Press Release, RM14-12

February 19, 2015
News Media Contact
Craig Cano | 202-502-8680
Docket Nos. RR15-2-000, RM14-12-000
Item Nos. E-10, E-11

FERC Approves NERC’s Risk-Based Approach to Electric Reliability Compliance
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) today approved the North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s
(NERC) risk-based approach to monitoring and enforcing compliance with mandatory electric reliability standards.
According to NERC, the Reliability Assurance Initiative approach to compliance focuses resources on higher-risk issues
that matter more to reliability, while still identifying, correcting and tracking lesser-risk issues.
Today’s action approves implementation and continued development of the Reliability Assurance Initiative proposed by
NERC, subject to conditions and an annual reporting requirement. The Reliability Assurance Initiative builds on NERC’s
Find, Fix, Track and Report program that is used to resolve noncompliance issues posing only minimal or moderate risks
to the bulk power system. According to NERC, the Reliability Assurance Initiative will provide a reasonable assurance of
reliability through compliance monitoring and appropriate deterrence through enforcement for minimal risk issues.
In addition to the conditions required by the order, NERC is directed to submit a compliance filing, due within 90 days,
to revise NERC’s rules of procedures to include the Reliability Assurance Initiative concepts and programs in its
Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Program. This will ensure meaningful Commission oversight and transparency,
the order said.
In a separate order issued today, the Commission approved a new reliability standard (MOD-031-1, Demand and Energy
Data) that allows electric power system planners and operators to collect demand, energy and related data to support
reliability studies and assessments. The standard will promote consistent documentation, information sharing and
efficient planning practices across the industry as well as help identify needed system reinforcements.
R-15-24

(30)