Ferc Dlo

FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20426

OFFICE OF ELECTRIC RELIABILITY

North American Electric Reliability Corporation

Docket No. RD16-9-000

October 28, 2016

North American Electric Reliability Corporation

1325 G Street N.W., Suite 600

Washington, D.C. 20005

Attention: Candice Castaneda

Counsel for North American Electric Reliability Corporation

Reference: Petition of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation for Approval of Proposed Reliability Standard COM-001-3

Dear Mr. Elstein:

On August 15, 2016, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) filed a petition for Commission approval, pursuant to section 215(d)(1) of the Federal Power Act (FPA)¹ and Section 39.5 of the Commission’s regulations², of proposed revised Reliability Standard COM-001-3 (Communications). NERC also seeks approval of the associated implementation plan, the retirement of the currently-effective Reliability Standard COM-001-2.1, and the Violation Risk Factors and Violation Severity Levels associated with new Requirements R12 and R13 proposed in Reliability Standard COM-001-3.

NERC states in its petition that the proposed revised Reliability Standard COM‑001-3 “revises Reliability Standard COM-001-2.1 pursuant to the Commission’s directive in Order No. 808, by adding new Requirements R12 and R13 to expressly require applicable entities to have internal Interpersonal Communication capabilities for the exchange of information necessary for the Reliable Operation of the BES.³” NERC states that “[t]he proposed Requirements would ensure that Reliability Standard COM‑001-3 clearly address internal Interpersonal Communications capabilities that could involve the issuance or receipt of Operating Instruction or other communication that could impact reliability. This would include, for example, internal Interpersonal Communications capabilities for control centers within the same functional entity (including geographically separate control centers) and/or between a control center and field personnel.”⁴

NERC’s filing was noticed on August 15, 2016, with interventions, comments and protests due on or before September 14, 2016. No interventions, comments or protests were received.

NERC’s uncontested petition is hereby approved pursuant to the relevant authority delegated to the Director, Office of Electric Reliability under 18 C.F.R. § 375.303 (2016), effective as of July 1, 2016.

This action shall not be construed as approving any other application, including proposed revisions of Electric Reliability Organization or Regional Entity rules or procedures pursuant to 18 C.F.R. § 375.303(a)(2)(i). Such action shall not be deemed as recognition of any claimed right or obligation associated therewith and such action is without prejudice to any findings or orders that have been or may hereafter be made by the Commission in any proceeding now pending or hereafter instituted by or against the Electric Reliability Organization or any Regional Entity.

This order constitutes final agency action. Requests for rehearing by the Commission may be filed within 30 days of the date of issuance of this order, pursuant to 18 C.F.R. § 385.713 (2016).

Sincerely,

Michael Bardee, Director

Office of Electric Reliability

1 16 U.S.C. § 824o (2012).

2 18 C.F.R. § 39.5 (2016).

3 NERC petition at 10.

4 Id at 12.