,,ii #aahth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #bdhj ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,july #be1 #bjbc ,mr4 ,markey 7for himself1 ,ms4 ,smith1 ,mr4 ,whitehouse1 ,ms4 ,warren1 ,mr4 ,sanders1 ,mr4 ,merkley1 ,mr4 ,carper1 and ,mr4 ,welch7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources ,a ,,bill ,to require the ,federal ,energy ,regulatory ,commission to promulgate regulations with respect to regional and interregional transmission planning1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,connecting ,hard-to-reach ,areas with ,renewably ,generated ,energy ,act of #bjbc or the ,,charge ,act of #bjbc4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds that-- 7#a7 current transmission planning is fractured across many jurisdictions1 prioritizes incumbent entities and highly localized transmission1 and fails to identify cost-effective solutions for #bast century needs2 7#b7 the historical structure1 regulations1 and incentives of the electric power system lead to under-planning and under-investment in the regional and interregional transmission lines that are needed for a reliable and resilient grid2 7#c7 much of the existing transmission infrastructure of the ,united ,states is in need of significant upgrade or replacement2 7#d7 the energy sector of the ,united ,states is at a critical juncture1 with a rapidly changing power generation mix and new public policy mandates2 7#e7 it is imperative to proactively plan for electricity transmission in the future1 including by taking into account long-term changes to demand and load growth2 7#f7 renewable energy resources must be incorporated into the grid efficiently in order to meet ,state and ,federal decarbonization goals2 7#g7 the public desires1 and has a right to1 electricity data that are transparent1 organized1 and accessible2 7#h7 having reliable and diverse sources of electricity generation is a foundational need for the entire economy2 7#i7 climate change has increased the frequency and intensity of severe weather events that affect the grid2 7#aj7 it is in the national interest to implement policies that provide effective electric infrastructure to save consumers money1 avoid preventable damage1 ensure energy reliability1 and save lives2 7#aa7 the ,federal ,government has a responsibility to combat rising transmission costs and ensure customers receive just and reasonable rates for electricity2 7#ab7 industry experience1 scientific studies1 and modern examples of reformed electricity transmission provide confidence that new public policies and regulatory guidance will achieve more efficient and beneficial planning than the status quo2 and 7#ac7 there is increasing opportunity for public1 ,tribal1 or rural cooperative development of transmission due to the recently established direct-pay incentives under section #fdag of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf1 enacted by section #achja of ,public ,law #aag-afi 7commonly known as the ,inflation ,reduction ,act of #bjbb7 7#acf ,stat4 #bjjc74 #c4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,commission ,the term ,commission means the ,federal ,energy ,regulatory ,commission4 7#b7 ,independent ,system ,operator ,the term ,independent ,system ,operator has the meaning given the term in section #c of the ,federal ,power ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #gif74 7#c7 ,interconnection customer ,the term interconnection customer means an individual or entity that has submitted to the owner or operator of a transmission facility or transmission system a request to interconnect a generation project or energy storage project that is subject to the jurisdiction of the ,commission4 7#d7 ,interregional transmission planning process ,the term interregional transmission planning process means a joint process by transmission providers in #b or more adjacent transmission planning regions to evaluate electric energy transmission needs4 7#e7 ,load-serving entity ,the term load-serving entity has the meaning given the term in section #bag7;a7 of the ,federal ,power ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #hbdq7a774 7#f7 ,regional ,transmission ,organization ,the term ,regional ,transmission ,organization has the meaning given the term in section #c of the ,federal ,power ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #gif74 7#g7 ,transmission facility ,the term transmission facility means a facility that is used for the transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce4 7#h7 ,transmission planning region ,the term transmission planning region means a region for which electric energy transmission planning is appropriate1 as determined by the ,commission1 such as a region established pursuant to the guidance contained in the final rule of the ,commission entitled ,transmission ,planning and ,cost ,allocation by ,transmission ,owning and ,operating ,public ,utilities 7#gf ,fed4 ,reg4 #dihdb 7,august #aa1 #bjaa774 7#i7 ,transmission provider ,the term transmission provider means a public utility 7as defined in section #bja7;e7 of the ,federal ,power ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #hbd7;e777 that owns1 operates1 or controls #a or more transmission facilities4 #d4 ,transmission planning and cost allocation 7a7 ,rulemaking ,not later than #ah months after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,commission shall promulgate a final rule that-- 7#a7 establishes transmission planning processes and cost-allocation processes that-- 7,a7 ensure that transmission providers-- 7i7 engage in interregional transmission planning processes and interconnection-wide transmission planning processes1 in conjunction with transmission planning processes within transmission planning regions2 7ii7 harmonize interregional transmission planning processes and interconnection-wide transmission planning processes with other regional transmission planning processes1 such as by using a joint model on a consistent timeline with a unified set of minimum requirements regarding needs1 input assumptions1 and benefit metrics2 7iii7 include as part of planning and cost-allocation processes the use of grid-enhancing transmission technologies and alternative transmission technologies that increase delivery of power over transmission networks1 including1 at a minimum-- 7,i7 dynamic line ratings2 7,,ii7 topology optimization2 7,,iii7 power flow control2 7,,iv7 advanced conductors and superconductors2 and 7,v7 storage-as-transmission2 7iv7 conduct interregional and interconnection-wide planning regularly and not less frequently than once every #e years2 7v7 conduct interregional and interconnection-wide planning based on a range of possible future load and generation scenarios2 and 7vi7 are required to incorporate in a transmission planning process the full scope of benefits of transmission investment1 including1 at a minimum-- 7,i7 reduced costs of electric energy to customers1 including reduced costs associated with lower quantities of necessary capacity1 ancillary services1 and reserve margins2 7,,ii7 access to resources in neighboring transmission planning regions2 7,,iii7 the transmission of renewable energy or the ability of renewable energy to connect to the grid2 7,,iv7 improvements in reliability1 resilience1 and flexibility of the grid1 including1 at a minimum-- 7aa7 reduced loss of load probability2 7bb7 increased resource diversity2 7cc7 increased climate hardening2 and 7dd7 increased ability to maintain functionality during regionally appropriate weather conditions and severe weather scenarios2 7,v7 leveraging resources across climatological patterns or time zones to account for resource availability and weather patterns2 7,,vi7 avoidance1 to the maximum extent practicable1 of sensitive environmental areas and cultural heritage sites2 7,,vii7 reasonable and economical use of existing rights-of-way2 7,,viii7 market facilitation benefits1 including1 at a minimum1 increased competitiveness1 liquidity1 and integrity of broader geographic markets2 7,,ix7 avoided costs and deferred cost savings1 including reduced generation costs and reduced future transmission investment costs2 7,x7 the integration of grid-enhancing technologies2 7,,xi7 meeting local1 ,state1 and ,federal policy goals1 including goals established in decarbonization1 climate1 and clean energy laws 7including regulations72 7,,xii7 protections to maintain just and reasonable rates for customers2 and 7,,xiii7 any other production costs savings or other economic benefits from proposed transmission projects2 7,b7 require that regional and interregional cost-allocation methodologies allocate costs on the basis of the multiple benefits described in subclauses 7,i7 through 7,,xiii7 of subparagraph 7,a77vi72 7,c7 incorporate a #aj- to #bj-year future resource mix for each load-serving entity and ,state2 7,d7 ensure that local or regional transmission planning processes do not impair interregional and interconnection-wide transmission planning processes2 7,e7 require transmission providers to maximize the use of portfolio-based cost allocations2 7,f7 in cases in which costs and benefits are difficult to quantify1 may allocate transmission investment costs among transmission system customers in proportion to-- 7i7 in the case of regional projects1 the share of electricity of each customer in the region2 or 7ii7 in the case of interregional projects1 the share of electricity of each customer in each applicable region2 and 7,g7 to the extent practicable1 prevent transmission providers from using cost-allocation methodologies that-- 7i7 discourage distributed generation1 energy efficiency1 demand response1 or storage if more economic than transmission2 7ii7 are constrained by consideration only of benefits that are easy to allocate2 or 7iii7 undermine previous cost-allocation agreements for projects already in operation2 and 7#b7 allows a transmission developer of an interregional transmission project to submit to the ,commission a request to recover all or a portion of the costs of the project under section #bje of the ,federal ,power ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #hbd;d7 