| The Grid - 20 Years of Progress | | https://rfirst.org/the-grid | The Grid - 20 Years of Progress | | <p><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-2"><strong><img alt="" style="margin:5px;" /><img src="/about/Newsroom/PublishingImages/2023%20Video%20Logos.png" alt="2023 Video Logos.png" style="margin:5px;" /></strong></span></p><p><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-2"><strong>Announcement</strong></span></p><div><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1"><strong>Video Highlights 20 Years of Reliability Progress following 2003 Northeast Blackout</strong></span></div><div><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1"><strong>August 1, 2023</strong><br></span></div><div><br class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1"></div><div><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1">This month marks the 20th anniversary of the 2003 Northeast blackout, which occurred on August 14, 2003, and impacted 50 million North Americans across Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Ontario. To highlight the progress the ERO Enterprise has made, NERC, NPCC and ReliabilityFirst collaborated on a video, <em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKXVT0V7SQY"><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-0"><strong>The Grid – 20 Years of Progress Since the 2003 Northeast Blackout</strong></span>,</a></em> reflecting on the progress made since then toward a more reliable and resilient grid.<br></span></div><div><br class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1"></div><div><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1">The blackout, the largest ever experienced in North America, prompted the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which created an electric reliability organization (ERO) charged with developing and enforcing mandatory Reliability Standards, assessing current and future reliability trends, analyzing system events, and recommending improved practices. NERC was certified as the ERO by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in July 2006, with the first standards going into effect on March 2007. Reflecting the interconnected nature of the grid, the National Energy Board in Canada subsequently entered into a memorandum of understanding, recognizing NERC as the international ERO in September 2006.<br></span></div><div><br class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1"></div><div><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1">“Since its inception, the ERO Enterprise has adapted to the ever-evolving challenges facing the bulk power system,” said Jim Robb, NERC president and CEO. “Following the blackout, we were focused on vegetation management to ensure an event like the 2003 blackout would not occur again. As we have become more dependent on technology on the grid and in our everyday lives, the challenges our industry is facing have become even more complex. We must remain agile to be able to successfully address these changes before they become issues.”<br></span></div><div><br class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1"></div><div><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1">As mentioned, industry is at an inflection point facing a wide variety of new challenges – resource and transmission adequacy, inverter-based resources, extreme weather and increased security threats – and the ERO Enterprise, which is NERC and the six Regional Entities, is uniquely positioned to work with industry, stakeholders, government partners and policymakers to identify and mitigate any potential impacts. While NERC and the Regional Entities play different roles in assuring the reliability and security of the grid, each role is equally important and complementary, allowing the ERO Enterprise to work effectively, efficiently, and collaboratively.<br></span></div><div><br class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1"></div><div><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1">“While NERC standards have served and continue to serve us well, neither NERC nor the Regional Entities are resting on their laurels,” said Charles Dickerson, NPCC president and CEO. “We continue to collaborate, identify and address risks to reliability associated with the changing resource mix, increased cyber and physical security threats, and the attraction and retention of talent.”