NYISO, ISO-NE and SPP are delaying plans for returning to their offices because of the new surge in COVID-19 cases.

NYISO

NYISO had planned to allow staff to return to work at the ISO building on Sept. 7, with stakeholder meetings to resume in person two weeks later, CEO Rich Dewey told the Management Committee on July 28. However, the situation was fluid, he said, and the ISO announced Monday it is delaying the return of staff until October.

“With the uptick in COVID-19 infections and the rise of the Delta variant, the NYISO is delaying our planned back-to-work date until at least Monday, Oct. 4,” NYISO spokesman Zach Hutchins told RTO Insider. “In-person stakeholder meetings, which we were hoping to hold again beginning September 20th, have also been delayed until at least October. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.”

The Albany Times-Union reported Monday that the Delta variant contributed to the highest single-day new case rates in months for both Albany County and across the Hudson River in Rensselaer County, home to the ISO’s headquarters building.

In July, the ISO surveyed market participants about the return to in-person meetings and found stakeholders evenly split between those who wanted to restart in-person meetings immediately and more cautious respondents who would choose to wait longer. Market participants will continue to have the option to join the meetings remotely once in-person meetings resume.

The Independent Power Producers of New York announced in July that it was changing its annual fall conference in Saratoga to a one-day, virtual event on Sept. 15, but the golf tournament will proceed as scheduled.

ISO-NE

ISO-NE said concerns with the Delta variant extended the timeline of its return to the office until October. Spokesman Matt Kakley added that many employees have continued to work in ISO-NE’s Massachusetts and Connecticut offices since the beginning of the pandemic.

“We continue to rely on guidance from state and federal health officials, with a focus on the health and safety of our employees and stakeholders,” Kakley said. “No matter where our employees are physically working, ISO-NE will continue our important work of ensuring the region has reliable electricity.”

As for its public meetings, Kakley said the Consumer Liaison Group meeting on Sept. 9 will be virtual, as will the Sept. 22 Planning Advisory Committee meeting. “I do not believe any decisions have been made beyond that,” Kakley said.

NEPOOL Participants Committee Chair David Cavanaugh told RTO Insider that stakeholders are “still targeting” a return to in-person opportunities beginning with a Participants Committee meeting on Oct. 7.

“We would intend to follow and adhere to the latest CDC [Center for Disease Control and Prevention] guidelines — as well as any additional state or local requirements that may be in place,” Cavanaugh said. “However, before NEPOOL’s return to in-person meeting plans are solidified, and any associated protocols or policies are finalized, it is important that we gather additional information and feedback from our regional stakeholders.“

Cavanaugh said NEPOOL would soon send out a questionnaire to its membership that will help “to formulate a plan that works for all of us,” in addition to working closely with ISO-NE and New England state officials.

“Of course, no matter the final plans, we will continue to provide full opportunities for remote/virtual participation for all NEPOOL meetings moving forward,” Cavanaugh said.

SPP

SPP had intended to resume in-person meetings in July and August, but postponed those plans amid a troubling spike of COVID-19 in its home state of Arkansas. (See SPP Postpones July, August In-person Meetings.)

During last month’s virtual governance meetings, CEO Barbara Sugg apologized for the cancellations and said, “This is not what I wanted. I miss seeing your faces in person, shaking hands and not pretending life is normal.”

The RTO is tentatively set to resume in-person meetings in time for October’s governance meetings, but Sugg cautioned stakeholders against making travel plans for the time being.

“Hopefully, we’ll be able to put this pandemic in the rear-view mirror soon enough,” Sugg said.

The grid operator is working on a hybrid approach for employees’ return to the office, with staff expected to maintain a 50-50 balance between at-home and in-office work. The plans are being made at the departmental level, with staff allowed to determine the appropriate mix.

PJM

PJM and MISO have both ruled out in-person stakeholder meetings in 2021.  

PJM continues to stand behind its goal to resume in-person stakeholder meetings beginning in January, said spokeswoman Susan Buehler. She said the RTO is following guidance from the Montgomery County Office of Public Health in alignment with the CDC’s four levels of COVID-19 community transmission. Buehler said PJM will continue to have discussions and updates with stakeholders as the January return date gets closer.

About 100 PJM employees have volunteered to come back to the Valley Forge campus as part of a pilot program to test onsite COVID protocols and collaboration tools. The return pilot program was introduced to stakeholders at the July Operating Committee meeting. (See “COVID-19 Update,” PJM Operating Committee Briefs: July 15, 2021.)

“The pilot program has had great feedback and reviews, and we are continuing that until September when we will phase more employees back to campus, if it is safe to do so,” Buehler said.

MISO

MISO plans to reopen its offices to visitors beginning Sept. 1, although stakeholder meetings will remain virtual for the remainder of 2021.

Employees of the grid operator are also returning to the office Sept. 1 with the option for some remote days in a work week.

Earlier this month, MISO Senior Director of Operations Planning J.T. Smith said MISO is reviewing its masking guidance after the CDC recommended a return to indoor masking even for vaccinated individuals in areas where community transmission is high. He said MISO offices in the Little Rock, Ark.-area are within a COVID hotspot.

Despite the Delta variant driving high caseloads once again, Smith said MISO remains committed to its Sept. 1 target. He pointed out that vaccines are widely available in all parts of the country.

ERCOT

ERCOT is planning to use an in-person/virtual approach when it resumes in-person stakeholder meetings in September, “highly encouraging” only voting members to physically show up.

Everyone attending ERCOT meetings in person will be required to wear a mask.

Staff told the Technical Advisory Committee on July 28 that they are reviewing meeting procedures to see if any modifications need to be made and promised to change their approach, if necessary. Market notices will be issued with further details.

ERCOT recently changed its policy to allow staff to work primarily from home, in the office or a combination of the two.

Travis County, home to Austin and ERCOT, last week raised the area’s risk-based guidance to Stage 5, its highest level. Texas is second only to Florida in new COVID-19 infections, and its rolling seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases last week soared by 92% from the week before.

CAISO

CAISO hopes to begin a return to normal in October.

“We are monitoring the situation and are hopeful we will be able to begin allowing some level of in-person meetings at our facility beginning in October,” said CAISO spokeswoman Vonette Fontaine. “We’re currently targeting October for employees to start phasing in returning to the office in limited numbers at first.”