Eop-012-1

EOP-012-1 – Extreme Cold Weather Preparedness and Operations

A. Introduction
1.

Title:

Extreme Cold Weather Preparedness and Operations

2.

Number:

EOP-012-1

3.

Purpose:
To address the effects of operating in extreme cold weather by ensuring
each Generator Owner has developed and implemented plan(s) to mitigate the
reliability impacts of extreme cold weather on its generating units.

4.

Applicability:
4.1. Functional Entities:
4.1.1. Generator Owner
4.1.2. Generator Operator
4.2. Facilities:
4.2.1

For purposes of this standard, the term “generating unit” subject to these
requirements refers to the following Bulk Electric System (BES) resources:

4.2.1.1 A Bulk Electric System generating unit that commits or is obligated to
serve a Balancing Authority load pursuant to a tariff obligation, state
requirement as defined by the relevant electric regulatory authority,
or other contractual arrangement, rule, or regulation, for a
continuous run of four hours or more at or below a temperature of 32
degrees Fahrenheit (zero degrees Celsius); or
4.2.1.2 A Blackstart Resource
4.2.2

Exemptions:

4.2.2.1 Any Bulk Electric System generating unit included under Section 4.2.1
above that has a calculated Extreme Cold Weather Temperature
exceeding 32 degrees Fahrenheit (zero degrees Celsius) under
Requirement R3 Part 3.1 and as part of the required five year review
in Requirement R4 Part 4.1 is exempt from further requirements in
this standard.
4.2.2.2 A Bulk Electric System generating unit that is not committed or
obligated to operate at or below a temperature of 32 degrees
Fahrenheit (zero degrees Celsius) for any continuous run of more
than four hours, but is called upon to operate for more than four
hours in order to assist in the mitigation of BES Emergencies, Capacity
Emergencies, or Energy Emergencies during periods at or below a
temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheit (zero degrees Celsius).
5.

Effective Date: See Implementation Plan for Project 2021-07.

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EOP-012-1 – Extreme Cold Weather Preparedness and Operations

B. Requirements and Measures
R1. For each generating unit(s) with a commercial operation date subsequent to [Effective
Date of this requirement], the Generator Owner shall: [Violation Risk Factor: Medium]
[Time Horizon: Long-term Planning, Operations Planning]
•

Implement freeze protection measures that provide capability to operate for a
period of not less than twelve (12) continuous hours at the Extreme Cold
Weather Temperature for the unit(s), assuming a concurrent twenty (20) mph
wind speed on any exposed Generator Cold Weather Critical Components; or

•

Explain in a declaration any technical, commercial, or operational constraints, as
defined by the Generator Owner, that preclude the ability to implement
appropriate freeze protection measures to provide capability of operating for
twelve (12) hours at the documented Extreme Cold Weather Temperature.

M1. Each Generator Owner will have dated evidence that demonstrates it has the
capability to operate in accordance with Requirement R1. Acceptable evidence may
include, but is not limited to, the following (electronic or hardcopy format):
Documentation of cold weather preparedness plan, documentation of design
features, any declaration that contains dated documentation to support constraints
identified by the Generator Owner.
R2.

For each generating unit(s) in commercial operation prior to [Effective Date of this
requirement], the Generator Owner shall ensure its generating unit(s) add new or
modify existing freeze protection measures as needed to provide the capability to
operate for a period of not less than one (1) hour at the unit(s) Extreme Cold Weather
Temperature. Generating unit(s) that are not capable of operating for one (1) hour at
its Extreme Cold Weather Temperature shall develop a Corrective Action Plan (CAP)
for the identified issues, including identification of any needed modifications to the
cold weather preparedness plan required under Requirement R3. [Violation Risk
Factor: Medium] [Time Horizon: Long-term Planning, Operations Planning]

M2. Each Generator Owner will have dated evidence that demonstrates it has freeze
protection measures for its unit(s) in accordance with R2, or it has developed a CAP
for the identified issues. Acceptable evidence may include the following (electronic or
hardcopy format): Identification of generating units minimum temperature per Part
3.5.2 which is equal to or less than the unit’s Extreme Cold Weather Temperature,
documentation of freeze protection measures, cold weather preparedness plan, and
CAP(s).
R3.

