16 U.S.C. 824o

Page 1303

TITLE 16—CONSERVATION

garding formation and operation of regional transmission organizations.

§ 824o. Electric reliability
(a) Definitions
For purposes of this section:
(1) The term ‘‘bulk-power system’’ means—
(A) facilities and control systems necessary for operating an interconnected electric energy transmission network (or any
portion thereof); and
(B) electric energy from generation facilities needed to maintain transmission system
reliability.
The term does not include facilities used in
the local distribution of electric energy.
(2) The terms ‘‘Electric Reliability Organization’’ and ‘‘ERO’’ mean the organization certified by the Commission under subsection (c)
the purpose of which is to establish and enforce reliability standards for the bulk-power
system, subject to Commission review.
(3) The term ‘‘reliability standard’’ means a
requirement, approved by the Commission
under this section, to provide for reliable operation of the bulk-power system. The term includes requirements for the operation of existing bulk-power system facilities, including
cybersecurity protection, and the design of
planned additions or modifications to such facilities to the extent necessary to provide for
reliable operation of the bulk-power system,
but the term does not include any requirement
to enlarge such facilities or to construct new
transmission capacity or generation capacity.
(4) The term ‘‘reliable operation’’ means operating the elements of the bulk-power system
within equipment and electric system thermal, voltage, and stability limits so that instability, uncontrolled separation, or cascading failures of such system will not occur as a
result of a sudden disturbance, including a
cybersecurity incident, or unanticipated failure of system elements.
(5) The term ‘‘Interconnection’’ means a geographic area in which the operation of bulkpower system components is synchronized
such that the failure of one or more of such
components may adversely affect the ability
of the operators of other components within
the system to maintain reliable operation of
the facilities within their control.
(6) The term ‘‘transmission organization’’
means a Regional Transmission Organization,
Independent System Operator, independent
transmission provider, or other transmission
organization finally approved by the Commission for the operation of transmission facilities.
(7) The term ‘‘regional entity’’ means an entity having enforcement authority pursuant to
subsection (e)(4).
(8) The term ‘‘cybersecurity incident’’ means
a malicious act or suspicious event that disrupts, or was an attempt to disrupt, the operation of those programmable electronic devices and communication networks including
hardware, software and data that are essential
to the reliable operation of the bulk power
system.

§ 824o

(b) Jurisdiction and applicability
(1) The Commission shall have jurisdiction,
within the United States, over the ERO certified
by the Commission under subsection (c), any regional entities, and all users, owners and operators of the bulk-power system, including but not
limited to the entities described in section 824(f)
of this title, for purposes of approving reliability
standards established under this section and enforcing compliance with this section. All users,
owners and operators of the bulk-power system
shall comply with reliability standards that
take effect under this section.
(2) The Commission shall issue a final rule to
implement the requirements of this section not
later than 180 days after August 8, 2005.
(c) Certification
Following the issuance of a Commission rule
under subsection (b)(2), any person may submit
an application to the Commission for certification as the Electric Reliability Organization.
The Commission may certify one such ERO if
the Commission determines that such ERO—
(1) has the ability to develop and enforce,
subject to subsection (e)(2), reliability standards that provide for an adequate level of reliability of the bulk-power system; and
(2) has established rules that—
(A) assure its independence of the users
and owners and operators of the bulk-power
system, while assuring fair stakeholder representation in the selection of its directors
and balanced decisionmaking in any ERO
committee or subordinate organizational
structure;
(B) allocate equitably reasonable dues,
fees, and other charges among end users for
all activities under this section;
(C) provide fair and impartial procedures
for enforcement of reliability standards
through the imposition of penalties in accordance with subsection (e) (including limitations on activities, functions, or operations, or other appropriate sanctions);
(D) provide for reasonable notice and opportunity for public comment, due process,
openness, and balance of interests in developing reliability standards and otherwise exercising its duties; and
(E) provide for taking, after certification,
appropriate steps to gain recognition in Canada and Mexico.
(d) Reliability standards
(1) The Electric Reliability Organization shall
file each reliability standard or modification to
a reliability standard that it proposes to be
made effective under this section with the Commission.
(2) The Commission may approve, by rule or
order, a proposed reliability standard or modification to a reliability standard if it determines
that the standard is just, reasonable, not unduly
discriminatory or preferential, and in the public
interest. The Commission shall give due weight
to the technical expertise of the Electric Reliability Organization with respect to the content
of a proposed standard or modification to a reliability standard and to the technical expertise
of a regional entity organized on an Inter-

