| ReliabilityFirst Granted Additional Discretion for Standards Impacted by COVID-19 | | https://rfirst.org/reliabilityfirst-granted-additional-discretion-for-standards-impacted-by-covid-19 | ReliabilityFirst Granted Additional Discretion for Standards Impacted by COVID-19 | | <p><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">The ERO Enterprise (i.e., North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and the Regional Entities) announced an expansion of regulatory discretion related to coronavirus impacts. More specifically, the ERO Enterprise is implementing a temporary expansion of Self-Logging to allow </span><strong class="ms-rteFontSize-1">all </strong><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">registered entities to self-log instances of potential noncompliance related to coronavirus impacts. (</span><a href="https://www.nerc.com/news/Pages/ERO-Enterprise-Releases-New-Guidance-Temporarily-Expanding-Self-Logging-Program-Due-to-Coronavirus-Impacts.aspx"><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1" style="text-decoration:underline;">See Full Announcement</span></a><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1" style="text-decoration:underline;">.</span><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">) This is limited to noncompliance posing only minimal and moderate risk and excludes noncompliance posing serious risk. </span></p><p><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">Under this temporary expansion of the Self-Logging Program, potential noncompliance related to coronavirus impacts and logged in accordance with the guidance is expected to be resolved without further action. All registered entities are encouraged to review NERC's </span><a href="https://www.nerc.com/pa/comp/CAOneStopShop/ERO%20Enterprise%20Guidance%20Potential%20Noncompliance%20Related%20to%20Coronavirus%20Impacts.pdf"><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1" style="text-decoration:underline;">comprehensive guidance document</span></a><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1"> for the additional discretion. This expansion does not constitute an admission to the Self-Logging Program and expires on September 30, 2020. </span></p><p><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">The announcement is an expansion of the regulatory discretion provided on March 18, 2020, relating to personnel certification and periodic requirements, which can be viewed </span><a href="/regulatory-discretion-for-covid-19-impacts"><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1" style="text-decoration:underline;">here</span></a><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">. NERC is maintaining an </span><a href="https://www.nerc.com/pa/comp/CAOneStopShop/COVID19_ORC_CMEP%20FAQs_Posted.xlsx"><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1" style="text-decoration:underline;">FAQ document</span></a><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1"> addressing industry questions on the guidance on the </span><a href="https://www.nerc.com/pa/comp/Pages/CAOneStopShop.aspx"><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1" style="text-decoration:underline;">CMEP One-Stop Shop</span></a><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">. FERC also approved NERC's motion to </span><a href="https://www.nerc.com/news/Pages/NERC-Files-Motion-to-Defer-Implementation-of-Seven-Reliability-Standards-Due-to-COVID-19.aspx"><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1" style="text-decoration:underline;">defer the implementation of seven Reliability Standards</span></a><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1"> with effective dates or phased-in implementation dates in the second half of 2020 to help assure grid reliability amid the impacts posed by the coronavirus outbreak. Finally, the ERO Enterprise postponed on-site audits and other on-site activities through September 7, 2020.</span></p><p><strong class="ms-rteFontSize-1">Entity Instructions</strong></p><p><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">In a case of a noncompliance relating to entities' COVID-19 response, the entity should reach out to their enforcement case manager at ReliabilityFirst (RF) to discuss how to securely submit Self-Logged noncompliance(s). If an entity is not aware of who their case manager is, please contact RF using the </span><a href="/Pages/Contact%20Us.aspx"><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1" style="text-decoration:underline;">Contact Us Page</span></a><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">, and your case manager will reach out to you.