2012 SERC CMEP Implementation Plan - SERC Home Page

Section 7: Key CMEP Activities and InitiativesKey CMEP Activities and InitiativesSERC is committed to continuous improvement of its implementation of the CMEP. To that end,SERC solicits feedback from Registered Entities, NERC staff, the Board ComplianceCommittee, and other stakeholders seeking suggestions for improvements to SERC’sprocesses. During 2012, SERC compliance staff focus will be efficiency, effectiveness/quality,and outreach.1. Efficiency InitiativesSERC will continue to develop and enhance the systems it uses to implement the CMEP. TheCompliance Issues Tracking System (CITS), launched in 2010, is a Regional Entity applicationthat incorporates all aspects of violation tracking including reporting, determination, mitigation,penalties, and settlement. Registered Entities interface with the CITS application through theSERC Portal by submitting self- certification, self-report, complaint, and mitigation forms. Themitigation forms include milestone updates, extensions, and certification of closure.Standards, registration, and violations data are transferred electronically between SERC andNERC. This electronic exchange of data promotes uniformity, improves data quality, andsupports timely reporting. As SERC staff gains more experience with the CITS system, thequality and efficiency of the processing of Possible Violations will continue to improve.SERC staff will also continue its efforts with NERC to develop streamlined approaches toviolation processing. Such activities will require the support and assistance from RegisteredEntities, particularly in the development of a comprehensive determination of the scope of anyviolations and the potential risk to reliability of the violation.2. Effectiveness/Quality InitiativesSERC staff has initiated a multi-faceted plan to improve the rate at which it processesenforcement actions, while maintaining a high level of quality of enforcement actions. The planincludes process and productivity improvements, enhancements to tools and methods forcollecting and managing data, and additional staffing.3. Outreach ActivitiesOutreach is an important element of SERC’s compliance mission. It serves to enhanceawareness, improve transparency of compliance processes and promote reliability excellence.Focus areas for SERC outreach activities will include information on CMEP processes,Reliability Standards education materials, compliance application of Standards, lessons learned,guidance on developing a culture of compliance, preparation for audits, use of the SERC Portal,and sharing of experiences and good practices among Registered Entities.SERC has scheduled four (4) compliance seminars during 2012. Each of the seminars will bespecifically tailored to focus on current events of interest and compliance themes.SERC will also conduct quarterly “Open Forum” web conferences to convey key messages andallow for Registered Entity questions and feedback.During 2010, SERC compliance staff facilitated the creation of a Registered Entity-directedforum, the Registered Entities’ Forum (REF), to serve as a formal platform for RegisteredEntities to discuss reliability and compliance issues, exchange information, lessons learned,SERC Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Program2012 CMEP Implementation PlanNovember 1, 2011 17