This memo is intended to clarify the types of events that are reportable and non-reportable and to clarify the record keeping requirements and the procedures to be followed for each. The reference for these procedures is the Commission's Rules Regulating electric Utilities 4 CCR 723-3 (Rules).
- Rule 3203 - Interruptions of Service
An “interruption” of service, as described by IEEE Standard 1366-2003, is a “…loss of service to one or more customers connected to the distribution portion of the system. It is the result of one or more component outages, depending on system configuration.” This Rule is applicable to all electric utilities, including rural electric associations (REAs).
There is no requirement to report this type of event to the PUC, however the Rule requires that each company must keep a record, to include the time, duration, and cause, of every service interruption on its entire system. “Every” service interruption includes forced outages outside the utility’s control, scheduled outages, and sustained outages. The Rule requires that the records, along with the operating schedules, be open at all times to inspection by Commission Staff. This letter is sent in part to confirm that your company has in place a service outage tracking system that is in conformance with Rule 3203.
- Rule 3204 - Incidents
Is defined in Rule 3204(a) as an event in which an electric utility, in connection with the operation of its property, facilities, or service, results in death, serious injury, or significant property damage. As a guideline, the PUC considers property damage exceeding $50,000 to be significant. This Rule is applicable to all electric utilities, including rural electric associations (REAs).
An incident must be reported telephonically to the PUC within two hours of the utility becoming aware of it. The PUC number for reporting an incident is 303-894-2528. The written (post investigation) report must be submitted to the Director of the Commission within 30 calendar days of the incident, and must contain the information required by Rule 3204(b).
- Rules 3250-3252 - Distribution Major Events
A major event is defined by Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Standard 1366-2003 as an event that exceeds reasonable design and/or operational limits of the electric power system, and that includes at least one Major Event Day (MED). These Rules are applicable to all electric utilities, including rural electric associations (REAs) however, for smaller utilities that are not required to report service reliability indicators to the Commission, an approximation of IEEE 1366 is acceptable for the determination of MED.
A major event must be reported to the PUC as soon as possible, but no later than the first business day following the event. Rule 3251 states that this can be done via e-mail to DORA_PUC_Webmail@state.co.us, but it may be phoned in instead to the PUC Consumer Assistance number at 1-800-456-0858. The format for the telephonic report of a major event is the same format used for reporting an incident, is available by clicking Telephone Verbal Report of Electric Incident or Major Event at left. Per Rule 3252(a), the formal written (post investigation) report must be submitted to the Director of the Commission within 15 calendar days of the incident, and must contain the information required by Rule 3252(b).
- Rule 3253 - Generation or Transmission Major Events
A utility that has experienced a Major Event involving generation or transmission facilities must provide the PUC a copy of any reports that it provides to either the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) or to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). The PUC requests that such reports be provided to it concurrently with those provided to the WECC or EIA. The PUC will treat these reports as confidential. The PUC may use its audit powers to request additional information concerning such outages.