Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 69 - GENERAL ORDERS, POLICY STATEMENTS AND GUIDELINES ON FIXED UTILITIES › UTILITY SERVICE OUTAGE RESPONSE RECOVERY AND PUBLIC NOTIFICATION GUIDELINES-ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION MARKET › Section 69.1902 - Notification guidelines

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
Acceptable methods of public notification.
In the event of a
					 service interruption, the following acceptable methods of public notification
					 should be considered and utilized as appropriate:
(1)
Mass media.
Facsimile/electronic mail notification to local radio and television stations,
					 cable systems, newspapers and other print and news media as soon as possible
					 after the event occurs. These notifications must provide relevant information
					 about the event, such as the affected locations, its potential impact including
					 the possible duration of the outage, and a description of actions affected
					 ratepayers/occupants should take to ensure their safety, with updates as often
					 as needed. Updates should be provided on a predictable, regular schedule for
					 the duration of the event. The Commission's Office of Communications and Lead
					 Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer should also receive these
					 notifications.
(2)
Web
					 site.
Use of the utility's own Internet web site, emergency phone line
					 and integrated voice response system to provide relevant information about the
					 event, such as the affected locations, its potential impact and estimated
					 duration, and a description of actions affected ratepayers/occupants should
					 take to ensure their safety, with updates as often as needed. A section of the
					 utility's web site shall be dedicated to presenting outage information where
					 regular updates of the number of customers without service by geographic area
					 and estimated restoration times are available. Depending on electric
					 distribution company (EDC) system limitations, this could be as simple as a PDF
					 or spreadsheet file of information that is updated at regular
					 intervals.
(3)
Automated
					 dialer system.
Automated dialer system (outbound dialing) notification
					 to affected ratepayers'/occupants' landline or wireless phones. Updates should
					 be provided at regular intervals or if the estimated restoration time changes
					 by more than 2 hours.
(4)
Miscellaneous.
Other types of direct or actual notice, such as
					 doorknob flyers distributed to affected ratepayers/occupants with actions
					 affected ratepayers/occupants should take to ensure their safety, when
					 feasible.
(5)
Electronic
					 mail and other emerging technology.
Electronic mail and text message
					 notification to affected customers who have opted to receive notice through use
					 of these methods. The use of emerging technology such as social media is
					 strongly encouraged.
(6)
Emergency alert system.
Coordination with State and local
					 emergency management agencies as needed to use the emergency alert system for
					 qualifying situations.