Due to the number of responses and suggestions regarding FERC’s current online systems, the Commission said that it has issued a notice of intent to modify its Commission Issuance Posting System (CIPS), Records Information Management System (RIMS) and its Docket Sheet System.

In the notice, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said it plans to merge the three systems into one new system called the Federal Energy Regulatory Records Information System (FERRIS). While replacing its older systems with “newer, more robust technology,” FERC said the new system will ultimately provide users with a single point of access with “better search capability” along with other functions. The Commission added that it intends the new system to result in increased performance and reliability for the Commission staff as well as for public users.

FERC said it will make FERRIS available for testing and comment before switching over to using the system entirely. A test version of the system will be made available to the public through www.ferc.gov in mid-March. The Commission said it expects to have the full production version of FERRIS available in early April.

“The Commission is making every effort to incorporate all functions currently in the existing systems into FERRIS,” the FERC notice said.

The first demonstration to help familiarize the public with the new system took place Tuesday. The second and last scheduled demonstration is set for March 18 at 2 p.m. in room 3M-2A&B at FERC. To pre-register for the demonstration, send an e-mail with name, company affiliation and the date of the demonstration to contentmaster@ferc.gov, or fax to (202) 208-2320. You can also call the Public Reference Room at (202) 208-1371, then press 0.

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