Utility Interruption

Transcription

1 Utility Interruption This section describes the location and extent, range of magnitude, past occurrence, future occurrence, and vulnerability assessment for the utility interruption hazard for the Armstrong County Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) Update. Utility interruptions are caused primarily by electrical failures, which are commonly a secondary effect of hazards, such as severe weather and flooding. High winds, along with heavy snow, ice, and rain, can affect an electrical system s ability to function. Worker strikes at power generation facilities have also been known to cause minor power failures. Other causes of power outages include falling tree limbs, vehicular accidents, and small animals that destroy wiring. When power outages occur, they are typically on a regional scale Location and Extent Utility interruptions occur throughout Armstrong County. Interruptions are possible anywhere utility services have been installed. For example, severe thunderstorms or winter storms could bring down power lines and cause widespread disruptions in electricity service. Strong heat waves may result in rolling blackouts causing loss of power for an extended period. Local outages may be caused by traffic accidents or wind damage. Some utility facilities are especially vulnerable. For instance, because water intakes and many water control facilities lie in the 1-percent annual chance floodplain, a flood of this magnitude may seriously impair water service. Utilities that employ aboveground wiring (i.e., power and data/telecommunications) are vulnerable to the effects of other hazards such as high wind, heavy snow, ice, rain, and vehicular accidents. Table lists the utility companies that provide service to Armstrong County. Table Utility Providers in Armstrong County Type of Utility/Public Works Electricity Cable Television Gas Companies Company Name West Penn Power First Energy REA Penelec Sithe Energies Adelphia Cable Comcast Tri Ax Cable Baker Gas Bargly Gas Co. C & D Gas CNG Transmission Corporation Columbia Gas Co. Dewey Gas Co. Dominion Exploration Economy Natural Gas Equitable Gas Co. Equitrans gas Co. Hillwig Gas Co. Kaylor Gas Distribution Kriebel Gas Co. Mid-East Oil Company (gas well in Kiski Twp) N.E.C.I National Fuel Philips Gas Co. Stafanik, Lou Gas Wells (Parks Twp.) Valley Gas and Welding Armstrong County Hazard Mitigation Plan

2 Type of Utility/Public Works Company Name U.S. Energy Wally Gas Company Ford City Borough Wastewater Treatment Plant Freeport Sewage Treatment Plant Kiski Valley Water Pollution Control Authority Sewage Companies Kittanning Borough Sewage Treatment Plant Parker Area Authority Redbank Valley Municipal Authority Wastewater Treatment Plant West Hills Area Water Pollution Control Authority Armstrong Telecommunications AT & T Century Link Consolidated Communications Level Communications Telephone Providers Nextel Security Sprint Verizon Windstream (formerly Alltel) United Telephone Repair Service Bradys Bend Water/Sewage Authority Buffalo Township Water Authority Eastern Armstrong County Municipal Authority Ford City Borough Water Treatment Plant Gilpin Township Water Authority Hawthorne Area Water Authority Water Treatment Plant Kittanning Suburban Joint Water Authority Water Companies Manor Township Water Authority Parks Township Water Authority Pennsylvania American Water Authority Plumcreek Kittanning Water Authority Rural Valley Borough Water Treatment Plant West Kittanning Water Works Worthington Municipal Authority Water Treatment Plant #2 Worthington Municipal Authority Water Treatment Plant # 3 Source: Armstrong County Department of Public Safety 2013 Utility interruptions in Armstrong County have the potential to affect a significant number of residents. According to the estimates of the American Community Survey, at total of 28,250 housing units are occupied in the County. The survey estimates that 74.3 percent of these households use utility gas as their main heating fuel, 9.1 percent use fuel oil or kerosene, and 8.5 percent use electricity to heat their homes (U.S. Census Bureau 2018). These statistics show that should a utility interruption occur Countywide, over 25,000 households could be without heat or cooling Range of Magnitude The most severe utility interruptions will be regional or widespread power and telecommunications outages. With the loss of power, electric-powered equipment and systems will not be operational. Examples may include lighting; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and ancillary support equipment; communication (e.g., public-address systems, telephone, computer servers, and peripherals); ventilation systems; fire and security systems; appliances such as refrigerators, sterilizers, trash compactors, and office equipment; and medical equipment. Power outages can cause food spoilage, loss of heat or air conditioning, basement flooding (sump pump failure), lack of light, loss of water (well pump failure), lack of phone service, or lack of Internet service. However, this is most often a short-term nuisance rather than a catastrophic hazard (Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency [PEMA] 2018). Armstrong County Hazard Mitigation Plan

