ALJ/TIM/avs Date of Issuance 4/26/2012
Decision 12-04-024 April 19, 2012
BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Application of San Diego Gas & Electric Company for Review of its Proactive De-Energization Measures and Approval of Proposed Tariff Revisions (U902E). |
Application 08-12-021 (Filed December 22, 2008) |
DECISION GRANTING PETITION TO MODIFY DECISION 09-09-030
AND ADOPTING FIRE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
FOR SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC COMPANY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page
DECISION GRANTING PETITION TO MODIFY DECISION 09-09-030 AND ADOPTING FIRE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC COMPANY 2
1. Summary of Decision 2
2. Background 2
3. DisabRA's Petition to Modify D.09-09-030 7
3.1. Summary of the Petition 7
3.2. Summary of Responses to the Petition 7
3.2.1. CPSD and DRA 7
3.2.2. County of San Diego 7
3.2.3. MGRA 8
3.2.4. SCE 8
3.2.5. SDG&E 8
3.3. Discussion 9
4. Authority to Shut Off Power in Hazardous Wind Conditions 11
4.1. Introduction 11
4.2. Summary of GO 95 Requirements for Wind Loads 12
4.3. Summary of the Parties' Positions 15
4.3.1. The Communications Providers 15
4.3.2. CPSD and DRA 15
4.3.3 MGRA 16
4.3.4. SCE 17
4.3.5. SDG&E 20
4.4. Discussion 24
4.4.1. SDG&E's Design Standard for Wind Loads 25
4.4.2. Shutting Off Power in Hazardous Wind Conditions 28
4.4.3. Design Requirements 33
5. Comments on the Proposed Decision 34
6. Assignment of the Proceeding 34
Findings of Fact 34
Conclusions of Law 35
ORDER 36
DECISION GRANTING PETITION TO MODIFY DECISION 09-09-030 AND ADOPTING FIRE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC COMPANY
1. Summary of Decision
Today's decision grants Disability Rights Advocates' petition to modify Decision (D.) 09-09-030 to require San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) to provide notice and mitigation, to the extent feasible and appropriate, whenever SDG&E shuts off power for public-safety reasons.
Today's decision also provides the following guidance regarding the Commission's determination in D.09-09-030 that SDG&E has authority under California Public Utilities Code Section 451 and Section 399.2(a) to shut off power in order to protect public safety when strong Santa Ana winds exceed the design basis for SDG&E's system and threaten to topple power lines onto tinder dry vegetation. First, today's decision provides more details regarding the specific Santa Ana wind conditions that may trigger a power shut-off event. Second, today's decision lists the factors the Commission may consider in determining if a decision by SDG&E to shut off power was reasonable and qualifies for an exemption from liability under SDG&E's Electric Tariff Rule 14.
