NERC's Standards Committee heard an update on the progress of the ERO's cold weather standard and efforts to develop guidance for trustees' next invocation of Section 321.

Industry commenters mostly supported NERC's draft cold weather standard, but several called for further revisions.

NERC's chair and CEO touted the ERO's work across borders in a Board of Trustees meeting that featured leadership turnover and an initiative to remake the standards development process.

NERC's Standards Committee expects to have the latest version of the cold weather standard ready to post for a formal comment period by Jan. 27.

Citing a looming FERC deadline, NERC's Board of Trustees voted once again to sidestep the normal standards development process to accelerate development of the ERO's cold weather standard.

A colder winter is likely to bring higher electricity demand and drive up natural gas prices, FERC staff said in the commission's annual winter energy market assessment.

NERC leadership is considering using its authority to streamline the development process on another standard, a member of the ERO's management said.

NERC's Standards Committee approved several standards actions at its monthly conference call.

NYSEG acknowledged its primary and backup control centers shared too many communication links in a settlement approved by FERC.

Members of NERC’s Standards Committee debated qualifications for standard drafting team participation at their monthly conference call, with the discussion extending the meeting more than a half-hour over its planned end time.