BILL NUMBER: SB 1774	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Bowen

                        FEBRUARY 23, 2000

   An act to amend Section 348 of the Public Utilities Code, relating
to public utilities.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1774, as introduced, Bowen.  Public utilities: electrical
restructuring.
   The Public Utilities Act requires the Independent System Operator
to adopt inspection, maintenance, repair, and replacement standards,
on or before September 30, 1997, for the transmission facilities
under its control, and standards for reliability and safety during
periods of emergency and disaster. Existing law requires the
Independent System Operator to report to the Oversight Board, at
those times specified by the Oversight Board, on the development and
implementation of the standards in relation to facilities under the
operational control of the Independent System Operator.
   This bill would require the Independent System Operator to report
quarterly to the Oversight Board.
   Vote:  majority.  Appropriation:  no.  Fiscal committee:  yes.
State-mandated local program:  no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Section 348 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to
read:
   348.  The Independent System Operator shall adopt inspection,
maintenance, repair, and replacement standards for the transmission
facilities under its control no later than September 30, 1997.  The
standards, which shall be performance or prescriptive standards, or
both, as appropriate, for each substantial type of transmission
equipment or facility, shall provide for high quality, safe, and
reliable service.  In adopting its standards, the Independent System
Operator shall consider  all of the following  :  cost,
local geography and weather, applicable codes, national electric
industry practices, sound engineering judgment, and experience.  The
Independent System Operator shall also adopt standards for
reliability, and safety during periods of emergency and disaster.
The Independent System Operator shall report  quarterly  to
the Oversight Board  , at such times as the Oversight Board
may specify,  on the development and implementation of the
standards in relation to facilities under the operational control of
the Independent System Operator. The Independent System Operator
shall require each transmission facility owner or operator to report
annually on its compliance with the standards.  That report shall be
made available to the public.