ReliabilityFirst

{{Short description|Regional electric energy reliability organization}}

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{{one source|date=May 2012}}

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Image:NERC-RE-map.png

ReliabilityFirst (RF) is one of the six Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission)-approved regional entities responsible for ensuring the reliability of the North American Bulk-Power System, pursuant to the Energy Policy Act of 2005.North American Electric Reliability Corp., 119 FERC ¶ 61,060 (2007) (Delegation Agreements Order), order on rehearing, 120 FERC ¶ 61,260, order on compliance filing, 122 FERC ¶ 61,245 (2008), order on compliance filings, 125 FERC ¶ 61,330 (2008). ReliabilityFirst performs this function pursuant to and under its delegation agreement with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), which is the Commission-approved Electric Reliability Organization.North American Electric Reliability Corp., 116 FERC ¶ 61,062, order on rehearing and compliance, 117 FERC ¶ 61,126 (2006), order on compliance, 118 FERC ¶ 61,030, order on clarification and rehearing, 119 FERC ¶ 61,046 (2007), aff'd sub nom. Alcoa Inc. v. FERC, 564 F.3d 1342 (D.C. Cir. 2009). NERC and the Regional Entities are non-governmental, self-regulatory organizations that were created in recognition of, among other things, the complex, interconnected, and international nature of the North American Bulk Power-System.

ReliabilityFirst's stated mission is to preserve and enhance the reliability and security of the bulk power system within the RF region. This mission includes developing, monitoring, and enforcing compliance to FERC-approved reliability standards for all owners, operators, and users of the bulk power system; the development and dissemination of timely and instructive information (including assist visits, internal control evaluations, lessons learned, seminars, workshops, and periodic reports) to enhance the reliability of the bulk power system; and providing seasonal and long-term assessments of bulk power system reliability.North American Electric Reliability Corp., 119 FERC ¶ 61,060 (2007); Monongahela Power Company, 135 FERC ¶ 61,226; [https://www.rfirst.org/compliance/Documents/2012%20ReliabilityFirst%20Implementation%20Plan.pdf ReliabilityFirst Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Program 2012 Implementation Plan]. ReliabilityFirst. January 1, 2012.

The RF region is situated within the Eastern Interconnection and covers territory stretching from the Eastern United States to the lower Great Lakes, including all or portions of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.{{Citation |title=Amended and Restated Delegation Agreement Between North American Electric Reliability Corporation and ReliabilityFirst |chapter=Exhibit A - Boundaries of Delegation Agreement |date=January 3, 2009 |chapter-url=http://www.nerc.com/files/RFC_RDA_Effective-1-03-09.pdf |page=17}}

ReliabilityFirst commenced operations on January 1, 2006, and is the successor to three reliability organizations: the Mid-Atlantic Area Council (MAAC), the East Central Area Coordination Agreement (ECAR), and the Mid-American Interconnected Network (MAIN), all of which were formed in response to the Northeast Blackout of 1965.

ReliabilityFirst's offices are located in Cleveland, Ohio.[https://www.rfirst.org/Pages/ContactUs.aspx. ReliabilityFirst - Contact Us]. ReliabilityFirst. Retrieved May 13, 2012.