(a) As used in this section, “electric distribution company” has the same meaning as provided in section 16-1.
(b) Not later than January 1, 2021, each electric distribution company shall submit to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to energy, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, and the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority the following:
(1) A cost-benefit analysis identifying the resources expended in response to the last five storm events classified as a level three, four or five. Such analysis shall include a review of the number of line crew workers and shall distinguish between line crew workers (A) directly employed by the electric distribution company and working full time within the state, (B) directly employed by the electric distribution company working primarily in another state, and (C) hired as contractors or subcontractors.
(2) An analysis of any such company's (A) estimates concerning potential damage and service outages prior to the last five storm events classified as a level three, four or five, (B) damage and service outage assessments after the last five storm events classified as a level three, four or five, (C) restoration management after the last five storm events classified as a level three, four or five, including access to alternate restoration resources via regional and reciprocal aid contracts, (D) planning for at-risk and vulnerable customers, (E) communication policies with state and local officials and customers, including individual customer restoration estimates and the accuracy of such estimates, (F) infrastructure, facilities and equipment, which shall include, but not be limited to, an examination of (i) whether such infrastructure, facilities and equipment are in good repair and capable of meeting operational standards, (ii) whether such company is following standard industry practice concerning operation and maintenance of such infrastructure, facilities and equipment, (iii) the age and condition of such infrastructure, facilities and equipment, (iv) whether maintenance of such infrastructure, facilities and equipment has been delayed, and (v) whether such company had access to adequate replacement equipment for such infrastructure, facilities and equipment during the course of the last five storm events classified as a level three, four or five, and (G) compliance with any emergency response standards adopted by the authority.
(c) Not later than January 1, 2021, the authority shall initiate a docket, or incorporate into an existing docket, to review the report provided by each electric distribution company pursuant to subsection (b) of this section. The authority shall submit the final decision of such docket, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to energy.
(d) After issuing its final decision in the docket initiated pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, the authority shall establish standards for minimum staffing levels for any electric distribution company for outage planning and restoration personnel, including linemen, technicians and system engineers, tree trimming crews and personnel responsible for directing operations and communicating with state, municipal and regional officials. Such staffing standards may reflect different staffing levels based on the severity of any emergency.
(e) The authority may establish as it deems fit any other standards for acceptable performance by any electric distribution company to ensure the reliability of such company's services in any emergency and to prevent, minimize and restore any long-term service outages or disruptions caused by such emergency.
(f) The authority, upon a finding that any electric distribution company failed to comply with any standard of acceptable performance adopted pursuant to this section or any order of the authority, shall make orders to enforce such standards and may levy civil penalties against such company, pursuant to section 16-41. Any such penalty shall not be included as an operating expense of such company for purposes of ratemaking.
(Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 20-5, S. 12.)
History: Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 20-5 effective October 2, 2020.