18 C.F.R. § 39.5 – Reliability Standards.

(a) The Electric Reliability Organization shall file each Reliability Standard or modification to a Reliability Standard that it proposes to be made effective under this part with the Commission. The filing shall include a concise statement of the basis and purpose of the proposed Reliability Standard, either a summary of the Reliability Standard development proceedings conducted by the Electric Reliability Organization or a summary of the Reliability Standard development proceedings conducted by a Regional Entity together with a summary of the Reliability Standard review proceedings of the Electric Reliability Organization, and a demonstration that the proposed Reliability Standard is just, reasonable, not unduly discriminatory or preferential, and in the public interest.
(b) The Electric Reliability Organization shall rebuttably presume that a proposal for a Reliability Standard or a modification to a Reliability Standard to be applicable on an Interconnection-wide basis is just, reasonable, not unduly discriminatory or preferential, and in the public interest, if such proposal is from a Regional Entity organized on an Interconnection-wide basis.
(c) The Commission may approve by rule or order a proposed Reliability Standard or a proposed modification to a Reliability Standard if, after notice and opportunity for public hearing, it determines that the proposed Reliability Standard is just, reasonable, not unduly discriminatory or preferential, and in the public interest.
1. (1) The Commission will give due weight to the technical expertise of the Electric Reliability Organization with respect to the content of a proposed Reliability Standard or a proposed modification to a Reliability Standard,
2. (2) The Commission will give due weight to the technical expertise of a Regional Entity organized on an Interconnection-wide basis with respect to a proposed Reliability Standard or a proposed modification to a Reliability Standard to be applicable within that Interconnection, and
3. (3) The Commission will not defer to the Electric Reliability Organization or a Regional Entity with respect to the effect of a proposed Reliability Standard or a proposed modification to a Reliability Standard on competition.
(d) An approved Reliability Standard or modification to a Reliability Standard shall take effect as approved by the Commission.
(e) The Commission will remand to the Electric Reliability Organization for further consideration a proposed Reliability Standard or modification to a Reliability Standard that the Commission disapproves in whole or in part.
(f) The Commission may, upon its own motion or a complaint, order the Electric Reliability Organization to submit a proposed Reliability Standard or modification to a Reliability Standard that addresses a specific matter if the Commission considers such a new or modified Reliability Standard appropriate to carry out section 215 of the Federal Power Act.
(g) The Commission, when remanding a Reliability Standard to the Electric Reliability Organization or ordering the Electric Reliability Organization to submit to the Commission a proposed Reliability Standard or proposed modification to a Reliability Standard that addresses a specific matter may order a deadline by which the Electric Reliability Organization must submit a proposed or modified Reliability Standard.