Title: _

ELECTRIC UTILITIES’
POOR PERFORMING CIRCUITS

The California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC, or Commission) Decision 96-09-045 requires the largest investor-owned electric utilities serving California to file an annual report of system reliability information with the CPUC.  As part of this report, these utilities are required to identify circuits where customers experience more than twelve sustained outages in a 12-month period on a rolling basis.  (A sustained outage is defined as an outage lasting five minutes or more.)

The CPUC requested follow-up information from these utilities, asking them:  (1) why those circuits performed poorly during those years; and (2) what steps have been taken to improve the reliability of those circuits.  This document provides a sampling of the utilities’ responses to our inquiry.

Our intention for providing this information is to identify some circuits that have historically performed poorly and to inform the public about what the utilities have done, or are planning to do, about improving the reliability of those particular circuits.  The CPUC does not necessarily endorse the responses or the actions that the utilities have taken, or plan to take, in their efforts to improve the reliability of these poor performing circuits.

Members of the public can contact their utility to obtain further details about outages at these and any other distribution circuits in their utility’s service territory.

San Diego Gas & Electric

Orange County 766

Southern California Edison

Big Rock				Leona					Soda Springs
Corsair					Lytle					Spur
Cuddleback				Mettler					Tenneco
Jordan					Sky Hi

Pacific Gas & Electric

Rob Roy 2104				Ben Lomond 1101			El Dorado PH 2101
Camp Evers 2105				Monte Rio 1113				Oakhurst 1113
Camp Evers 2106				Crescent Mills 2101

Pacificorp

City 5R195				Bel-Air 5G83				Newell 5L68
North 5R170				Black Butte 5G77			Red Rock 4L3
Pine Grove 5R152			School-Town 5G93			Lake 4G1
Sawmill 5R171				South 5G99

SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC

Orange County Circuit 766

•	Causes – Between November 1996 and October 1997, circuit 766 experienced 17 sustained outages.  Nine of them affected only branches of the circuit, while the remaining eight affected the entire circuit of approximately 2000 customers.  Of the 8 entire circuit outages, 5 were caused by cable failures, 2 by underground connector failures, and 1 by a faulted transformer.  Of the branch outages, 4 were caused by cable or equipment failures, while the remaining 5 were planned outages needed for circuit upgrades or maintenance.

•	Remedies – Cable failures have been the main cause of outages.  In early 1998, design was completed to replace about 4,500 feet of cable and construction was completed soon after.  Fault indicators were also installed to aid fault locating.  In addition, a study of circuit 766 recommended that an additional 10,000 feet of underground cable be replaced.  The study also recommended installing 2 automated sectionalizing devices (switch and fault interrupter).  These projects are scheduled for construction in 1999.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON

Note:	The eleven circuits identified below are located in remote areas of SCE’s service territory.

Big Rock

•	Causes – This circuit averaged 13.0 sustained outages during 1989 and 1990, primarily due to equipment problems, weather (wind, lightning, rain, fog, flooding, snow, ice or tornadoes), and miscellaneous problems (such as earthquakes, land slippage, fire, animals and birds).  Since that time, Big Rock’s performance has improved.  For example, during 1997-98, Big Rock averaged 3.0 sustained outages per year.

•	Remedies – Continue to be diligent about routine maintenance.  Based on recent performance, there are no immediate plans for major improvements to this circuit.

Corsair

•	Causes – This circuit averaged 15.5 sustained outages during 1988 and 1991, primarily due to weather, equipment, and third party problems (vehicle-hit-pole, contractor dig-in, metallic balloons in line, crane contacted line, vandalism).  Since that time, Corsair’s performance has improved.  For example, during 1997-98, Corsair averaged 2.5 sustained outages per year.

•	Remedies – Continue to be diligent about routine maintenance.  Based on recent performance, there are no immediate plans for major improvements to this circuit.

Cuddleback

•	Causes – This circuit averaged 16.0 sustained outages during 1988-89, primarily due to weather, unknown reasons, and source problems (source line or source substation interruptions).  Cuddleback is about 120 miles long and serves customers located in the Tehachapi Mountains.  This circuit still continues to experience a considerable amount of weather-related outages.

