What does FERC Order 693 primarily approve?

FERC Order 693 primarily approves the Operations and Planning Standards under the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) framework. These standards are crucial as they guide entities in effectively operating and planning the electric grid to ensure reliability. They encompass requirements that help system operators and planners maintain the stability and security of the electric transmission system, thereby preventing blackouts and ensuring that electricity delivery is both reliable and efficient.

Operations and Planning Standards focus on aspects like resource adequacy, emergency preparedness, and reliability-related activities. By approving these standards, FERC aims to enhance the overall reliability of the bulk power system, which is essential for meeting the energy demands of users while maintaining system integrity.

While other options mention important areas, such as asset management, cybersecurity, and distribution providers, the core essence of FERC Order 693 lies specifically in enhancing operational reliability and planning processes, making the approval of Operations and Planning Standards central to its purpose.