</span></p><p><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">After you have connected with your case manager, please submit your entity's COVID-19 Self-Log by downloading a copy of the </span><a href="https://www.nerc.com/pa/comp/CAOneStopShop/COVID_Logging%20Spreadsheet%20-Template.xlsx"><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1" style="text-decoration:underline;">spreadsheet log template</span></a><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1"> posted on the NERC website. This should be accomplished in accordance with the guidance below. </span></p><ul style="list-style-type:disc;"><li><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">Include the following required information in the log template submission:</span></li><ul style="list-style-type:square;"><li><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">Entity name, NCR, and entity contact information;</span></li><li><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">Applicable Region;</span></li><li><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">Affected functions;</span></li><li><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">Date the potential noncompliance was submitted to the Regional Entity;</span></li><li><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">Specific Standard and Requirement at issue; </span></li><li><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">Description of the potential noncompliance, including the circumstances relating to the impact of the Coronavirus response the entity employed, that will (has) prevent(ed) maintaining or achieving compliance; </span></li><li><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">Date the potential noncompliance was discovered;</span></li><li><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">Date the potential noncompliance began or will begin;</span></li><li><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">Anticipated date the potential noncompliance will be resolved and compliance will be achieved;</span></li><li><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">Description of the potential harm not being compliant could cause to the bulk power system;</span></li><li><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">Actions taken, or to be taken, to get back into compliance; and</span></li><li><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">Actions taken to mitigate any risk associated with the potential noncompliance until compliance can be achieved and the anticipated completion dates for such actions. </span></li></ul></ul><p><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">Thank you for your dedication to ensuring the health and safety of your employees, your communities, and the continued reliability and security of the RF Region.<br> <br>If you have other questions or concerns regarding the coronavirus outbreak that are not related to this regulatory discretion, please use the Contact Us page. Choose “COVID-19" as the Area and “Updates - COVID-19" as the Topic.</span></p> | aspx | 0x010100C568DB52D9D0A14D9B2FDCC96666E9F2007948130EC3DB064584E219954237AF3900242457EFB8B24247815D688C526CD44D0093A70D41E916EA45B5172B8FDD4B3EFA00F578CE634144CA46817471FA34146B93 | | | 2020-05-31T04:00:00.0000000Z |
| Align Registered Entity Newsletter | | https://rfirst.org/align-registered-entity-newsletter-(2) | Align Registered Entity Newsletter | | <p></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1"><font color="#000000">ReliabilityFirst
is happy to share the latest <strong>Align Registered Entity Newsletter </strong>(click <a href="/about/Tools%20Portal%20Library/2020%20May%20Align%20Registered%20Entity%20Newsletter.pdf"><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-6-0">here</span></a> to read). This issue
provides information on the ERO Enterprise Secure Evidence Locker (SEL),
Registered Entity testing of the Align Tool, an update on the development of
training materials, and an Align FAQs link. Please contact ReliabilityFirst
Align project change agent, </font><a href="mailto:ray.sefchik@rfirst.org"><font class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1 ms-rteThemeForeColor-6-0">Ray Sefchik</font></a><font color="#000000">
with any questions.</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font> | aspx | 0x010100C568DB52D9D0A14D9B2FDCC96666E9F2007948130EC3DB064584E219954237AF3900242457EFB8B24247815D688C526CD44D0093A70D41E916EA45B5172B8FDD4B3EFA00F578CE634144CA46817471FA34146B93 | | | 2020-05-19T04:00:00.0000000Z |
| ReliabilityFirst Welcomes Niki Schaefer as VP & General Counsel | | https://rfirst.org/reliabilityfirst-welcomes-niki-schaefer-as-vp-general-counsel | ReliabilityFirst Welcomes Niki Schaefer as VP & General Counsel | | <span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1" id="ms-rterangepaste-start"></span><font class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1" color="#000000">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;"><font class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1" color="#000000">ReliabilityFirst (RF) is pleased to welcome Niki Schaefer
back to the organization. As vice president and general counsel for RF, Schaefer
is responsible for ensuring the Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Program
(CMEP) functions are effectively executed for electric utilities in the 13
