Federal energy regulators have finalized rules targeting the bulk power system’s reliability against extreme weather events that pose an “unacceptable risk to life and economic harm.”

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Under the rule, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) would develop reliability standards for transmission organizations to prepare for extreme weather events “for the first time,” said FERC Chairman Willie Phillips (No. RM22-10).

The rule requires transmission providers to develop planning cases for a range of extreme weather using steady state and transient stability analyses. Additionally, entities must develop corrective action plans in the event performance requirements during extreme weather are not met. 

“Make no mistake: Reliability at FERC is Job No....