N.H. Admin. Code § Puc 306.06

Current through Register No. 44, October 31, 2024

Section Puc 306.06 - Notification of Accidents and Property Damage

(a) A utility shall notify the commission in the event of accidents and significant events in accordance with subparts (c) - (f), except during wide scale emergencies as required by this rule.

(b) The commission shall provide a protocol roster to the utilities updated as necessary which:

(1) Lists commission representatives with their after work hours telephone contact numbers, email addresses and text contact information; and

(2) Lists the general commission telephone number.

(c) A utility shall notify the commission by telephone, automated telephone notification or electronic means as soon as possible, but no later than 2 hours after becoming aware of an outage event that interrupts service to more than 2,000 customers for more than 5 minutes.

(1) The notification shall include:

a.The name of the utility;

b.The name of the person initiating the notification and a telephone number for call back;

c.A brief description of the event location;

d.Estimated number of customers affected; and

e.Estimated duration of outage or service restoration time; and

(2) Notification shall be to all commission representatives on the protocol roster, described in (b) above through automated telephone notification, email or text.

(d) A utility shall notify the commission by telephone as soon as possible, but no later than 2 hours after becoming aware of an accident or event that:

(1) Results in serious injury or fatality;

(2) Involves a breach of security or threat against the utility's facilities addressed in section 306.10;

(3) Involves aircraft, trains or commercial boats;

(4) Results in closure of a state highway; or

(5) Is not covered in this section but has been or is anticipated to be reported publicly via major commercial news outlets.

(e) When an accident or event occurs as described in (d) above, the utility shall notify the commission as follows:

(1) Attempt to contact the appropriate commission representative listed on the protocol roster, described in (b) above, either at the commission telephone number during regular commission hours or at the after-hours number outside of regular commission hours;

(2) Proceed sequentially through the roster attempting to contact a commission representative;

(3) If a utility is unable to reach a commission representative after (2) above, the utility shall notify the commission as follows:

a.Call the commission general telephone listing, provided in the protocol roster, and leave a voice mail message:

1.Identifying the utility and the name and return telephone number of the individual attempting to report; and

2.Stating that an accident or event requiring notification has occurred and will be reported when the commission next opens; and

b.As soon as possible during regular commission hours, contact the appropriate commission representative listed on the protocol roster, described in (b) above, and proceed sequentially through the roster; and

(4) When the utility is first able to speak to a commission representative listed on the protocol roster as required by this section, the utility shall notify the representative of the following:

a.The name of the utility;

b.The name of the person making the report and the telephone number at which they can be called back;

c.A brief description of the accident or event and location;

d.A description of any known fatalities, personal injuries and damage;

e.Any other known information relevant to the cause of the accident or event and the extent of the damage; and

f.The time at which:

1.The accident or event occurred; and

2.The utility was first notified or the accident or event.

(f) Each utility shall report in writing any accident or event requiring notification pursuant to (d) above, by completing and submitting to the commission:

(1) Form E-5E, within 10 business days of notification of the accident or event; and

(2) If requested by the commission, a more detailed written report, referencing the original E-5E report number, containing any additional supportive documentation not provided in the original E-5E report, within 60 days of notification of the accident or event.

(g) If a utility is requested to file a report pursuant to Puc 306.02(f)(2) and the accident or event involves a utility's pole or anchors located within the public way, the utility shall include in its report whether the poles or anchors were licensed and whether the poles or anchors were properly located according to that license.

N.H. Admin. Code § Puc 306.06

#2011, eff 5-4-82; ss by #2912, eff 11-26-84; ss by #4999, eff 11-26-90; ss by #6381, INTERIM, eff 11-27-97, EXPIRED: 3-27-97

New. #6605, eff 10-21-97; ss by #8448, eff 10-18-05

Adopted byVolume XXXIV Number 24, Filed June 12, 2014, Proposed by #10603, Effective 5/21/2014, Expires5/21/2024 .