FERC Updates Rules to Keep Solar and Wind from Grid Glitches
Published Date: 2/26/2025
Notice
Summary
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved new rules from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation to better monitor and manage inverter-based power resources, like solar and wind. These changes affect power companies that own or operate these resources, helping keep the electric grid safe and reliable. The new standards replace old ones and will roll out soon, with no extra costs expected for the industry.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
Required Disturbance Monitoring Equipment
Reliability Standard PRC-028-1 requires generator owners of applicable IBRs to install disturbance monitoring equipment to collect sequence of event recording, fault recording, and dynamic disturbance recording data. NERC's implementation plan requires generator owners to implement disturbance monitoring equipment by no later than 2030, with a risk-based, phased approach and possible deadline extensions for issues like supply chain delays.
Unexpected IBR Event Identification Rules
Reliability Standard PRC-030-1 requires generator owners to identify and document unexpected IBR changes of power output that meet thresholds of at least 20 MW and at least 10% of the plant's gross nameplate rating occurring within a four-second period. Generator owners must analyze events when required, develop corrective action plans or technical justifications, and report or update plans as specified. Bulk electric system IBRs must comply by the standard's effective date; applicable non-bulk IBRs must comply by the later of January 1, 2027 or the standard's effective date.
PRC-002-5 Replaces PRC-002-4; Adds Data Rules
Reliability Standard PRC-002-5 will replace PRC-002-4 and clarifies applicability to non-IBR bulk electric system elements while adding data collection, sharing, and data formatting requirements similar to PRC-028-1. NERC proposes retiring PRC-002-4 immediately prior to PRC-002-5's effective date.
Estimated Paperwork and Cost Burden Totals
The Commission published estimated annual paperwork and cost burdens for the new and revised standards: PRC-002-5—12,600 hours and $890,442.00; PRC-028-1—107,680 hours and $7,609,745.60; PRC-030-1—26,960 hours and $1,905,263.20 (each for Years 1-3). Hourly cost used in the estimates is $70.67 per hour.
New IBR Definition Added
The Commission approved a new definition of an inverter-based resource (IBR) for the NERC Glossary. The IBR definition will become effective on the first day of the first calendar quarter after the Commission's approval and is not expected to generate new paperwork burden by itself.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-17318, Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-725S); Comment Request
FERC is updating its emergency reporting rules to better track sudden power losses from new tech like Inverter Based Resources. This means some power companies will have new reporting duties starting soon, helping keep the electric grid safe and reliable. Comments on these changes are due by October 26, 2026, so affected companies should get ready to share their thoughts!
2026-17257, Bangor-Pacific Hydro Associates; Notice of Reasonable Period of Time for Water Quality Certification Application
2026-17101, Georgia Power Company; Notice of Application for Temporary Variance Accepted for Filing, Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, and Protests
Georgia Power Company asked for a temporary change to rules at their Flint River Hydroelectric Project in Georgia. This could affect water quality rules and needs approval from state agencies. People have until September 17, 2026, to share their thoughts or get involved before any decisions are made.
2026-17103, Seefeld Corporation: Notice of Application for Surrender of Exemption Accepted for Filing, Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, and Protests
Seefeld Corporation wants to give up its special exemption for the Smith Creek Hydroelectric Project in Washington. This change could affect local water quality rules and needs approval from the Washington Department of Ecology. People have until September 17, 2026, to share their thoughts or get involved before the decision moves forward.
2026-16925, Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-725U); Comment Request; Extension
In compliance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC) is soliciting public comment on the currently approved information collection FERC-725U (1902-0274), Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Bulk Power System; CIP Reliability Standards. There are no proposed changes to the reporting requirements. The comment period ended on July 27, 2026, with no comments received.
2026-16739, Venture Global CP2 LNG, LLC, Venture Global CP Express, LLC; Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed CP2 LNG Expansion Project, and Notice of Public Scoping Sessions
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-03125, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 59; Authorization of Production Activity; Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp., U.S.A.; (Four-Wheeled Personal Transportation Vehicles); Lincoln, Nebraska
Kawasaki Motors in Lincoln, Nebraska, got the green light to make four-wheeled personal transportation vehicles in their Foreign-Trade Zone. This means they can produce these vehicles with special trade benefits, helping them save money and speed up operations. The approval was finalized in February 2025, so Kawasaki can start or continue production without delays.
Next: 2025-03127, Lake Upchurch Dam Preservation Association; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment
The Lake Upchurch Dam Preservation Association wants to stop using their hydroelectric project on Rockfish Creek in North Carolina since it hasn’t worked since 2016. They plan to disconnect the power equipment but won’t change the dam or pond. The government will check the environmental impact and share their findings by July 31, 2025, giving everyone a chance to weigh in before a final decision.