FERC issues NOPR Proposing to Approve COM-001-2 and COM-002-4

On September 18, 2014, in Docket No. RM14-13, FERC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) proposing to approve Reliability Standards COM-001-2 (communications) and COM-002-4 (Operating Personnel Communications Protocols).  Proposed Reliability Standard COM-001-2 is intended to establish a clear set of requirements for the communications capabilities that applicable functional entities must have in place and maintain. Proposed Reliability Standard COM-002-4 requires applicable entities to develop communication protocols with certain minimum requirements, including use of three-part communication when issuing Operating Instructions. Proposed Reliability Standard COM-002-4 also sets out certain communications training requirements for all issuers and recipients of Operating Instructions, and establishes a flexible enforcement approach for failure to use three-part communication during non-emergencies and a “zero-tolerance” enforcement approach for failure to use three-part communications during an emergency.

To view the NOPR, click here.