WECC News

Update to WECC Newsletter

This will be the last weekly newsletter, as we are switching to a monthly cadence. You can expect the first edition on October 13, and future editions on the second Tuesday of each month.

This change will enable us to share more robust content and key updates without overcrowding your inbox. For time-sensitive updates between issues, we will post on LinkedIn, our website, and send announcements to this distribution list.

If you are already subscribed, you do not need to do a thing; you will automatically receive the new monthly edition. If you know someone that could benefit from these updates, they can subscribe here.

WECC Board of Directors Meeting Highlights

Board of Director Meetings Highlights



WECC’s board of directors met September 14–15, with the main focus being a board strategic session where the board discussed high-priority initiatives and 2027 planning. An abbreviated open board session was held to elect board leadership, announce the board director and MAC election results, and honor outgoing directors Ian McKay and Richard Woodward. 

Results of the Board of Director elections:

• Joe Brannan and Ron Roberts were newly elected as directors, and Felicia Marcus, incumbent director, was reelected, all for three-year terms
• James Avery was elected board chair, and Sarah Mugel was elected board vice chair

Results of MAC Elections:

• Class 1 — Stephanie Little, Arizona Public Service
• Class 2 — Tyson Archie, Platte River Power Authority
• Class 3 — Kevin Conway, Western Power Pool and Christopher Haller, PacifiCorp’s Hydro Electrical Engineering Group
• Class 4 — Jacob Richardson, Western Resource Advocates
• Class 5 — Chris Parker, Utah Division of Public Utilities, John Jenks, WY Energy Authority, and Liz Gill, California Energy Commission

PRC-029-1 Resources and Effective Date

NERC has posted a revised version of ERO Enterprise CMEP Practice Guide: PRC-029-1 Enforcement Discretion (September 9, 2026). 

The slides and recording from WECC's PRC-029-1 outreach, which focused on the previous version, are still applicable. WECC's associated processes are not affected by the revision.

The session reviewed phased implementation, Enforcement Discretion, and how WECC will manage associated processes to help entities be successful when the standard goes into effect on October 1.

Re-familiarize yourself with the PRC-029-1 Enforcement Discretion Directions and the associated PRC-029-1 Enforcement Discretion Template.

If you have any questions, please contact WECC at opaudit@wecc.org. 

Western Interconnection Weekly Wildfire Update

Stay up to date on wildfire risks by reviewing our Weekly Wildfire Update. This report provides a high-level summary of potential threats to the bulk power system due to current wildfires and conditions.

View the Weekly Wildfire Update.

Upcoming Events

^New Reliability in the West Discussion Series — Winter Outlook

October 7, 11:00 a.m.–noon MDT, Virtual

Join us for the Reliability in the West Discussion Series for a broad overview of grid reliability as the Western Interconnection prepares for winter 2026–2027. The session will focus on topics such as extreme weather, natural gas availability, resource adequacy, and entity preparedness. It will also review recent work to ensure that power plants are prepared for freeze events.

^New Webinar: The Future of the Path Rating Process

October 7, 2:00–3:00 p.m. MDT, Virtual

Continue the conversation on the future of the Path Rating Process and transfer capability methods in the Western Interconnection. Following a brief recap of our July 23 workshop, we will host a discussion on the outcomes and next steps.

This meeting is part of our ongoing effort to ensure that any changes to the Path Rating Process align with industry needs and the region’s reliability and security goals. July workshop attendees and active path ratings users are encouraged to attend.

For questions, contact engage@wecc.org.

Reliability & Security Workshop

October 27–28, Scottsdale, Arizona

Register Now

Check out our speaker lineup.

Day 1: Plenary Sessions — Find out more about our processes and expectations to help strengthen your entity's compliance and reliability programs.

Day 2: Breakout Tracks — Choose your focus: WECC Essentials, Critical Infrastructure Protection, or Operations & Planning.

Bonus — WICF meeting follows on October 29.

Grid Fundamentals

November 3–4, Virtual

Register Now

Grid Fundamentals is intended for anyone new to the electric utility industry and anyone seeking a broader understanding of the electric grid. Participants will explore how the grid works and the principles behind its operation and regulation.

Time to Act

Comment Periods on Proposed Revisions to ROP and Standards Process Manual

Two formal comment periods from the Modernization of Standards Processes and Procedures (MSPP) initiative, proposed revisions to the Rules of Procedure and the Standards Process Manual, are open through October 26. Materials and instructions for submitting comments are available on the MSPP initiative page.