This paper summarizes reliability analyses of Gas/Electric system interdependency performed in the Northeast, as well as report on the status of North American investigations by the NERC Gas/Electric Interdependency Task Force.

The majority of new generation proposed for North America relies natural gas as its primary fuel. While adequate supplies of natural gas have been forecast, the adequacy of the existing and proposed gas pipeline infrastructure to deliver the fuel to the gas-fired generating units depends on several factors. Reliability standards for the North American interconnected electric transmission systems require that they be planned and operated to reliably respond to first contingency electrical events. The lack of similar standards for the North American gas transportation systems has prompted a regional investigation of the adequacy of the North American gas pipeline infrastructure to reliably supply gas for gas-fired generation under single pipeline contingencies, as well as reliably withstanding major electrical contingencies. Upon the sudden loss of electric generation, the response of the gas delivery system may prevent other gas-fired generation from remaining on-line or fully responding to the electrical contingency.