Each Generator Owner shall implement and maintain one or more cold weather
preparedness plan(s) for its generating units. The cold weather preparedness plan(s)
shall include the following, at a minimum: [Violation Risk Factor: High] [Time Horizon:
Operations Planning and Real-time Operations]
3.1

The Extreme Cold Weather Temperature for their unit(s) including the
calculation date and source of temperature data;

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EOP-012-1 – Extreme Cold Weather Preparedness and Operations

3.2

Documentation identifying the Generator Cold Weather Critical Components;

3.3

Documentation of freeze protection measures implemented on Generator Cold
Weather Critical Components which may include measures used to reduce the
cooling effects of wind determined necessary by the Generator Owner to protect
against heat loss, and where applicable, the effects of freezing precipitation
(e.g., sleet, snow, ice, and freezing rain);

3.4

Annual inspection and maintenance of generating unit(s) freeze protection
measures; and

3.5

Generating unit(s) cold weather data, to include:
3.5.1

Generating unit(s) operating limitations in cold weather to include:

3.5.1.1 Capability and availability;
3.5.1.2 Fuel supply and inventory concerns;
3.5.1.3 Fuel switching capabilities; and
3.5.1.4 Environmental constraints.
3.5.2

Generating unit(s) minimum:
•

Design temperature;

•

Historical operating temperature; or

•

Current cold weather performance temperature determined by an
engineering analysis.

M3. Each Generator Owner will have evidence documenting that its cold weather
preparedness plan(s) was implemented and maintained in accordance with
Requirement R3.
R4.

Once every five calendar years, each Generator Owner shall for each generating unit:
[Violation Risk Factor: Low] [Time Horizon: Operations Planning, Real-Time
Operations]
4.1

Calculate the Extreme Cold Weather Temperature, and update the cold weather
preparedness plan if this temperature is now lower than the previous lowest
calculation;

4.2

Review its documented generating unit(s) minimum temperature contained
within its cold weather preparedness plan(s), pursuant to Part 3.5.2; and

4.3

Review whether its generating units have the freeze protection measures
required to operate at the Extreme Cold Weather Temperature pursuant to R1
or R2 as applicable, and if not develop a CAP for the identified issues, including
identification of any needed modifications to the cold weather preparedness
plan required under Requirement R3.

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EOP-012-1 – Extreme Cold Weather Preparedness and Operations

M4. Each Generator Owner will have dated, documented evidence that it reviewed
temperature data and updated its cold weather preparedness plan(s) in accordance
with Requirement R4.
R5.

Each Generator Owner in conjunction with its Generator Operator shall identify the
entity responsible for providing the generating unit-specific training, and that
identified entity shall provide annual training to its maintenance or operations
personnel responsible for implementing the cold weather preparedness plan(s)
developed pursuant to Requirement R3. [Violation Risk Factor: Medium] [Time
Horizon: Long-term Planning, Operations Planning]

M5. Each Generator Operator or Generator Owner will have documented evidence that
the applicable personnel completed annual training of the Generator Owner’s cold
weather preparedness plan(s). This evidence may include, but is not limited to,
documents such as personnel training records, training materials, date of training,
agendas or learning objectives, attendance at pre-work briefings, review of work order
tasks, tailboards, attendance logs for classroom training, and completion records for
computer-based training in fulfillment of Requirement R5.
R6.

Each Generator Owner that owns a generating unit that experiences a Generator Cold
Weather Reliability Event shall develop a CAP, within 150 days or by July 1, whichever
is earlier, that contains at a minimum: [Violation Risk Factor: High] [Time Horizon:
Long-term Planning]
6.1

A summary of the identified cause(s) for the Generator Cold Weather Reliability
Event, where applicable, and any relevant associated data;

6.2

A review of applicability to similar equipment at other generating units owned by
the Generator Owner;

6.3

An identification of any temporary operating limitations or impacts to the cold
weather preparedness plan, that would apply until execution of the corrective
action(s) identified in the CAP.

M6. Each Generator Owner will have documented evidence that it developed a CAP in
accordance with Requirement R6. Acceptable evidence may include, but is not limited
to, the following dated documentation (electronic or hardcopy format): CAP(s) and
updated cold weather preparedness plan(s) where indicated as needed by the CAP.
R7.

Each Generator Owner shall: [Violation Risk Factor: Medium] [Time Horizon: Longterm Planning]
7.1

Implement each CAP developed pursuant to Requirements R2, R4, or R6, or
explain in a declaration why corrective actions are not being implemented due to
any technical, commercial, or operational constraints as defined by the
Generator Owner.

7.2

Update each CAP if actions or timetables change, until completed.

