The Energy Reliability Program

Electric service reliability depends on fossil, renewable and other resources generating as much power as customers demand at each moment and equally important, on the proper operation of transmission and distribution conductors and switchgear to deliver the energy to homes and businesses.

As part of reliability planning the Commission oversees two types of responses to electric emergencies: one deals with unplanned electric emergencies, ranging from car-pole accidents to severe storms (Emergency Standards), while the other activates pre-planning for imminent shortages which stem from generation or transmission problems (Electric Emergency Action Plans EEAPs).

Electric Distribution 

The standards and procedures described below apply to the distribution operations (below 69,000 volts generally) of the electric investor-owned utilities (IOUs) regulated by the Commission.

  • Reliability Standards
  • Emergency Standards  
  • Electric Emergency Action Plans (EEAPs)
  • Inspection and Maintenance Standards 

    Electric Transmission

    For more information on transmission standards (above 69,000 volts generally) and on recent transmission projects proposed for reliability, economics, or renewable purposes please refer to California Transmission Projects and Information and to the website links listed at the end of the description of the Commission's Reliability Program.

    Electric Generation

    For information on standards for power plants and other generating resources please refer to the Energy-Electricity and Natural Gas > Reliability & Distribution Infrastructure > Electric Reliability & Safety area of the Commission's website.

    Gabriel Petlin, Supervisor, Grid Planning and Reliability Section gp1@cpuc.ca.gov   

    Related Programs

    Electric System Reliability Annual Reports (ca.gov)

    General Order 166 Annual Reports (ca.gov)