Commission Information Collection Activities; Consolidated Comment Request; Extension

AGENCY:

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

ACTION:

Notice of information collections and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC) is soliciting public comment on the requirements and burden of the FERC-714 (Annual Electric Balancing Authority Area and Planning Area Report) and FERC-730 (Report of Transmission Investment Activity) information collections.

DATES:

Comments on the collections of information are due February 22, 2016.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments (identified by Docket No. IC16-5-000) by either of the following methods:

• eFiling at Commission's Web site: http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp.
• Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426.

Please reference the specific collection number and/or title in your comments.

Instructions: All submissions must be formatted and filed in accordance with submission guidelines at: http://www.ferc.gov/help/submission-guide.asp. For user assistance contact FERC Online Support by email at ferconlinesupport@ferc.gov, or by phone at: (866) 208-3676 (toll-free), or (202) 502-8659 for TTY.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ellen Brown may be reached by email at DataClearance@FERC.gov, telephone at (202) 502-8663, and fax at (202) 273-0873.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Type of Request: Three-year extension of the information collection requirements for all collections described below with no changes to the current reporting requirements. Please note that each collection is distinct from the next.

Comments: Comments are invited on: (1) whether the collections of information are 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 estimates of the burden and cost of the collections of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collections; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collections of information on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

FERC-714, [Annual Electric Balancing Authority Area and Planning Area Report]

OMB Control No.: 1902-0140.

Abstract: The Commission uses the FERC-714 data to analyze power system operations. These analyses estimate the effect of changes in power system operations resulting from the installation of a new generating unit or plant, transmission facilities, energy transfers between systems, and/or new points of interconnections. The FERC-714 data assists in providing a broad picture of interconnected balancing authority area operations including comprehensive information of balancing authority area generation, actual and scheduled inter-balancing authority area power transfers, and net energy for load, summer and winter generation peaks and system lambda. The Commission also uses the data to prepare status reports on the electric utility industry including a review of inter-balancing authority area bulk power trade information.

The Commission uses the collected data from planning areas to monitor forecasted demands by electric utilities with fundamental demand responsibilities and to develop hourly demand characteristics.

Type of Respondent: Electric utility balancing authorities and planning areas in the United States.

Estimate of Annual Burden: The Commission estimates the annual public reporting burden and cost (rounded) for the information collection as follows:

FERC-730, [Report of Transmission Investment Activity]

OMB Control No.: 1902-0239.

Abstract: Pursuant to Section 219 of the Federal Power Act, the Commission issued FERC Order No. 679, Promoting Transmission Investment Through Pricing Reform. In Order No. 679 FERC amended its regulations in 18 CFR 35.35 to establish incentive-based (including performance-based) rate treatments for the transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce by public utilities. The Commission intended the order to benefit consumers by ensuring reliability and to reduce the cost of delivered power by reducing transmission congestion. Order No. 679 also adopted an annual reporting requirement (FERC-730) for utilities that receive incentive rate treatment for specific transmission projects. The FERC-730 provides annual data on transmission capital expenditures as well as project status detail. The Commission requires that filers specify which projects are currently receiving incentives in the project detail table and that they group together those facilities receiving the same incentive. Specifically, in accordance with the statute, public utilities with incentive rates must file:

• Actual transmission investment for the most recent calendar year, and projected, incremental investments for the next five calendar years (in dollar terms); and
• a project by project listing that specifies for each project the most up to date, expected completion date, percentage completion as of the date of filing, and reasons for delays for all current and projected investments over the next five calendar years. Projects with projected costs less than $20 million are excluded from this listing.

To ensure that Commission rules are successfully meeting the objectives of Section 219, the Commission collects industry data, projections and related information that detail the level of investment. FERC-730 information regarding projected investments as well as information about completed projects allows the Commission to monitor the success of the transmission pricing reforms and to determine the status of critical projects and reasons for delay.

Type of Respondent: Public utilities that have been granted incentives based rate treatment for specific transmission projects under the provisions of 18 CFR 35.35(h) must file the FERC-730.

Estimate of Annual Burden: The Commission estimates the annual public reporting burden for the information collection as: