Today’s LiveWire Spotlight looks at NERC’s Q3 Compliance and Enforcement Status Report summarizing the data acquired during audits, self-reports, and registration/certification activities. The ERO continues to manage the Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Program (CMEP) under the emergency COVID-19 framework, although a return to normalcy will begin at Year’s End 2021. Still, the evaluation finds little difference in the results of routine CMEP activities taking place during the quarter despite travel restrictions and delays in on-site audit schedules.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the 3Q21 CMEP metrics continue to show a controlled process – and the alignment and risk-based programs are progressing nicely. A worrisome uptick in serious CIP violations could disrupt the program should it turn into a trend.