Continuity of Operations Plan
Summary
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued a rule requiring energy companies to have detailed backup plans so they can keep providing electricity and natural gas even if a disaster or emergency disrupts their normal operations. This ensures that power and gas supplies don't get cut off during emergencies, protecting essential services and people's ability to heat their homes and power their businesses.
Key Points
- 1Energy companies must develop and maintain written plans describing how they'll continue serving customers if their main facilities or systems are damaged or unavailable
- 2Companies must identify backup locations, equipment, and staff to keep critical operations running during emergencies like natural disasters, cyberattacks, or infrastructure failures
- 3The plans must be tested regularly and updated to reflect changes in the company's operations and new threats
- 4FERC will review and approve these continuity plans to ensure they're adequate and will actually work in real emergencies
- 5Failure to have an approved plan could result in penalties, helping ensure all energy companies take this seriously
Impact Assessment
If you are an energy company, this means you must develop and maintain detailed backup operational plans to ensure electricity and natural gas delivery continues during emergencies, requiring investment in redundancy systems and regular testing.
National
Significant
Key Dates
January 16, 2025
Regulatory Connections
Procedural Rules; Correction
Unlicensed Use of the 6 GHz Band: Expanding Flexible Use in Mid-Band Spectrum between 3.7 and 24 GHz
General Provisions
Television Broadcasting Services: Hutchinson, KS
This summary is for informational purposes only. It may not capture all nuances of the regulation. Always refer to the official text for authoritative information.