Before The Public Utilities Commission of the State Of California

Order Instituting Rulemaking To Revise Commission General Order Numbers 95 and 128.	FILED PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OCTOBER 2, 2001 SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE R.01-10-001

ORDER INSTITUTING RULEMAKING

TO REVISE GENERAL ORDERS 95 AND 128

I. INTRODUCTION

The Public Utilities Commission's (Commission) General Order (GO) 95 "RULES FOR OVERHEAD ELECTRIC LINE CONSTRUCTION" and GO128 "RULES FOR CONSTRUCTION OF UNDERGROUND ELECTRIC SUPPLY AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS" formulate uniform requirements for overhead and underground electric and communication line construction for the State of California.

The Commission is charged with ensuring that electric utilities operating in California comply with the provisions of the Public Utilities Code and relevant laws and regulations, such as GOs 95 and 128. To that extent, among other things, the Commission's staff in its Consumer Services Division (CSD):

· Conducts inspections of utilities' overhead and underground electric facilities to ensure compliance with GOs 95 and 128.

· Investigates electric incidents involving public utilities subject to the Commission's jurisdiction to determine the causes, verify compliance with relevant laws and regulations, including GOs 95 and 128, and makes recommendations to prevent similar accidents.

· Responds to public and utility inquiries and requests for interpretations of GOs 95 and 128.

· Investigates public complaints related to compliance by public utilities with relevant laws and regulations including GOs 95 and 128.

While performing these functions, the staff has determined that certain GO 95 and GO 128 rules need modification and/or clarification and has proposed a number of rule changes. This Order Instituting Rulemaking (OIR) sets forth the GO 95 and GO 128 rule changes proposed by the staff. Appendix A contains proposed rule changes that the staff has prepared. Section IV of this OIR summarizes the rule change proposals and provides the rationale for each rule change. A notice of Availability of this OIR to revise Commission General Orders Numbers 95 and 128 shall be served by mail on all electrical corporations, municipalities providing electric service, and individuals or entities that have made their interest in this proceeding known to date. Copies of this OIR and Appendix A may be obtained through the Commission's Central Files Office (415-703-2045); or downloaded from the Commission's internet site ( http://www.cpuc.ca.gov). Interested parties are invited to file comments as set forth below on the recommendations contained in Appendix A and to present alternatives or proposals they may have concerning modifications to GOs 95 and 128.