Regular
Date Submitted to OIRA:
07/29/2025
Requested
Previously Approved
Expiration Date
09/30/2027
09/30/2027
Responses
1,244
1,244
Time Burden (Hours)
2,358
2,358
Cost Burden (Dollars)
0
0
Abstract:
FERC-725E is the information collection that is required to implement the statutory provisions of section 215 of the Federal Power Act (FPA) (16 U.S.C. 824o). Section 215 of the FPA buttresses the Commission's efforts to strengthen the reliability of the interstate grid through the grant of new authority by providing for a system of mandatory Reliability Standards developed by the Electric Reliability Organization (ERO). The FERC 725E information collection pertains specifically to the Western Electric Coordinating Council (WECC). WECC promotes bulk electric system reliability in the Western Interconnection. WECC is the Regional Entity responsible for compliance monitoring and enforcement. In addition, WECC provides an environment for the development of Reliability Standards and the coordination of the operating and planning activities of its members as set forth in the WECC Bylaws. There are several regional Reliability Standards in the WECC region. These regional Reliability Standards generally require entities to document compliance with substantive requirements, retain documentation, and submit reports to WECC. In RD24-2-000, standard VAR-501-WECC-3.1 is being updated for syntax and the proposed changes have been deemed non-substantive. The currently approved VAR-501-WECC-3.1 is being replaced by VAR-501-WECC-4. The changes include updates to document numbering, the removal and replacement of obsolete language, and removal of redundant language. For the purposes of the extension, the following standards will remain unchanged: BAL-002-WECC-3 (Contingency Reserve) - requires balancing authorities and reserve sharing groups to document compliance with the contingency reserve requirements described in the standard. BAL-004-WECC-3 (Automatic Time Error Correction) - requires balancing authorities to document that time error corrections and primary inadvertent interchange payback were conducted according to the requirements in the standard. FAC-501-WECC-2 (Transmission Maintenance) - requires transmission owners with certain transmission paths to have a transmission maintenance and inspection plan and to document maintenance and inspection activities according to the plan. IRO-006-WECC-3 (Qualified Transfer Path Unscheduled Flow (USF) Relief) - requires balancing authorities and reliability coordinators to document actions taken to mitigate unscheduled flow. VAR-501-WECC-4 (Power System Stabilizers (PSS)) requires the Western Interconnection is operated in a coordinated manner under normal and abnormal conditions by establishing the performance criteria for WECC power system stabilizers.
Authorizing Statute(s):
US Code:
16 USC 824o
Name of Law: Federal Power Act
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:
89 FR 8186
02/06/2024
30-day Notice:
Federal Register Citation:
Citation Date:
89 FR 34232
04/30/2024
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR?
No
Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR:
1
IC Title
Form No.
Form Name
FERC-725E (WECC Reliability Standards)
ICR Summary of Burden
Total Request
Previously Approved
Change Due to New Statute
Change Due to Agency Discretion
Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate
Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses
1,244
1,244
0
0
0
0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)
2,358
2,358
0
0
0
0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)
0
0
0
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:
No
Burden Reduction Due to:
Short Statement:
The modification from the VAR-501-WECC-3.1 to VAR-501-WECC-4 were edits to the syntax of the standard. This update did not change the requirements in material. However, during this modification, the Commission reviewed the burden estimates and updated according to changes due to normal adjustments in the industry (i.e., firms entering and exiting the industry). Thus, decreasing the number of respondents by 1 and increasing the hours by 440 total.
Annual Cost to Federal Government:
$8,396
Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods?
No
Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see
OMB Circular No. A-130
for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.
No
Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see
5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3)
)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.
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?
No
Agency Contact:
David O'Conner 202 502-6695
Common Form ICR:
No
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;
(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;
(c) It reduces burden on small entities;
(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;
(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;
(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;
(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.
(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and
(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Certification Date:
07/29/2025
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