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November 22, 2024

Hello from ERO Insider, your window on the world of electric reliability! Things have been busy around here with so many meetings ahead of next week’s Thanksgiving holiday, so let’s take a look through this week’s stories from our correspondents.

At FERC’s open meeting this week, commission staff shared their outlook for energy markets this winter. Join Holden Mann inside for a look at the factors driving higher natural gas prices and warnings about grid reliability. (See FERC Outlines Reliability Impacts from Colder Winter.) 

Also at FERC, the commission ordered public utilities to adopt the latest version of the North American Energy Standards Board’s standards on communication and business practices. Check the link for more on the new standards and their implementation timeline. (See FERC Approves Adoption of Latest NAESB Standards.) 

NERC has officially completed work on the Interregional Transfer Capability Study, filing the final report with FERC earlier this week. Click through to hear the ERO staff’s reflections on their 18-month task and the next steps for the study. (See NERC Files ITCS to FERC, Meeting Congress’ Deadline.) 

Texas regulators have approved the state’s first utility resiliency plan, including measures aimed at mitigating wildfire risk, strengthening the distribution system and protecting against lightning strikes. Tom Kleckner watched the state’s Public Utility Commission meeting, and he’s got more on the decision. (See Texas PUC Approves 1st System Resiliency Plan.) 

The list of threats to grid security seems to grow every day, and utilities are doing everything they can to fight back. Exelon’s physical security chief joined a webinar this week to share his company’s work on the security issue; we’ve got a look at his talk inside. (See Exelon Leader Discusses Physical Security Programs.) 

That’s going to do it for this Friday! We won’t be sending an email next Friday because of the holiday, but we’ll still be on the lookout for new developments, so don’t forget to check back. Have a great week! 

Upcoming Stakeholder Meetings:

• 12/5/24: Talk with Texas RE: 2025 Implementation Plan
  
• 12/10/24: NERC Standards Committee Meeting