GO 167-B Compliance Audits

As part of the Electric Safety and Reliability Branch’s (ESRB) responsibility to ensure compliance with General Order (GO) 167-B, a team of ESRB auditors regularly conducts comprehensive audits of power plants through performance data analysis, records review, field inspection, and plant staff interviews. If ESRB auditors find any non-compliance with GO 167-B, the power plant must take corrective action(s) to remedy the deficiency or face enforcement actions by the CPUC.

The audit process consists of three main phases:

  • Planning Phase – ESRB auditors prepare for a GO 167-B audit by thoroughly researching and reviewing the selected power plant’s outage history, safety-related incidents, performance data, maintenance and operation summary plans, procedures, and any major or reoccurring problems.
  • Plant Visit Phase – ESRB auditors spend at least one week at the plant site to evaluate the plant's programs and procedures for compliance with GO 167-B. Auditors conduct the bulk of the field work during the plant visit through equipment inspection, personnel interview, and observation of plant operations and practices.
  • Report and Resolution Phase – ESRB auditors issue an audit report and notify the GAO of any GO 167-B nonconformance identified during the audit and request the GAO to correct deficiencies. Auditors work cooperatively with the GAO to resolve noncompliance. The GAO can request confidentiality on information in the audit report. The audit report is posted publicly on the Commission’s website.

GO 167-B Audit Reports and Resolution 

Recent Audit Reports

Archived Audit Reports - prior to 2020 
  Power Plant Investigations

GO 167-B Compliance Audit