PUC: Number Of Storm-Related Electric Outages Increasing Due To A Jump In Number Of Severe Storms With Extremely High Winds

On September 3, the Public Utility Commission reported Pennsylvania experienced 49 “reportable outage events” in 2023 that disrupted electric service for residents and businesses across the state, according to the latest Electric Service Reliability Report.

The number of outage events rose from 42 in 2022 to 49 in 2023, with a corresponding increase in the total number of customers affected by outage events.

The Commission said the increase was driven by a jump in the number of storm events from year-to-year, especially severe spring and summer thunderstorms that included extremely high winds.

The PUC said while these figures remain below the peak levels seen during years with extreme events like hurricanes and severe winter storms, they underscore the ongoing challenges posed by weather and the vegetation-related disruptions often generated by storms.

Ongoing Challenges in Electric Reliability

The PUC reliability report highlights that most of Pennsylvania’s 11 electric distribution companies (EDCs) faced declines in key reliability metrics in 2023, especially for the average duration of service outages.

While the  total number of events that cause customer outages changed modestly year-over-year, it was still well above the amount in 2015.  These challenges are largely driven by severe weather and the complexity of maintaining an aging power grid.

An encouraging trend is a continuing decline in the number of customers interrupted by outages since 2019.  A primary driver of this trend is the deployment by EDCs of smart devices on their systems.

EDCs are increasingly deploying advanced devices that can isolate damaged sections of the grid and restore power to unaffected areas more quickly. While these technologies help reduce the number of customers impacted by outages, they can also lead to longer repair times in the hardest-hit areas due to the complexity of the damage.

This dual reality — fewer customers experiencing outages but longer durations for those who do — emphasizes the critical need for ongoing infrastructure investments, regular maintenance, and enhanced vegetation management to prevent tree-related damage to the power grid.

Tackling Vegetation and Strengthening Infrastructure

Severe weather, particularly storms that bring down off-right-of-way trees and overhanging limbs from canopy trees, continues to be the primary threat to Pennsylvania’s electric reliability.

 Many of these trees are weakened or dead due to infestations like the Emerald Ash Borer, increasing the risk of outages during storms.

The PUC’s Bureau of Technical Utility Services (TUS) is urging all EDCs to reassess and strengthen their vegetation management programs. 

Ensuring that these programs are efficient and effective is essential for minimizing the number of outages caused by tree-related incidents.

Moreover, nine of the 11 EDCs currently have approved Long-Term Infrastructure Improvement Plans (LTIIPs), which are vital for addressing aging infrastructure and boosting grid resilience. 

However, it’s important to note that vegetation management is not currently an eligible project category under LTIIPs, presenting a significant challenge for EDCs working to improve service reliability.

Since 2015, vegetation has consistently been the leading cause of outages and lost customer minutes in Pennsylvania. 

Duquesne, PECO, and PPL, which have invested the most through their LTIIPs, have been the most successful in meeting reliability benchmarks over the past three years. 

Despite these efforts, sustained reliability remains a challenge for many EDCs, reinforcing the need for continued infrastructure upgrades and robust vegetation management strategies.

The PUC is dedicated to collaborating with EDCs, stakeholders, and consumers to address these challenges and ensure that Pennsylvania’s electric distribution systems are resilient and reliable, especially as weather-related disruptions become more frequent.

Click Here to read the latest PUC Electric Service Reliability Report.

Visit the Public Utility Commission website for more information on regulated public utilities in Pennsylvania.

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[Posted: September 3, 2024]  PA Environment Digest