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Electric Reliability 2000 Act

Held at the desk.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Feb 10, 2000

Electric Reliability 2000 Act - Amends the Federal Power Act to provide for the establishment and enforcement of mandatory reliability standards to ensure the reliable operation of the bulk-power system. Grants the Federal Energy Regulatory Corporation (FERC) jurisdiction, for purposes of approving and enforcing compliance with standards in the United States, over: (1) the electric reliability organization; (2) all Affiliated Regional Reliability Entities (entities to which authority has been delegated to enforce compliance with reliability standards); (3) all system operators; and (4) all users of the bulk-power system. Provides that, prior to the establishment of the Electric Reliability Organization (Organization), any person (including the North American Electric Reliability Council and its member Regional Reliability Councils) may file a proposed reliability standard, guidance, or practice which, subject to FERC approval, shall be mandatory and enforceable.Prescribes procedural guidelines for FERC approval of: (1) applications competing for status as the Electric Reliability Council; and (2) Organization standards. Requires all users of the bulk-power system to comply with such standards.Mandates that: (1) the Organization take all appropriate steps to gain recognition in Canada and Mexico; and (2) the United States use its best efforts to enter into international agreements with the governments of Canada and Mexico to effectuate compliance with Organization standards, and to provide for the effectiveness of the Organization's mission.Requires every system operator to be a member of the Organization and of any Affiliated Regional Reliability Entity operating under an agreement applicable to the region in which the system operator operates or is responsible for the operation of a bulk-power system facility.Empowers the Organization to take disciplinary and enforcement action. Directs the Organization to assess periodically the reliability and adequacy of the inter-connected bulk-power system in North America, and to report its findings and recommendations annually to FERC and to the Secretary. Provides for the assessment and recovery of implementation and enforcement costs incurred by the Organization and each Affiliated Regional Reliability Entity, respectively.Sets forth antitrust defenses for activities undertaken by the Organization, its members, or members of an affiliated regional reliability entity.Instructs FERC to establish a regional advisory body on the petition of the Governors of at least two-thirds of the States within a region that have more than one- half of their electrical loads served within the region. Restricts such body to the 48 contiguous States.

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Who introduced it

Sen. Gorton, Slade [R-WA] · R–WA

Committees

  • Energy and Natural Resources Committee
6 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Held at the desk.

  2. Received in the House.

  3. Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  4. Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6293-6295; text: CR 7/10/2000 S6352-6356)

  5. Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S6293-6295; text: CR 7/10/2000 S6352-6356)

  6. By Senator Murkowski from Committee on Energy and Natural Resources filed written report. Report No. 106-324.

  7. By Senator Murkowski from Committee on Energy and Natural Resources filed written report. Report No. 106-324.

  8. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 642.

  9. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

  10. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

  11. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

  12. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held and concluded. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 106-254, pt.2.

  13. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.

  14. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.

  15. Star Print ordered on the bill.

  16. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S628-632)

  17. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S627-628)

  18. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

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