An Act To Implement Electric Grid Reliability Recommendations

CONCEPT DRAFT SUMMARY

This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208.

This bill proposes directing the Public Utilities Commission to pursue the 4 recommendations made by Emprimus LLC of Minneapolis, MN in Emprimus LLC’s report to the Public Utilities Commission filed January 6, 2015, Docket Number 2013-00145, regarding the effect of geomagnetic disturbances and electromagnetic pulses on the State’s electric grid. These recommendations include:

1. Pursuing neutral blocking in the 18 transformers of the State’s electric grid with the highest geo-electric-induced currents;

2. Installing electromagnetic pulse and intentional electromagnetic interference detectors at key substations on the State’s electric grid;

3. Installing electromagnetic pulse and intentional electromagnetic interference protective cabinets at key substations on the State’s electric grid; and

4. Monitoring the costs and benefits derived from protection of the State’s electric system from harmful effects of geomagnetic disturbances and support the cost recovery of supplemental reliability improvements to Central Maine Power’s Maine Power Reliability Program.