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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