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EOP-012-1 – Extreme Cold Weather Preparedness and Operations

M7. Each Generator Owner shall have dated evidence that demonstrates it implemented
each CAP, including updating actions or timetables, or has explained in a declaration
why corrective actions are not being implemented in accordance with Requirement
R7. Acceptable evidence may include, but is not limited to the following dated
documentation (electronic or hardcopy format): records that document the
implementation of each CAP and the completion of actions for each CAP including
revision history of each CAP. Evidence may also include work management program
records, work orders, and maintenance records. Any declaration shall contain dated
documentation to support constraints identified by the Generator Owner.

C. Compliance
1.

Compliance Monitoring Process
1.1. Compliance Enforcement Authority: “Compliance Enforcement Authority” (CEA)
means NERC or the Regional Entity, or any entity as otherwise designated by an
Applicable Governmental Authority, in their respective roles of monitoring
and/or enforcing compliance with mandatory and enforceable Reliability
Standards in their respective jurisdictions.
1.2. Evidence Retention: The following evidence retention period(s) identify the
period of time an entity is required to retain specific evidence to demonstrate
compliance. For instances where the evidence retention period specified below
is shorter than the time since the last audit, the CEA may ask an entity to provide
other evidence to show that it was compliant for the full-time period since the
last audit.
The applicable entity shall keep data or evidence to show compliance as
identified below unless directed by its CEA to retain specific evidence for a
longer period of time as part of an investigation.
•

The Generator Owner shall keep data or evidence to show compliance for
three years for Requirement R1, R3, and R5 and Measure M1, M3, and M5.

•

The Generator Owner shall keep data or evidence to show compliance for
three years, or until any Corrective Action Plan under Requirement R2 is
complete, whichever timeframe is greater, for Requirement R2 and Measure
M2.

•

The Generator Owner shall retain the current cold weather preparedness
plan(s), as evidence of review or revision history, plus each version issued
since the last audit and evidence of compliance since the last audit for
Requirement R4 and Measure M4. The Generator Owner shall retain any
Corrective Action Plans under Requirement R4 Part 4.3 for three years or
until the Corrective Action Plan is complete, whichever timeframe is greater.

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EOP-012-1 – Extreme Cold Weather Preparedness and Operations

•

The Generator Owner shall keep data or evidence to show compliance for
three years, or until any Corrective Action Plan under Requirement R6 is
complete, whichever timeframe is greater, for Requirement R6 and Measure
M6.

•

The Generator Owner shall keep data or evidence to show compliance for
three years, or until any Corrective Action Plan is complete, whichever time
frame is greater, for Requirement R7 and Measure M7.

1.3. Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Program: As defined in the NERC
Rules of Procedure, “Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Program” refers
to the identification of the processes that will be used to evaluate data or
information for the purpose of assessing performance or outcomes with the
associated Reliability Standard.

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EOP-012-1 – Extreme Cold Weather Preparedness and Operations

Violation Severity Levels
Violation Severity Levels

R#

R1.

Lower VSL
The Generator Owner did not
have freeze protection
measure(s) meeting the
criteria in Requirement R1 for
5% or less of its units.
OR
The Generator Owner did not
explain in a declaration any
technical, commercial, or
operational constraints that
preclude the ability to
implement appropriate freeze
protection measures for 5% or
less of its units.

R2.

The Generator Owner did not
have freeze protection
measure(s) meeting the
criteria in Requirement R2 for
5% or less of its units.
OR
The Generator Owner did not
develop a CAP as required by

Moderate VSL

High VSL

The Generator Owner did not
have freeze protection
measure(s) meeting the
criteria in Requirement R1 for
more than 5%, but less than or
equal to 10% of its units.

The Generator Owner did not
have freeze protection
measure(s) meeting the
criteria in Requirement R1 for
more than 10%, but less than
or equal to 20% of its units.

OR

OR

The Generator Owner did not
explain in a declaration any
technical, commercial, or
operational constraints that
preclude the ability to
implement appropriate freeze
protection measures for more
than 5%, but less than or equal
to 10% of its units.

The Generator Owner did not
explain in a declaration any
technical, commercial, or
operational constraints that
preclude the ability to
implement appropriate freeze
protection measures for more
than 10%, but less than or
equal to 20% of its units.

The Generator Owner did not
have freeze protection
measure(s) meeting the
criteria in Requirement R2 for
more than 5%, but less than or
equal to 10% of its units.

The Generator Owner did not
have freeze protection
measure(s) meeting the
criteria in Requirement R2 for
more than 10%, but less than
or equal to 20% of its units.