states and Washington, D.C. that make up the RF footprint. In this role, she leads
the Legal, Enforcement and Compliance Monitoring teams. </font></p><font class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1" color="#000000">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;"><font class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1" color="#000000">“Niki’s extensive background in helping shape strategic
objectives and policies, as well as managing high-performing teams, make her uniquely
positioned to significantly contribute to RF’s mission of preserving and enhancing
the reliability and security of the bulk power system,” said Tim Gallagher, RF
president and CEO. “Those who had the pleasure of working with Niki during her
previous time at RF understand why we are so thrilled to welcome her back to
the team.”</font></p><font class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1" color="#000000">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;"><font class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1" color="#000000">As part of RF’s ongoing efforts to serve entities and
stakeholders more effectively, Rob Eckenrod will take on the new role of vice president,
entity engagement and corporate services. “Rob has been an outstanding addition
to the RF team, and this new role marries his comprehensive experience on ‘the
other side of the table’ with the knowledge he’s gained as a key leader at RF
this past year to deliver proactive solutions to our industry partners,” said
Gallagher. “We recognize that COVID-19 has created challenging times for
everyone but the organizational changes better position RF to meet the needs of
our constituents, and given our history with both Rob and Niki, we have every
confidence in their ability to help lead us through it.”</font></p><font class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1" color="#000000">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;"><font class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1" color="#000000">Schaefer returns to RF from Eaton Corporation where she served
as counsel to senior leadership teams across multiple business units within
Eaton’s electrical sector supporting more than $2 billion in revenue. Prior to
Eaton, she was the managing enforcement counsel at RF and directed the teams
responsible for carrying out enforcement of electric reliability regulations.
Before working in the electric industry, she was a trial lawyer for a large
Cleveland law firm litigating commercial and personal injury cases in State and
Federal Courts across the country. </font></p><font class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1" color="#000000">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;"><font class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1" color="#000000">Schaefer received her B.A. in American Studies from Cornell
University, and graduated cum laude from CWRU School of Law where she received
an academic scholarship. In addition to earning multiple professional awards –
most recently being named to the 2020 Super Lawyers list by Cleveland Jewish
News – Schaefer is very active in the Cleveland community through volunteer
work for University Hospitals Partnership for Families and the American Heart
Association. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of The Gathering
Place, a non-profit that provides free therapeutic services to people with
cancer and their loved ones.</font></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font> | aspx | 0x010100C568DB52D9D0A14D9B2FDCC96666E9F2007948130EC3DB064584E219954237AF3900242457EFB8B24247815D688C526CD44D0093A70D41E916EA45B5172B8FDD4B3EFA00F578CE634144CA46817471FA34146B93 | | | 2020-04-28T04:00:00.0000000Z |
| ReliabilityFirst SVP & Treasurer Ray Palmieri Retiring | | https://rfirst.org/reliabilityfirst-svp-treasurer-ray-palmieri-retiring | ReliabilityFirst SVP & Treasurer Ray Palmieri Retiring | | <font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;"><font class="ms-rteFontSize-1" color="#000000" face="Arial">Ray Palmieri, ReliabilityFirst (RF) senior vice president
and treasurer, announced his retirement, effective June 1, 2020. In addition to
serving as treasurer since 2012, Palmieri was a member of the team who
established ReliabilityFirst Corporation in 2006, and he was the organization’s
sole vice president for many years before being promoted to senior vice
president. He was responsible for the leadership and implementation of the
Reliability Engineering, IT and Finance functions, and he continued to support
RF’s efforts to ensure the NERC and RF policies, procedures and standards were adhered
to such that reliability of the Bulk Power System was advanced.</font></p><font class="ms-rteFontSize-1" color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;"><font class="ms-rteFontSize-1" color="#000000" face="Arial">“It would be difficult, if not impossible, to sum up Ray’s
immeasurable contributions to the industry and tireless efforts to advance RF,”
