Press Release

PUC Approves Final Rulemaking Adding Inspection, Maintenance, Repair, and Replacement Standards for Electric Distribution Companies to Chapter 57

Published on 5/22/2008

Filed under: Electric

Harrisburg - The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today approved the final rulemaking revising Chapter 57, title 52, of the Pennsylvania Code which establishes electric reliability standards.

The Commission voted 4-0 to require electric distribution companies (EDCs) to biennially file plans explaining their plans for inspection, maintenance, replacement, and repair of their facilities that are designed to meet their reliability performance benchmarks and standards. 

In statement Commissioner Kim Pizzingrilli said to ensure the safe and reliable provision of electric service to all customers, the Commission was charged with establishing inspection, maintenance, repair and replacement standards via regulation for the electric transmission and distribution system.

The rulemaking establishes standards for a variety of activities such as vegetation management, pole inspections, distribution overhead line inspections, distribution transformer inspections, and substation inspections.  These standards are based on current industry practices and comments submitted during the rulemaking proceeding.  EDCs will be separated into two compliance groups.  The first group will file the initial plans on or before Oct. 1, 2009, to be implemented on Jan. 1, 2011, and to remain in effect for two years.  The second group will file plans on or before Oct. 1, 2010, to be implemented Jan. 1, 2012, and also to remain in effect for two years. 

EDC plans will be designed to reduce the risk of power outages by accounting for the age, condition, design and performance of its system and through inspection, maintenance, repair, replacement, and upgrading of the system.   EDCs will have to maintain adequate records of inspection and maintenance activities to demonstrate compliance with this rulemaking. 

The Commission also adopted a Motion by Commissioner Tyrone J. Christy, which will require the Law Bureau to prepare an Order asking for comments from the parties on the standards that are currently used by EDCs to inspect, maintain and repair neutral connections, as well as comments on whether the Commission should promulgate standards to govern the inspection, maintenance and repair of neutral connections.  

On April 20, 2006, the Commission adopted proposed regulations.  The proposed rulemaking was discussed at a technical conference on Jan. 22, 2007.  The Commission also received comments from many interested parties and the Independent Regulatory Review Commission.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protect the public interest; educate consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; further economic development; and foster new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

For recent news releases, audio of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our Web site at www.puc.state.pa.us.

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Docket No.  L-00040167

Contact:

• Denise McCracken
  Senior Communications Specialist
  717-787-5722
  demccracken@pa.gov