WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, NERC filed the proposed Reliability Standard EOP-012-3 – Extreme Cold Weather Preparedness and Operations with FERC. This standard represents the conclusion of several years of hard, focused work by industry stakeholders and two NERC drafting teams.
After two previous drafts of this standard failed to achieve ballot approval, the NERC Board of Trustees invoked its longstanding special authority under Section 321 of the Rules of Procedure in January to meet FERC’s deadline and in deference to the importance of this standard. Representatives from the Standards Committee, along with members of the drafting team and NERC staff, prepared a responsive standard that built on the prior framework approved by FERC and took into consideration comments from a broad group of stakeholders and final recommendations to further clarify the standard.
Today’s filing reflects NERC’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the reliability, resilience, and security of the North American bulk power system. The revised standard is the result of significant industry collaboration and incorporates lessons learned from recent severe winter weather events, aligning with FERC directives and recommendations.
EOP-012-3 represents a meaningful step forward in addressing the risks posed by cold weather, strengthening generator preparedness and performance through clearer and more effective requirements. By focusing on consistent implementation and timely remediation of freezing issues, EOP-012-3 will help ensure that the grid is better equipped to withstand and recover from extreme cold weather events.
