N-52026-2027 GRA Appendix 1-6 - Redacted
35 passages
2026-2027 GRA Direct Evidence Appendix 3A Page 2 of 14 REDACTED (CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION REMOVED) and recovery above the level in base rates for 2025, it may choose to make an application in 2026 for recovery in 2027. That will complete N...
AI summary NS Power may apply in 2026 for recovery in 2027 to comply with the Nova Scotia Energy Board's directive on the Storm Rider from the 2023-2024 GRA, ensuring alignment with base rates for 2025.
Senior Directors (Asset Management and Environment) - Provide visible leadership and strategic direction for the climate adaptation planning and programs; - Ensure the Climate Adaptation Plan achieves its intended outcomes related to impro...
AI summary Senior Directors are tasked with leading climate adaptation planning, ensuring organizational resiliency, prioritizing climate-related risks, allocating resources for adaptation programs, and holding leaders accountable for implementation and performance outcomes.
Figure 8.2: Number of Storm Days by Year The following [Figure 8.3](#page-73-1) provides a summary of the CKAIFI[28](#page-73-2) frequency, which is the number of customer hours of interruption by the number of customers served by the feed...
AI summary Figure 8.2 and 8.3 analyze storm days and CKAIFI (Circuit Average Interruption Frequency Index) statistics, highlighting feeder reliability and climate-related risk mitigation needs. CKAIFI measures interruption frequency per customer, emphasizing performance gaps and the need for climate adaptation strategies.
Executive Summary The purpose of the NS Power's wildfire mitigation plan is to reduce the risk of wildfires caused by electrical infrastructure in Nova Scotia and to protect public safety. It aims to ensure the reliability of electricity s...
AI summary NS Power's wildfire mitigation plan aims to reduce wildfire risks from electrical infrastructure, protect public safety, and ensure reliable electricity service through vegetation management, equipment upgrades, and operational improvements. Key assets include transmission lines, distribution lines, and monitoring systems, with goals focused on risk reduction, safety, and grid resilience.
2026-2027 GRA Direct Evidence Appendix 3C Page 4 of 38 REDACTED (CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION REMOVED) Risk Assessment & Mapping Identify and prioritize high-risk areas for wildfires Situational Awareness Maintain real-time awareness of condit...
AI summary The wildfire mitigation plan outlines goals and objectives for wildfire prevention and response, including risk assessment, situational awareness, inspection programs, vegetation management, and emergency response to ensure safety and service reliability.
The main elements within NS Power's wildfire mitigation plan are summarized below, and are expanded upon in the following sections of the plan. Risk Assessment & Mapping Identify and prioritize high-risk areas for wildfires Situational Awa...
AI summary NS Power's wildfire mitigation plan includes risk assessment, situational awareness, inspection programs, vegetation management, operational adjustments, emergency response, and continuous improvement. Climate change is increasing wildfire severity, and examples like PG&E's bankruptcy highlight the importance of proactive measures to manage risks and liabilities.
2.1 Wildfire History in NS For Nova Scotia specifically we reference the [Canadian Wildland Fire Information System](https://cwfis.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/home) to understand the level of wildfire risk. In Figure 2, the Fire Weather Index normals...
AI summary Nova Scotia assesses wildfire risk using the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System (CWFIS), showing Fire Weather Index normals from 1981–2010 as 'Very Low' to 'Moderate.' Historical data (1980–2021) indicates few large forest fires compared to other Canadian regions.
2026-2027 GRA Direct Evidence Appendix 3C Page 10 of 38 REDACTED (CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION REMOVED) Figure 3: Depiction of >200 hectares fires in Canada from 1980-2023 (NRCan)[2](#page-88-0) The NS Department of Natural Resources and Renew...
AI summary Nova Scotia experiences 225 average wildfires annually, primarily caused by human activities. Fire season runs March 15–October 15, with May being most active due to 'before green up' conditions. Wildfires correlate with population density, and only 3% are lightning-caused.
