FERC Terminates Grid Resilience Proceeding

FERC has terminated Docket No. AD18-7, a proceeding addressing, "Grid Resilience in Regional Transmission Organizations and Independent System Operators."

The proceeding had been opened to evaluate the resilience of the bulk power system in the regions operated by regional transmission organizations (RTO) and independent system operators (ISO).

"We terminate the proceeding established in Docket No. AD18-7-000. Based on our review of the record compiled over the last three years, we do not believe that any generic action is appropriate," FERC said

"That is not to suggest that resilience concerns are no longer an issue or that RTOs and ISOs have addressed all threats to the resilience of the bulk power system. To the contrary, the resilience and reliability of the bulk power system must -- and will -- remain one of the Commission’s paramount responsibilities and concerns," FERC said

"Instead, we believe that concerns about the resilience of the bulk power system are best addressed on a case-by-case and region-by-region basis. Be it wildfires in the West, hurricanes in the Southeast, or even the extreme cold weather experienced this week in Texas and the Great Plains, these threats present stark, but different challenges to the reliability of the electric grid. Addressing those individual challenges in a manner that is both effective -- for the grid and the region -- and consistent with our statutory authority under the FPA requires an approach that is tailored to the specific threats and circumstances in a particular region, not a one-size-fits-all solution. To that end, we will continue working closely with RTOs, ISOs, and other public utilities to address grid resilience and take all appropriate actions to ensure that the electric grid remains reliable. Although today’s order marks the end of this proceeding, it is not the end of the Commission’s ongoing efforts to ensure the resilience and reliability of the bulk power system," FERC said