if-- 7,a7 the project is selected through a transmission planning process that meets the criteria described in paragraph 7#a71 in accordance with the transmission planning processes and cost-allocation processes established under that paragraph2 or 7,b7 the transmission developer demonstrates to the satisfaction of the ,commission that-- 7i7 the project connects more than #a transmission planning region2 and 7ii7 the benefits of the project substantially outweigh the costs of the project after accounting for any transmission projects developed pursuant to a transmission planning process that meets the criteria described in paragraph 7#a74 7b7 ,cost recovery and allocation requirements 7#a7 ,cost-benefit analysis ,in making a determination under subsection 7a77#b77;,b77ii7 of whether a transmission developer has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the ,commission that the benefits of a project substantially outweigh the costs of the project1 the ,commission shall consider the benefits described in subsection 7a77#a77;,a77vi74 7#b7 ,allocation ,for transmission projects that meet the criteria of subparagraph 7,a7 or 7,b7 of subsection 7a77#b71 the ,commission shall allocate the costs of those transmission projects to customers in the applicable regions that benefit from those projects-- 7,a7 using the benefits described in subsection 7a77#a77;,a77vi72 or 7,b7 in cases in which those benefits are difficult to quantify1 using the cost allocation methodology described in subsection 7a77#a77;,f74 7#c7 ,savings provision ,nothing in this section limits1 or may be construed to limit1 any rights of transmission developers to submit and have rates approved by the ,commission pursuant to section #bje of the ,federal ,power ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #hbd;d74 7c7 ,availability of resource plans ,the ,commission may require a load-serving entity to make publicly available any applicable resource plans1 including any plans relating to the requirement described in subsection 7a77#a77;,c71 if1 in the determination of the ,commission1 the plans are not adequately described in publicly stated plans in ,securities and ,exchange ,commission filings1 ,state agency filings1 and power purchase contracts4 7d7 ,technical conferences 7#a7 ,in general ,as part of the rulemaking process under subsection 7a71 the ,commission may convene a technical conference to consider implementation details1 as the ,commission determines to be appropriate4 7#b7 ,participation 7,a7 ,leadership ,a technical conference convened under paragraph 7#a7 may be led by the members of the ,commission1 subject to subparagraph 7,b74 7,b7 ,required invitations ,on election under subparagraph 7,a7 by members of the ,commission to lead a technical conference1 the ,commission shall invite to participate in the technical conference representatives of residential ratepayers1 transmission providers1 environmental justice and equity groups1 ,tribal communities1 ,independent ,system ,operators1 ,regional ,transmission ,organizations1 consumer protection groups1 renewable energy advocates1 ,state utility commission and energy offices1 and such other entities as the ,commission determines to be appropriate4 7,c7 ,timeline ,the ,commission may establish and enforce a timeline for a technical conference convened under paragraph 7#a7 that discourages actions by participants that may unnecessarily delay the conference4 7#c7 ,public comment ,the ,commission may provide an opportunity for public comment on the topics considered by a technical conference convened under paragraph 7#a74 7e7 ,office of ,public ,participation ,the ,commission shall consult the ,office of ,public ,participation during the rulemaking process under subsection 7a71 including with respect to-- 7#a7 guidance on public participation requirements2 7#b7 communications with the public concerning transmission planning that may impact local communities and landowners1 including ,tribal1 indigenous1 and environmental justice communities2 and 7#c7 minimum data transparency and access requirements4 7f7 ,joint ,federal-,state ,task ,force on ,electric ,transmission ,the ,commission may consult the ,joint ,federal-,state ,task ,force on ,electric ,transmission in any actions that-- 7#a7 involve shared ,federal and ,state regulatory authority and processes2 or 7#b7 would benefit from a combined ,federal and ,state perspective4 #e4 ,interregional minimum transfer requirements 7a7 ,electric reliability ,section #bae7;i77#b7 of the ,federal ,power ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #hbdo7i77#b77 is amended by striking or transmission4 7b7 ,rulemaking 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ah months after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,commission shall promulgate a final rule that establishes a minimum transfer capability that-- 7,a7 shall govern minimum transfer requirements between transmission planning regions2 7,b7 achieves reliability and resilience standards during plausible extreme weather scenarios2 7,c7 optimizes