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."

 

Recent Activities:

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 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.

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

 

 

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 
   

• SED Introductory slides

 

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, CA

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