<br></span></div><div><br class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1"></div><div><div><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1">The ERO Enterprise’s independent voice and its collaborative relationships with industry, academic and federal, state and provincial government partners position us to address the current and evolving landscape, with both reliability and security, now and into the future. </span></div><div><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1"><br></span></div><div><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1">“I am very proud of the progress the electricity industry has made since August 2003,” said Tim Gallagher, RF president and CEO. “Each day, we work to reduce the likelihood of another blackout occurring by identifying and reducing risk. This work is more important than ever amid the North American bulk power system’s transformation to a greener grid, all while the demands and expectations on this system are exponentially increasing. We relish this challenge, but it’s something that must be given the proper amount of time to be completed. Electricity is vital to the welfare and safety of the public, to our economy, and to our way of life. Getting this wrong is not an option.” </span></div><div><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1"><br></span></div><div><img alt="" style="margin:5px;" /><br class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1"></div><div><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1"><em>Electricity is a key component of the fabric of modern society and NERC, as the Electric Reliability Organization, serves to strengthen that fabric. The vision for the ERO Enterprise, which is comprised of NERC and the six Regional Entities, is a highly reliable and secure North American bulk power system. Our mission is to assure the effective and efficient reduction of risks to the reliability and security of the grid. </em> <br></span></div><div><br class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1"></div><div><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1"><strong>Medica Contact:</strong><br></span></div></div><blockquote style="margin:0px 0px 0px 40px;border:none;padding:0px;"><div><div><div><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1">NERC: <a href="mailto:communications@nerc.net"><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-0">communications@nerc.net</span> </a></span></div></div></div><div><div><div><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1">NPCC:<span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-0"> </span><a href="mailto:media@npcc-media.org"><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-0">media@npcc-media.org </span></a></span></div></div></div><div><div><div><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1">ReliabilityFirst: <a href="mailto:communications@Rfirst.org"><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-0">communications@Rfirst.org</span></a></span></div></div></div></blockquote> | aspx | 0x010100C568DB52D9D0A14D9B2FDCC96666E9F2007948130EC3DB064584E219954237AF3900242457EFB8B24247815D688C526CD44D0093A70D41E916EA45B5172B8FDD4B3EFA00F578CE634144CA46817471FA34146B93 | | | 2023-08-01T04:00:00.0000000Z |
| ReliabilityFirst releases Summer 2023 Resource Reliability Risk Assessment | | https://rfirst.org/reliabilityfirst-releases-summer-2023-resource-reliability-risk-assessment-(2) | ReliabilityFirst releases Summer 2023 Resource Reliability Risk Assessment | | <p><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">ReliabilityFirst (RF) performs a seasonal summer resource adequacy assessment based on data provided by PJM and MISO. For the upcoming summer of 2023, under projected 50/50 demand forecasts, both MISO and PJM are expected to have adequate resources to satisfy their respective planning reserve requirements. <br></span></p><p><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">However, if resource outages and/or demand are experienced beyond the established projections, there is an increased likelihood that both Load Modifying Resources and Operating Reserves would need to be utilized to serve forecasted load.<br></span></p><p><a href="/ProgramAreas/ESP/RAPA%20Library/RF%20Summer%202023%20Resource%20Reliability%20Risk%20Assessment.pdf"><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1 ms-rteForeColor-8" style="">Click here </span></a><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1"> to view the full report. </span><br></p><p><br></p> | aspx | 0x010100C568DB52D9D0A14D9B2FDCC96666E9F2007948130EC3DB064584E219954237AF3900242457EFB8B24247815D688C526CD44D0093A70D41E916EA45B5172B8FDD4B3EFA00F578CE634144CA46817471FA34146B93 | | | 2023-06-13T04:00:00.0000000Z |
| NERC releases 2023 Summer Reliability Assessment | | https://rfirst.org/nerc-releases-2023-summer-reliability-assessment | NERC releases 2023 Summer Reliability Assessment | | <p><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">The North American Electric Reliability Organization (NERC) warns that during periods of extreme demand this summer, two-thirds of North America is at risk of energy shortfalls in its 2023 Summer Reliability Assessment released Wednesday. </span></p><p><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">In the ReliabilityFirst region, MISO was listed among seven areas in North America that may face supply shortages during periods with higher demand levels, according to the report. </span></p><p><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">To access the full report on NERC's website, </span><a href="https://www.nerc.com/pa/RAPA/ra/Reliability%20Assessments%20DL/NERC_SRA_2023.pdf"><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">click here</span></a><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">. And to watch a NERC video breaking down the report, </span><a href="https://vimeopro.com/nerclearning/summer-reliability-assessment/video/827339134"><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">click here</span></a><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">. </span><br></p> | aspx | 0x010100C568DB52D9D0A14D9B2FDCC96666E9F2007948130EC3DB064584E219954237AF3900242457EFB8B24247815D688C526CD44D0093A70D41E916EA45B5172B8FDD4B3EFA00F578CE634144CA46817471FA34146B93 | | | 2023-05-17T04:00:00.0000000Z |
