PR-08-50 -- PSC Sets Infrastructure Inspection Standards For Electric Utilities

Contact: Kevin Kelly (573) 751-9300

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- OCTOBER 11, 2007

    JEFFERSON CITY—For the second time in a week, the Missouri Public Service Commission has adopted final rules designed to increase electric service reliability for consumers of the four investor-owned utilities in Missouri.

    The commission has adopted final rules requiring AmerenUE, Kansas City Power & Light, Aquila, Inc. and The Empire District Electric Company to have detailed programs monitoring the condition of, and if need be, replacing infrastructure (wires, poles, transformers, etc.).  The commission’s vote was 4-1.

    Last week, the commission adopted final rules requiring those utilities to do more extensive tree-trimming and develop detailed vegetation management plans. 

     “These rules require each utility to have detailed plans for evaluating the condition of equipment including utility poles and wires,” PSC Chairman Jeff Davis said.  “These rules are the second step in a process designed to increase service reliability while keeping electric rates low.”

     These rules require electric companies to perform visual inspections on utility poles, wires, transformers and underground facilities at least once every 4 years in urban areas and every 6 years in rural areas.  A more detailed inspection is required on wires, regulators, transformers and underground facilities every 8 years in urban areas; every 12 years in rural areas.  A detailed or intrusive inspection is required at least every 12 years on utility poles. 

    The following is breakdown of inspection periods.

Utility Poles

Patrol -- Urban: 4 years; Rural: 6 years

Detailed or Intrusive Inspection -- Urban: 12 years; Rural: 12 years 

Wires, Transformers, etc.

Patrol -- Urban: 4 years; Rural: 6 years

Detailed or Intrusive Inspection -- Urban: 8 years; Rural: 12 years

Underground Facilities

Patrol -- Urban: 4 years; Rural: 6, years.

Detailed or Intrusive Inspection -- Urban: 8 years; Rural: 12 years 

     Under the final rules, patrol is defined as a simple visual inspection designed to identify obvious structural problems and hazards.  Detailed inspections are inspections where individual pieces of equipment and structures are carefully examined, visually and through use of routine diagnostic testing, as appropriate.  If practical and if useful information can be gathered, equipment is opened and its condition is rated and recorded. 

    Intrusive inspections involve the movement of soil, taking samples for analysis, or using more sophisticated diagnostic tools beyond visual inspections or instrument readings.

    The four investor-owned utilities under PSC jurisdiction provide electric service to approximately 1.9 million customers in Missouri.

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Case No. EX-2007-0214