Reliability

Home \ Electricity \ Reliability

On May 4, 2004, the PUC approved regulations to tighten reliability standards and reporting requirements for electric utilities. The new standards are geared toward ensuring that electric utility performance with regard to the number and duration of power outages does not decline and toward making it easier for regulators to spot areas where service may be slipping.

Under the new rules, large electric companies will have to stay within 10 percent of a PUC-established benchmark for a rolling three-year period and within 20 percent of the benchmark during a rolling 12-month period. Four smaller electric companies – UGI, Citizens’, Pike County and Wellsboro – also must stay within 10 percent of their benchmark for a rolling three-year period, but will be allowed to go up to 35 percent of the benchmark for the rolling 12-month period.

Benchmarks are the Commission’s goals for each utility on the number and duration of outages. Reliability is considered reasonable when the numbers fall between the benchmark and the percentage standards described above.

On May 22, 2008, the Commission approved final regulations, at Docket No. L-00040167, to require electric distribution companies 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.

For more information, use the Search for Public Documents feature at docket numbers M-00991220, L-00040167 and L-00030161.

Proposed Rulemaking - Neutral Connection Inspection & Maintenance Standards

Neutral Connection

Neutral Connection Comments

Neutral Connection Reply Comments