NERC and the regional entitles are largely continuing the conservative return-to-office plans that they previously announced, though several told ERO Insider they were reassessing their policies because of the recent surge in COVID-19 cases fueled by the more infectious delta variant.
Among the ERO Enterprise, NERC has been the most cautious about resuming in-person work and meetings, and that stance is continuing. The organization’s offices in Atlanta and D.C. are still closed and will reopen for a limited number of staff after Labor Day “on a voluntary basis only,” spokesperson Kimberly Mielcarek said on Friday.
Currently there are no plans for resuming face-to-face meetings and events, though NERC’s Board of Trustees is considering holding its November meeting in person in some form. (See “Future Meetings,” NERC Board of Trustees/MRC Briefs: May 13, 2021.) Earlier this year CEO Jim Robb proposed a hybrid format in which board members would meet in person in Atlanta and other attendees would attend remotely. (See NERC Considering Long-term Virtual Board Meeting Format.)
Less than one-quarter of the population of Fulton County, home to NERC headquarters in Atlanta, are fully vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nationally, 50.1% of the population is fully inoculated.
SERC’s most recent Board of Directors meeting in June was held under a similar hybrid arrangement, with CEO Jason Blake joined in the RE’s Charlotte, N.C. office by officers and board members from the Charlotte area. All other attendees participated remotely.
SERC staff have been required to come to the office at least three days a week since July 12, and this policy was still in effect as of Monday. However, Holly Hawkins — SERC’s vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary — told ERO Insider that the organization “continues to actively monitor” the spread of the delta variant and “will modify return-to-office plans as needed based on local conditions and guidance from federal, state and local authorities.”
ReliabilityFirst is also in the middle of a phased reopening that began in early July. Spokesperson Megan Baucco said staff are working at the office, but in a limited capacity and with guidelines for social distancing in place. The RE recently updated its policy to require all employees to wear masks regardless of vaccination status. Management has not yet reached a decision on when in-person meetings will resume.
The Midwest Reliability Organization, which has been allowing staff to return to the office voluntarily since May, said its plans for reopening the office and resuming face-to-face meetings “are currently under review.” While no policy changes in response to the recent surge have been announced, MRO’s Communications Director Jessie Mitchell told ERO Insider on Friday that such an announcement could come “as early as next week.”
Matt Barbour, manager of communications and training for the Texas Reliability Entity, said that physical attendance is voluntary for employees of the RE, with masks, social distancing and other safety protocols recommended when working in the office. In-person workshops, board meetings and any other events “involving external parties” are on hold “for at least the rest of the year.”
WECC is also maintaining a voluntary return to office posture for its staff, and all stakeholder meetings through November “will remain virtual.” The Northeast Power Coordinating Council said that while “the office is open for those that wish to return,” no staff members are required to come in at this time; the question of whether to resume in-person stakeholder meetings is currently under review as well.
Both WECC and NPCC said that all business travel has been ended for the near future. In WECC’s case, the travel moratorium is scheduled to expire at the end of the year; NPCC said it will last “until further notice.” The REs said travel will be allowed in cases of strong business need, with management approval.
