Physical
Security of Electric Infrastructure (R.15-06-009)
Initiated in June 2015 in response to passage of Senate Bill 699, this proceeding directed the Commission "to consider rules to address the physical security of the distribution systems of electric corporations."
Physical Security Fact Sheet
Physical Security Executive Summary
Utility Compliance Documents Submitted to the Commission in Partial Fulfillment of Physical Security Regulations
History of Rulemaking:
January 22, 2019 - Physical Security of the Electric Distribution System (R.15-06-009) By a 4-0 vote the Commission on January 22, 2019 approved the Physical Security Decision, D.19-01-018, making California the first state in the nation to adopt rules to guard its electric distribution grid against terrorist attack. In response, California’s electric utilities will begin preparing threat assessments and drafting security plans that identify “critical” assets and propose security mitigation measures. Adoption of D.19-01-018 marks another milestone in the CPUC’s Safety and Enforcement Division carrying out the Legislature’s directives of SB 699 and PU Code 364 to ensure the security and resilience of those electric grid assets subject to Commission oversight.
November 9, 2018 - CommissionerRechtschaffen's Phase I Proposed Decision, November 9, 2018,addressing OIR on the Physical Security of Electrical Corporations
- Attachment 1 to the Proposed Decision
In January 2018, SED’s risk assessment section
published a staff white paper Security
and Resilience for California Electric Distribution Infrastructure: Regulatory and Industry
Response to SB 699. The report assesses the readiness of California’s
electric utility companies to respond to a terrorist attack and the grid’s
ability to withstand such an organized attack, and makes recommendations for
low-cost mitigations and approaches to enhance grid security and reduce the
prospects and damage of any future incident.
The white paper also provides extensive
background on California and Federal steps to establish physical security
protocols for the electricity sector, and provides a blueprint for how SED’s
risk assessment section’s carried out Phase 1.
Link to report:
Security and Resilience for California Electric Distribution Infrastructure: Regulatory and Industry Response to SB 699
Relatedly, as Phase 1 of R.15-06-009 comes to a close, the Commission will consider a Joint Utility Proposal for Distribution Substation and Distribution Control Center Security Programs and Mitigation Plans. The utility proposal, and SED’s risk assessment section’s recommendations for modifications to the proposal can be accessed at the links below
Link to Joint Proposal and Staff recommendations:
Updated Utility Draft Proposal for Physical Security Regulations
SED Staff Recommendation for Commission Consideration
In 2017, in support of the
proceeding, SED's risk assessment section facilitated four public
workshops and convened a technical working group to advance
understanding of the issues surrounding physical security, elicit input
and expertise from experts and stakeholders, and to reach broad
consensus on a set of challenges and opportunities.
To receive to all proceeding notices via email,
subscribe by going to the Proceeding webpage and click on “subscribe”. All proceeding rulings, notice, comments and
other relevant documentation can also be found at this webpage.
Links to Key Documents:
- Authorizing legislation, SB 699, chaptered September 25, 2014
- SED Staff White Paper, Regulation of Physical Security for the Electric Distribution System , February 2015
- Order to Initiate Rulemaking 15-06-009, June 11, 2015
- Administrative Law Judge Kelly Scoping Memo, March 10, 2017
- Administrative Law Judge Kelly Ruling IssuingWorkshop Notes and Request For Straw Proposals, July 12, 2017
- Final CPUC staff physical security white paper, January 2018
- Administrative Law Judge Kelly’s Ruling Allowing Comments on the Safety and Enforcement Division’s Risk Assessment and Safety Advisory Section Evaluation of the Joint Utility Proposal and Recommendations for Consideration.
Workshop 1, May 2, 2017 at CalOES, Mather, CA
Information
Sharing, Protection, and Confidentiality | Establishing Proceeding Rules of
Engagement for Input and Testimony on Sensitive Subjects | Establishing
Protocols for Data Access
and Transfer
Agenda
Workshop 2, May 31, 2017 at CPUC Auditorium,
SF
State,
Federal, and Industry Standards and Responses; NERC CIP-014 and the
post-Metcalf Environment
Agenda
NERC presentation, Carl Herron
SMUD
presentation, James Day
Workshop 3, June 21, 2017 at Southern
California Edison, Rosemead
How
SB 699 Legislative Directive Informs CPUC Response and Responsibility; Threat
Assessment, Critical Substation Protections and Incident Response and
Resiliency
Agenda
SED Introductory slides
Data
Gathering on Physical Security Incidents, Martin Kurtovich
Protecting Critical Electric Distribution Infrastructure, Harford Field III, Corporate Risk Solutions, Inc.
Business
Resiliency at SCE, Robert Kang
Incident
Response and Resiliency, Stephen LaFond, Riverside Public Utilities
Joint Utility Straw Proposal slides
SDGE Draft Dist Security Proposal Discussion
Workshop 4, September 29, 2017 at California
Public Utilities Commission Headquarters, San Francisco, CA
Agenda
SED Slides Workshop 4
Physical Security Overview
Draft SED Recommendations