Regulatory Updates

OSHA’s Call for Comments on Mechanical Power Press Standard Changes

OSHA has recently published a call for comment regarding mechanical power presses. The reason behind OSHA’s request is that the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) consensus standard for mechanical power presses has been updated numerous times since the implementation of OSHA’s standard.

Interpretation of “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) Reverts to Pre-2015 Regulatory Definition

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) revert to pre-2015 regulatory program definition of “Waters of the United States.”

NERC Issues Odessa Texas Disturbance Report

While NERC has analyzed multiple similar events in California, this is the first disturbance involving a widespread reduction of PV resource power output observed in the Texas Interconnection.

EPA Solicits Comments on PFAS Discharges in Five Point Source Categories

EPA solicits comments in five point source categories (PSCs) in the manufacture, use, treatment and discharge of PFAS.

FERC Approves Modifications to NERC’s Cold Weather-Related Standards

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has approved changes to three mandatory NERC Reliability Standards that aim to better prepare the North American power system to withstand extreme cold weather events.

NERC’s Generator Relay Loadability Standard is Now in Effect

NERC Seeks to Improve GADS Reliability Performance Reporting

Electric Reliability Council of Texas Releases 60-Point Plan for Change

ERCOT’s recently released “Roadmap to Improving Grid Reliability” presents a plan for change in Texas that includes increasing electric power generation and purchasing significantly more power reserves.

Prepare for Upcoming NERC Compliance Deadlines

With 2020 right around the corner, there are many new NERC standards and standards requirements set to go into effect in the areas of Critical Infrastructure Protection and Transmission Operations and Planning.