The Markets and Reliability and Members committees last week approved revisions to the Operating Agreement to allow PJM to share non-public operational information with natural gas pipelines and local distribution companies.

The changes were prompted by FERC Order 787, which sought to increase coordination of the natural gas and electric sectors due to concerns over the ability of gas-fired generators to obtain fuel supply during the winter heating season. (See FERC OKs Gas-Electric Talk.)

The revised OA confidentiality provisions allow communication of non-public information “for the purpose of promoting reliable service or operational planning.”

While Order 787 applies only to communication with interstate pipelines, the revised OA also allows communications with LDCs and intrastate pipelines, provided these entities agree to no-conduit rules prohibiting them from sharing the information with marketing affiliates or third parties.

In January, FERC granted PJM temporary waivers of its confidentiality rules to allow the RTO to share information with natural gas operators during the arctic cold that strained gas supplies.