efficiency of delivering renewable energy to demand centers2 and 7,d7 incorporates the best available science relating to energy transmission1 climatological patterns1 climate change causes and impacts1 grid reliability1 and grid resiliency1 including study results from the ,department of ,energy or ,national ,laboratories 7as defined in section #b of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aehja774 7#b7 ,rates ,all rates associated with transmission facilities developed pursuant to the rule promulgated under paragraph 7#a7 shall be subject to the requirements of sections #bje and #bjf of the ,federal ,power ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #hbd;d1 #hbd;e7 that all rates1 charges1 terms1 and conditions-- 7,a7 shall be just and reasonable2 and 7,b7 shall not be unduly discriminatory or preferential4 #f4 ,data transparency ,part ,,ii of the ,federal ,power ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #hbd et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #bbd4 ,data transparency 7a7 ,data ,the ,commission shall require all public utilities and other entities subject to the jurisdiction of the ,commission to make1 through coordination with the ,environmental ,protection ,agency and an online database operated by the ,administrator of the ,energy ,information ,administration1 hourly operating data transparent and accessible to the public1 including original source data that-- 7#a7 are organized and easy to understand2 7#b7 are centralized and provided in usable formats1 including an application programming interface2 7#c7 are available free of charge2 7#d7 are published as close to real-time as is practicable2 7#e7 include generation by fuel type2 7#f7 include hourly marginal greenhouse gas emissions per megawatt-hour of electricity generated within the metered boundaries of each entity and for each specific electrical bus location on the grid where an injection or withdrawal of power is modeled 7commonly known as a pricing node71 subject to the condition that the marginal greenhouse gas emissions data made available pursuant to this paragraph shall be measured in the same time interval by which locational marginal price is measured at the same location1 but in no case shall the interval by which marginal greenhouse gas emissions are measured for purposes of this paragraph be greater than hourly2 7#g7 include congestion cost and the limiting elements that cause the congestion2 and 7#h7 include hourly locational data on generation curtailment and the reasons for that curtailment4 7b7 ,commercial products ,the ,commission may identify and reduce regulatory barriers to the development of commercial products that use the data made publicly available under subsection 7a7 in order to provide verifiable emissions reductions1 including short- and long-term nodal congestion products4 7c7 ,appropriation ,in addition to amounts otherwise made available to the ,administrator of the ,energy ,information ,administration1 there is appropriated to the ,administrator of the ,energy ,information ,administration for fiscal year #bjbd1 out of any funds in the ,treasury not otherwise appropriated1 #aj1jjj1jjj to develop and operate the database described in subsection 7a71 to remain available until expended4 4 #g4 ,study on methods of electricity procurement and development 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,national ,academies of ,sciences1 ,engineering1 and ,medicine1 in coordination with the ,commission and the ,department of ,energy1 shall conduct1 and submit to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce of the ,house of ,representatives and make available on a public website a report describing the results of1 a study that identifies the potential benefits and other effects to consumers from-- 7#a7 procuring generation from independent entities that are not utilities through a competitive process administered by-- 7,a7 an ,independent ,system ,operator or a ,regional ,transmission ,organization2 or 7,b7 another independent entity2 and 7#b7 generation and transmission that is financed1 developed1 or owned by-- 7,a7 an entity described in subsection 7b72 7,b7 any corporation that is wholly owned1 directly or indirectly1 by #a or more entities described in that subsection2 or 7,c7 cooperatives that furnish electricity to rural areas4 7b7 ,entity described ,an entity referred to in subsection 7a77#b77;,a7 is-- 7#a7 the ,united ,states2 7#b7 a ,state2 7#c7 the ,district of ,columbia2 7#d7 the ,commonwealth of ,puerto ,rico2 7#e7 any other territory or possession of the ,united ,states2 7#f7 any political subdivision of an entity described in any of paragraphs 7#b7 through 7#e72 7#g7 a ,tribal government2 or 7#h7 any agency1 authority1 or instrumentality of any #a or more entities described in paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#g74 7c7 ,considerations ,the study conducted under subsection 7a7 shall-- 7#a7 take into consideration1 at a minimum1 potential benefits with respect to-- 7,a7 cost savings2 7,b7 improved grid reliability and resilience2 and 7,c7 