3.3 Ignition probability Utilities in North America are developing and using tools and processes to assess the risk of ignition across regions of the grid (or more granularly, e.g., circuits, spans, or assets). Power lines contribute to wi...
AI summary Utilities in North America assess ignition risks from power lines contributing to wildfires via tree contact during high winds and high impedance faults. The Nova Scotia Energy Board (NSEB) is involved in analyzing these risks.
4.0 Situational Awareness The centralized aggregation of data from power system assets provides visibility into the state of the power system so that appropriate actions can be taken to match fire risk conditions. Understanding this state...
AI summary Centralized data aggregation from power system assets enhances situational awareness, enabling NS Power to respond more effectively to equipment faults and fire risks. Improved visibility into downline protective devices is highlighted as a key enhancement for future response capabilities.
2026-2027 GRA Direct Evidence Appendix 3C Page 17 of 38 REDACTED (CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION REMOVED) different areas across Nova Scotia. There are 31 weather stations (see Figure 6) that collect the data used in the FWI calculation. The FWI...
AI summary The document discusses the Fire Weather Index (FWI) in Nova Scotia, using data from 31 weather stations to assess fire behavior. The FWI system, with six components, is utilized by Forestry for daily wildfire management decisions during the fire season.
2026-2027 GRA Direct Evidence Appendix 3C Page 18 of 38 REDACTED (CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION REMOVED) As per our Forestry operating practices, during any period where the index reaches a rating of Moderate or above for the area(s) in which v...
AI summary The document outlines procedures for fire risk management during vegetation management activities, specifying daily reviews, inspections, and modified operations based on hazard index ratings (Moderate, High, Very High) as mandated by NS Power.
4.2 Wildfire Tracking There are several publicly available maps to allow for daily tracking of active wildfires across Canada. Ongoing fire activities such as local fire bans, advisories and active wildfires, and provide additional near-re...
AI summary NS Power utilizes publicly available wildfire tracking maps, integrated into internal GIS systems, to monitor active wildfires and assess risks. Key maps include those from the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables, Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, and Natural Resources Canada.
4.3 Personnel Monitoring NS Power's field resources working across NS Power are subject to the Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) Policy, where fleet vehicle locations are monitored. During an emergency event such as a wildfire, NS Power has...
AI summary NS Power uses the Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) Policy to monitor fleet vehicle locations, enabling rapid response during emergencies like wildfires by identifying field resources near fire risks and facilitating communication with personnel.
5.4 New Inspection Technologies Drones are another technology currently being deployed at NS Power for inspections of our transmission and distribution lines. As drones collect video and still images, there is a combination of manual and A...
AI summary NS Power uses drones and satellite imagery for inspecting transmission lines and managing vegetation. Drones provide detailed inspections and AI analysis for identifying equipment issues. Satellite imagery with AI assesses vegetation proximity to lines, aiding wildfire prevention and vegetation management. Section 7 elaborates on vegetation management practices.
5.5 Substation Inspections Substation inspections are conducted primarily to identify and address reliability and environmental concerns but incidentally provides additional wildfire mitigation benefits. Specifically, the inspection progra...
AI summary Substation inspections focus on reliability and environmental safety, incidentally aiding wildfire mitigation by preventing equipment failures that could cause fires. Substation design (steel, gravel, concrete) and vegetation management limit fire spread, while transformers are engineered to avoid explosions. Uncontrolled fires, though rare, pose potential ignition risks.
Revising NSPI standards to bond hardware Transmission Engineering has revised NS Power standards to bond all transmission hardware. With unbonded equipment, a structure's wood components contribute to structure insulation. If a flashover o...
AI summary Transmission Engineering revised NS Power standards to bond all transmission hardware, aiming to prevent fires from flashovers. Bonding adds grounding points, which would trip the line during faults, reducing fire risk on wooden components.
2026-2027 GRA Direct Evidence Appendix 3C Page 24 of 38 REDACTED (CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION REMOVED) combustion. It is recommended that substation control buildings continue to have fire suppression systems added and building designs to be...
