By Carl Curry, Senior NERC Reliability Specialist
NERC uses the Rules of Procedures to determine the process to develop new or revised Reliability Standards. The Rules of Procedure give guidance on Standard development related to attributes of effective Standards, effects on competition, essential principles to follow, and processes to provide oversight, review, approval, and implementation.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) have proposed a major new streamlined process to update and create Reliability Standards, aiming to speed up development times and keep pace with fast-changing power grid risks. At its February, 2026 meeting, the NERC Board of Trustees (Board) accepted the Recommendations for Transforming the Reliability Standard Development Framework, developed by the Modernization of Standards Processes and Procedures Task Force (MSPPTF), which will revise the Rules of Procedure.
The 3-Step Streamlined Process
Under the new framework of the MSPP, creating or modifying a Reliability Standard is divided into three faster, more focused steps:
- 1. Standard Initiation: There will now be a structured, semiannual technical review and prioritization process. The Reliability and Security Technical Committee (RSTC) will technically vet all project requests (Standard Initiation Requests (SIRs)) early on to ensure they address a real, urgent system risk before time is wasted. Stakeholder participation in this step includes submitting SIRs for review, providing feedback, and participating in Standard Initiation Workshops.
- 2. Standard Development: The drafting phase has been updated to integrate specialized tools and expert input more quickly, building stakeholder support earlier in the process and allowing industry to go from a blank page to a draft standard much faster. Stakeholders have opportunities to provide continued feedback through informal outreach and technical conferences if needed.
- 3. Standard Balloting: The voting process has been reimagined to speed up how NERC evaluates industry consensus, saving time while attempting to ensure that everyone still gets a fair say. The primary role of the ballot is shifted from finding out about industry support through late-stage voting to a “consensus confirmation tool”, using early stakeholder engagement to enable faster standard development.
Why the Change is Needed
The energy industry is changing rapidly with the addition of massive new power demands and new energy technologies like wind, solar, and battery storage. In the past, creating Standards was a linear process that took too long to keep pace with urgent grid issues.
The new streamlined system guarantees that NERC can build and update mandatory safety standards quickly, all while continuing to get feedback and approval from grid operators. All standards must still be reviewed and approved by FERC before they become mandatory.
Industry Concerns
Although these changes will allow NERC to keep pace with the ever-evolving needs and risks of the Bulk Power System, stakeholders need to be aware of possible effects on them. Some utilities are concerned that the MSPP changes focus too heavily on speeding up the process at the expense of ensuring quality standards that will not need later revisions and further review. Utilities and stakeholders also note the consolidated voting segments reducing individual participation. Also, utility experts will face more demands with early review requirements and shorter review periods. Finally, the ballot pool is changed from a large, ad-hoc committee to a smaller body of around 24 members, potentially lacking the broad, diverse input that has been required to build consensus and approve Standards in the past.
Conclusion
The MSPP updates the Rules of Procedure and is designed to cut through red tape, remove redundant steps, build stakeholder consensus earlier in the planning phase, and ultimately develop Reliability Standards more effectively and efficiently to keep pace with emerging risks to the Bulk Power System. However, industry stakeholders will need to stay engaged in the process and closely monitor NERC activities in developing new and revision of existing Reliability Standards to ensure their input is also considered.
Useful Links
To track the progress of the implementation of these reforms, review the official NERC MSPP Task Force page. To view how FERC reviews and adopts these rules into US law, visit the FERC Reliability Explainer.