§ 824o

TITLE 16—CONSERVATION

connection-wide basis with respect to a reliability standard to be applicable within that Interconnection, but shall not defer with respect to
the effect of a standard on competition. A proposed standard or modification shall take effect
upon approval by the Commission.
(3) The Electric Reliability Organization shall
rebuttably presume that a proposal from a regional entity organized on an Interconnectionwide basis for a reliability standard or modification to a reliability standard to be applicable on
an Interconnection-wide basis is just, reasonable, and not unduly discriminatory or preferential, and in the public interest.
(4) The Commission shall remand to the Electric Reliability Organization for further consideration a proposed reliability standard or a
modification to a reliability standard that the
Commission disapproves in whole or in part.
(5) The Commission, upon its own motion or
upon complaint, may order the Electric Reliability Organization to submit to the Commission a proposed reliability standard or a modification to a reliability standard that addresses
a specific matter if the Commission considers
such a new or modified reliability standard appropriate to carry out this section.
(6) The final rule adopted under subsection
(b)(2) shall include fair processes for the identification and timely resolution of any conflict
between a reliability standard and any function,
rule, order, tariff, rate schedule, or agreement
accepted, approved, or ordered by the Commission applicable to a transmission organization.
Such transmission organization shall continue
to comply with such function, rule, order, tariff,
rate schedule or agreement accepted, approved,
or ordered by the Commission until—
(A) the Commission finds a conflict exists
between a reliability standard and any such
provision;
(B) the Commission orders a change to such
provision pursuant to section 824e of this title;
and
(C) the ordered change becomes effective
under this subchapter.
If the Commission determines that a reliability
standard needs to be changed as a result of such
a conflict, it shall order the ERO to develop and
file with the Commission a modified reliability
standard under paragraph (4) or (5) of this subsection.
(e) Enforcement
(1) The ERO may impose, subject to paragraph
(2), a penalty on a user or owner or operator of
the bulk-power system for a violation of a reliability standard approved by the Commission
under subsection (d) if the ERO, after notice and
an opportunity for a hearing—
(A) finds that the user or owner or operator
has violated a reliability standard approved by
the Commission under subsection (d); and
(B) files notice and the record of the proceeding with the Commission.
(2) A penalty imposed under paragraph (1) may
take effect not earlier than the 31st day after
the ERO files with the Commission notice of the
penalty and the record of proceedings. Such penalty shall be subject to review by the Commis-

Page 1304

sion, on its own motion or upon application by
the user, owner or operator that is the subject of
the penalty filed within 30 days after the date
such notice is filed with the Commission. Application to the Commission for review, or the initiation of review by the Commission on its own
motion, shall not operate as a stay of such penalty unless the Commission otherwise orders
upon its own motion or upon application by the
user, owner or operator that is the subject of
such penalty. In any proceeding to review a penalty imposed under paragraph (1), the Commission, after notice and opportunity for hearing
(which hearing may consist solely of the record
before the ERO and opportunity for the presentation of supporting reasons to affirm, modify,
or set aside the penalty), shall by order affirm,
set aside, reinstate, or modify the penalty, and,
if appropriate, remand to the ERO for further
proceedings. The Commission shall implement
expedited procedures for such hearings.
(3) On its own motion or upon complaint, the
Commission may order compliance with a reliability standard and may impose a penalty
against a user or owner or operator of the bulkpower system if the Commission finds, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, that the user
or owner or operator of the bulk-power system
has engaged or is about to engage in any acts or
practices that constitute or will constitute a
violation of a reliability standard.
(4) The Commission shall issue regulations authorizing the ERO to enter into an agreement to
delegate authority to a regional entity for the
purpose of proposing reliability standards to the
ERO and enforcing reliability standards under
paragraph (1) if—
(A) the regional entity is governed by—
(i) an independent board;
(ii) a balanced stakeholder board; or
(iii) a combination independent and balanced stakeholder board.
(B) the regional entity otherwise satisfies
the provisions of subsection (c)(1) and (2); and
(C) the agreement promotes effective and efficient administration of bulk-power system
reliability.
The Commission may modify such delegation.
The ERO and the Commission shall rebuttably
presume that a proposal for delegation to a regional entity organized on an Interconnectionwide basis promotes effective and efficient administration of bulk-power system reliability
and should be approved. Such regulation may
provide that the Commission may assign the
ERO’s authority to enforce reliability standards
under paragraph (1) directly to a regional entity
consistent with the requirements of this paragraph.
(5) The Commission may take such action as is
necessary or appropriate against the ERO or a
regional entity to ensure compliance with a reliability standard or any Commission order affecting the ERO or a regional entity.
(6) Any penalty imposed under this section
shall bear a reasonable relation to the seriousness of the violation and shall take into consideration the efforts of such user, owner, or operator to remedy the violation in a timely manner.