said Tim Gallagher, RF president and CEO. “I’m grateful to Ray for his
partnership over the last 15 years in developing RF since its infancy to become
the strong Region it is today, as well as for his friendship, leadership,
comradery and passion for this industry. There are so many of us throughout the
ERO who know Ray and have been touched by our interactions with him, and his
legacy in our industry is one that will last for many years to come.”</font></p><font class="ms-rteFontSize-1" color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;"><font class="ms-rteFontSize-1" color="#000000" face="Arial">Palmieri’s leadership elevated the importance of industry
performance monitoring, and he championed enhanced performance and reliability
management through feedback and a drive toward continuous improvement.</font></p><font class="ms-rteFontSize-1" color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;"><font class="ms-rteFontSize-1" color="#000000" face="Arial">“Throughout my career, I’m fortunate to have connected and
engaged with such talented and dedicated professionals, and I’m especially
proud of the strides we made to advance the compliance aspects of the
industry,” said Palmieri. “The success of the utility industry is paramount to
the advancement of society, and I wish the industry and all the people in it
nothing but success in carrying out the mission I’ve enjoyed working toward
together for the past 47 years.”</font></p><font class="ms-rteFontSize-1" color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;"><font class="ms-rteFontSize-1" color="#000000" face="Arial">Prior to the establishment of RF, Palmieri worked in the
ECAR region, starting up the compliance program for one of the three
predecessor reliability regions that formed RF. He has worked with and chaired a
number of NERC teams, including compliance, standards, registration,
organization certification and reliability coordination. He held various senior
leadership positions in Operations, Engineering and support functions for 24
years at the Nuclear Generation Facilities for Northeast Utilities and Exelon,
as well as maintaining a Senior Reactor Operators license for 15 years.</font></p><font class="ms-rteFontSize-1" color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;"><font class="ms-rteFontSize-1" color="#000000" face="Arial">Palmieri is a Professional Engineer in New York and
Connecticut; a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers; a past
chairman and member of various Nuclear Industry Owners Groups; and served as a
Lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Reserve. He graduated from New York Maritime
College with a Bachelor of Engineering in Marine/Mechanical Engineering and
holds an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.</font></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font> | aspx | 0x010100C568DB52D9D0A14D9B2FDCC96666E9F2007948130EC3DB064584E219954237AF3900242457EFB8B24247815D688C526CD44D0093A70D41E916EA45B5172B8FDD4B3EFA00F578CE634144CA46817471FA34146B93 | | | 2020-04-23T04:00:00.0000000Z |
| NERC Publishes FAQs for Joint NERC–FERC Industry Guidance on COVID-19 | | https://rfirst.org/nerc-publishes-faqs-for-joint-nerc–ferc-industry-guidance-on-covid-19 | NERC Publishes FAQs for Joint NERC–FERC Industry Guidance on COVID-19 | | <font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;"><font class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1" color="#000000">FERC recently announced steps to ensure that operators of
the Bulk Electric System can focus their resources on keeping people safe and
the lights on during this unprecedented COVID-19 emergency. Since the
announcement, NERC and the Regional Entities have received a number of
questions from industry. In response, NERC has published a FAQ document to
help provide additional clarity on the guidance, and will regularly update the
FAQ document as new questions are received. The FAQ document can be found
here: </font><a href="https://www.nerc.com/pa/comp/CAOneStopShop/COVID19_ORC_CMEP%20FAQs_Posted.xlsx"><strong class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1"><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><font color="#0563c1">COVID-19
ORC and CMEP Frequently Asked Questions</font></span></strong></a><font class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1" color="#000000">. </font></p><font class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1" color="#000000">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;"><font class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1" color="#000000">For details regarding the process Registered Entities should
use to submit exception requests to ReliabilityFirst under FERC’s guidance,
please view our </font><a href="/regulatory-discretion-for-covid-19-impacts"><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1" style="text-decoration:underline;"><font color="#0563c1">previous
