COMMISSION NEWS

ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION
1200 W. WASHINGTON
PHOENIX, AZ 85007

TO: EDITORS, NEWS DIRECTORS
DATE: October 3, 1996

FOR: IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jon Poston, (602) 542-0843

ELECTRIC RELIABILITY TASK FORCE

The Arizona Corporation Commission is being asked to form a task force on electric reliability and safety at the Commission meeting scheduled for next Tuesday and Wednesday. Utilities Division Director Gary Yaquinto said "We want uncompromising, unquestioned reliability from existing electric utilities, and especially from new market entrants who wish to become competitive providers." Electric system reliability was a key point during discussions that led up to planned new rules allowing electric customers a choice of electric providers, beginning in 1999. The electric competition rules were filed earlier this week. Yaquinto added, "We intend to be unyielding in our demand for safety and reliability from electric suppliers, and we will never sacrifice safety and reliability for the sake of competition."

The staff recommends that the task force: monitor generating and transmission system safety and reliability in the west; and give special attention to the impact of wholesale and retail competition. The Commission is also considering asking the staff to: work with existing organizations concerned with reliability, such as the Western Systems Coordinating Council; and to recommend policies, practices and activities that would have a bearing on improved safety and reliability.

Among the issues the staff might address are:

  • Responsibilities of power suppliers in regard to voltage and backup power.

  • The scheduling procedures used by marketers and brokers of power.

  • The proper responses to system disturbances.

    The proposed working group would be composed of representatives of the utility industry, other energy providers, consumers, organizations concerned with energy efficiency, and Commission staff. The task force would get underway November 1, 1996 or before and make its initial report on or before December 31, 1996.