RPVCCA_CC_SR_2013_04_02_F_Support_For_State_Assembly_Bill_66CITY OF
MEMORANDUM
?ho RANCHO PALOS VERDES
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
REVIEWED:
Staff Coordinator:
HONORABLE MAYOR &CITY COUNCIL MEMB~
CAROLYNN PETRU,DEPUTY CITY MANAGER~~ep
APRIL 2,2013
SUPPORT FOR STATE ASSEMBLY BILL 66 (AB 66)
ESTABLISHING MANDATORY UTILITY OUTAGE
REPORTING
CAROLYN LEHR,CITY MANAGER ~~(').,.
Matt Waters,Senior Administrative Analyst @
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the Mayor to sign the draft letter in support of State Assembly Bill 66 (AB 66),
which would require utility providers regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission
(PUC)to publish the frequency and duration of power outages in their service areas.
INTRODUCTION
State Assemblymember AI Muratsuchi recently introduced AB 66,which,if enacted,
would require California utility providers regulated by the California Public Utilities
Commission (PUC)to publish the frequency and duration of power outages on their
website.The published information would then be updated quarterly.
BACKGROUND
Peninsula cities,including Rancho Palos Verdes,experience numerous power outages
yearly.These outages are a source of significant frustration,inconvenience and
substantial financial loss for City residents.There have been over 100 unplanned
outages within the City limits from 2008-2011.
The power outages and SCE-related electrical equipment problems have heightened
concerns about potential risk.Fires associated with electrical equipment failures pose a
threat to the lives and property of City residents as well as to the viability of the City's
open space areas.
Following a number of extended power outages in late 2011 and the January 9'2012
Crest Fire,the RPV City Council authorized then Mayor Anthony Misetich to send a
letter to SCE,dated Feb.28,2012,strongly encouraging SCE to take appropriate
measures to reduce the frequency and duration of power outages.Subsequently,
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Support For AB 66:Mandatory Utility Outages Reporting
April 2,2013
Page 2
SCE's Regional Manager of Public Affairs,Marvin Jackmon appeared at a July 17,
2012 Council meeting to discuss power outages,fires related to SCE equipment and
plans for infrastructure improvements.Following that meeting,the Council sent a letter
dated October 30,2012 to the PUC and SCE emphasizing the impact of "power
outages,electrical system failures,fires and equipment installation on residents of the
City of Rancho Palos Verdes (RPV)."Mr.Jackmon then made a second presentation
at the December 4,2012 Council meeting to discuss SCE's long-term plans to address
electrical infrastructure.
DISCUSSION
Mayor Brooks,along with several City Councilmembers and City Manager Lehr,
discussed the issue of electrical outages and utility reliability problems with newly-
elected State Assemblymember Muratsuchi and other legislators during the California
Contract Cities Association annual legislative tour in Sacramento in early January.AB
66's information sheet references the concerns about fires and outages raised in the
City's July 17,2012 staff report.Assemblymember Muratsuchi asked the City to
formally support AB 66.AB 66 was introduced in the Assembly on January 7,2012 and
was referred to the Standing Committee on Utilities and Commerce on March 18,2013.
AB 66 requires electric companies such as SCE to publish a quarterly report on
reliability issues and problems on their websites.The report would show both the
frequency and duration of electrical outages by area.According to information provided
by Assemblymember Muratsuchi's office,AB 66 would:
•Allow the electrical providers,rate payers,and regulators to identity where the
most frequent outages occur.
•Assist the utilities in focusing their maintenance funds in the areas where the
outages are most frequent.
•Increase the effectiveness of the PUC and rate-making process by giving the
public access to information on outages.
•Enable utility companies to better justify their costs towards maintenance by
allowing their consumers to see where problems are the most frequent and
severe.
•Highlight the need for sustainable infrastructure for all Californians.
•Would provide Californians with information they have a right to know,and
provide a mechanism for accountability for rate payers.
The Rolling Hills Estates City Council approved sending a letter of support for AB 66 on
March 27,2013 and the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG)has
recommended that its Board of Directors support the bill.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no known fiscal impact.
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Support For AB 66:Mandatory Utility Outages Reporting
April 2,2013
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Attachments:
Assembly Bill 66 Information Sheet
Draft Letter from Mayor Brooks to PUC
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Assembly Bill 66 (Muratsuchi)
Public Safety:Utility Outage Reporting
SUMMARY
This bill would require utility providers regulated by the
Public Utility Commission to publish the frequency and
duration of power outages in their service areas on
their website and update the information quarterly.