Announcement</font></span></a><font class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1" color="#000000">. If you have other questions or concerns regarding the
COVID-19 outbreak implications, please use the </font><a href="/Pages/Contact%20Us.aspx"><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1" style="text-decoration:underline;"><font color="#0563c1">Contact Us page</font></span></a><font class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1" color="#000000"> on
ReliabilityFirst’s website.</font></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font> | aspx | 0x010100C568DB52D9D0A14D9B2FDCC96666E9F2007948130EC3DB064584E219954237AF3900242457EFB8B24247815D688C526CD44D0093A70D41E916EA45B5172B8FDD4B3EFA00F578CE634144CA46817471FA34146B93 | | | 2020-04-03T04:00:00.0000000Z |
| Regulatory Discretion for COVID-19 Impacts | | https://rfirst.org/regulatory-discretion-for-covid-19-impacts | Regulatory Discretion for COVID-19 Impacts | | <span class="ms-rteFontSize-1" id="ms-rterangepaste-start"></span><p><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) announced that they are taking steps to ensure that operators of the bulk electric system can focus their resources on keeping people safe and the lights on during this unprecedented public health emergency. (See Full Announcement </span><a href="https://www.nerc.com/news/Headlines%20DL/FERC%20NERC%20031820%20final.pdf"><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1" style="text-decoration:underline;">here</span></a><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">.)</span></p><p><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">To that end, FERC and NERC are using regulatory discretion to consider the impact of the coronavirus outbreak in complying with Reliability Standards as follows:</span></p><ul style="list-style-type:disc;"><li><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1"><strong>Personnel Certification:</strong> The effects of the coronavirus will be considered an acceptable basis for non-compliance with obtaining and maintaining personnel certification, as required by PER-003-2, for the period of March 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. <br> </span></li><li><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1"><strong>Standards involving Periodic Actions:</strong> The effects of the coronavirus will be considered an acceptable reason for case-by-case non-compliance with Reliability Standard requirements involving <strong>periodic actions</strong> that would have been taken between March 1, 2020 and July 31, 2020. Examples<em> </em>include timing requirements under PRC-005-6 and CIP-007-6 R2.</span></li></ul><p><strong class="ms-rteFontSize-1">Entity Instructions</strong></p><p><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">In a case of delay in compliance activities under either of the two scenarios above (PER-003-2 or Standards involving periodic actions), entities must:</span></p><ul style="list-style-type:disc;"><li><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">Notify ReliabilityFirst of their exception request using ReliabilityFirst's Exception Request Form, available <a href="/ProgramAreas/Enforcement/Resources/Enforcement%20Resources%20Library/2020%20Exception%20Request%20Form.docx"><span lang="EN" style="text-decoration:underline;">here</span></a>. Follow the submittal instructions contained within the form. Your Enforcement Case Manager will work with you in processing the request.</span></li><li><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">Be prepared to communicate and document the following information. </span></li><ul style="list-style-type:circle;"><li><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">What specific Standard/Requirement is at issue?</span></li><li><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">What circumstances exist at your entity relating to COVID-19 that will prevent the compliance activity from being completed on-time?</span></li><li><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">Are there interim mitigating activities you are putting in place?</span></li><li><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">What actions will you need to take to get back into compliance, and when do you anticipate that these will be complete?</span></li></ul></ul><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1"></span><p><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">Thank you for your dedication to ensuring the health and safety of your employees, your communities, and the continued reliability and security of the ReliabilityFirst Region.</span><br class="ms-rteFontSize-1"><br class="ms-rteFontSize-1"><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">If you have other questions or concerns regarding the coronavirus outbreak that are not related to this regulatory discretion, please use the Contact Us page located </span><a href="/Pages/Contact%20Us.aspx"><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1" style="text-decoration:underline;">here</span></a><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">. Choose “COVID-19" as the Area and “Updates - COVID-19" as the Topic.</span></p> | aspx | 0x010100C568DB52D9D0A14D9B2FDCC96666E9F2007948130EC3DB064584E219954237AF3900242457EFB8B24247815D688C526CD44D0093A70D41E916EA45B5172B8FDD4B3EFA00F578CE634144CA46817471FA34146B93 | | | 2020-03-24T04:00:00.0000000Z |
