Press Release

PUC Directs Electric Companies to Provide Further Details on Storm-Related Outages, Poorest Performing Circuits

Published on 11/10/2011

Filed under: Electric

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today required the state’s electric distribution companies (EDCs) to provide detailed information about recent storm-related outages and planned corrective actions for some of the poorest performing circuits.

“The Commission must balance the reliability of service with its affordability; an electric distribution system immune to weather events would probably not be affordable for many customers,” said Commission Chairman Robert F. Powelson and Vice Chairman John F. Coleman Jr. in a joint motion. “However, the Commission expects that customers experiencing service outages will be restored within a reasonable period of time. The Commission further expects that electric utilities will appropriately invest in their distribution systems and give the necessary level of priority to the most troubled segments.”

The Commission voted 5-0 to approve the motion, which asks the companies to identify:

• Those areas that experienced outages longer than 24 hours during the last six months and how they correlate with the EDCs poorest performing circuits as reported in the company’s quarterly reliability reports.
• Restoration activities associated with these circuits during those outages, including system damages as well as a description of the mitigating factors that may have hampered restoration.
• Corrective actions planned or contemplated to reduce the frequency and duration of outages on either the circuits affected by the weather events and/or the worst performing circuits.

“Unfortunately, much of Pennsylvania suffered a series of extreme weather events over the past six months that caused many electric customers to experience extended service outages,” the motion said. “It appears that a significant number of customers may have suffered extended outages during more than one of these events.  The Commission wishes to verify these facts, and investigate whether there are additional remedies that can and should be adopted to improve the reliability of service, particularly during extreme weather events.”

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 website at www.puc.state.pa.us.

# # #

Contact:

• Press Secretary
  717-787-5722