A bill to enhance the reliability of the electric system.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Electric Reliability Act of 2004''.

SEC. 2. ELECTRIC RELIABILITY STANDARDS.

    (a) In General.--Part II of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824 et 
seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 215. 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 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 
        or unanticipated failure of system elements.
            ``(5) The term `Interconnection' means a geographic area in 
        which the operation of bulk-power system components is 
        synchronized such that the failure of 1 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).
    ``(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 201(f), 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 the date of 
enactment of this section.
    ``(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 1 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 
Interconnection-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 
Interconnection-wide 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 206 of this part; and
            ``(C) the ordered change becomes effective under this part.
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 Commission, 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 bulk-power 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 Interconnection-wide 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.
    ``(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 proposed 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.
    ``(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 \2/3\ of the States 
within a region that have more than \1/2\ of their electric load served 
within the region. A regional advisory body shall be composed of 1 
member from each participating State in the region, appointed by the 
Governor of each State, and may include representatives 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 request 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.''.
    (b) Status of ERO.--The Electric Reliability Organization certified 
by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission under section 215(c) of the 
Federal Power Act and any regional entity delegated enforcement 
authority pursuant to section 215(e)(4) of that Act are not 
departments, agencies, or instrumentalities of the United States 
Government.




                                                       

Summary: Electric Reliability Act of 2004 - Amends the Federal Power Act to extend Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) jurisdiction for purposes of approving reliability standards and enforcing compliance with this Act over a FERC-certified electric reliability organization (ERO), a regional entity, and users, owners, and operators of a bulk-power system. Prescribes procedural guidelines for: (1) certification as an ERO, (2) filing of reliability standards. And (3) imposition of penalties by either an ERO or FERC for noncompliance with this Act. Requires an ERO to file with FERC for approval of any proposed rule or rule change. Urges the President to negotiate international agreements with the governments of Canada and Mexico to provide for effective compliance with reliability standards and the efficacy of the ERO in the United States, Canada or Mexico. Requires an ERO to assess periodically the reliability and adequacy of the interconnected bulk-power system in North America. Directs FERC to establish a regional advisory body upon the petition of at least two-thirds of the States within a region that have more than half of their electric loads served within the region. Declares this Act inapplicable to Alaska or Hawaii.