Emergency Response and Disaster Preparedness

Water and Electric Utilities Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response – Coordination with Local Governments (R.15-06-009, Phase 2)

Now concluded and closed, the CPUC’s Safety Policy Division, Risk Assessment Section, undertook a second phase of R.15-06-009 to promulgate new rules for emergency planning by water and electric utilities (gas utilities are subject to similar requirements according to separate safety guidelines). The phase 2 rulemaking, which yielded Decision, D.21-05-019, May 20, 2021, was initiated by AB 1650, which added Section 768.6 to the Public Utilities Code, and requires, among other things, that water and electric utilities develop disaster and emergency preparedness plans, and seek local government input so as to improve communication with the public, and mitigate the effects of catastrophic events. The phase 2 rulemaking modified Commission General Order (G.O.) 166  electric utility Standards for Operation, Reliability, and Safety During Emergencies and Disasters.

On May 31, 2018, the assigned Commissioner issued a Phase 2 Scoping Memo and Ruling outlining the issues to address and questions to consider in undertaking the Utility Emergency Planning and Coordination phase. The Scoping Memo also set forth a public workshop schedule. Phase 2 of proceeding R.15-06-009 was set in motion with issuance of an assigned Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Ruling on Setting PHC for Phase 2 and Requesting PHC Statements, January 2018, establishing a March 15 Prehearing Conference (PHC) date and requesting statements to inform the PHC.

A series of public workshops were held in 2018, the first of which was held June 26, at the offices of the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (CalOES).  To access documents in support of Workshop 1 click here.

A second workshop was held on Friday, September 28, 2018, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can also read our media advisory.

Workshop 2 Agenda (click here)

Slide Presentations

1. "RASA Welcome and Opening Statement and Safety Message" - Jeremy Battis, RASA, lead analyst for R. 15-06-009

2. "Legislative Roundup of Pending Applicable Bills in Sacramento" - Reggie Salvador, Chief, Office of Legislative & External Affairs, CalOES

3. "Electric Utilities and PU Code Section 768.6" - Quang Pham, Senior Engineer, SED Electric Safety and Reliability Branch (ESRB)

4. "Utility Communication and Coordination: Lessons Learned from Napa Fire" - Diane Dillon, Supervisor, Napa County Board of Supervisors

5. "Lessons Learned from Recent Catastrophic Incidents: Insights for Improved Resilience and Recovery" - Robert Lewin, Director, Santa Barbara Office of Emergency Management

Panel 2: Utility Communication During Emergencies - Best Practices and Lessons

6. "Incident Command System and How Utilities Interface within the Command Structure" - Kevin Guerrero, CalFire Staff Chief, Operations

7. "Before and After NIMS/ICS Implementation - Differences in Approach Explained by SCE" - Donald Daigler, Director of Business Resiliency, SCE

8. "Wireless Utilities Support and Integration with Government in Emergencies" - Don Boland, Executive Director, CUEA

Panel 3: Utility Lines of Communication with Public to Facilitate Emergency Response and Mitigate Impacts of Disasters

9. "Large POU External Communication Experience During an Emergency Event" - Jeff Briggs, Emergency Preparedness Manager, Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD)

10. "Water Industry Perspective" - Robert Amparano, Emergency Planning Coordinator, Imperial Irrigation District

The CPUC Daily Calendar page is generally a reliable source for what’s happening at the Commission. RASA strives to post all its workshops’ agendas and participation information to the Daily Calendar two weeks in advance of a scheduled event.

Stakeholder Engagement Program

Workshop 1, June 26, 2018 at CalOES in Mather, Calif.  

Workshop 1 Agenda

Slide Presentations

1. “RASA Overview of Phase 2 Scoping Memo and Work Ahead”
Jeremy Battis, RASA, lead analyst for R.15-06-009

2. “GO 166 and Related General Orders for Electric Utilities and Emergency Planning”
Quang Pham, SED ESRB Senior Engineer

3. “Existing Law & CPUC Regulations regarding Utility Operation, Reliability, and Safety During Emergencies & Disasters”
Keith Melville, SDG&E Attorney

4. “State and National Standards Driving Utility Emergency Management in California”
Donald Daigler, SCE Director of Business Resiliency

5. “LADWP Emergency Preparedness and Citywide Integration”
Lisa Hayes, LADWP Emergency Preparedness Coordinator

6. “PG&E Emergency Planning”
Evermary Hickey, PG&E Director of Emergency Preparedness & Response

7. “Commission-Regulated Water Utilities: Planning for Emergencies”
Jim Wollbrinck, San Jose Water Co. Manager of Security & Business Resiliency

8. “SCE Emergency Response Overview”
Donald Daigler, SCE Director of Business Resiliency

9. “Community Wildfire Safety Program”
Dave Gabbard, PG&E Senior Director, Transmission Asset Management

10. “Emergency Planning and Response - Promoting Stakeholder Coordination, Partnering and Outreach”
Augie Ghio, SDG&E Director Emergency Management

11. “Overview of SCE's Response Plans for Emergencies Relating to Seismic Activity”
Jennifer Pearce, SCE Senior Manager Business Resiliency

12. “Emergency Response: Oroville and Erskine Wildfire Incidents”
Gerald Simon, California Water Service Co. Chief Safety and Emergency Preparedness Officer

13. “Emergency Planning for Communities with Special Needs”
Melissa Kasnitz, Center for Accessible Technology