OR

OR

The Generator Owner did not
develop a CAP as required by
Requirement R2 for more than

The Generator Owner did not
develop a CAP as required by
Requirement R2 for more than

Severe VSL
The Generator Owner did not
have freeze protection
measure(s) meeting the
criteria in Requirement R1 for
more than 20% of its units.
OR
The Generator Owner did not
explain in a declaration any
technical, commercial, or
operational constraints that
preclude the ability to
implement appropriate freeze
protection measures for more
than 20% of its units.

The Generator Owner did not
have freeze protection
measure(s) meeting the
criteria in Requirement R2 for
more than 20% of its units.
OR
The Generator Owner did not
develop a CAP as required by

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EOP-012-1 – Extreme Cold Weather Preparedness and Operations

R3.

Requirement R2 for 5% or less
of its units.

5%, but less than or equal to
10% of its units.

10%, but less than or equal to
20% of its units.

Requirement R2 for more than
20% of its units.

The Generator Owner
implemented a cold weather
preparedness plan(s), but
failed to maintain it.

The Generator Owner’s cold
weather preparedness plan
failed to include one of the
applicable Parts within
Requirement R3.

The Generator Owner had and
maintained a cold weather
preparedness plan(s), but
failed to implement it.

The Generator Owner does
not have cold weather
preparedness plan(s).

OR
The Generator Owner’s cold
weather preparedness plan
failed to include two of the
applicable requirement parts
within Requirement R3.

R4.

The Generator Owner
completed the actions
required in Requirement R4,
but was late by 30 calendar
days or less.

The Generator Owner
completed the actions
required in Requirement R4,
but was late by greater than
30 calendar days, but less than
or equal to 60 calendar days.

The Generator Owner failed to
complete one of the applicable
requirement parts in
Requirement R4 Parts 4.1
through 4.3;

OR
The Generator Owner’scold
weather preparedness plan
failed to include three or more
of the applicable requirement
parts within Requirement R3.
The Generator Owner failed to
complete two or more of the
applicable requirement parts
in Requirement R4 Parts 4.1
through 4.3.

OR
The Generator Owner
completed the actions
required in Requirement R4,
but was late by greater than
60 calendar days.

R5.

The Generator Owner or
Generator Operator failed to
provide annual generating
unit-specific training as
described in Requirement R5
to the greater of:

The Generator Owner or
Generator Operator failed to
provide annual generating
unit-specific training as
described in Requirement R5
to the greater of:

The Generator Owner or
Generator Operator failed to
provide annual generating
unit-specific training as
described in Requirement R5
to the greater of:

The Generator Owner or
Generator Operator failed to
provide annual generating
unit-specific training as
described in Requirement R5
to the greater of:

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EOP-012-1 – Extreme Cold Weather Preparedness and Operations

R6.

•

one applicable personnel
at a single generating unit;
or

•

two applicable personnel
at a single generating unit;
or

•

three applicable personnel
at a single generating unit;
or

•

four applicable personnel
at a single generating unit;
or

•

5% or less of its total
applicable personnel.

•

more than 5%, but less
than or equal to 10% of its
total applicable personnel.

•

more than 10%, but less
than or equal to 15% of its
total applicable personnel.

•

more than 15% of its total
applicable personnel.

The Generator Owner
developed a CAP, but not
within 150 days or by July 1 as
required in Requirement R6.

The Generator Owner's CAP
failed to comply with one of
the elements in Requirement
R6, Parts 6.1 through 6.3.

The Generator Owner's CAP
failed to comply with two of
the elements in Requirement
R6, Parts 6.1 through 6.3.

The Generator Owner's CAP
failed to comply with three of
the elements in Requirement
R6, Parts 6.1 through 6.3.
OR
The Generator Owner did not
develop a CAP as required by
Requirement R6.

R7.

The Generator Owner
implemented a CAP or
explained in a declaration why
corrective actions are not
being implemented, but failed
to update the CAP when
actions or timetables changed,
in accordance with
Requirement R7.

The Generator Owner failed to
implement a CAP or explain in
a declaration why corrective
actions are not being
implemented in accordance
with Requirement R7.

D. Regional Variances
None.

E. Associated Documents
Implementation Plan

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EOP-012-1 – Extreme Cold Weather Preparedness and Operation

Version History
Version

Date

Action

1

TBD

Drafted by Project 2021-07

1

October
28,2022

FERC Approved Order Number RD23-1-000
for EOP-012-1

1

February
Board Adopted
16,2022
March 1,2023 October 1, 2024

1

Change
Tracking

New

Effective Date

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