(a) General rule. Except as permitted in this part or otherwise permitted by Commission order, a transmission provider's transmission function employees must function independently of its marketing function employees.

(b) Separation of functions. (1) A transmission provider is prohibited from permitting its marketing function employees to:

(i) Conduct transmission functions; or

(ii) Have access to the system control center or similar facilities used for transmission operations that differs in any way from the access available to other transmission customers.

(2) A transmission provider is prohibited from permitting its transmission function employees to conduct marketing functions.