FERC Updates Data Rules for Reliable Power Grid Operations
Published Date: 12/23/2025
Notice
Summary
FERC is updating the rules for how certain energy companies report important data to keep the power grid safe and reliable. These changes affect generator owners, operators, and transmission folks who must follow new reporting steps. Comments on these updates are due by February 23, 2026, so get ready to share your thoughts and stay in the loop!
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 7 costs, 0 mixed.
New frequency‑response paperwork (BAL-001-TRE-2)
Category 2 generator owners and operators must now follow BAL-001-TRE-2 Requirements R6 through R10 (governor parameter responsiveness and notifications) and R8 (service status notifications to the balancing authority). FERC estimates this standard will add a total of 332 annual hours and $21,088.64 in costs across 53 respondents under FERC-725T.
Reliability coordinator data reporting (IRO-010-5)
Category 2 generator owners and operators must meet IRO-010-5 Requirement R3 to provide the reliability coordinator with the documented specifications of data and information needed for operational planning, real‑time monitoring, and real‑time assessments. The filing estimates this standard will require 6,408 annual hours and $407,036.10 in total costs across 801 respondents under FERC-725Z.
Power‑system modeling data reporting (MOD-032-1)
Category 2 generator owners must provide modeling data and address planning coordinator or transmission planner concerns under MOD-032-1 Requirements R2 and R3 to support planning horizon cases. FERC estimates this standard will require 9,820 annual hours and $623,766.40 in total costs across 491 respondents under FERC-725L.
Remedial Action Scheme testing and maintenance (PRC-012-2 & PRC-017-1)
Category 2 generator owners that are part of a Remedial Action Scheme (RAS) must follow PRC-012-2 Requirements R1, R3, and R5–R8 (information review, testing, performance analysis, corrective actions) and PRC-017-1 Requirements R1 and R2 (maintain and document maintenance and testing programs). FERC estimates these PRC standards will add 39,280 annual hours and $2,495,065.60 in total costs across 982 respondent actions under FERC-725G.
Transmission operator/balancing authority data obligations (TOP-003-6.1)
Category 2 generator owners and operators must satisfy TOP-003-6.1 Requirement R5 by providing data and information specified by the transmission operator or balancing authority for operational planning, real‑time monitoring, and real‑time assessments. FERC estimates this standard will require 6,408 annual hours and $407,036.16 in total costs across 801 respondents under FERC-725A.
Voltage and reactive control reporting & operation (VAR-001-5 & VAR-002-4.1)
Category 2 generator owners and operators (including WECC entities) must meet VAR-001-5 Requirements E.A.15 and E.A.17 (voltage set point conversion methodologies and control loop specs) and VAR-002-4.1 Requirements R1–R4 (automatic voltage control, maintaining voltage schedules, notifications) plus R5–R6 (tap settings and data). FERC estimates these VAR standards will require 12,816 annual hours and $814,072.32 in total costs across respondents under FERC-725X.
Definitions expanded to include Category 2 IBRs
If you own or operate non‑BES inverter‑based resources that have or contribute to an aggregate nameplate capacity of greater than or equal to 20 MVA and are connected through a system designed primarily to deliver that capacity to a common point at a voltage greater than or equal to 60 kV, you are now defined as a Generator Owner or Generator Operator (Category 2). That change in the NERC Glossary makes those Category 2 entities subject to applicable mandatory Reliability Standards.
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Key Dates
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