BACKGROUND
Since 2008,the ~ity of Rancho Palo Verdes and other
cities on the Palo Verdes Peninsula have dealt with an
average oftwenty-six power outages a year.A 2012
Rancho Palo Verdes staff report cited over 100
unscheduled outages from 2008-2011 occurring within
the city.
•
•
•
•
•
Assist the utilities focus their maintenance funds in
the areas where the outages are most frequent.
Increase the effectiveness of the Public Utilities
Commission and rate making process by giving the
public access to information on outages.
Utility companies can better justify their costs
towards maintenance by alloWing their consumers
to see where problems are the most frequent and
severe.
Would highlight the need for sustainable
infrastructure for all Californians.
Strengthens the commission's regulation and
enforcement of General Rate Case applications by
prOViding updated information about the region
quarterly.
These power outages have raised concerns about the
frequent open space fires caused by electrical failures
and accidents that threaten lives and property.Since
2005,there have been at least three fires attributed to
service disruptions in the region.Outage related fires
have resulted in approximately 200 open space acres
being destroyed.Inconsistent electricity service in
Rancho Palo Verdes and throughout the South Bay has
resulted in growing frustration amongst ratepayers in
the region.
AB 66 mandates that the California Public Utilities
commission reqUire electrical corporations to publish a
report on local level system reliability problems.The
report will include the frequency and duration of
interruptions in services ranked by areas with both the
most frequent and longest outages.The report would
be updated quarterly.
NEED FOR THE BILL
AB 66 would prOVide much needed transparency and
accountability for Californian rate payers.AB 66 would:
•Allow the electrical providers,rate payers,and
regulators to identify where the most frequent
outages occur.
Last Updated 5-Mar-13
Simple accessibility to this information will create
reliability and trust between Californians and their
utility prOViders.Transparency has been shown to be
good for business and for consumer relations.AB 66
prOVides Californians with information they have a right
to know,and provides a mechanism for accountability
for rate payers.
SUPPORT
Rancho Palo Verdes
OPPOSITION
None Known
CONTACTS
Timothy Kamermayer
(916)319-2066
Timothy.Kamermayer@asm.ca.gov
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April 2,2013
The Honorable AI Muratsuchi
Assemblymember,66th A.D.
State Capitol
Sacramento,CA 95814
SUBJECT:Support for Assembly Bill 66:Mandatory Utility Outage Reporting
Dear Assemblymember Muratsuchi:
The RPV City Council authorized me at our April 2,2013 meeting to send this letter
expressing our unqualified support for Assembly Bill 66 (AB 66).Thank you for introducing
this important piece of proposed legislation to the Assembly.
The City Council is very concerned about the impact of power outages,electrical system
failures and associated fires on residents of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes (RPV).The
effect on our residents from planned and unplanned outages and the related impact of fires
on habitat,wildlife,structures,and most importantly human lives is an important community
issue that merits attention.Hundreds of acres of precious native habitat have been burned
by several large fires in recent years.Additionally there have been over a hundred
unscheduled Southern California Edison (SCE)outages from 2008-2011 which are a
continuing sources of frustration,inconvenience and financial loss to City residents.
The City supports AB 66's requirement that electric companies such as SCE publish a
quarterly report on reliability issues and problems on their websites.The report would show
both the frequency and duration of electrical outages by area.We agree with and support
your position that AB 66 would:
•Allow the electrical providers,rate payers,and regulators to identity where the most
frequent outages occur.
•Assist the utilities in focusing their maintenance funds in the areas where the outages
are most frequent.
•Increase the effectiveness of the PUC and rate-making process by giving the public
access to information on outages.
•Utility companies can better justify their costs towards maintenance by allowing their
consumers to see where problems are the most frequent and severe.
•Highlight the need for sustainable infrastructure for all Californians.
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Support For State Assembly Bill 66:Mandatory Utility Outage Reporting
April 2,2013
Page 2
•Provide Californians with information they have a right to know,and provide a
mechanism for accoLintability for rate payers.
Speaking on behalf of the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council and the residents of Rancho
Palos Verdes,I whole-heartedly offer our support for Assembly Bill 66.
Sincerely,
Susan Brooks
Mayor
cc:California Public Utilities Commission
Rancho Palos Verdes City Council
Carolyn Lehr,Rancho Palos Verdes City Manager
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