are essential to the reliability of the bulk-power sys-
tem. 
‘‘(8) LARGE TRANSFORMER.—The term ‘large 
transformer’ means an electric transformer that is 
part of the bulk-power system. 
‘‘(9)
PROTECTED
INFORMATION.—The
term 
‘protected information’ means information, other 
than classified national security information, des-
ignated as protected information by the Commission 
under subsection (e)(2)— 
‘‘(A) that was developed or submitted in 
connection with the implementation of this sec-
tion; 
‘‘(B) that specifically discusses grid secu-
rity threats, grid security vulnerabilities, de-
fense
critical
electric
infrastructure 
vulnerabilities, or plans, procedures, or meas-
ures to address such threats or vulnerabilities; 
and 
‘‘(C) the unauthorized disclosure of which 
could be used in a malicious manner to impair 
the reliability of the bulk-power system or of 
defense critical electric infrastructure. 
‘‘(10)
SECRETARY.—The
term
‘Secretary’ 
means the Secretary of Energy. 
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‘‘(11) SECURITY.—The definition of ‘security’ 
in section 3(16) shall not apply to the provisions in 
this section. 
‘‘(b) EMERGENCY RESPONSE MEASURES.— 
‘‘(1) AUTHORITY TO ADDRESS GRID SECURITY 
THREATS.—Whenever the President issues and pro-
vides to the Commission (either directly or through 
the Secretary) a written directive or determination 
identifying an imminent grid security threat, the 
Commission may, with or without notice, hearing, or 
report, issue such orders for emergency measures as 
are necessary in its judgment to protect the reli-
ability of the bulk-power system or of defense critical 
electric infrastructure against such threat. As soon 
as practicable but not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this section, the Commission 
shall, after notice and opportunity for comment, es-
tablish rules of procedure that ensure that such au-
thority can be exercised expeditiously. 
‘‘(2) NOTIFICATION OF CONGRESS.—Whenever 
the President issues and provides to the Commission 
(either directly or through the Secretary) a written 
directive or determination under paragraph (1), the 
President (or the Secretary, as the case may be) 
shall promptly notify congressional committees of 
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relevant jurisdiction, including the Committee on 
Energy and Commerce of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Re-
sources of the Senate, of the contents of, and jus-
tification for, such directive or determination. 
‘‘(3) CONSULTATION.—Before issuing an order 
for emergency measures under paragraph (1), the 
Commission shall, to the extent practicable in light 
of the nature of the grid security threat and the ur-
gency of the need for such emergency measures, con-
sult with appropriate governmental authorities in 
Canada and Mexico, entities described in paragraph 
(4), the Secretary, and other appropriate Federal 
agencies regarding implementation of such emer-
gency measures. 
‘‘(4) APPLICATION.—An order for emergency 
measures under this subsection may apply to— 
‘‘(A) the Electric Reliability Organization; 
‘‘(B) a regional entity; or 
‘‘(C) any owner, user, or operator of the 
bulk-power system or of defense critical electric 
infrastructure within the United States. 
‘‘(5) DISCONTINUANCE.—The Commission shall 
issue an order discontinuing any emergency meas-
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ures ordered under this subsection, effective not 
later than 30 days after the earliest of the following: 
‘‘(A) The date upon which the President 
issues and provides to the Commission (either 
directly or through the Secretary) a written di-
rective or determination that the grid security 
threat identified under paragraph (1) no longer 
exists. 
‘‘(B) The date upon which the Commission 
issues a written determination that the emer-
gency measures are no longer needed to address 
the grid security threat identified under para-
graph (1), including by means of Commission 
approval of a reliability standard under section 
215 that the Commission determines adequately 
addresses such threat. 
‘‘(C) The date that is 1 year after the 
issuance of an order under paragraph (1). 
‘‘(6) COST RECOVERY.—If the Commission de-
termines that owners, operators, or users of the 
bulk-power system or of defense critical electric in-
frastructure have incurred substantial costs to com-
ply with an order under this subsection and that 
such costs were prudently incurred and cannot rea-
sonably be recovered through regulated rates or 
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