WIRAB – Western Interconnection Regional Advisory Body

In 2006, upon petition of ten western governors and in accordance with Section 215(j) of the Federal Power Act (FPA), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) created the Western Interconnection Regional Advisory Body (WIRAB).  As a Section 215(j) regional advisory body, WIRAB has the authority to advise FERC, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), and the Western Regional Entity (i.e., WECC) on matters pertaining to electric grid reliability in the Western Interconnection.  For example, WIRAB advises these entities on whether reliability standards proposed to apply within the region and WECC governance and budgets are just, reasonable, not unduly discriminatory or preferential, and in the public interest.

WIRAB’s membership is comprised of all states and provinces with load served in the Western Interconnection.  The FPA provides that, as a body organized on an Interconnection-wide basis, FERC may give deference to the advice of WIRAB.  WIRAB works hard to achieve consensus among all its members before submitting advice on important reliability matters.  WIRAB is unique because it speaks with a single common voice, on behalf of all states and provinces in the Western Interconnection, regarding electric system reliability matters.