•	Remedies – SCE has identified this circuit for review in 1999.  Any recommendations that SCE adopts as part of the 1999 performance review are expected to be taken over the 1999-2000 time frame.

Jordan

•	Causes – This circuit averaged 13.0 sustained outages for 1990 and 1997, primarily due to unknown reasons, source problems, equipment, weather, and vegetation problems (tree in lines, falling tree or tree limb, palm frond contact).  Jordan is about 90 miles long and traverses mountainous terrain.
 
•	Remedies – In 1998, SCE reviewed this circuit and identified specific locations where the addition of line protection devices or replacement of older, outdated equipment with a newer technology might improve its reliability.  Most of the circuit improvements were completed in 1998, presumably with the balance of them to be completed in 1999.  SCE expects to see the results of these modifications reflected in Jordan’s 1999 performance.

Leona

•	Causes – This circuit averaged 14.0 sustained outages over the 1988-89 period, primarily due to weather and equipment problems.  Since that time, Leona’s performance has improved.  For example, during 1997-98, Leona averaged only 1.0 sustained outages per year.

•	Remedies – Continue to be diligent about routine maintenance.  Based on recent performance, there are no immediate plans for major improvements to this circuit.

Lytle

•	Causes – This circuit averaged 13.0 sustained outages over the 1989-90 period, primarily due to weather, third party problems, miscellaneous problems, and equipment problems.  Since that time, Lytle’s performance has improved.  For example, during 1997-98, Lytle averaged 3.0 sustained outages per year.

•	Remedies – Continue to be diligent about routine maintenance.  Based on recent performance, there are no immediate plans for major improvements to this circuit.

Mettler

•	Causes – This circuit averaged 14.0 sustained outages during 1988 and 1991, primarily due to weather, source problems, unknown problems, miscellaneous problems, and equipment problems.  Since that time, Mettler’s performance has improved.  For example, during 1997-98, Mettler averaged 3.0 sustained outages per year.

•	Remedies – Continue to be diligent about routine maintenance.  Based on recent performance, there are no immediate plans for major improvements to this circuit.

Sky Hi

•	Causes – This circuit averaged 14.5 sustained outages during 1989 and 1991, primarily due to weather, source problems, and miscellaneous problems.  Sky Hi’s performance continues to be driven by weather, primarily wind and lightning.  Sky Hi’s performance was reviewed in 1998, and SCE identified specific locations where it should upgrade the grade of construction to better withstand wind.  SCE also identified a need to develop better protection against lightning related outages.
 
•	Remedies – SCE completed some of the modifications in 1998, specifically targeting Sky Hi’s performance during windy conditions.  Additional research to identify methods for improving circuit performance during lightning conditions is expected to be completed in 1999; however, any recommendations resulting from this additional research would not be implemented until year 2000 at the earliest.

Soda Springs

•	Causes – This circuit averaged 17.5 sustained outages in 1988 and 1997, primarily due to weather and miscellaneous problems.  Soda Springs covers about 170 miles in the foothills of the eastern San Joaquin Valley, and experiences problems with wind and associated effects of wind, such as flying debris.

•	Remedies – SCE has identified this circuit for review in 1999.  Any recommendations that SCE adopts as part of the 1999 performance review are expected to be taken over the 1999-2000 time frame.

Spur

•	Causes – This circuit averaged 14.3 sustained outages during 1988, 1990 and 1991, primarily due to weather, unknown problems, and equipment problems.  Since that time, Spur’s performance has improved.  For example, during 1997-98, Spur only experienced one sustained outage.

•	Remedies – Continue to be diligent about routine maintenance.  Based on recent performance, there are no immediate plans for major improvements to this circuit.

Tenneco

•	Causes – This circuit averaged 13.5 sustained outages in 1988 and 1991, primarily due to weather, source problems, and equipment problems.  Tenneco is about 200 miles long and serves customers in the hills near Frazier Park.

•	Remedies – SCE has identified this circuit for review in 1999.  Any recommendations that SCE adopts as part of the 1999 performance review are expected to be taken over the 1999-2000 time frame.

