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             California Public Utilities Commission
505 Van Ness Avenue, Room 5301            San Francisco, CA 94102
CONTACT: Dianne Dienstein                March 31, 1997  CPUC - 4
         415-703-2423                   (I.95-02-015/R.96-11-004)

        CPUC ADOPTS ELECTRIC UTILITY INSPECTION STANDARDS

    The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today
adopted inspection standards designed to promote electric utility
distribution system safety and high-quality service.  Electric
distribution systems include the transformers, poles, overhead
and underground lines found on most streets and roads in the
state which bring power from the state's electric transmission
system to individual homes and businesses.
    In its effort to ensure electric system reliability
throughout the state, the Commission has an ongoing process to
develop prescriptive and performance standards for the electric
utilities it regulates: Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern
California Edison, San Diego Gas & Electric, Pacific Power and
Light, and Sierra Pacific Power.  On January 23, the Commission
adopted stronger tree-trimming standards.  The new distribution
system inspection standards adopted today complement this effort,
and comply with recently-adopted AB 1890.
    The Commission also asked municipal and publicly-owned
electric utilities (over which it has authority for safety,
though it does not regulate rates for these utilities) to submit
written comment by May 20, 1997 about the extent to which the
rules should also apply to them.
    Patrol  inspection [simple visual inspection to identify
obvious structural problems and hazards] of overhead, underground
and pad-mounted transformers, switching/protective devices,
regulators/capacitors, overhead conductors and cables and
                            - more -
underground conductors, streetlighting and wood poles must be
done yearly in urban areas with a population of more than
1,000/square mile, and every other year in rural areas.
    Detailed inspection [opening up of structures and equipment
to carefully observe their condition and record it in a central
location] of urban and rural overhead and pad-mounted
transformers, switching/protective devices, regulators/
capacitors, and conductors must be done every five years, and
detailed inspection of underground equipment every three years.
    Intrusive inspection [using sophisticated diagnostic tools,
such as analyzing samples] must be made every 10 years for wood
poles over 15 years old if not previously inspected, or every 20
years if the poles have passed a previous intrusive inspection.
    These inspection standards are prescriptive standards which
specify actions utilities must take to promote safety and
service.  The Commission emphasized utilities continue to have
the obligation to maintain their systems according to industry
standards to assure high-quality service and safe conditions.
    Beginning July 1, 1998, each investor-owned electric utility
must report its compliance with the inspection standards by
identifying:
O  facilities inspected, potential problems identified, date of
   corrective action, and identity of person performing
   corrective work.
O  facilities scheduled for inspection but not inspected, an
   explanation of why they weren't inspected, and a date by which
   they will be inspected.
    The Commission also directed utilities to file by May 20,
1997 proposals for standards for operation, reliability, and
safety during emergencies and disasters pursuant to Section
364(b) of AB 1890.

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