Weekly Update

May 4–8, 2026

WECC News

^New Extreme Weather Readiness Assessment

WECC released the Western Interconnection Extreme Weather Readiness Assessment, a high-level report of the activities of WECC's Assurance Program to date.

The program focuses on extreme weather risks, both cold and hot, within the interconnection. WECC partners with entities to identify best practices and areas for improvement.

WECC appreciates those entities that have participated in the Assurance Program and their continued efforts to support reliable operations.

Read the Assessment

^New Grid Fundamentals

August 18–19

WECC will be hosting Grid Fundamentals in Salt Lake City. This in-person training will provide an overview of the electric power system. Participants will explore how the grid works and the principles behind its operation and regulation. Each day will deliver insight into the technology, operations, and markets underlying a modern, reliable power grid. The course also addresses reliability risks and challenges facing today's electric grid.

Reliability in the West Discussion Series: Assessing Summer Conditions and Readiness

May 6, 11 a.m.–noon MDT

The May Reliability in the West will focus on summer conditions and readiness. The discussion will cover a wide range of topics, including summer weather outlook, upcoming reliability concerns, resource availability, extreme weather, and more.

Sunny Wescott, ISAC chief meteorologist at Geospatial Intelligence, will provide an update on general weather conditions, and runoff and drought status. Vic Howell, director of reliability assessments and modeling at WECC, will moderate the panel. Panelists will include:

Brian D'Agostino, Vice President of Wildfire and Climate Science, San Diego Gas & Electric
Tricia Johnstone, Director, Operational Readiness, CAISO
Katie Rogers, Reliability Assessments Manager, WECC

Learn more

Power Systems Security Conference

August 11–13, Salt Lake City, Utah

WECC is hosting its fourth annual Power Systems Security Conference, dedicated to advancing the protection of the Western Interconnection. This event will address urgent security challenges and offer recommended solutions.

The conference offers a unique platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and professional networking.

Electrifying Trivia

What animal is the leading cause of power outages in the United States?

A Birds

B Squirrels

C Mice

D Bears

Time to Act

^New WECC Business Plan and Budget is Posted for Comment

WECC has posted its 2027 Business Plan and Budget for stakeholder comments. This document contains information about all of WECC’s department budgets. We value constructive feedback and input from all our stakeholders, and we encourage you to submit comments by the close of business on Friday, May 15.

We assume that comments submitted by Member Representatives reflect the position of the entity. All others will be considered as individual stakeholder views.

View the 2027 Business Plan and Budget

Project 2025-03 Order No. 901 Operational Studies

The formal comment period is open through May 4, 8 p.m. EDT. Use the Standards Balloting and Commenting System (SBS) to submit comments.

View the Project 2025-03 page on NERC's website

Read the Standards Process Manual

Project 2025-04 Order No. 901 Planning Studies

The formal comment period is open through May 4, 8 p.m. EDT. Use the SBS to submit comments.

View the Project 2025-04 page on NERC's website

Read the Standards Process Manual

Project 2026-01 PRC-006 Standard Updates

The formal comment period is open through May 6, 8 p.m. EDT.

Drafting team nominations are open through May 6, 8 p.m. EDT.

Use the SBS to submit comments.

Use the electronic form to submit a nomination.

View the Project 2026-01 page on NERC's website

Read the Standards Process Manual

We're Hiring

Join our team as a senior developer.

Apply Now

View other open positions at WECC.

ERO Happenings

^New NERC GADS Training

NERC, in collaboration with the North American Generator Forum and EPRI, will conduct an in-person training for Generating Availability Data System (GADS) conventional reporting and for wind and solar reporting July 7–9, at the EPRI campus in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Registration is required by June 26. A virtual option is available for those unable to attend in-person.

^New NERC MSPP Implementation FAQs

Read

NERC released FAQs for the Modernization of Standards Processes and Procedures (MSPP) initiative.

The FAQs outline MSPP objectives, updates to the standards development process, and opportunities for stakeholder engagement throughout implementation.

View the MSPP page on NERC's website

^New NERC Files IBR Registration Update

Read

NERC filed the Inverter-based Resource Registration Work Plan Update with FERC, which reports that NERC and the regional entities have processed registration for 100% of entities with identified IBRs.

While this filing concludes the FERC-approved three-year work plan, efforts to identify, register, and support applicable entities will continue.

Milestone 4 Industry Engagement Workshop

NERC will host a Milestone 4 Industry Engagement Workshop May 19–20 in Detroit, Michigan.

The workshop will explore industry comments received during the balloting period, as well as questions raised during outreach. Breakout sessions will provide opportunities for discussions on the relevant standards and to integrate industry comments.

Registration is open through May 5.

View the agenda

NERC Member Representatives Committee Informational Session

The NERC Member Representatives Committee (MRC) will host an informational session May 13, 1–2:30 p.m. EDT.

The session will be structured in two parts:

Address topics that provide additional information relevant to the operations of NERC.
Review preliminary agenda topics for upcoming MRC, board of trustees, board committee, and technical session meetings.

View the event page on NERC's website

Wednesday, May 6, 11 a.m.–noon MDT

May

6–8

View Calendar

MVS — Modeling and Validation Subcommittee

Hybrid — Salt Lake City, Utah

Wednesday, May 6, 3–5 p.m. MDT

Thursday, May 7, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. MDT

Friday, May 8, 9 a.m.–noon MDT

Electrifying Trivia Answer

Answer B

Squirrels are the number one cause of animal-related power outages in the United States, causing around 8.5–20% of all annual power outages. The American Public Power Association (APPA) tracks these incidents with what they call a “Squirrel Index.”

Engage with WECC

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