Reliability Center Data Request Task Force Report

1. Reliability Center Data Request Task Force Report Kevin Dasso March 4, 2009

2. RC Data Request Task Force Scope and Deliverables Task Force Scope RPIC established a data sharing task to develop a policy that guides the sharing of data that is now available to the Reliability Centers (RCs) in ways that recognize the value of this information to WECC members, and to the industry as a whole, while also complying with confidentiality, security and other requirements. Deliverables A proposed WECC policy governing the sharing of Reliability Center data Procedures to be used by the RCs and other WECC organizations for implementing the policy in responding to requests for information Identify any existing WECC policies or procedures that may need to be updated, streamlined or eliminated in conjunction with the proposed policy and procedures developed by the task force

3. Data Request Task Force Work Products and Team Members Recommended RC Data Request Policy RC Data Request Guideline and process (Attachments 1, 2 and 3) Recommendations for follow-on work discussed today Target is to provide recommendations to the Board for consideration at its meeting in April 2010 Task Force Team Members

4. RC Data Request Task Force Specific Recommendations The RCs should enable access to RC Data so long as the data can be provided without violating any legal, regulatory or contractual commitments associated with RC Data The RCs can work with requesters to develop projects to fulfill requests so long as The core function of the RCs are not adversely impacted Any costs associated with fulfilling the requests are borne by the requester or are part of the approved RC budget The projects comply with or enhance Critical Energy Infrastructure Information and cyber security requirements The RC’s should be able to respond to the vast majority of RC Data Requests without having to involve RPIC or the Board RPIC should oversee the RC Data Request process and that a sub-group in RPIC can be formed if needed The RC Data request process should be visible to WECC members and RC Data Requesters can easily track the status of their requests An appeals process be established for RC Data requesters, WECC Members and owners of the data WECC management establish a RC Data Project Management function to oversee the development of projects to fulfill RC Data requests RC staffing levels and budgets should recognize some portion of the RC base workload will be associated with responding to RC Data requests going forward 4

5. RC Data Request Task Force Recommended Follow-on Work Additional outreach to WECC members for input on the RC Data Request Policy and supporting procedure The WECC Reliability Information Sharing Policy appears incomplete and should be updated Exhibit A either was never created or is not readily available Cyber security requirements and other developments since its issuance should be incorporated More comprehensive data sharing agreements should be considered by WECC (Entity to Entity, Members to WECC, WECC to Members) 5

6. RC Data Request Task Force Appendix 6

7. RC Data Request Task Force Board Resolution RC Data Sharing Board Resolution BE IT RESOLVED: That the Western Electricity Coordinating Council Board of Directors hereby directs WECC staff, in coordination with an RPIC task force, to draft a policy establishing that reliability data created, aggregated, collected by, or otherwise available to the WECC Reliability Coordinator should be made available to WECC members and non-members provided that such provision of data benefits the WECC membership and that the reliability data or project request is consistent with the WECC mission statement, the WECC Reliability Information Sharing Policy, the WECC Data/Information Availability Policy, and any other applicable WECC documents or executed agreements. The Board directs WECC staff, in coordination with an RPIC task force, to draft procedures associated with the previously referenced policy establishing the conditions under which reliability data is made available or a project is initiated. Each policy and procedure drafted by WECC staff, in coordination with an RPIC task force, shall not be effective until approved by the Board or a committee delegated such approval authority by the Board. The procedures drafted by WECC Staff, in coordination with an RPIC task force, will address the following concerns; including but not limited to: (1) defining appropriate types of requests for data or projects; (2) ensuring that by fulfilling the request, WECC does not breach any of its obligations under the WECC Revised Delegation Agreement or any other existing and relevant executed agreements or policies; (3) determining whether a request can be fulfilled through an existing executed agreement or policy and requires no further approval; (4) if no existing executed agreement or policy covers the request, requiring and providing a process to (a) obtain Board approval prior to incurring any significant cost (s), allocating any significant resource(s), and/or addressing whether cost allocation is appropriate and consistent with Section 215 of the FPA; and (b) obtain approval by a WECC Officer for any release of reliability data. 7