Energy Seminar: Reliability Challenges in the Western Interconnection, Melanie Frye, Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC)

This presentation will cover the history and roles of WECC as it relates to their delegation agreement with the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Organizational near-term priorities will be discussed as it relates to current and future challenges toward maintaining a reliable and secure Western Interconnection. The presentation will end with a snap-shot of WECC’s culture and how it enables the organization to deliver against its critical reliability mission.

Speaker Bio:

Melanie Frye is President and CEO of WECC, overseeing its mission to effectively and efficiently mitigate risks to the reliability and security of the Western Interconnection’s Bulk Power System. Melanie created the framework for WECC’s Invented Future and has profoundly influenced the development of the internal organizational culture.

Prior to this role, Melanie served as Vice President of Reliability Planning and Performance Analysis. She also served as WECC’s Vice President of Shared Services. Before joining WECC, Melanie spent several years with PacifiCorp as a Senior Human Resources Consultant where she was responsible for providing advice and counsel to the leadership team of eight thermal and three natural gas power generation facilities in Utah and Wyoming.

Melanie holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Weber State University in Ogden, Utah and a Utility Executive Course Certificate from the University of Idaho.

https://energy.stanford.edu/energy-seminar/upcoming-energy-seminars