20180511Decision Memo.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDI]M
TO:C OMMISSIONER ICIELLAI\iDER
COMMISSIONER RAPER
COMn/fl SSIONER AI\DERSON
COMMISSION SECRETARY
LEGAL
WORKING FILE
FROM:JOHNATHAI{ FARLEY
RICHARD KELLER
DATE: MAY 10,2018
SUBIECT:IN THE MATTER OB THE IIYVESTIGATION OF ATLAI\"A POWER
COMPANY SERYICE AND CUSTOMER RELATIONS;
STAFF SATETY REPORT; CASE NO. ATI- E-l&01
On March 14,2018, two non-resident customers of Atlanta Power Company alerted the
Staffof the ldaho Public Utilities Commission that another customer's service line had fallen to
the ground. The customers expressed concern that the line could endanger persons who come
into contact with it. On April 2,2018, the Commission ordered the Company to immediately
repair the downed service. Additionally, the Commission ordered Staffto address any safety
issues related to Company facilities in its ongoing investigation and to report back to the
Commission its findings within sixty (60) days. Staffs Safety Report has been included as an
attachment to this memorandum.
On Thursday, March 29,2018, Commission Stafftraveled to Atlant4 Idaho, to
investigate the reported downed service Iine. Stafffound the service line had fallen and was
partiaily buried in snow but all wire connections to the service line were still intact. Staff
confirmed that the affected customer's power was still on and the line was not arcing or shorting.
It is Staffs understanding that the downed service line was recently repaired by members of the
community. Staffhas a site inspection planned for Tuesday, May 15, 2018, and will confirm the
repair has been made.
Staffidentified an additional safety concem during their visit to Atlanta on March 29e.
Stafffound there is inadequate protection anrund the drive pulleys and belts of the tubine-
generator. Although there is a makeshift railing separating building aco€ss from the tr:rbine-
IDECISION MEMORANDUM MAY 10,2018
generator drive, Staffis concerned that the barrier provides minimal safety protection for any
personnel e,ntering the building and may not be in compliance with U.S. Occupational Safety and
Health Administation (OSllA) standards.
STATT'RECOMMEDATIONS
Staffrecommeirds the Commission issue an Orderrequiringthe Companyto immediately
address the safety hazard posod by the inadequate protection around the drive pulleys and belts
of the turbine-geoerator.
COMMISSION DECISION
1) Does the Commission accept Staffs Safety Report in compliance with Commission
OrdsNo.34017?
2) Does the Commission wish to issue an Order requiring the Company to immediately
address the safety hazard posed by the inadequate protection around the drive pulleys and
belts of the turbine'generator.
cI\
Keller
UdmeinodAttanta Powr Decision Merno 05092018 Rev
-,
2DECISION MEMORANDI.'M N,IAY 10,2018
'1913 .
7l
STAFF SAFETY REPORT
APRIL L6,2OT8
RICHARD KELLER, P.E.
IDAHO PUBTIC UT]LITIES COMMISSION
On March 14,2OL8, two non-resident customers of Atlanta Power Company notified
Commission Staff that a customer's service line had fallen to the ground. The customers
expressed concern that the line could endanger persons who come into contact with it. On
April 2, 2018, the Commission ordered the Company to immediately repair the downed service.
Additionally, the Commission ordered Staff to address any safety issues related to Company
facllities in its ongoing investigation and to report back to the Commission with its flndings
withln sixff (60) days.
On Thursday, March 29,20L8, Commission Staff (Richard Keller & Johnathan Farley)
traveled to Atlanta ldaho to investigate a reported downed service line owned and operated by
Atlanta Power Company. Upon arriving ln Atlanta ldaho, Staff met with the Fire Chief, Gene
Haught, Ron Sherer, and a resident who directed them to the location of the downed line at the
intersection of Quartz St. and Alpine Rd. On site, Staff found the service line partially buried in
snow estimated to be 1 to 3 feet in depth. At the ends of the previously supported span, the
service llne reached up to the supporting poles. Barrier tape had been placed adjacent too the
road to caution people against entering the area.
Figure 7 - Eost Support Pole
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Figure 2 - West Support Pole
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Sandra Nye, the customer receiving power from the downed service line, indicated her
power was still on, and that no arcing or shorting of the service has been experienced. She
indicated the service line spannlng between the two poles was near the edge of the nelghbo/s
roofline and that snow sliding off the roof pulled the line to the ground.
Staffnoted the pole attachment hardware on the west pole was hanging from the
service wire, and was likely pulled out of the pole when the snow slid from the roof. Allwire
connections to the seMce line were still intact. Staff requested additional barrier tape to be
placed on the south side of the downed line to better restrict access to the area.
Figure 2 - Looking North - Requested Borrier Tope
Snow depth and road conditions within the town of Atlanta limited Staffls abil$ to fully
review Atlanta Power Company's distrlbution system. Access to the powefiouse at the dam
site was posslble. The Fire Chief directed Staff to the Kirby Dam and further provided access
into the powerhouse.
The Fire Chief identifled major components at the dam site and provided a general
description of equipment and its operation within the powerhouse. Upon inspection, one
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seraous concern identified by Staff is the lnadeguate protection found around the drive pulleys
and belts of turbine-generator within the powerhouse. Ahhough there ls a makeshift railing
separating buildlng access from the turbine-generator drive itself, Staff believes the barler is
inadequate and that it provides minimal safety protection for any personnel entering the
powerhouse bullding. OSHA requirements lndicate the turbine-generator drive itself would
likely need to be fully enclosed for protectlon.
Figure 3 Turbine Drive Pulley ond Belt
Staff recommends the downed service line be repalred as soon as possible.
Furthermore, Staff recommends the Company immediately address the safety issues
concerning the turbine-generator pulley as it poses an immediate safety hazard to personnel
and equipment within the powerhouse.
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