greenhouse gas reductions2 7#b7 compare the potential benefits identified under paragraph 7#a7 to the circumstances of consumers whose generation is not procured through a competitive process2 and 7#c7 compare the potential benefits and effects identified under subsection 7a77#b7 to the circumstances of consumers whose generation and transmission is not financed and developed1 directly or indirectly1 by a public entity4 7d7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #e1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbd4 #h4 ,state subsidies ,part ,,ii of the ,federal ,power ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #hbd et seq47 7as amended by section #f7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #bbe4 ,state subsidies ,in order to promote competition in wholesale markets1 reliability1 and affordability1 the ,commission shall not use offer-price mitigation methods to counteract the effects of ,state subsidies for renewable energy resources4 4 #i4 ,office of ,transmission ,part ,,iii of the ,federal ,power ,act is amended by inserting after section #cag 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #hbep7 the following3 #cah4 ,office of ,transmission 7a7 ,establishment ,there shall be established in the ,commission an office1 to be known as the ,office of ,transmission 7referred to in this section as the ,office74 7b7 ,director ,the ,office shall be administered by a ,director1 who shall be appointed by the ,chairman of the ,commission4 7c7 ,duties ,the ,director of the ,office shall-- 7#a7 review transmission plans submitted by public utilities in accordance with the regional and interregional transmission planning processes1 including the processes established pursuant to section #bjf2 7#b7 coordinate transmission-related matters of the ,commission1 as the ,commission determines to be appropriate2 7#c7 carry out the responsibilities of the ,commission under section #baf1 in coordination with the ,office of ,energy ,projects of the ,commission2 7#d7 review opportunities for innovation in transmission planning and operation1 including deployment of grid-enhancing technologies1 advanced conductors1 and other approaches2 and 7#e7 provide oversight of transmission planning activities subject to the jurisdiction of the ,commission4 4 #aj4 ,interconnection ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,commission shall promulgate regulations1 or revise existing regulations-- 7#a7 to prohibit a public utility from requiring an interconnection customer to exclusively or disproportionately fund1 without reimbursement1 the costs of any network upgrade identified as necessary for the interconnect request of the interconnection customer2 7#b7 to encourage cost-sharing models that reflect the broad set of benefits and beneficiaries for any network upgrades identified as needed in an interconnection or affected system study1 subject to the requirement that the model adheres to any requirements established under paragraph 7#a72 and 7#c7 to alleviate interconnection backlogs and reduce informational and procedural barriers in interconnection1 which may include-- 7,a7 the establishment of an interconnection analysis center within the ,office of ,transmission established under section #cah of the ,federal ,power ,act2 and 7,b7 consultation with staff and the use of other resources of the ,department of ,energy4 #aa4 ,independent transmission monitor 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 for the purpose of monitoring the planning and operation of transmission facilities in transmission planning regions1 the ,commission shall-- 7#a7 7,a7 require each transmission planning region to establish an independent entity to monitor the planning and operation of transmission facilities in the transmission planning region2 and 7,b7 establish a council1 to be known as the ,council of ,transmission ,monitors-- 7i7 to provide oversight of each independent entity established pursuant to subparagraph 7,a72 and 7ii7 to ensure interregional collaboration and consistency2 or 7#b7 establish an independent entity to monitor the planning and operation of transmission facilities in all transmission planning regions4 7b7 ,role of transmission monitor ,an independent entity described in paragraph 7#a77;,a7 or 7#b7 of subsection 7a7 shall1 as applicable-- 7#a7 review the operation of applicable transmission planning regions for inefficiency and practices that may lead to unjust and unreasonable rates2 7#b7 review costs of transmission facilities1 including identifying inefficiencies among local1 regional1 and interregional planning2 7#c7 provide examples and advice to transmission providers on appropriate regional transmission operations1 planning1 and cost-allocation processes2 and 7#d7 identify situations in which-- 7,a7 nonwire alternatives may be more cost-effective than transmission2 7,b7 grid-enhancing technologies may be appropriate2 7,c7 high-capacity1 interregional lines may be-- 7i7 more cost-effective2 or 7ii7 a more appropriate reliability and resilience alternative2 or 7,d7 high-capacity