The operation of the bulk electricity system by the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) is in full compliance with federal reliability standards, according to a recent audit.

The audit was conducted by independent auditors from the Northeast Power Coordinating Council (NPCC) and a North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) observer. It is part of the NPCC’s Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Program designed to assess and enforce compliance with NERC and regional reliability standards. The NERC standards were made mandatory for electricity systems across the nation when Congress enacted the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The NERC reliability standards took effect on June 18, 2007.

The on-site audit took place on Dec. 3-6, 2007. It evaluated the NYISO’s compliance with the Operational and Planning NERC standards applicable to the NYISO.

In its conclusion, the NPCC audit report stated:

• “NYISO provided significant evidence of compliance with all of the applicable monitored reliability standards.”
• “The documentation and employee support afforded the auditors by NYISO was precise and excellent.”
• “As a result of the audit, NPCC concluded that NYISO is doing an outstanding job in supporting the NERC compliance program.”

Mark S. Lynch, the NYISO’s President and CEO, said, “The audit findings demonstrate the NYISO’s substantial and sustained commitment to fulfilling its reliability compliance obligations.”

He also noted that the NYISO supports the continued development of mandatory NERC standards and audit processes implemented by NPCC to further enhance reliability of the bulk electric system, not only for New York State, but also for all of the North American interconnected systems.

The NERC, an independent organization that oversees the reliability and security of the bulk electric system in the U.S., Canada, and part of Mexico was designated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to establish and enforce mandatory reliability rules and standards, as required by the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

The NPCC is one of eight regional entities operating under a delegation agreement with NERC as authorized by the FERC. NPCC jurisdiction includes New York, New England, Ontario, Québec, and the Canadian Maritime provinces.