The passage of the Electricity
Modernization Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005)added to the Commissions
efforts by giving it the authority to strengthen the reliability of
the interstate grid through the grant of new authority pursuant to
section 215 of the Federal Power Act (FPA) which provides for a
system of mandatory Reliability Standards developed by the Electric
Reliability Organization (ERO), established by FERC, and enforced
by the ERO and Regional Entities. The proposed regional Reliability
Standards would allow the continuation of certain reliability
practices that are currently in effect in the Western
Interconnection. The Western Electricity Coordinating Council
(WECC) is responsible for coordinating and promoting electric
system reliability. In addition to promoting a reliable electric
power system in the Western Interconnection, WECC supports
efficient competitive power markets, assures open and
non-discriminatory transmission access among members, provides a
forum for resolving transmission access disputes, and provides an
environment for coordinating the operating and planning activities
of its members. The WECC region encompasses a vast area of nearly
1.8 million square miles. It is the largest and most diverse of the
ten regional councils of the North American Electric Reliability
Council (NERC). WECCs service territory extends from Canada to
Mexico. It includes the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia,
the northern portion of Baja California, Mexico, and all or
portions of the 14 western states in between. Transmission lines
span long distances connecting the Pacific Northwest with its
abundant hydroelectric resources to the arid Southwest with its
large coal-fired and nuclear resources. WECC and the nine other
regional reliability councils were formed due to national concern
regarding the reliability of the interconnected bulk power systems,
the ability to operate these systems without widespread failures in
electric service, and the need to foster the preservation of
reliability through a formal organization. The Commission in
accordance with section 215(d)(2) of the Federal Power Act (FPA)is
approving the proposed regional Reliability Standards.
US Code:
16
USC 824(o) Name of Law: Federal Power Act
PL: Pub.L. 105 - 98 1211 Name of Law: Energy
Policy Act of 2005
On March 26, 2007, the North
American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) submitted for
approval eight proposed regional Reliability Standards for the
Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC). The proposed
regional Reliability Standards would apply in the Western
Interconnection in addition to the 83 mandatory Reliability
Standards developed by NERC that will take effect on a nation-wide
basis beginning in June 2007. (As discussed below) Pursuant to
section 215(d)(2) of the Federal Power Act (FPA), FERC is approving
the proposed regional Reliability Standards.
$0
No
No
Uncollected
Uncollected
Uncollected
Uncollected
Jonathan First 202 502-8529
jonathan.first@ferc.gov
No
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