In a landmark effort to bolster energy emergency preparedness across the Northeast, state energy and emergency officials launched the Northeast Regional Operational Coordination Collaborative (NEROCC), a state-led initiative supported by the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Convening in Portland, Maine, the two-day kickoff marked the beginning of an ambitious and highly collaborative endeavor to improve coordination and communication among states during liquid fuel disruptions and cascading energy system threats.
“This is Sandy 2.0 preparation,” one participant noted, highlighting the importance of developing a nimble, proactive, and unified regional response framework. “No plan will ever be perfect, but if we've got a framework, we've got something to work with.”
A State-Led Vision for Regional Resilience
At its core, NEROCC is a recognition that while states retain autonomy in emergency response, the interconnected nature of modern fuel, gas, and electricity systems demands greater cross-border collaboration. During the kickoff, representatives from states including Maine, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Rhode Island detailed their existing capabilities, gaps, and shared challenges—ranging from rail-dependent propane supply chains to dual-fuel generation pressure points.
Participants overwhelmingly supported the development of a flexible, voluntary coordination framework that aligns triggers, thresholds, and actions across state lines—what one participant called a “more than the sum of its parts” approach.
Participants also emphasized the need for joint crisis communication strategies—recognizing that fragmented messaging during past emergencies (like Superstorm Sandy) undermined public trust and response effectiveness. With industry engagement on the horizon, the vision includes creating mutual understanding and, eventually, industry-informed prioritization frameworks for heating, transportation, and backup power fuel needs.
As one participant put it, “The governors will make the calls—but NEROCC will make sure they have the clearest picture, the best options, and the strongest support behind every move.”
What Comes Next: From States to Industry
While the NEROCC effort is driven by State Energy Offices, with critical involvement from Emergency Management Agencies and Public Utility Commissions—future phases will include deliberate industry touchpoints.
“This is about building relationships so that we are prepared in the case of an energy emergency,” said Dan Burgess, Director of the Maine Governor’s Energy Office, which hosted the kickoff. “We need to be in close coordination, work from the same set of actions, and be able to quickly inform decision makers to help them respond to issues as they arise." Throughout the next year, NASEO and DOE will provide technical and coordination assistance, but the framework, priorities, and decisions remain in state hands.
If you have any questions about the NEROCC, please reach out to Campbell Delahoyde (cdelahoyde@naseo.org).