PACIFIC GAS & ELECTRIC

Rob Roy 2104

•	Causes – A total of 243 customers in 1996 and 286 customers in 1997 experienced more than 12 sustained outages on this circuit in each of those years, primarily due to weather and tree-related incidents (e.g., trees falling through lines due to failure of their root systems).  Rob Roy 2104 travels through wooded, coastal areas and is exposed to high winds during winter storms.

•	Remedies – PG&E split Rob Roy 2104 into two circuits, 2104 and 2105, and installed SCADA switches and reclosers in 1997.  This contributed to improved performance in 1998.

Camp Evers 2105

•	Causes – A total of 72 customers in 1994 and 353 customers in 1996 experienced more than 12 sustained outages on this circuit in each of those years, primarily due to weather and tree-related incidents.  Inspections showed that tree-related outages were more frequent in 1992 through 1996 due to falling trees weakened by drought-induced diseases, and greater tree growth in 1995-96 due to heavy rainfall.  Camp Evers 2105 travels through wooded, coastal, mountainous terrain which is exposed to high winds during winter storms.

•	Remedies – PG&E re-routed the main line and installed tree wire in 1996; installed SCADA devices in 1997; and re-framed a section of the main line and installed a recloser in 1998.  This contributed to improved performance in 1997 and 1998.

Camp Evers 2106

•	Causes – A total of 282 customers in 1997 and 443 customers in 1998 experienced more than 12 sustained outages on this circuit in each of those years, primarily due to weather, tree-related incidents, and unknown causes.  Camp Evers 2106 travels through wooded, coastal areas to the summit of the Santa Cruz Mountains and is exposed to high winds during winter storms.

•	Remedies – PG&E installed tree wire on two spans on the main line, re-sagged the conductor to provide better clearances, and changed Recloser A-80 control to SCADA in 1998.  PG&E also plans to install jumper and bushing covers on the main line in 1999.   These remedies are intended to improve circuit performance in 1999 and beyond.

Ben Lomond 1101

•	Causes – A total of 775 customers in 1996 and 159 customers in 1997 experienced more than 12 sustained outages on this circuit in each of those years, primarily due to weather and tree-related incidents.  Ben Lomond 1101 travels through wooded, coastal areas and is exposed to high winds during winter storms.

•	Remedies – PG&E replaced a faulty circuit breaker, re-routed the source main line, and installed tree wire in 1996; installed SCADA devices in 1997; and re-framed a secion of main line on the 21kV source circuit in 1998.  This contributed to improved performance in 1998.

Monte Rio 1113

•	Causes – A total of 92 customers in 1995 and 1,361 customers in 1998 experienced more than 12 sustained outages on this circuit in each of those years, primarily due to weather and tree-related incidents.  Monte Rio 1113 has over 80 miles of overhead and underground line, serving 2,470 customers in a mountainous and forested area along the Russian River, which is exposed to high winds during the winter months.  Trees and branches are known to fall from outside the normal tree trimming zone and cause outages.

•	Remedies – PG&E refused the circuit in the Muniz Ranch area, installed 39 fused cutouts, and installed 4,000 circular feet of tree wire in 1996; installed and relocated 1,320 circular feet of tree wire in 1997; and installed 15 sets of fused cutouts and installed a recloser in 1998.  These remedies are intended to improve circuit performance in 1999 and beyond.

Crescent Mills 2101

•	Causes – A total of 96 customers in 1996 and 207 customers in 1997 experienced more than 12 sustained outages on this circuit in each of those years, primarily due to lightning and unknown causes.  Crescent Mills 2101 is a radial circuit that is 58.5 miles long, located in a high mountain valley in the Cascade Range at an elevation of about 4,500 feet.

•	Remedies – PG&E constructed a 21kV tie and installed new lightning arrestors in 1997.  This contributed to improved performance in 1998.