| RF issues November 2022 CMEP Update letter | | https://rfirst.org/cmep-update-letter-november-2022 | RF issues November 2022 CMEP Update letter | | <p>ReliabilityFirst has published the November 2022 edition of the monthly CMEP Update Letter. Here are some important updates and newsworthy announcements to note in this month's issue:<br></p><ul style="list-style-type:disc;"><li>Align November monthly update<br></li><li>Align Industry Webinar – SEL data handling Guidance</li><li>CORES reminder to continue updating Contacts in CDMS <span style="text-decoration:underline;">and</span> CORES<br></li><li>ERO Enterprise publishes Facility Ratings Best Practices Report</li><li>Plans to retire WebCDMS Legacy system<br></li><li>NEW! Guidance about the importance of reporting Registration Changes to Regions<br></li><li>RF Tech Talk schedule changes<br></li><li>Nov. 14 Tech Talk announcement with RF agenda<br></li><li>Important information about NERC Alerts<br></li><li>2023 NERC Periodic Data Submittal Schedule<br></li></ul><p><a href="/ProgramAreas/COMO/COMO%20Library/11%20-%20November%202022%20Monthly%20Compliance%20Update.pdf">Click here</a> to view the letter.<br><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p> | aspx | 0x010100C568DB52D9D0A14D9B2FDCC96666E9F2007948130EC3DB064584E219954237AF3900242457EFB8B24247815D688C526CD44D0093A70D41E916EA45B5172B8FDD4B3EFA00F578CE634144CA46817471FA34146B93 | | | 2022-11-08T05:00:00.0000000Z |
| ReliabilityFirst welcomes Vice President of Entity Engagement and Corporate Services Diane Holder | | https://rfirst.org/reliabilityfirst-welcomes-vice-president-of-entity-engagement-and-corporate-services-diane-holder | ReliabilityFirst welcomes Vice President of Entity Engagement and Corporate Services Diane Holder | | <p><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">ReliabilityFirst (RF) is excited to announce that Diane Holder will be the organization's new Vice President of Entity Engagement and Corporate Services.</span></p><p><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">In this role, Holder will provide executive leadership and oversee RF's outreach to utilities, government officials and the general public as well as internal corporate services for RF employees, including human resources, finance and information technology. She will also originate and cultivate from staff (and outside resources) new ideas that will enhance RF's ability to be a positive influence on the reliability, security and resiliency of the electric grid.</span></p><p><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">“I couldn't be more honored to join the talented team at ReliabilityFirst, an organization I have long admired in its mission to preserve and enhance the reliability and security of the bulk power system, and I'm thrilled to take part in this critical work," Holder said.</span></p><p><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">Holder joins RF from Pennsylvania American Water, where she was the organization's Vice President of Operations, working to ensure the safe, reliable delivery of clean drinking water for customers. She oversaw operations at more than 25 facilities in western Pennsylvania, ensuring regulatory compliance, managing operations budgets and providing top-notch customer service. </span></p><p><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">Holder also brings nearly 30 years of experience working in the electric industry at Allegheny Power, FirstEnergy and Duquesne Light Company. Her roles and experience include engineering, external affairs, operations, distribution and working as a chief of staff.</span></p><p><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">Holder earned a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. </span></p><p><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">She joins Vice President and General Counsel Niki Schaefer, Vice President of Reliability and Risk Jeff Craigo and Chief Security Officer Marcus Noel as the top leaders of the organization under President and CEO Tim Gallagher.</span></p><p><span class="ms-rteFontSize-1">“Diane brings tremendous experience, expertise and leadership to the RF team. We are excited to have her join RF and will immediately begin deploying her talents to help the industry and policy makers navigate the challenges the bulk electric system faces today and in the future," Gallagher said.</span><br></p><p><br></p> | aspx | 0x010100C568DB52D9D0A14D9B2FDCC96666E9F2007948130EC3DB064584E219954237AF3900242457EFB8B24247815D688C526CD44D0093A70D41E916EA45B5172B8FDD4B3EFA00F578CE634144CA46817471FA34146B93 | | | 2022-07-12T04:00:00.0000000Z |
