US FERC 18 CFR 388.113: CEII Grid Interconnection Data Guide

Key Takeaways

• Federal regulation 18 CFR 388.113 governs Critical Energy/Electric Infrastructure Information (CEII).
• CEII includes details about energy production, generation, transportation, transmission, or distribution, but not general locations.
• The regulation protects information related to the bulk-power system from public disclosure.
• Accessing CEII often requires executing a non-disclosure agreement.

Understanding Critical Energy/Electric Infrastructure Information (CEII)

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) defines and manages Critical Energy/Electric Infrastructure Information (CEII) under 18 CFR 388.113. This regulation establishes procedures for handling sensitive data related to the US energy grid. We checked on 31 August 2026.

CEII is information that "Relates details about the production, generation, transportation, transmission, or distribution of energy." However, it "Does not simply give the general location of the" infrastructure. The regulation aims to protect specific, non-public details that could compromise grid security if widely disseminated.

Scope and Definition of Critical Electric Infrastructure

The scope of CEII includes "Critical electric infrastructure." This term refers to any part of the "bulk-power system, whether physical or virtual, the incapacity or destruction of which would negatively affect national security." This definition highlights the importance of protecting sensitive information for national security.

The "Federal Power Act" provides the authority for these regulations. The CEII program's scope mandates procedures for "submitting, designating, handling, sharing, and disseminating Critical Energy/Electric Infrastructure Information."

FOIA Exemption and Information Protection

Information designated as CEII is subject to a "Freedom of Information Act" exemption. This exemption is based on "5 U.S.C. 552." This means that CEII is not subject to mandatory public disclosure under FOIA. This protection applies to "national security information, that is designated as critical electric infrastructure information by the Commission."

Submissions containing CEII must segregate sensitive portions. These sections require bold header markings indicating "DO NOT RELEASE" alongside public redacted versions.

Accessing CEII: Non-Disclosure Agreements and Coordinator Role

Access to CEII is restricted. Any individual seeking access must execute a "non-disclosure agreement." This agreement "indicates the individual's willingness to adhere to limitations on the use and disclosure of the information requested." This is a mandatory requirement for wholesale solar generation developers and transmission customers who need to access restricted network modeling files and power-flow data.

FERC appoints a "CEII Coordinator." This Coordinator is responsible for balancing requests for CEII. The Coordinator conducts a balancing test, weighing the requestor's demonstrated legitimate need against the operational security sensitivity of the grid infrastructure.