El Dorado PH 2101

•	Causes – A total of 612 customers in 1994, 716 customers in 1995, 1,058 customers in 1996, and 464 customers in 1997 experienced more than 12 sustained outages on this circuit in each of those years, primarily due to weather, falling trees, ice, snow, high wind, forest fires, and landslides.  These causes are due to high exposure on a long rural circuit.  El Dorado PH 2101 is a long rural low-customer density circuit extending through rugged, heavily wooded mountainous terrain in the Sierras.  The circuit is susceptible to heavy snow loading and extremely high winds.

•	Remedies – In 1996 and 1997, PG&E completed a Tree Logging Plan with the California Department of Forestry (CDF).  PG&E also continued to be diligent about routine maintenance in 1996-98.  PG&E implemented its Pole Test & Treat Program in this area in 1998.  Finally, PG&E plans to cooperate with CDF in an ongoing Tree Logging Plan.

Oakhurst 1103

•	Causes – A total of 416 customers in 1994 and 422 customers in 1995 experienced more than 12 sustained outages on this circuit in each of those years, primarily due to weather and tree-related incidents.  Oakhurst 1103 travels through a wooded, heavy snow and ice loading area.  The main section of the feeder is radial, and no backties can be constructed in the CDF and National Park area.

•	Remedies – PG&E completed some undergrounding of the circuit in 1997; and installed fuses and sectionalizers in 1998.

PACIFICORP

City 5R195

•	Causes – From the 3-year period from January 1995 through December 1997, this circuit experienced 19 sustained outages resulting in a total of 456,000 customer minutes of interruption.  The primary causes were due to major storms or disasters, problems with the transmission system, and wind, all of which were typically associated with trees falling into the line.

•	Remedies – Pacificorp completed the 2-year “hot spot” tree-trimming program for this feeder in July 1998, while the 3- to 4-year cycle tree-trimming program was completed in May 1999.  Pacificorp also relocated a 9-mile section of the 69kV Line 87 away from the ocean bluffs where it experienced problems due to instability and erosion.  Finally, Pacificorp installed an automatic sectionalizing scheme to Line 87 in 1999, which should result in improved reliability to the Lake Earl and Redwood Substations (5R195).

North 5R170

•	Causes – From the 3-year period from January 1995 through December 1997, this circuit experienced 22 sustained outages resulting in a total of 345,000 customer minutes of interruption.  The primary causes were due to major storms or disasters, tree problems, and mechanical failure.  The first two were associated with wind and/or trees falling into the line.

•	Remedies – Pacificorp completed the 2-year “hot spot” tree-trimming program for this feeder in July 1997, while the 3- to 4-year cycle tree-trimming program began in April 1999.  Pacificorp also relocated a 9-mile section of the 69kV Line 87 away from the ocean bluffs where it experienced problems due to instability and erosion.

Pine Grove 5R152

•	Causes – From the 3-year period from January 1995 through December 1997, this circuit experienced 31 sustained outages resulting in a total of 623,000 customer minutes of interruption.  The primary causes were due to tree problems, major storms or disasters, and outside individual problems (e.g., vandalism, gunshot, etc.).  The first two were associated with wind and/or trees falling into the line.

•	Remedies – Pacificorp completed the 2-year “hot spot” tree-trimming program for this feeder in July 1997, while the 3- to 4-year cycle tree-trimming program was completed in March 1999.  Pacificorp also enacted a permanent load transfer in 1997 to increase reliability to a local hospital and shopping center, and added new fuse locations in early 1998.

Sawmill 5R171

•	Causes – From the 3-year period from January 1995 through December 1997, this circuit experienced 26 sustained outages resulting in a total of 540,000 customer minutes of interruption.  The primary causes were due to tree problems and major storms or disasters.

•	Remedies – Pacificorp completed the 2-year “hot spot” tree-trimming program for this feeder in July 1997, while the 3- to 4-year cycle tree-trimming program was about 35% complete as of early 1999.  Pacificorp also relocated a 9-mile section of the 69kV Line 87 away from the ocean bluffs where it experienced problems due to instability and erosion.

Bel-Air 5G83

•	Causes – From the 3-year period from January 1995 through December 1997, this circuit experienced 25 sustained outages resulting in a total of 655,000 customer minutes of interruption.  The primary causes were due to major storms or disasters, equipment deterioration, and tree problems.

