Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 25-6.030 - Storm Protection Plan

(1) Application and Scope. Each utility as defined in Section 366.96(2)(a), F.S., must file a petition with the Commission for approval of a Transmission and Distribution Storm Protection Plan (Storm Protection Plan) that covers the utility's immediate 10-year planning period. Each utility must file, for Commission approval, an updated Storm Protection Plan at least every 3 years.

(2) For the purpose of this rule, the following definitions apply:

(a) "Storm protection program" - a category, type, or group of related storm protection projects that are undertaken to enhance the utility's existing infrastructure for the purpose of reducing restoration costs and reducing outage times associated with extreme weather conditions therefore improving overall service reliability.

(b) "Storm protection project" - a specific activity within a storm protection program designed for the enhancement of an identified portion or area of existing electric transmission or distribution facilities for the purpose of reducing restoration costs and reducing outage times associated with extreme weather conditions therefore improving overall service reliability.

(c) "Transmission and distribution facilities" - all utility owned poles and fixtures, towers and fixtures, overhead conductors and devices, substations and related facilities, land and land rights, roads and trails, underground conduits, and underground conductors.

(3) Contents of the Storm Protection Plan. For each Storm Protection Plan, the following information must be provided:

(a) A description of how implementation of the proposed Storm Protection Plan will strengthen electric utility infrastructure to withstand extreme weather conditions by promoting the overhead hardening of electrical transmission and distribution facilities, the undergrounding of certain electrical distribution lines, and vegetation management.

(b) A description of how implementation of the proposed Storm Protection Plan will reduce restoration costs and outage times associated with extreme weather conditions therefore improving overall service reliability.

(c) A description of the utility's service area, including areas prioritized for enhancement and any areas where the utility has determined that enhancement of the utility's existing transmission and distribution facilities would not be feasible, reasonable, or practical. Such description must include a general map, number of customers served within each area, and the utility's reasoning for prioritizing certain areas for enhanced performance and for designating other areas of the system as not feasible, reasonable, or practical.

(d) A description of each proposed storm protection program that includes:

1. A description of how each proposed storm protection program is designed to enhance the utility's existing transmission and distribution facilities including an estimate of the resulting reduction in outage times and restoration costs due to extreme weather conditions;

2. If applicable, the actual or estimated start and completion dates of the program;

3. A cost estimate including capital and operating expenses;

4. A comparison of the costs identified in subparagraph (3)(d)3. and the benefits identified in subparagraph (3)(d)1.; and

5. A description of the criteria used to select and prioritize proposed storm protection programs.

(e) For the first three years in a utility's Storm Protection Plan, the utility must provide the following information:

1. For the first year of the plan, a description of each proposed storm protection project that includes:

a. The actual or estimated construction start and completion dates;

b. A description of the affected existing facilities, including number and type(s) of customers served, historic service reliability performance during extreme weather conditions, and how this data was used to prioritize the proposed storm protection project;

c. A cost estimate including capital and operating expenses; and

d. A description of the criteria used to select and prioritize proposed storm protection projects.

2. For the second and third years of the plan, project related information in sufficient detail, such as estimated number and costs of projects under every specific program, to allow the development of preliminary estimates of rate impacts as required by paragraph (3)(h) of this rule.

(f) For each of the first three years in a utility's Storm Protection Plan, the utility must provide a description of its proposed vegetation management activities including:

1. The projected frequency (trim cycle);

2. The projected miles of affected transmission and distribution overhead facilities;

3. The estimated annual labor and equipment costs for both utility and contractor personnel; and

4. A description of how the vegetation management activity will reduce outage times and restoration costs due to extreme weather conditions.

(g) An estimate of the annual jurisdictional revenue requirements for each year of the Storm Protection Plan.

(h) An estimate of rate impacts for each of the first three years of the Storm Protection Plan for the utility's typical residential, commercial, and industrial customers.

(i) A description of any implementation alternatives that could mitigate the resulting rate impact for each of the first three years of the proposed Storm Protection Plan.

(j) Any other factors the utility requests the Commission to consider.

(4) By June 1, each utility must submit to the Commission Clerk an annual status report on the utility's Storm Protection Plan programs and projects. The annual status report shall include:

(a) Identification of all Storm Protection Plan programs and projects completed in the prior calendar year or planned for completion;

(b) Actual costs and rate impacts associated with completed activities under the Storm Protection Plan as compared to the estimated costs and rate impacts for those activities; and

(c) Estimated costs and rate impacts associated with programs planned for completion during the next calendar year.

Notes

Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 25-6.030

Rulemaking Authority 366.96 FS. Law Implemented 366.96 FS.

Adopted by Florida Register Volume 46, Number 023, February 4, 2020 effective 2/18/2020.

New 2-18-20.