Reliability Standards

Guest Post: DOE Develops Cyber Risk Tools for Utilities

by David R. Cook Jr.
June 14, 2012

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released an initial version of a document designed to assist electric utilities in assessing their cyber security vulnerabilities. DOE developed the guide in coordination with several other agencies and electric industry representatives, including NRECA; Lubbock, Texas-based South Plains Electric Cooperative; and Johnson, Vt.-based Vermont Electric Cooperative.Read More »Guest Post: DOE Develops Cyber Risk Tools for Utilities

NERC Revising “Bulk Electric System” Definition and Related Exception Procedure

by David R. Cook Jr.
October 18, 2011

It’s been nearly a year since the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued Order 743 (on November 18, 2010) directing the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) to revise the definition of the Bulk Electric System (BES). That definition for many years had been:

As defined by the Regional Reliability Organization, the electrical generation resources, transmission lines, interconnections with neighboring systems, and associated equipment, generally operated at voltages of 100 kV or higher. Radial transmission facilities serving only load with one transmission source are generally not included in this definition.

National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative Will Offer Smart Meter Solutions To Its Members

by Roland F. Hall
April 14, 2011February 15, 2022

On March 7, 2011, the NRTC announced that it would offer a wireless AMI (advanced metering infrastructure) system to its members from Sensus.

AHC Attorney G. Mark Cole Named to NERC Rules Drafting Team

by David R. Cook Jr.
March 21, 2011February 15, 2022

As the nation’s interstate electricity regulator, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) recently ordered the North American Reliability Corporation (NERC) to develop a revised definition… Read More »AHC Attorney G. Mark Cole Named to NERC Rules Drafting Team