•	Remedies – Pacificorp has an extensive tree-trimming program, where hot spots are trimmed as soon as possible, and where circuits are scheduled to be reviewed by trimmers every 3 to 4 years.  Pacificorp replaced deteriorated poles, cross-arms, lightning arrestors, and insulators.  In 1998, Pacificorp also installed two new line reclosers, and transferred a section of the feeder to another circuit to coordinate relay devices with existing fault duties.  These measures should reduce the number of outages experienced and should improve fault protection to individuals.

Black Butte 5G77

•	Causes – From the 3-year period from January 1995 through December 1997, this circuit experienced 27 sustained outages resulting in a total of 483,000 customer minutes of interruption.  The primary causes were due to lightning and major storms or disasters.

•	Remedies – Pacificorp has an extensive tree-trimming program, where hot spots are trimmed as soon as possible, and where circuits are scheduled to be reviewed by trimmers every 3 to 4 years.  Pacificorp replaced deteriorated poles, cross-arms, lightning arrestors, and insulators.

School-Town 5G93

•	Causes – From the 3-year period from January 1995 through December 1997, this circuit experienced 26 sustained outages resulting in a total of 1,024,000 customer minutes of interruption.  The primary causes were due to ice, sleet, and snow, and major storms or disasters.

•	Remedies – Pacificorp has an extensive tree-trimming program, where hot spots are trimmed as soon as possible, and where circuits are scheduled to be reviewed by trimmers every 3 to 4 years.  Pacificorp replaced deteriorated poles, cross-arms, lightning arrestors, and insulators.

South 5G99

•	Causes – From the 3-year period from January 1995 through December 1997, this circuit experienced 27 sustained outages resulting in a total of 144,000 customer minutes of interruption.  The primary causes were due to ice, sleet, and snow, and major storms or disasters.

•	Remedies – Pacificorp has an extensive tree-trimming program, where hot spots are trimmed as soon as possible, and where circuits are scheduled to be reviewed by trimmers every 3 to 4 years.  Pacificorp replaced deteriorated poles, cross-arms, lightning arrestors, and insulators.

Newell 5L68

•	Causes – From the 3-year period from January 1995 through December 1997, this circuit experienced 53 sustained outages resulting in a total of 495,000 customer minutes of interruption.  The primary causes were due to unknown problems, mechanical failure, lightning, and wind.

•	Remedies – Pacificorp has an extensive tree-trimming program, where hot spots are trimmed as soon as possible, and where circuits are scheduled to be reviewed by trimmers every 3 to 4 years.  Pacificorp replaced deteriorated poles, cross-arms, lightning arrestors, and insulators.  In 1997, Pacificorp installed three new line reclosers to protect major branches of the feeder (which should reduce the amount of outages each customer experiences), and installed new substation relays to detect faults more quickly and to provide better coordination with line reclosers.

Red Rock 4L3

•	Causes – From the 3-year period from January 1995 through December 1997, this circuit experienced 85 sustained outages resulting in a total of 289,000 customer minutes of interruption.  The primary causes were due to lightning, major storm or disaster, unknown problems, and equipment deterioration.

•	Remedies – Pacificorp has an extensive tree-trimming program, where hot spots are trimmed as soon as possible, and where circuits are scheduled to be reviewed by trimmers every 3 to 4 years.  Pacificorp replaced deteriorated poles, cross-arms, lightning arrestors, and insulators.  In 1996, Pacificorp upgraded an existing hydraulic recloser with a new electronically controlled one.  Pacificorp also installed a new recloser in 1998.

Lake 4G1

•	Causes – From the 3-year period from January 1995 through December 1997, this circuit experienced 10 sustained outages resulting in a total of 423,000 customer minutes of interruption.  The primary causes were due to contamination, electric failure, and unknown problems.

•	Remedies – Pacificorp has an extensive tree-trimming program, where hot spots are trimmed as soon as possible, and where circuits are scheduled to be reviewed by trimmers every 3 to 4 years.  Pacificorp replaced deteriorated poles, cross-arms, lightning arrestors, and insulators.