In accordance
with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for three
years.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
07/31/2021
36 Months From Approved
05/31/2021
6,673
0
5,881
523,795
0
500,647
0
0
0
NOTE: This ICR concerns the RM17-8-000
Final Rule (FERC-516, OMB Control No.: 1902-0096, RIN: 1902-AF33).
The NOPR in RM17-8-000 was submitted under the FERC-516F
information collection (OMB Control No. 1902-0297) due to another
unrelated pending item in FERC-516. As a result, this ICR is
submitted as a project "not associated with rulemaking" due to
submission limitations in ROCIS. As such, both the 60-day and
30-day notice fields have Federal Register citations which are
populated with data concerning the Final Rule. See the supporting
statement which contains further information related to this
project. In the Final Rule in Docket No. RM17-8-000, the Commission
is approving ten reforms that focus on improving aspects of the pro
forma LGIA and LGIP. The approved reforms fall into three broad
categories and are intended to: • improve certainty in the
interconnection process; • improve transparency by providing more
information to interconnection customers; and • enhance
interconnection processes. First, the Commission approves two
reforms to improve certainty by affording interconnection customers
more predictability in the interconnection process. To accomplish
this goal, the Commission adopts reforms to: • remove from the pro
forma LGIA the limitation that interconnection customers may only
exercise the option to build transmission provider’s
interconnection facilities and stand alone network upgrades if the
transmission owner cannot meet the dates proposed by the
interconnection customer; and • require that transmission providers
modify their LGIPs to establish dispute resolution procedures that
disputing parties may initiate unilaterally. Second, the Commission
adopts four reforms to improve transparency by providing improved
information for the benefit of all participants in the
interconnection process. These reforms would provide a fuller
picture of the considerations involved in interconnecting a new
large generating facility. The Commission adopts reforms tos: •
require transmission providers to outline and make public a method
for determining contingent facilities in their LGIPs and LGIAs
based upon guiding principles in the Final Rule; • require
transmission providers to list either on their websites or on their
Open Access Same-Time Information System (OASIS) sites the specific
study processes and assumptions for forming the networking models
used for interconnection studies; • revise the definition of
“Generating Facility” in the pro forma LGIP and LGIA to explicitly
include electric storage resources; and • create a system of
reporting requirements for aggregate interconnection study
performance. Third, the Commission approves four reforms to enhance
interconnection processes by making use of underutilized existing
interconnections, providing interconnection service earlier, or
accommodating changes in the development process. In this area, the
Commission adopts reforms to: • allow interconnection customers to
limit their requested level of interconnection service below their
generating facility capacity; • require transmission providers to
allow for provisional agreements so that interconnection customers
can operate on a limited basis prior to completion of the full
interconnection process; • require transmission providers to create
a process for interconnection customers to use surplus
interconnection service at existing interconnection points; and •
require transmission providers to set forth a separate procedure to
allow transmission providers to assess and, if necessary, study an
interconnection customer’s technology changes (e.g., incorporation
of a newer turbine model) without a change to the interconnection
customer’s queue position.
The approved revisions in this
docket would require filings of pro forma LGIAs and pro forma LGIPs
with the Commission, as well as periodic postings to a transmission
provider’s OASIS site or its websites. The increase in burden is
due to the approved improvements to the interconnection process.
Commission staff anticipates that the adopted reforms, once
implemented, would not significantly change currently existing
burdens on an ongoing basis. In regards to OASIS postings
specifically, Commission staff anticipates that the majority of the
burden associated with those requirements would be incurred in the
first year developing the necessary processes and procedures to
generate the data to be posted, and that in subsequent years there
will be minimal burden to make those postings.
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:
(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;
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.
RM17-8-000 Final Rule supporting statement.docx
18 CFR 35.pdf
Electric Rates Schedules and Tariff Filings (RM17-8-000, ongoing)