By Jessie Mitchell, MRO Chief of Staff
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) is inviting electric industry stakeholders and large computational load organizations to participate in upcoming informational webinars highlighting key components of NERC’s Large Load Action Plan.
FAQ Webinar on NERC’s Level 3 Alert
The first webinar focuses on Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) related to NERC’s May 4, 2026, Level 3 Alert: Computational Load Modeling, Studies, Instrumentation, Commissioning, Operations, Protection, and Control. The session will provide clarification on the alert’s required response process and offer participants an opportunity to ask questions directly of NERC staff. While the webinar is open to the public, questions from entities required to respond to the alert will receive priority.
The Level 3 Alert is the highest level within NERC’s alert framework and was issued in response to reliability concerns associated with large computational loads, including data centers. NERC cited instances of sudden, customer-initiated load reductions and power system oscillations that occurred within seconds, creating reliability risks for the bulk power system and limiting operators’ ability to respond in real time.
The alert requires applicable entities to implement specified actions and submit responses through NERC’s Alert system no later than August 3, 2026.
The webinar will be held on July 8, 2026 | 2:00–4:00 p.m. Eastern. Webinar Registration
Registration for Large Computational Loads Webinar
The second webinar will review registration considerations and related processes for computational loads on the bulk power system. NERC is actively working on developing criteria for a new registered entity (or entities) as it seeks to mitigate risks associated with “computational loads.” NERC staff will host a webinar to provide updates on the progress of this development effort and to share additional information about the registration process for entities that may fall under these new criteria.
The first half of the webinar will provide an update on possible changes to the initial draft criteria language released on April 1, 2026. The proposed shifts were informed by the comments received from stakeholders during the first formal comment process that concluded on May 15, 2026. Additionally, NERC staff will provide an overview of next steps in the registry criteria development process.
The second half of this webinar will provide entities that may meet the new criteria with a broader understanding of NERC registration. It will address common questions about what happens once the new registry criteria are finalized. Furthermore, it will outline the anticipated process and the key participants involved in the registration process.
The webinar will be held on July 13, 2026 at 12:00 pm Eastern. Webinar Registration
MRO Simulcast: Understanding NERC’s Large Load Action Plan
In coordination with NERC staff, MRO is hosting a simulcast featuring Latrice Harkness, NERC Director of Engineering, that provides an overview of NERC’s Large Load Action Plan (LLAP) and current efforts related to emerging large computational loads. This session will highlight NERC’s LLAP activities, including technical resources and guidance, proposed registry criteria, standards development efforts, stakeholder engagement opportunities, and next steps for interested industry participants.
The webinar will be held on June 29, 2026 at 10:00 am Central. Webinar Registration
Questions regarding and of these outreach activities can be directed to MRO’s Large Load Engagement Group at [email protected].