Section 815-RICR-00-00-5.5 - Performance Standards for Emergency Preparation and Restoration of ServiceA. Emergency Preparation. Each Public Utility shall ensure that it is adequately and sufficiently prepared to restore service to its customers in a safe and reasonably prompt manner during and after an Emergency Event.1. For electric distribution companies, this shall include at a minimum, but not be limited to: a. implementing all applicable components of the Public Utility's ERP related to planning and preparation for Emergency Events;b. conducting the following on at least an annual basis:(1) meetings with state and local officials to ensure an effective and efficient flow of information and substantial and frequent coordination between the Public Utility and local public safety officials, including coordination with local officials with respect to vegetation management; and(2) training and/or drills/exercises to ensure effective and efficient performance of personnel during Emergency Events, and to ensure that each Public Utility has the ability to restore service to its customers in a safe and reasonably prompt manner.c. maintaining updated lists of local elected and appointed officials, state and local public safety officials, Life Support Customers, and all internal personnel and external entities involved in the Public Utility's restoration efforts.2. For gas distribution companies, this shall include at a minimum preparing and following written procedures consistent with those required by 49 U.S.C. §§ 60101 through 60125; and pursuant to Transportation of Natural and Other Gas by Pipeline: Minimum Federal Safety Standards incorporated above at § 5.3 of this Part; and the Division Rules and Regulations Prescribing Standards for Gas Utilities, Master Meter Systems and Jurisdictional Propane Systems, 815-RICR-20-00-1.B. Restoration of Service. Each Public Utility shall restore service to its customers in a safe and reasonably prompt manner during all Service Interruptions and outages. During an Emergency Event, this shall include at a minimum, but not be limited to, implementing all applicable components of the Public Utility's ERP related to restoration of service.C. Reporting. Each Public Utility shall comply with the following reporting requirements: 1. Each electric distribution company shall submit an annual report with supporting documentation to the Division on its preparation for Emergency Events that details each training and drill/exercise held pursuant to § 5.5(A)(1)(2) of this Part.2. Each electric distribution company shall continue to comply with the applicable reporting requirements pursuant to Commission Docket No. 2509 and Division Docket No. D-11-94. If requested by the Division, each Public Utility shall submit a detailed report with supporting documentation on its restoration performance, including lessons learned within 90 days following an Emergency Event for which there is not an existing reporting requirement under Docket No. 2509 or Docket No. D-11-94.3. Before and during an Emergency Event, electric distribution companies are required to track and maintain all required storm-related data. After an Emergency Event, electric distribution companies are required to maintain storm-related data to support any post-event reporting requests in accordance with any applicable record retention schedules.815 R.I. Code R. 815-RICR-00-00-5.5
Adopted effective 6/30/2024