BC's transmission system is part of a much larger, interconnected grid.

The BCUC works with other jurisdictions to maximize the benefits of interconnection, remain consistent with evolving North American reliability standards, and ensure BC's infrastructure remains capable of meeting customer needs.

Monitoring Entities’ Compliance

The BCUC is responsible for monitoring and assessing entities’ compliance with the approved Mandatory Reliability Standards (MRS), which help ensure the reliability and security of the bulk power system in North America.

Benefits of Mandatory Reliability Standards

MRS help ensure the reliability and security of the bulk power system in North America. In 2009, the BC government amended the Utilities Commission Act (UCA) by adding Section 125.2 to establish the MRS Regulation, which describes the parties that are required to adopt reliability standards.

The section also gave BCUC exclusive jurisdiction to determine whether a “reliability standard”, as defined in the UCA, is in the public interest and should be adopted in BC.

Under this section in the UCA, the British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) must review each reliability standard for its reliability impact, suitability, potential cost of adoption and applicability in BC and provide a report assessing each reliability standard to the BCUC. In response to the reports, the BCUC approves the MRS for adoption in BC.

Order R-40-17 adopted the latest version of the Rules of Procedure for Reliability Standards in BC.

Western Electricity Coordinating Council

The BCUC is responsible for monitoring and assessing entities’ compliance with the approved MRS.

The BCUC appointed the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) as Administrator to assist us in carrying out the registration of entities and compliance monitoring. WECC conducts compliance audits according to an approved Implementation Plan in order to assess an entities’ adherence to the MRS. WECC may also conduct spot checks to verify that the entities continue to adhere to the MRS.

Visit WECC

UCA Section 125.2

Section 125.2 of the Utilities Commission Act - (Adoption of Reliability Standards, rules or codes)

OIC 731

Administrative Penalty Regulation

Administration Agreement

Administration Agreement between the British Columbia Utilities Commission and the Western Electricity Coordinating Council – July 5, 2019

Rules of Procedure

Rules of Procedure For Reliability Standards in British Columbia - revised September 1, 2017

Registration Manual

Registration Manual, Appendix 1 to Rules of Procedure for Reliability Standards in British Columbia - revised September 1, 2017

Compliance Monitoring Program

Compliance Monitoring Program, Appendix 2 to Rules of Procedure for Reliability Standards in British Columbia - revised September 1, 2017

Penalty Guidelines

Penalty Guidelines for BC Mandatory Reliability Standards, Appendix 3 to Rules of Procedure for Reliability Standards in British Columbia - revised September 1, 2017

BCUC Order R-19-24

BCUC Order R-19-24 adopting reliability standards and terms in Assessment Report No. 17

NERC Glossary, March 8, 2023

North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Glossary of Terms used in Reliability Standards adopted in BC, dated March 8, 2023

BCUC Order R-55-23

Order R-55-23 adopting Implementation Plan for Monitoring Compliance with British Columbia Reliability Standards in 2024

BCUC Order R-40-22

Order R-40-22 adopting Implementation Plan for Monitoring Compliance with British Columbia Reliability Standards in 2023

BCUC Order R-4-24A

Order R-4-24A Amending AML and Audit and Self-Certification Schedule in 2024

2023 AML

2023 Actively Monitored Standards List for BC, November 22, 2022

2024 AML

2024 Actively Monitored Standards List for BC, November 1, 2023 - Amended by Order R-4-24A dated February 15, 2024

CIP-003-7

BC-Specific CIP-003-7 Implementation Plan

CIP-003-8

BC-Specific CIP-003-8 Implementation Plan

CIP-014-2

BC-Specific CIP-014-2 Implementation Plan

PRC-002-2

BC-Specific PRC-002-2 Implementation Plan

PRC-005-6

BC-Specific PRC-005-6 Implementation Plan

PRC-012-2

BC-Specific PRC-012-2 Implementation Plan

PRC-025-2

BC-Specific PRC-025-2 Implementation Plan

December 2023

NERC 2023 Winter and Long-Term Reliability Assessments presentation