Grid data access

(a) In general Part II of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824 et seq.) (as amended by section 2109(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following: 232. Grid data access (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Bulk-power system The term bulk-power system has the meaning given the term in section 215(a). (2) Commission The term Commission means the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. (3) Covered study The term covered study means a generation or load interconnection study, facilities study, feasibility study, or affected-system study required under a tariff on file with the Commission. (4) Grid data (A) In general The term grid data means data, in any format, reasonably necessary for a covered study, including models, assumptions, forecasts, facility data, operating data, and other study inputs. (B) Inclusions The term grid data includes any data category identified by the Commission, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, the Electric Reliability Organization (as defined in section 215(a)), transmission providers, National Laboratories (as defined in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801)), and entities with automated grid-study software experience, for purposes of this section. (5) Transmission provider (A) In general The term transmission provider means a public utility, Regional Transmission Organization, Independent System Operator, or other entity administering an open access transmission tariff. (B) Exclusion The term transmission provider does not include an exempt transmitting utility (as defined in section 225(a)) that does not voluntarily subject itself to Commission jurisdiction for the purposes of this section. (b) Grid data duties (1) Data sufficiency Each transmission provider shall obtain, assemble, maintain, and use the grid data regarding its transmission system that is necessary for the transmission provider to conduct covered studies. (2) Secure data use A transmission provider may designate a person or tool assisting the transmission provider in a covered study as its representative for the purpose of making any requests in accordance with paragraph (3), subject to paragraph (6). (3) Data requests (A) In general A transmission provider may request the grid data necessary to complete a covered study from any relevant user, owner, or operator of the bulk-power system that possesses or controls such data. (B) Requirement Subject to subparagraph (C), any person from whom grid data is requested under subparagraph (A) shall provide requested grid data not later than 15 days after receiving the request. (C) Alternative timeline The Commission may establish, by data category, alternative timelines for providing grid data in response to a request under subparagraph (A). (4) Data interoperability Grid data maintained pursuant to paragraph (1) and provided pursuant to paragraph (3) shall be provided in a format that is usable or convertible by the requesting party with no impact on the scope or level of granularity in which the data is maintained or used, including by direct data transfer, application programming interface access, or secure compute-over-data access. (5) Data currency Each person providing grid data under paragraph (3) shall— (A) provide accurate, complete, and current grid data; and (B) report, on Commission-established timelines, any material changes needed to maintain the accuracy of the grid data or any related models or studies, including covered studies. (6) Data safeguards (A) In general Grid data under this section shall be handled under applicable law and Commission-approved confidentiality and data security requirements. (B) Manner of access The requirements described in subparagraph (A) may govern the manner of access to grid data, but may not be used to withhold grid data if access can be provided consistent with those requirements. (7) Cost recovery A public utility or transmission provider may file rates, charges, or tariffs pursuant to section 205 to recover the costs of complying with this section. (c) Enforcement (1) Reliability and penalties Failure to comply with the duties under subsection (b) shall be considered a matter affecting the reliable operation of the bulk-power system under section 215, and noncompliance by a public utility shall be subject to section 316A. (2) Compliance orders The Commission may, by order, require compliance with this section by any person required to provide or make available grid data under this section. (3) Expedited complaint Not later than 60 days after a complaint alleging a violation of this section is filed, the Commission shall, if the Commission determines that a violation has occurred, issue an order requiring compliance, including interim relief needed to prevent unreasonable delay in a covered study. (d) Implementation (1) In general The Commission may issue such rules or orders, including pursuant to section 206, as are necessary to carry out this section. (2) Requirement The Commission shall issue at least 1 rule or order described in paragraph (1) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section.. (b) Automated study reference specification (1) Publication Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Electric Reliability Organization (as defined in section 215(a) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824o(a))), transmission providers (as defined in section 232(a) of that Act), National Laboratories (as defined in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801)), and entities with automated grid-study software experience, shall publish a reference specification identifying the data categories, formats or conversion standards, update frequencies, and validation standards needed to enable full automation of interconnection studies, including system impact studies, without supplemental data requests during the study. (2) Effect This section, including the pendency of publication of the reference specification described in paragraph (1), shall not delay, limit, or narrow the application of section 232 of the Federal Power Act. (3) Updates The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission may update the reference specification published under paragraph (1) through a noticed proceeding not more frequently than once every 3 years.