| ReliabilityFirst Honors Former NERC CEO Michehl R. Gent | | https://rfirst.org/reliabilityfirst-honors-former-nerc-ceo-michehl-r-gent | ReliabilityFirst Honors Former NERC CEO Michehl R. Gent | | <font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;"><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1" style="background:white;color:black;">The RF team mourns
the passing of Michehl R. Gent on February 1, 2022. He was the longest
tenured CEO of NERC, serving the organization and industry from 1980-2005, and he
initiated the important shift from a voluntary reliability organization to one
with mandatory standards and enforcement. </span></p><font class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1" color="#000000">
</font><p style="margin:0in;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;"><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1" style="background:white;color:black;"> </span></p><font class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1" color="#000000">
</font><p style="margin:0in;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;"><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1" style="background:white;color:black;">Gent had the
foresight to establish the Electric Sector Information Sharing and Analysis
Center, and, under his leadership, NERC began its strong focus on cyber and
critical infrastructure protection. NERC changed the center’s name to the
Electricity Information Sharing and Analysis Center in 2015. In addition to his
dedication to building NERC into the successful organization it is today, he also
served on the Board of Directors for Electric Reliability Council of Texas
(ERCOT) for many years.</span></p><font class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1" color="#000000">
</font><p style="margin:0in;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;"><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1"><font color="#000000"> </font></span></p><font class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1" color="#000000">
</font><p style="margin:0in;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;"><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-1"><font color="#000000">“Mike was an outstanding
and visionary advocate for electric system reliability throughout his career,”
said Tim Gallagher, RF President and CEO. “He also was a strong leader, friend
and mentor to me when I was fortunate enough to work for him on the NERC staff.
I learned so much from Mike and owe the successes I have enjoyed during my
career in large part to him. The industry has lost a great friend.”</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font> | aspx | 0x010100C568DB52D9D0A14D9B2FDCC96666E9F2007948130EC3DB064584E219954237AF3900242457EFB8B24247815D688C526CD44D0093A70D41E916EA45B5172B8FDD4B3EFA00F578CE634144CA46817471FA34146B93 | | | 2022-02-03T05:00:00.0000000Z |
| RF Welcomes Chief Security Officer Marcus Noel | | https://rfirst.org/rf-welcomes-chief-security-officer-marcus-noel | RF Welcomes Chief Security Officer Marcus Noel | | <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">As an integral part of ReliabilityFirst’s (RF) continued
dedication to security, the organization is pleased to welcome Marcus Noel as
the new Chief Security Officer (CSO). In this role, he is responsible for establishing
and maintaining the organization’s cybersecurity and physical security
management program to ensure that information and physical assets are
adequately protected. Additionally, he will manage the critical task of
elevating industry relationships to understand, address and communicate emerging
threats and security trends.</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">Previously, Noel spent 10 years at FirstEnergy Corp. where
he worked on the Cybersecurity Governance Team, the Security Operations Center,
Security Technologies, and ultimately served as Manager of the Cybersecurity
Organization. Prior to FirstEnergy, he worked in cybersecurity at PNC Bank and
Cuyahoga Community College.</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">“We are thrilled for Marcus to join the RF team,” said
president & CEO, Tim Gallagher. “The CSO role is more important now than
ever due to the rapidly and constantly evolving threat landscape in the
electric utility sector. I’m confident his leadership in strategic and tactical
matters will allow us to successfully maintain and improve our security posture
and framework.”</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">Noel is a graduate of Bryant & Stratton College with an
associate degree in Accounting, Baldwin-Wallace University with a bachelor’s
degree in Business Administration, and Cleveland State University with a master’s
in Business Administration and a Juris Doctorate in Law. He has held the
Certified Information Systems Security Professional certification since 2009.</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">He will succeed current CSO, Larry Bugh, who will retire at
the end of this year.</font></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font> | aspx | 0x010100C568DB52D9D0A14D9B2FDCC96666E9F2007948130EC3DB064584E219954237AF3900242457EFB8B24247815D688C526CD44D0093A70D41E916EA45B5172B8FDD4B3EFA00F578CE634144CA46817471FA34146B93 | | | 2021-11-22T05:00:00.0000000Z |