1965
On November 9, a major blackout occurs affecting 30 million customers in Northeastern United States and Southeastern Ontario, Canada.

NPCC initially was compromised of most the entities that had previously participated in CANUSE (Canada-United States Eastern Interconnection), a much looser and less formal operating/planning organization. NPCC’s formation was consistent with Recommendation #4 of the U.S. Federal Power Commission NORTHEAST POWER FAILURE November 9 & 10, 1965: Report to the President:

4. The systems in the CANUSE area should plan their future growth and operate their systems on a fully coordinated basis if they are to achieve maximum reliability of service. Achievement of this goal requires close coordination of system planning and operation, which would be easier achieve if the companies established one or more unified planning and operating groups which made this their primary responsibility. We recommend delegation to such planning and operating groups of sufficient responsibility to assure the performance of those functions which close intersystem coordination

1966
On January 19, executives representing the electric systems in New York, New England, and Ontario sign NPCC’s original Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), to “promote reliability and efficiency of electric service in the interconnected systems of the signatory parties by extending the coordination of their system planning and operating procedures.”

1967
The U.S. Federal Power Commission report on the blackout recommends:

“A council on power coordination made up of representatives from each of the nation’s Regional coordinating organizations to exchange and disseminate information on Regional coordinating practices to all of the Regional organizations, and to review, discuss, and assist in resolving matters affecting interregional coordination.” – Legislation proposed: Electric Power Reliability Act of 1967

1968
Twelve Regional and area organizations form the National Electric Reliability Council (NERC).

1972
In January, New Brunswick joins NPCC.

1977
On July 13, the New York City blackout occurred when multiple 345-kV lines in a common corridor in Northern Westchester County, NY were struck by lightning and tripped. The resulting load loss of 6,000 MW affected nine million people.

1981
To recognize the Canadian membership in the Regional Councils, NERC changes its name to North American Electric Reliability Council, keeping the acronym NERC.

In November, Hydro-Québec joins NPCC.

1985
Nova Scotia joins NPCC.

2003
On August 14, the worst North American electric blackout to date occurs, affecting 50 million customers in the Northeastern and Midwestern United States and in Ontario, Canada.

U.S. - Canada Power System Outage Task Force formed to investigate the causes of the blackout and to make recommendations to prevent future blackouts.

2004
The final report of the U.S. – Canada Power System Outage Task Force on the 2003 blackout concludes that the single most important recommendation for preventing future blackouts, and reducing the scope of those that occur, is for the U.S. government to make Reliability Standards mandatory and enforceable.

In response, NERC translates its operating policies, planning standards and compliance requirements into an integrated and comprehensive set of 90 measurable standards called “Version 0 Reliability Standards.”

Additionally, a report on the “Examination of the Future Role of the Regional Reliability Councils” affirms the benefits of regional reliability assurance and recommends selective regional boundary realignment and consolidation.

2005
On August 8, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 authorizes the creation of an Electric Reliability Organization and the delegation of statutory responsibilities, including compliance enforcement authority, to Regional Entities.

2006
On July 20, NERC is certified as the Electric Reliability Organization in the United States, pursuant to Section 215 of the Federal Power Act. As one of eight Regional Entities, NPCC is delegated authority to perform certain functions from the ERO and is subject to oversight from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). NPCC promotes and monitors compliance with mandatory Reliability Standards, assesses seasonal and long-term reliability, monitors the Bulk Power System (BPS) through system awareness, and educates and trains industry personnel.

2007
On August 1, NPCC CBRE merges with and into NPCC, Inc. The surviving corporation is Northeast Power Coordinating Council, Inc., referred to as NPCC.

 

2009
On February 2, FERC approves an Amended and Restated Regional Delegation Agreement between NPCC and NERC.

On May 8, the Régie de l’énergie, NPCC, and NERC enter into an agreement on the development of electric power transmission reliability standards and of procedures and a program for the monitoring of the application of these standards for Québec.

2010
On February 5, the Independent Electricity System Operator for Ontario, NPCC, and NERC enter into a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the approval, monitoring, and enforcement of NERC Reliability Standards and NPCC criteria in Ontario.

On May 11, Nova Scotia Power Inc., NPCC, and NERC enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the approval, monitoring, and enforcement of NERC Reliability Standards and NPCC criteria in Nova Scotia.

2012
NPCC becomes the Compliance Enforcement Authority for WECC’s Reliability Coordinator function. In 2014, NPCC terminates its Compliance Enforcement Authority as WECC bifurcates and the Reliability Coordinator functions reside in a new corporate entity to which WECC is responsible for monitoring.

2013
On October 1, the New Brunswick Electricity Act and New Brunswick Regulations implementing Electricity Act (together, “NB Electricity Act”) came into effect in New Brunswick. Also effective October 1, the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board (NB EUB) and NPCC enter into a transitional contract for service, whereby NPCC began performing monitoring and enforcement activities under the new regulatory structure in New Brunswick.

2014
On September 24, the Régie de l'énergie, NPCC, and NERC enter into an agreement on the Implementation of the Québec Reliability Standards Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Program that provides the basis for monitoring and enforcing reliability standards in Québec.

2015
On April 1, the Québec Reliability Standards Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Program becomes effective and NPCC begins monitoring and enforcement activities in Québec under the 2014 agreement.

2016
NPCC executes an Amended and Restated Regional Delegation Agreement. The Regional Delegation Agreement facilitates information sharing and emphasizes collaboration with the ERO Enterprise which is comprised of NERC and the Regional Entities.

On August 10, the NB EUB and NPCC enter into a contract for service and the NB EUB, NPCC, and NERC enter into a MOU. These replace the transitional contract for service entered into by NPCC and the NB EUB in 2013.