220 Mass. Reg. 19.03

Current through Register 1524, June 21, 2024
Section 19.03 - Performance Standards for Emergency Preparation and Restoration of Service
(1)220 CMR 19.03 sets forth the standards that shall apply to each Company's performance regarding:
(a) emergency preparation;
(b) restoration of service; and
(c) reporting.
(2)Emergency Preparation. Each Company shall ensure that it is adequately and sufficiently prepared to restore service to its customers in a safe and reasonably prompt manner during an Emergency Event.
(a) For electric distribution companies, this shall include at a minimum, but not be limited to:
1. implementing all applicable components of the electric distribution company's ERP related to planning and preparation for Emergency Events;
2. conducting the following on at least an annual basis:
a. meetings with state and local officials to ensure effective and efficient flow of information and substantial and frequent coordination between the Company and local public safety officials, including coordination with local officials with respect to vegetation management; and
b. training and drills/exercises to ensure effective and efficient performance of personnel during Emergency Events, and to ensure that each Company has the ability to restore service to its customers in a safe and reasonably prompt manner.
3. 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 Company's restoration efforts.
(b) For gas companies, this shall include at a minimum preparing and following written procedures consistent with those required by 49 U.S.C. §§ 60101 through 60125; 49 CFR Part 192: Transportation of Natural and Other Gas by Pipeline: Minimum Federal Safety Standards; M.G.L. c. 164, §§ 85B and 105A; 220 CMR 69.00: Procedures for the Determination of Violations of Codes Adopted by the Department of Public Utilities Pertaining to the Safety of Pipeline Facilities and the Transportation of Gas and for Enforcement of Said Codes; Minimum Safety Standards for Liquefied Natural Gas Facilities; Minimum Safety Standards for Gas Piping Systems and 220 CMR 100.00 through 113.00. Each gas company shall include these written procedures in their respective manuals for conducting operations and maintenance activities and for emergency response, and, where appropriate, in their manuals of written procedures to minimize hazards resulting from gas pipeline emergencies, as required by 49 CFR Part 192; 220 CMR 69.00 and 220 CMR 100.00 through 113.00.
(3)Restoration of Service. Each Company 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 Company's ERP related to restoration of service.
(4)Reporting. Each Company, as identified in 220 CMR 19.03(4)(a) through (d), shall comply with the following reporting requirements:
(a) Each electric distribution company shall submit a report with supporting documentation to the Department on its preparation for Emergency Events that details each meeting, training, and drill/exercise held pursuant to 220 CMR 19.03(2)(a)2.;
(b) During an Emergency Event, each Company shall provide periodic reports to the Department, appropriate regional Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency representatives and municipal emergency managers, or their designees, that contain detailed information related to emergency conditions and restoration performance for each affected city and town;
(c) Following an Emergency Event, each Company shall submit a detailed report with supporting documentation to the Department on its restoration performance, including lessons learned; and
(d) Before, during, and after an Emergency Event, electric distribution companies are required to track, maintain, and ensure accuracy of all required storm-related data.

220 CMR 19.03

Amended by Mass Register Issue 1331, eff. 1/27/2017.