Page 1305

§ 824o–1

TITLE 16—CONSERVATION

(f) Changes in Electric Reliability Organization
rules
The Electric Reliability Organization shall
file with the Commission for approval any proposed rule or proposed rule change, accompanied
by an explanation of its basis and purpose. The
Commission, upon its own motion or complaint,
may propose a change to the rules of the ERO.
A proposed rule or proposed rule change shall
take effect upon a finding by the Commission,
after notice and opportunity for comment, that
the change is just, reasonable, not unduly discriminatory or preferential, is in the public interest, and satisfies the requirements of subsection (c).
(g) Reliability reports
The ERO shall conduct periodic assessments of
the reliability and adequacy of the bulk-power
system in North America.
(h) Coordination with Canada and Mexico
The President is urged to negotiate international agreements with the governments of
Canada and Mexico to provide for effective compliance with reliability standards and the effectiveness of the ERO in the United States and
Canada or Mexico.
(i) Savings provisions
(1) The ERO shall have authority to develop
and enforce compliance with reliability standards for only the bulk-power system.
(2) This section does not authorize the ERO or
the Commission to order the construction of additional generation or transmission capacity or
to set and enforce compliance with standards for
adequacy or safety of electric facilities or services.
(3) Nothing in this section shall be construed
to preempt any authority of any State to take
action to ensure the safety, adequacy, and reliability of electric service within that State, as
long as such action is not inconsistent with any
reliability standard, except that the State of
New York may establish rules that result in
greater reliability within that State, as long as
such action does not result in lesser reliability
outside the State than that provided by the reliability standards.
(4) Within 90 days of the application of the
Electric Reliability Organization or other affected party, and after notice and opportunity
for comment, the Commission shall issue a final
order determining whether a State action is inconsistent with a reliability standard, taking
into consideration any recommendation of the
ERO.
(5) The Commission, after consultation with
the ERO and the State taking action, may stay
the effectiveness of any State action, pending
the Commission’s issuance of a final order.
(j) Regional advisory bodies
The Commission shall establish a regional advisory body on the petition of at least twothirds of the States within a region that have
more than one-half of their electric load served
within the region. A regional advisory body
shall be composed of one member from each participating State in the region, appointed by the
Governor of each State, and may include rep-

resentatives of agencies, States, and provinces
outside the United States. A regional advisory
body may provide advice to the Electric Reliability Organization, a regional entity, or the
Commission regarding the governance of an existing or proposed regional entity within the
same region, whether a standard proposed to
apply within the region is just, reasonable, not
unduly discriminatory or preferential, and in
the public interest, whether fees proposed to be
assessed within the region are just, reasonable,
not unduly discriminatory or preferential, and
in the public interest and any other responsibilities requested by the Commission. The Commission may give deference to the advice of any
such regional advisory body if that body is organized on an Interconnection-wide basis.
(k) Alaska and Hawaii
The provisions of this section do not apply to
Alaska or Hawaii.
(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. II, § 215, as added Pub.
L. 109–58, title XII, § 1211(a), Aug. 8, 2005, 119
Stat. 941.)
STATUS OF ERO
Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, § 1211(b), Aug. 8, 2005, 119
Stat. 946, provided that: ‘‘The Electric Reliability Organization certified by the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission under section 215(c) of the Federal Power
Act [16 U.S.C. 824o(c)] and any regional entity delegated
enforcement authority pursuant to section 215(e)(4) of
that Act [16 U.S.C. 824o(e)(4)] are not departments,
agencies, or instrumentalities of the United States
Government.’’
ACCESS APPROVALS BY FEDERAL AGENCIES
Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, § 1211(c), Aug. 8, 2005, 119
Stat. 946, provided that: ‘‘Federal agencies responsible
for approving access to electric transmission or distribution facilities located on lands within the United
States shall, in accordance with applicable law, expedite any Federal agency approvals that are necessary
to allow the owners or operators of such facilities to
comply with any reliability standard, approved by the
[Federal Energy Regulatory] Commission under section
215 of the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 824o], that pertains to vegetation management, electric service restoration, or resolution of situations that imminently
endanger the reliability or safety of the facilities.’’

§ 824o–1. Critical electric infrastructure security
(a) Definitions
For purposes of this section:
(1) Bulk-power system; Electric Reliability Organization; regional entity
The terms ‘‘bulk-power system’’, ‘‘Electric
Reliability Organization’’, and ‘‘regional entity’’ have the meanings given such terms in
paragraphs (1), (2), and (7) of section 824o(a) of
this title, respectively.
(2) Critical electric infrastructure
The term ‘‘critical electric infrastructure’’
means a system or asset of the bulk-power system, whether physical or virtual, the incapacity or destruction of which would negatively
affect national security, economic security,
public health or safety, or any combination of
such matters.
(3) Critical electric infrastructure information
The term ‘‘critical electric infrastructure information’’ means information related to crit-