To determine the function(s) for which an entity is qualified and should be registered, please refer to the NERC website and the Appendix 5B Statement of Compliance Registry Criteria, which is found on the NERC Rules of Procedure page.

Submit requests for new or revised NERC registration to Texas RE through the Centralized Organization Registration ERO System (CORES) tool. Texas RE Registration staff will review each request and respond accordingly. If an entity has any questions or comments regarding the placement of an entity on the NERC Compliance Registry, please submit requests to Texas RE Registration.

Once an entity’s Primary Compliance Contact (PCC) receives a NERC notification letter of listing on the “NERC Compliance Registry,” the PCC can provide any needed ERO Portal access rights to other users that have an ERO Portal account. Registered entities are responsible for maintaining and updating all contact information in CORES.

Documents

• Generator Welcome Package
• ERO Enterprise GO-GOP Asset Verification Form
• ERO Enterprise Registration Procedure
• ERO Enterprise 101 Informational Package
• ERO Enterprise Entity Onboarding Checklist

The Centralized Organization Registration ERO System (CORES) was launched on July 15, 2019, to provide consistency and alignment across the ERO for registration activities. The CORES platform enables entities to manage their registration information, contact information, and functional relationships from one application.

All entities seeking to submit a new registration or change request to Texas RE will need to register for an ERO Portal account to access CORES. Entities are also required to complete the steps for Multi-Factor Authentication that automatically appear when attempting to log into the ERO Portal for the first time.

Prior to submitting an application in the CORES tool, please contact Texas RE Registration to discuss all new registration requests or upcoming registration changes.

CORES Links

• CORES Video Library
• ERO Portal End User Guide
• CORES End User Guide
• Submitting a New Registration Request in CORES
• CORES Application Worksheet
• ERO Portal Access and Application Information

It is essential for all registered entities to annually review their contact information and update it accordingly. Updating contact information is critical to ensure effective communication and avoid inadvertent time delays. The instructions below can help you and your team make appropriate changes in the ERO Portal and associated systems when contact role changes occur in your company.

ERO Portal Access and Application Information

• Slides 3 – 6 informs a new user how to set up an ERO Portal account and multi-factor authentication (MFA) using the Duo App.
• Slide 8 reviews when access rights and contact roles should be changed and when requests to deactivate a ERO Portal account should be submitted.
• Slides 9 – 12 includes instructions on how a new user submits a request to obtain access rights to an entity record and how an entity admin would reject or approve the request.
• Slides 13 – 15 shows how an entity admin can add/remove user permission rights as needed per entity record.
• Slides 17 – 21 includes information on how to make contact role changes in CORES.

In summary, any user with an ERO Portal account that has entity admin rights to a specific entity record can review and edit permission rights for that entity. Additionally, contact roles should be updated in CORES as soon as a role change has been determined. Alternate Compliance Contact (ACC) roles can be deactivated, but Primary Compliance Contact (PCC) and Primary Compliance Officer (PCO) roles have to be changed by adding the new contact and allowing the system to deactivate the previous person that was in that role. Please also open a help desk ticket under your name that reflects all users that need their ERO Portal accounts deactivated.

An entity should ensure contacts are up to date in all applicable systems – Section 1600, NERC Alerts, etc. A list of recommended items to complete can be found in the onboarding checklist. There is also a more comprehensive document called the ERO Enterprise Informational Package for additional guidance.

An entity registering with NERC is responsible for its own compliance with NERC Reliability Standards. Although it may delegate certain tasks, it may not delegate its responsibility. A Generation Operator (GOP), Generation Owner (GO), Transmission Operator (TOP), Transmission Owner (TO), or Distribution Provider (DP) may apply with Texas RE to become part of a Joint Registration Organization (JRO) or Coordinated Functional Registration (CFR) agreement.

• An entity executing a JRO takes responsibility for one or more functions on behalf of its members or related entities. Typical examples of organizations that should consider a JRO are the joint action agency or the generation-and-transmission cooperative.
• Parties to a CFR divide their compliance responsibilities for NERC Standard(s) and/or requirements related to a particular function.

Texas RE will review the JRO or CFR application and may request additional information. Approved JROs and CFRs are registered with NERC and listed on NERC’s Compliance Registry page.

The JRO and CFR points of contact must provide Texas RE with any changes to the JRO or CFR document. Please see the NERC Rules of Procedure, Section 500, specifically sections 507 and 508.

In the event of a violation of a NERC Reliability Standard or of a requirement/sub-requirement for which any entity of a CFR is registered, that entity shall be identified in the notice of alleged violation and will be assessed the sanction or penalty in accordance with the NERC Sanctions Guidelines.

For questions about JROs/CFRs or other registration-related issues, please contact Texas RE Registration.

The NERC Organization Certification Process, detailed in Appendix 5A of the NERC Rules of Procedure, serves to ensure that the entity initially applying to be a Balancing Authority (BA), Reliability Coordinator (RC), or Transmission Operator (TOP) has the tools, processes, training, and procedures in place to operate reliably. Such an entity will demonstrate the ability to remain compliant with all of the NERC Reliability Standards applicable to the function(s) for which it wishes to perform by undergoing a Full Certification.

A Certification Review will be conducted when an already operating and certified RC, BA, or TOP makes certain changes. Items that are to be considered for a Certification Review include one or more of the following non-exhaustive list of changes from an entity’s prior certification assessments.

1. Changes to Registered Entity’s footprint* (including de-certification changes to existing JRO/CFR assignments or sub-set list of requirements)
   1. The review of changes to an already registered and operational Entity’s footprint is primarily concerned with ensuring the gaining functional entity has the tools, training, and security in place to reliably operate with new responsibilities. Changes to an entity’s footprint can be characterized by new metered boundaries associated with the integration or dis-association of existing electrical areas of the BPS (Reliability Coordinator Area, Transmission Operator Area, or Balancing Authority Area).
      
      
2. Relocation of the Control Center
   1. Fundamental to the reliable operation of the interconnected transmission network are the control centers that continuously monitor, assess, and control the generation and transmission power flows on the BES. Of interest are impacts to the functionality provided within these facilities for continued reliable operations of the BES that affect:
      • Tools and applications that System Operators use for situational awareness of the BES
      • Data exchange capabilities
      • Interpersonal (and alternate) Communications capabilities
      • Power source(s)
      • Physical and cyber security
   2. The impact of the relocation of the Control Center on the entity’s ability to perform the functions for which the entity is registered under normal and emergency conditions should be explored and documented to understand the manner in which the Control Center continues to support the reliable operations of the BES.
      
      
3. Modification of the Energy Management System (EMS) which is expected to materially affect CIP security perimeters or the System Operator’s situational awareness tools, functionality, or machine interfaces.

*This includes changes in ownership of BES Facilities, changes in the applicability of the BES Definition to a Facility, and newly installed BES Facilities.

If you have any questions concerning registration or certification, please contact Texas RE Registration.

Documents

• Texas RE Certification Notification and Preliminary Questionnaire