AI summary The text recommends installing fire suppression systems in substation control buildings and evaluating building designs to determine if additional fire prevention measures are necessary. These recommendations aim to enhance safety and compliance in infrastructure management.
Replacement of wooden poles Replace wood poles that have deteriorated due to wear and/or pose a risk as an ignition source if they are subject to weather conditions that exceed their operating design standards. Poles in high-risk locations...
AI summary The document discusses replacing deteriorated wooden poles due to wear and fire risk, recommending fire-resistant alternatives like steel, concrete, or composite materials in high-risk areas. NS Power's transmission system currently uses a mix of steel and wood, with alternatives considered for replacements despite higher costs.
Personnel work procedures and training in conditions of elevated fire risk Work activity guidelines that designate what type of work can be performed during operating conditions at different levels of wildfire risk. Designate the type of w...
AI summary NS Power outlines procedures for work activities during wildfire risk levels (Normal, Elevated, Extreme). Elevated risk requires additional mitigation, while extreme risk halts most overhead work except for critical tasks. The Vegetation Management Operating Procedure VM2.05 guides vegetation management, with the Forestry team using FWI forecasts and Safety team assessments to enforce temporary restrictions and contractor limitations.
Crew‐accompanying ignition prevention and suppression resources and services Those firefighting staff and equipment (such as fire suppression engines and trailers, firefighting hose, valves, and water) that are deployed on construction cre...
AI summary NS Power crews use fire suppression equipment for small fires during construction but rely on firefighters for larger incidents. The Forestry team ensures contractors comply with NS Forest Fire Protection Regulations by providing necessary equipment at the start of the fire season.
2026-2027 GRA Direct Evidence Appendix 3C Page 29 of 38 REDACTED (CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION REMOVED) In addition to equipping crews with the necessary tools, NS Power emphasizes the importance of training and awareness. Personnel receive re...
AI summary NS Power, the Department of Natural Resources & Renewables, and the Emergency Management Office (EMO) collaborate on wildfire mitigation through training, emergency preparedness, and community resilience initiatives. NS Power focuses on personnel training, while the Department integrates wildfire response into forest health planning, and EMO coordinates emergency efforts.
6.5 Proactive De-energization (Public Safety Power Shutoff) NS Power is required to ensure the safe operation of the transmission and distribution system and has the authority to interrupt circuits for various public safety risks including...
AI summary NS Power is authorized to proactively de-energize circuits to mitigate wildfire risks, collaborating with emergency management organizations and the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables. The System Operator makes shutdown decisions, with past implementations during major wildfires. NS Power is integrating a formal Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) workflow into operations.
6. Decision Point: - All Criteria Met: Deploy proactive safety power shutoff. - Any Criteria Not Met: No shutoff required.
AI summary The decision point outlines two scenarios: deploying a proactive safety power shutoff if all criteria are met, or no shutoff required if any criteria are not met. This reflects a conditional regulatory decision based on predefined safety and operational criteria.
7. Post-Event Analysis: - Conduct post-event validation and analysis with NS Power and emergency responder personnel to assess the effectiveness of shutoffs. - Incorporate improvements and refinements of the decision-making process and exe...
AI summary The post-event analysis involves validating shutoff effectiveness with NS Power and emergency responders, refining decision-making processes, and requiring stakeholder consultation before finalizing the PSPS protocol. Improvements in execution and protocol development are emphasized.
7.2 Stakeholder Engagement for Vegetation NS Power engages with both the Nova Scotia FireSmart and Prevention Committee and the Halifax Wildfire Advisory Committee. These collaborations aim to enhance wildfire risk reduction strategies and...
AI summary NS Power collaborates with the Nova Scotia FireSmart and Prevention Committee and the Halifax Wildfire Advisory Committee to enhance wildfire risk reduction strategies, improve communication, and coordinate response efforts. These partnerships involve sharing best practices, joint training, and implementing wildfire prevention plans to protect infrastructure and communities.
