Galvin Electricity Initiative: Reliability Standards Critical to Achieving Better Quality Electricity Service
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 11, 2011
CONTACT:
Maria Enie, (202) 248-5460, menie@vancomm.com
***INTERVIEW ALERT***
GALVIN ELECTRICITY INITIATIVE: RELIABILITY STANDARDS CRITICAL TO ACHIEVING BETTER QUALITY ELECTRICITY SERVICE
Yesterday, Pepco executives stood before the DC Public Service Commission in what was the latest in a series of hearings—also held in Prince George’s County, Montgomery County and Annapolis—that the utility has faced as a consequence of the massive outages in their service area following the snow storm that hit two weeks ago. As the outcry against Pepco’s poor reliability reaches a deafening note, Maryland lawmakers have prioritized legislation to establish reliability standards for the state. While Pepco’s top executives appear committed to reducing outages, John Kelly, deputy director of the Galvin Electricity Initiative, applauds Maryland policymakers for introducing a bill that would call upon Maryland regulators to develop reliability metrics and standards that hold utilities accountable. Kelly looks to quality methods such as Six Sigma as guiding principles for these standards. According to these principles, system improvements must be based on performance metrics, transparency and the needs of the consumer in order to be successful.
WHO: John Kelly, deputy director of the Galvin Electricity Initiative and founder of
the National Energy Center for Sustainable Communities
WHY: “As electricity is entwined with every aspect of day-to-day life, the issue
of reliability is paramount. In addition to the inconvenience
experienced by consumers during prolonged periods without electricity
service, outages can literally mean the difference between life and
death,” said Kelly. “State legislators across the country should take note
of what's going on in Maryland and take strides to establish reliability
standards in their jurisdictions that require designated performance
outcomes and hold utilities accountable for producing specific
improvements with ratepayer money. The margin for error when it
comes to providing quality service for electricity customers has been
far too great; this must change in order for our country to stay
competitive and retain jobs.”
WHEN: Interviews are available by request. Contact Maria Enie
at 202-248-5460 or menie@vancomm.com.
The Galvin Electricity Initiative was launched by former Motorola CEO Robert W. Galvin to transform our electric power system into one that is reliable, efficient, secure and clean, and meets the needs of 21st century consumers. In 2011, the Initiative continues to spark a migration toward a consumer-driven electric power system that is based on quality leadership. The goal is to promote grid modernization through policy reform and the development Perfect Power smart microgrids that place top priority on serving consumers and businesses with reliable, high-quality, clean power. For more information about the Galvin Electricity Initiative, visit www.galvinpower.org, “like” the Initiative on Facebook (www.facebook.com/galvinpower) and follow the Initiative on Twitter at http://twitter.com/perfectpower.
