Summary

GAO reviewed the Department of Energy, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) new rule on reliability standards for the bulk-power system. GAO found that (1) final rule requires applicable users, owners, and operators of the Bulk-Power System to comply with a set of mandatory and enforceable Reliability Standards that are meant to ensure the reliable operation of the North American Bulk-Power System; and (2) except for the delay in the effective date, FERC complied with the applicable requirements in promulgating the rule.