| ReliabilityFirst Efforts to Mitigate Coronavirus Impacts | | https://rfirst.org/reliabilityfirst-efforts-to-mitigate-coronavirus-impacts | ReliabilityFirst Efforts to Mitigate Coronavirus Impacts | | <p><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">ReliabilityFirst (RF) continues to actively monitor the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, including information from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In addition to upholding our mission to ensure the reliability and security of the electric grid, our top priority is the health and safety of all personnel at RF, our entities, stakeholders, and colleagues across the ERO Enterprise. Due to the dynamic nature of the situation, we will continually reassess our plans and precautionary measures on an ongoing basis.</span></p><p><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">Out of an abundance of caution, RF leadership has decided to institute our business continuity plan, which includes the closure of RF offices until further notice. This includes the step of switching the following in-person meetings to be conducted via WebEx/conference call:</span></p><ul style="list-style-type:disc;"><ul style="list-style-type:disc;"><li><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">Board Committee Meetings (Compliance; Finance and Audit; Nominating and Governance) on March 18 in Cleveland, OH</span></li><li><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">Board of Directors Meeting on March 19 in Cleveland, OH</span></li><li><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">Reliability Committee Meeting on April 15 in Cleveland, OH</span></li><li><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">Protection Subcommittee Meeting on April 8-9 in Cleveland, OH</span></li><li><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">RF Annual Spring Reliability and CIP Workshop on April 21-23 in Detroit, MI</span></li></ul></ul><p><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">Guidance on pending audits and any impacts on Compliance is forthcoming, and your cooperation and flexibility are appreciated.</span></p><p><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">As industry-wide collaboration efforts to mitigate the potential impacts of COVID-19 continue, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) has taken on a number of initiatives to inform stakeholders and protect the health of its workforce. </span></p><p><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">NERC is active with the Electricity Subsector Coordinating Council (ESCC)* and participates in joint, biweekly ESCC calls with key government partners (Department of Energy, Department of Homeland Security, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Department of Health and Human Services) in addressing COVID-19. This effort began last week to provide general situational awareness and share best practices. As part of that effort, NERC worked with trade organizations and other entities to help develop and distribute this guidance document designed to support industry leaders in making informed, localized decisions in response to this evolving global health emergency. </span></p><p><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">The document – </span><a href="https://images.magnetmail.net/documents/clients/EEI_/2020-03/ovodrzgn.2mp/ESCC_Coronovirus_Resource_Guide_031020.pdf"><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1" style="text-decoration:underline;">Assessing and Mitigating the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)</span></a><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1"> – is posted on the ESCC website, the E-ISAC portal, and shared with other sectors and government partners. The guide will evolve as additional information and recommended practices are identified.</span></p><p><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">Questions on the guidance document should be directed to secretariat@electricitysubsector.org.</span></p><p><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1"><em>*Background on the ESCC: The CEO-led Electricity Subsector Coordinating Council (ESCC) serves as the principal liaison between the federal government and the electric power industry, with the mission of coordinating efforts to prepare for, and respond to, national-level disasters or threats to critical infrastructure. The ESCC focuses on actions and strategies that help protect the energy grid, prevent various threats from disrupting electricity service, and develop capabilities that help the sector quickly respond and recover when major incidents impact the grid</em>.</span></p> | aspx | 0x010100C568DB52D9D0A14D9B2FDCC96666E9F2007948130EC3DB064584E219954237AF3900242457EFB8B24247815D688C526CD44D0093A70D41E916EA45B5172B8FDD4B3EFA00F578CE634144CA46817471FA34146B93 | | | 2020-03-13T04:00:00.0000000Z |
