Reliability
Starting in the late 1990s, TAPS participated in negotiations related to legislation to create a new, independent
national self-regulating reliability organization, under FERC oversight, with the teeth necessary to enforce reliability standards
developed through a process that ensures balanced representation of all interests. TAPS supported enactment of this
legislation as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and participated in FERC proceedings implementing the legislation and
certifying the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) as the Electric Reliability Organization.
Since then, TAPS has actively participated in FERC rulemaking proceedings pertaining to NERC Reliability Standards,
as well as the procedures used by NERC to develop and enforce the standards.
In light of the enhanced importance of the
standards development process at NERC and, for the related business practices, at the North American Energy Standards Board
(NAESB), TAPS has become a strong voice for TDUs in both arenas. Since his “retirement” from
Vermont Public Power Supply Authority in 2006, Bill Gallagher has mobilized and coordinated TAPS efforts to monitor and participate
in NERC and NAESB activities. Bill was recently elected vice chair of the NERC Members Representative Committee,
and serves on the Executive Committee of the NAESB Wholesale Electric Quadrant. TAPS has significant additional representation
on the NERC Member Representative Committee, the NAESB Board, and the NAESB Wholesale Electric Quadrant Executive Committee,
and most NERC standing committees, as well as on selective drafting teams. TAPS frequently submits comments to both
organizations.
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