Avista Corporation (AVA), Docket No. RC13-10, June 27, 2013
Reliability Standard: FAC-501-WECC-1
Requirement: R3
Region: WECC
Issue: AVA, as a TO, self-certified to WECC that it had an issue with FAC-501-WECC-1 R3 after finding that it had failed to conduct one of its biennial infrared inspections at its W-5482 Walla Walla circuit breaker located in the Grant County PUD’s Wanapum 230 kV switching station, pursuant to its Transmission Maintenance and Inspection Plan (TMIP) that required it to perform biennial infrared inspection on its circuit breakers.
Finding: WECC determined that the issue posed a minimal risk to the reliability of the BPS because the issue pertained to only 1 out of 88 (1.14%) circuit breakers in AVA’s TMIP, and the circuit breakers are continuously monitored and alarm if a triggering event occurs.
Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), Docket No. RC12-16 (September 28, 2012)
Reliability Standard: FAC-501-WECC-1
Requirement: 3
Region: WECC
Issue: BPA, as a TO, self-reported that it failed to adhere to its Transmission Maintenance and Inspection Plan (TMIP) because it did not complete "Steel Tower Climb Inspections" at critical crossings every five years (in noncompliance with the TMIP and R3). WECC found that although BPA completed annual ground and aerial inspections, the TMIP stipulates "Steel Tower Climb Inspections" at critical crossings every five years, which BPA did not perform for three lines on WECC transfer paths with 12 critical crossings.
Finding: WECC found the issue posed a minimal risk to the reliability of the BPS since BPA did complete annual ground and aerial inspections for critical crossings and transmission lines, even though they were not "Steel Tower Climb Inspections" at critical crossings on the prescribed five year intervals.
Puget Sound Energy, Inc. (PSE), Docket No. RC13-9, May 30, 2013
Reliability Standard: FAC-501-WECC-1
Requirement: 2
Region: WECC
Issue: PSE, as a TO, self-certified to WECC that it had an issue with FAC-501-WECC-1 R2 when the TO discovered that it had not included item 4.b of Attachment 1-FAC-501-WECC-1, “Station Maintenance Details: Contamination Control” in its Transmission Maintenance and Inspection Plan (TMIP).
Finding: WECC determined that this issue posed a minimal risk to the BPS because there were existing protections in place during the pendency of the issue. In particular, PSE had an internal document addressing contamination controls that was available to all employees during the pendency of the issue. In addition, the internal procedure dictates that PSE performs contamination control on an as-needed basis.
US Bureau of Reclamation (USBR), Docket No. RC13-8, April 30, 2013
Reliability Standard: FAC-501-WECC-1
Requirement: 3
Region: WECC
Issue: USBR self-reported that it was unable to show it had completely implemented its Transmission Maintenance and Inspection Plan (Plan) because for one transfer breaker USBR could not produce a work completion order. USBR subsequently conducted all required testing.
Finding: The violation was deemed to pose minimal risk to BPS reliability but not serious or substantial risk which was mitigated because USBR had performed maintenance and testing on all other breakers and the relevant breaker is a secondary breaker.
