Utilities, FERC & NERC clash on reliability.(Federal Energy Regulatory Commission)(North American Electric Reliability Council)

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) move to impose reliability standards--in the absence of those proposed in stalled federal energy legislation--has apparently encountered a major roadblock in the form of opposition from major utilities, not to mention the North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC), which has conducted a voluntary program for years.

The Edison Electric Institute's (EEI) board of directors unanimously adopted a resolution declaring that NERC should take the lead in formalizing new electric reliability standards. (EEI represents many of the major utilities.)

Specifically, the resolution suggests prompt …