regional lines may be more cost-effective than local upgrades4 #ab4 ,advisory committee 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,commission shall establish an advisory committee 7referred to in this section as the committee7 to make recommendations regarding-- 7#a7 oversight and governance of ,independent ,system ,operators or ,regional ,transmission ,organizations2 7#b7 stakeholder participation best practices-- 7,a7 that ensure transparency1 accountability1 independence1 oversight1 and fair representation2 7,b7 the purposes of which are to promote competition1 reliability1 and affordability in all transmission planning regions2 and 7,c7 that include best practices relating to stakeholder disclosure of the impact of a proposed tariff reform on the company or client of the stakeholder prior to voting on the proposed tariff reform2 7#c7 enhancing transparency and open decisionmaking in regions not classified as ,independent ,system ,operators or ,regional ,transmission ,organizations2 and 7#d7 the requirements of governing boards within ,independent ,system ,operators or ,regional ,transmission ,organizations4 7b7 ,representation ,the committee shall be composed of not more than #cj members1 including-- 7#a7 at least #b representatives of end-use customers2 7#b7 at least #a representative of transmission providers2 7#c7 at least #b representatives of environmental justice and equity groups2 7#d7 at least #a representative of ,tribal communities2 7#e7 at least #a representative of ,independent ,system ,operators2 7#f7 at least #a representative of ,regional ,transmission ,organizations2 7#g7 at least #a representative of consumer protection groups2 7#h7 at least #b representatives of renewable energy advocates2 7#i7 at least #a representative of ,state commissions2 7#aj7 at least #a representative of public power entities2 7#aa7 at least #a representative of marketers2 and 7#ab7 at least #a representative of generators4 7c7 ,,faca applicability ,chapter #aj of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code 7commonly referred to as the ,federal ,advisory ,committee ,act71 shall apply to the committee4 #ac4 ,,rto and ,,iso ,governance 7a7 ,stakeholder processes 7#a7 ,public voting ,each vote cast by any party during a stakeholder process of a ,regional ,transmission ,organization or ,independent ,system ,operator shall be made public4 7#b7 ,public participation funding ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,commission shall promulgate regulations requiring ,regional ,transmission ,organizations and ,independent ,system ,operators to develop a process to provide intervenor compensation or other funding to assist with public interest participation in the stakeholder processes of the ,regional ,transmission ,organization or ,independent ,system ,operator4 7#c7 ,consumer organizations2 membership fee waivers ,not later than #ah months after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,commission shall promulgate regulations requiring each ,regional ,transmission ,organization and ,independent ,system ,operator-- 7,a7 to grant full voting and participation rights for consumer organizations within stakeholder processes2 and 7,b7 to consider membership fee waivers for stakeholder processes4 7b7 ,stakeholder meetings 7#a7 ,recording and transcription ,each stakeholder meeting of a ,regional ,transmission ,organization or ,independent ,system ,operator shall be recorded and transcribed1 and the recording and transcription shall be made freely available to the public4 7#b7 ,disclosure requirement 7,a7 ,in general ,an individual described in subparagraph 7,b7 shall publicly disclose1 at any stakeholder meeting of a ,regional ,transmission ,organization or ,independent ,system ,operator that the individual attends or in which the individual otherwise participates-- 7i7 that the individual is attending or participating on behalf of a ,regional ,transmission ,organization or ,independent ,system ,operator2 and 7ii7 the identity of that ,regional ,transmission ,organization or ,independent ,system ,operator4 7,b7 ,individual described ,an individual referred to in subparagraph 7,a7 is any representative of a law firm or consulting firm1 or any other agent1 that is compensated to represent or advocate for the interests of a ,regional ,transmission ,organization or ,independent ,system ,operator4 7c7 ,applicability of ,,foia ,section #eeb of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code 7commonly known as the ,freedom of ,information ,act71 including any exceptions under that section1 shall apply to the activities1 records1 and proceedings of each ,regional ,transmission ,organization and ,independent ,system ,operator1 including with respect to the operations of the ,regional ,transmission ,organization or ,independent ,system ,operator4 7d7 ,limitations on sponsorships ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,commission shall promulgate regulations-- 7#a7 to prohibit entities with interests in matters before a ,regional ,transmission ,organization or ,independent ,system ,operator from serving as financial sponsors of special events or activities at ,regional ,transmission ,organization or ,independent ,system ,operator meetings2 or 7#b7 if the ,commission determines appropriate1 to establish disclosure requirements for entities with interests in matters before a ,regional ,transmission ,organization or ,independent ,system ,operator that serve as financial sponsors of special events or activities at ,regional ,transmission ,organization or ,independent ,system ,operator meetings4 7e7 ,boards of directors 7#a7 ,independent board ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,commission shall promulgate regulations requiring1 subject to exceptions defined by the ,commission1 that the board of directors of a ,regional ,transmission ,organization or ,independent ,system ,operator be independent from1 and not affiliated with1 the members of the ,regional ,transmission ,organization or ,independent ,system ,operator4 7#b7 ,membership ,not later than #ah months after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,commission shall promulgate regulations-- 7,a7 requiring the board of directors of each ,regional ,transmission ,organization and ,independent ,system ,operator to have members who have expertise and experience in representing consumers1 including at least #a member with expertise in the interests of retail residential consumers2 7,b7 establishing the number of members described in subparagraph 7,a7 that shall be required on a board of directors described in that subparagraph in order to avoid marginalization of the perspectives and contributions of those members2 and 7,c7 requiring each ,regional ,transmission ,organization and ,independent ,system ,operator to designate at least #a member of the board of directors of that ,regional ,transmission ,organization or ,independent ,system ,operator who shall represent and be directly accountable1 in such manner as the ,commission determines to be appropriate1 to the public interest within the geographic footprint of the ,regional ,transmission ,organization or ,independent ,system ,operator4 7f7 ,employment and compensation 7#a7 ,revolving door prohibitions 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,commission shall promulgate regulations requiring ,regional ,transmission ,organizations and ,independent ,system ,operators to establish rules prohibiting the ,regional ,transmission ,organization or ,independent ,system ,operator from employing1 during the periods described in subparagraph 7,b71 an individual who is or was an executive of a utility 7commonly known as a revolving door prohibition74 7,b7 ,periods described ,the periods referred to in subparagraph 7,a7 are-- 7i7 any period during which the individual is an executive of a utility2 and 7ii7 the #a-year period beginning on the date on which the employment of the individual as an executive of a utility ends4 7#b7 ,compensation ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,commission shall establish guidelines for executive compensation at ,regional ,transmission ,organizations and ,independent ,system ,operators in order to limit excessive compensation of those executives4 7g7 ,enforcement ,the ,commission shall enforce the requirements of this section using the authority of the ,commission under sections #bje and #bjf of the ,federal ,power ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #hbd;d1 #hbd;e74 #ad4 ,intervenor funding at ,office of ,public ,participation 7a7 ,in general ,section #cai7;b77#b7 of the ,federal ,power ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #hbeq-l7b77#b77 is amended-- 7#a7 in subparagraph 7,a71 by striking the comma and inserting a semicolon2 7#b7 by redesignating subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b7 as clauses 7i7 and 7ii71 respectively1 and indenting the clauses appropriately2 7#c7 in the matter preceding clause 7i7 7as so redesignated71 in the second sentence1 by striking ,such compensation and inserting the following3 7,b7 ,determinations required ,compensation under this paragraph 2 and 7#d7 by striking the paragraph designation and all that follows through by it1 in the matter preceding subparagraph 7,b7 7as so designated7 and inserting the following3 7#b7 ,compensation 7,a7 ,in general ,on making the determinations described in subparagraph 7,b7 and in accordance with rules promulgated by the ,commission1 the ,commission shall 4 7b7 ,rulemaking ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,commission shall promulgate a final rule to provide compensation under paragraph 7#b7 of section #cai7;b7 of the ,federal ,power ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #hbeq-#a7;b77 in accordance with the amendment made by subsection 7a74 #ae4 ,appropriations ,in addition to amounts otherwise available1 there is appropriated to the ,commission for fiscal year #bjbd1 out of any funds in the ,treasury not otherwise appropriated1 #bjj1jjj1jjj1 to remain available until expended1 to carry out-- 7#a7 sections #d1 #e1 and #aj2 and 7#b7 the amendment made by section #i4