What is the purpose of the National Electric Reliability Council (NERC)?

The National Electric Reliability Council (NERC) is a regulatory body that works to maintain and improve the reliability of the electric power system in the United States. It was established in 1968 and consists of eight regional councils that represent different parts of the country. In Washington, the Northwest Power and Conservation Council is the council that represents the region. The purpose of NERC is to ensure the reliable operation of the entire bulk power system in North America. This is done by developing and enforcing mandatory standards on electric utilities and other system operators. These standards are developed through a consensus-based process that is open to industry workshops and public review. NERC standards focus on five main areas: system operations and planning, generation and transmission operations, protection and control, system security, and cyber security. They are designed to promote the safe and reliable operation of the bulk power system. NERC also oversees various regional Reliability Coordinators, which are responsible for monitoring power systems and ensuring that the industry is following all of the NERC standards. The Reliability Coordinators also work to address any issues or problems that arise in their region. In summary, the purpose of the National Electric Reliability Council (NERC) is to promote the safe and reliable operation of the bulk power system in North America by developing and enforcing mandatory standards. These standards are designed to ensure that electric utilities and system operators are following best practices for reliability and cyber security. NERC also works with regional Reliability Coordinators to monitor and address any issues that arise within their respective regions.

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What is the purpose of the National Electric Reliability Council (NERC)?

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