NERC submits first set of violation notices

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The North American Electric Reliability Corp. (NERC) will submit the first set of violation notices in the United States to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for approval under Section 215 of the Federal Power Act.

These notices document which reliability standards were violated and the actions taken by the companies involved to assure future compliance and improve reliability. NERC reliability standards are designed to ensure that the right practices are in place so the likelihood and severity of future bulk power system disturbances are substantially reduced.

This initial set will include a number of violations, the majority of which are documentation-related and do not include a financial penalty. The total value of financial penalties assessed equals $255,000. The violations are already being addressed by the companies involved, who are required to take immediate corrective action in addition to any financial penalties.

“The most important result from these notices is that reliability is being improved across North America due to proactive efforts to prevent future system disturbances,” commented Rick Sergel, NERC president and CEO. “It’s often said that the first step to fixing a problem is admitting that a problem exists, and that’s what these companies have done – they have stepped up to the plate and put the measures in place to improve grid reliability.”

The financial penalties are related to violations of NERC’s FAC-003-1 standard titled “Vegetation Management.” Improper vegetation clearance on transmission lines was a causal factor of the Aug. 14, 2003 blackout, where 50 million people across the Northeast U.S. and Southeast Canada lost power. Proper vegetation management within transmission rights-of-way continues to be one of NERC’s primary reliability concerns.

The companies involved in todayÂ’s notices are taking important steps to resolve vegetation management violations and improve reliability of the bulk power system.

“Generally we are seeing a very positive response to the ‘new era’ of mandatory compliance enforcement,” continued Sergel.

“In fact, more than half of the 1400 violations reported to NERC after June 18 were self-reported, meaning that bulk power system users, owners, and operators voluntarily disclosed an issue and proposed a way to address it. This is a strong indication that the mandatory enforcement program put in place through the formation of the international Electric Reliability Organization, NERC, is driving a culture of compliance, but more importantly reinforcing reliability standards, throughout the electricity industry.”