2026-2027 GRA Direct Evidence Appendix 3C Page 33 of 38 REDACTED (CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION REMOVED) maintenance and emergency response. Additionally, this vegetation management creates a buffer that protects substations from wildfires in t...
AI summary The text highlights the importance of vegetation management in maintaining infrastructure and emergency response capabilities, emphasizing its role in protecting substations from wildfires through the creation of safety buffers.
2026-2027 GRA Direct Evidence Appendix 3C Page 35 of 38 REDACTED (CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION REMOVED) are opportunities to further integrate AMI data with outage management systems for better visibility to System Operators and to provide a c...
AI summary The text highlights opportunities to integrate AMI data with outage management systems, enhancing visibility for System Operators and providing consolidated datasets for Reliability Engineers. Smart meter alarms and power quality data integration improves outage response and wildfire risk detection, bolstering grid resilience and community safety.
9.0 Emergency Response The purpose of an emergency response program is to coordinate safe and effective emergency preparedness. The response should extend to safely and efficiently prepare for, respond to, and recover from all threats and...
AI summary The emergency response program aims to coordinate safe and effective preparedness, response, and recovery from threats like wildfires. It emphasizes ensuring safety and efficiency in managing all hazards.
9.1 Emergency Services Restoration Plan NS Power has an Emergency Services Restoration Plan (ESRP) that is deployed to co-ordinate restoration response for events that are expected to result in customer outages of longer than 36 hours or 5...
AI summary NS Power's Emergency Services Restoration Plan (ESRP) coordinates restoration for outages exceeding 36 hours or 50,000 customers over 24 hours. First filed in 2004, it is reviewed annually and updated based on storm drills. The plan emphasizes resource allocation, interagency coordination, and safety protocols, including wildfire response activation.
9.2 Cooperation with Suppression Agencies Coordination with federal, provincial, and local fire authorities to support the planning and operations of firefighting in real-time, including information-sharing, dispatch of resources, and dedi...
AI summary NS Power collaborates with federal, provincial, and local fire authorities to coordinate wildfire response efforts, including real-time information sharing and resource dispatch. The Energy Control Centre (ECC) has established procedures to manage transmission impacts during wildfires.
2026-2027 GRA Direct Evidence Appendix 3C Page 36 of 38 REDACTED (CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION REMOVED) coordinates directly with Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables and with relevant emergency response organizations (NS...
AI summary The document discusses coordination with emergency response organizations during fire incidents and highlights concerns about the use of flame suppression products and water near electrical equipment, which can cause damage or safety risks.
As part of NS Power's comprehensive wildfire mitigation strategy, the Transmission and Substation Reliability Teams are committed to regularly reviewing existing critical spare equipment. This ongoing assessment aims to identify additional...
AI summary NS Power is enhancing its wildfire mitigation strategy by regularly reviewing and updating critical spare equipment for emergency response. This includes ensuring adequate distribution equipment availability, supported by an emergency services response plan tested through past severe weather events such as Hurricane Dorian and Fiona.
Safety Communication: Afterglow on CCA Poles NS Power primarily utilizes wood poles treated with Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) for new installations. These poles have a characteristic known as Afterglow, where the heavy metal preservativ...
AI summary NS Power uses CCA-treated wood poles, which can re-ignite after fires due to Afterglow. Safety measures include handling precautions and removal protocols to prevent re-ignition and ensure worker safety.
10.0 Resources for Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation Best Practices NS Power continues to engage with electric utilities and other stakeholders to ensure its proactive approach to wildfire risk management is aligned and/or leading industr...
AI summary NS Power collaborates with electric utilities, Electricity Canada's committees, and the Centre for Energy Advancement Through Technological Innovation to develop wildfire mitigation best practices. It participates in the Best Practices Transmission Committee's guide drafting and engages with industry stakeholders to align with leading wildfire risk management approaches.