Press Release

PUC Proposes New Electric Reliability Inspection and Maintenance Standards

Published on 4/20/2006

Filed under: Electric

HARRISBURG -- The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today voted to propose expanding inspection and maintenance standards for electric transmission and distribution systems. 

Pending public input and final approval, electric distribution companies operating within Pennsylvania will be required to file, with the PUC, an initial inspection and maintenance plan for upcoming calendar years by Oct. 1, 2007, and every two years thereafter.

“The PUC is charged with ensuring electric reliability in Pennsylvania,” said Commission Chairman Wendell F. Holland. “Given the fundamental industry changes brought about by electric restructuring statewide and nationwide, as well as the lessons learned in the wake of the 2003 blackout in the Northeast, this Commission believes with these proposed regulations are necessary for maintaining sufficient levels of electric reliability in Pennsylvania.” 

Information resulting from the Aug. 14, 2003, blackout in the Northeast showed the need for inspection and maintenance standards.  One of the causes of the blackout was the failure to adequately manage tree growth along transmission lines.         

The PUC’s proposal calls for minimum inspection and treatment cycles for vegetation management (tree trimming) of four years for distribution facilities and five years for transmission facilities; inspections of electric distribution poles every 10 years; monthly inspections of substation equipment, structures and hardware; and overhead line inspections and maintenance standards twice per year in the spring and fall, and on foot every two years.

Interested parties will have 30 days from the date of publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin to file comments with the PUC on this proposal.  The proposal also will be submitted to the Office of Attorney General, the Governor’s Budget Office, the appropriate committees in the House and Senate, and the Independent Regulatory Review Commission.

The Electricity Generation Customer Choice and Competition Act (Act) mandates that the PUC ensure that levels of electric service reliability that existed prior to the restructuring of the electric utility industry will continue in the new competitive markets. Specially, the Act provides that, “…the Commission shall set through regulations, inspection, maintenance, repair and replacement standards…”

In May 2004, the Commission finalized tighter reliability standards for electric utilities, a critical step toward maintaining and improving the electric distribution system in the Commonwealth. 

The standards are expected to result in fewer and shorter power disruptions to customers, and make it easier for the PUC to identify areas where service may be slipping and to implement corrective actions. 

Monitoring of electric service reliability performance is ongoing and has recently been enhanced through requirements for quarterly reliability reports from the electric distribution companies.  These uniform reports contain information on actual reliability performance and assist the Commission in monitoring short-term trends and operational efforts of the electric distribution companies.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission ensures safe, reliable and reasonably priced electric, natural gas, water, telephone and transportation service for Pennsylvania consumers, by regulating public utilities and by serving as responsible stewards of competition.

For recent news releases, or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.state.pa.us.

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 Docket No. L-00040167

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