| Align Project | | https://rfirst.org/align-project | Align Project | | <p><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0 ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1" style="">Release 1 Update and FAQ. See information <a href="/ProgramAreas/Enforcement/Resources/Enforcement%20Resources%20Library/Align%20Release%201%20Update%20and%20FAQs.pdf">here</a>.</span></p> | aspx | 0x010100C568DB52D9D0A14D9B2FDCC96666E9F2007948130EC3DB064584E219954237AF3900242457EFB8B24247815D688C526CD44D0093A70D41E916EA45B5172B8FDD4B3EFA00F578CE634144CA46817471FA34146B93 | | | 2019-09-05T04:00:00.0000000Z |
| Released the FERC and NERC Release Report on January 2018 Extreme Cold Weather Event | | https://rfirst.org/released-the-ferc-and-nerc-release-report-on-january-2018-extreme-cold-weather-event | Released the FERC and NERC Release Report on January 2018 Extreme Cold Weather Event | | <font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;text-align:justify;"><font size="3"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman"></font><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0"></span></font> </p><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;text-align:justify;"><font size="3"><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0">ReliabilityFirst was pleased to be a part of the team and
looks forward to continuing to work collaboratively to ensure cold weather
preparedness. </span></font></p><div style="text-align:justify;"><font class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0" size="3">
</font></div><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;"><font class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0" size="3"><strong>Click here for:</strong> <em><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><span style="font-style:normal;text-decoration:underline;"><a href="https://www.nerc.com/pa/rrm/ea/Documents/South_Central_Cold_Weather_Event_FERC-NERC-Report_20190718.pdf"><em class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0" style="text-decoration:underline;">South Central U.S. Cold Weather Event of January 17, 2018
Joint Report</em></a></span></span></em></font></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="color:#1f497d;"><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font> | aspx | 0x010100C568DB52D9D0A14D9B2FDCC96666E9F2007948130EC3DB064584E219954237AF3900242457EFB8B24247815D688C526CD44D0093A70D41E916EA45B5172B8FDD4B3EFA00F578CE634144CA46817471FA34146B93 | | | 2019-07-29T04:00:00.0000000Z |
| Align Project Update | | https://rfirst.org/align-project-update | Align Project Update | | <p style="text-align:justify;"><strong class="ms-rteFontSize-1">Development and Training Update</strong></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">The ERO Project Team is continuing to develop and test Release 1 of the Align Tool. Current work includes addressing must-have features identified during the May 2019 User Acceptance Testing by Regional Entity Staff. With this in mind, the development and testing phases of the project will require a 6-8 week extension that will consume most of the original training window scheduled for July, August, and early September. <strong>As a result, Regional Staff and Registered Entity training sessions will be rescheduled after September 15, 2019.</strong> ReliabilityFirst will continue to work closely with the ERO Project Team, and provide updates to our stakeholders on a revised schedule and registrations for both the Regional Staff and Registered Entity Align training sessions.</span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><strong class="ms-rteFontSize-1">Deployment Update</strong></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">Due to the shift in dates for the development and training phases, the ERO Project Team and Steering Committee are considering a staged approach to the Align Tool Release 1 deployment. The approach would target the end of September for the first go-live with one or two Regions and have the remaining Regions live by the end of October. The Project Team and leadership are considering this option, but have not made any definitive decisions. The Steering Committee is convening in mid-July to further discuss and evaluate deployment options, and select an approach that ensures a successful launch. We will provide an update following the Steering Committee meeting. In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact ReliabilityFirst Align Project Change Agent, <a href="mailto:ray.sefchik@rfirst.org">Ray Sefchik</a>.</span></p> | aspx | 0x010100C568DB52D9D0A14D9B2FDCC96666E9F2007948130EC3DB064584E219954237AF3900242457EFB8B24247815D688C526CD44D0093A70D41E916EA45B5172B8FDD4B3EFA00F578CE634144CA46817471FA34146B93 | | | 2019-06-26T04:00:00.0000000Z |