3 The severity of a utility interruption can be compounded with extreme weather events, especially winter weather events. Interruptions can also be more severe for populations with access and functional needs that are dependent on electronic medical equipment. Utility interruptions can significantly hamper first responders in their efforts to provide aid in a compound disaster situation, especially with losses of telecommunications and wireless capabilities. Telecommunications interruptions will also hinder first responders efforts (PEMA 2018). In a possible worst-case scenario, a winter storm event causes widespread power outages, leaving citizens without heat in the midst of subzero temperatures. The power outage also means that elderly populations or others at risk of health problems due to the lack of heat are unable to call for assistance or leave their homes. Power lines are unable to be repaired because of the magnitude of the storm, and the power outage lasts for several days (PEMA 2018) Past Occurrence Utility outages have been caused by winter storms, wind, vehicle accidents, and other factors. Armstrong County has not endured any localized energy emergencies. However, some County residents have experienced individual household emergencies, likely due to aging utility infrastructure. No comprehensive list of utility interruptions exists for the County. Table summarizes past occurrences of power outages that have impacted Armstrong County. Table Utility Interruptions from 2003 to 2018 Date(s) of Event August 14, 2003 Event Type FEMA Declaration Number County Designated? May 21, 2004 October 24- November 2, , , , 2008 February 11-16, 2009 June 25, 2009 February 5-11, 2010 Power Outage DR-1898 Yes Losses / Impacts A large, multi-state power outage impacted over 840,000 People in New York Buffalo to Albany; Ontario, Canada to Pennsylvania were impacted. High winds and heavy rain led to a power outage in Western Pennsylvania, Northern West Virginia, Western Maryland, Northern Virginia. It impacted over 94,000 Impacts from Hurricane Wilma affected Maryland, North Central West Virginia, Southwestern Pennsylvania, and Northern Pennsylvania. This resulted in a power outage that impacted over 303,000 power lines in Parks and Kiskiminetas Townships, causing over $80,000 in property damage. Wind storms led to power outages in western Pennsylvania, impacting over 124,000 Tropical Depression Ike led to power outages in western Pennsylvania, impacting over 160,000 Severe thunderstorms led to widespread power outages in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania, impacting over 374,000 power lines in Apollo, causing approximately $50,000 in property damage. A winter storm that impacted western Pennsylvania led to a power outage, impacting 190,000 FEMA issued a major declaration for several counties in Pennsylvania as a result of this event, including Armstrong County. Armstrong County Hazard Mitigation Plan

4 Date(s) of Event August 4-7, , 2010 Event Type FEMA Declaration Number County Designated? May 26, 2011 July 22, 2011 July 26-27, 2012 June 16, August 16, August 28, October 20, December 17, Losses / Impacts Thunderstorms in western Pennsylvania led to a power outage, impacting over 11,000 Thunderstorms in western Pennsylvania led to a power outage, impacting over 82,000 power lines in Dayton, causing approximately $5,000 in property damage. power lines in Boggsville, causing approximately $15,000 in property damage. Severe weather led to a power outage in western Pennsylvania, impacting over 65,000 Thunderstorms and wind led to a power outage to West Penn Power customers, impacting over 26,000 Rain and high winds led to a power outage to West Penn Power customers, impacting over 20,000 Rain and high winds led to a power outage to West Penn Power customers, impacting over 13,000 Rain and high winds led to a power outage to West Penn Power customers, impacting over 22,000 Freezing rain and high winds led to a power outage to West Penn Power customers, impacting over 20,000 Sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration 2018; PEMA 2018; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)-National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) 2018; Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Future Occurrence Minor power failure (in other words, short outage events) may occur several times a year for any given area in the County, while major events (long, widespread outage events) take place once every few years. Power failures often occur during severe weather; therefore, they should be expected during those events. Based on the assumption that the County will experience severe weather annually, in addition to outages from other causes, the future occurrence of utility interruptions in Armstrong County should be considered highly likely as defined by the Risk Factor Methodology probability criteria (Section 4.4) Vulnerability Assessment To understand risk, a community must evaluate the assets that are exposed and vulnerable in the identified hazard area. This section evaluates and estimates the potential impact of the utility interruption hazard on Armstrong County in the following sections: Overview of vulnerability Data and methodology used for the evaluation Impact on (1) life, health and safety; (2) general building stock and critical facilities; (3) economy; and (4) future growth and development Effects of climate change on vulnerability Further data collections that will assist understanding this hazard over time Armstrong County Hazard Mitigation Plan

5 Overview of Vulnerability All of Armstrong County is vulnerable to the utility interruption hazard. Utility interruptions most severely affect individuals with access and functional needs (e.g., children, the elderly, and individuals with special medical needs). Special medical equipment will not function without power. Likewise, a loss of air conditioning during periods of extreme heat or the loss of heating during extreme cold can be especially detrimental to those with medical needs, children, and the elderly. A lack of clean, potable water has health implications for all residents. Because this hazard often occurs in conjunction with other hazards, during winter storms, hail events, and lightning strikes make the county more vulnerable to a utility interruption. Data and Methodology Insufficient data were available to model long-term potential impacts of a utility failure on Armstrong County. Over time, additional utility interruption data such as utility type, location, and duration throughout the County will be collected to allow better analysis of this hazard. Available information and a preliminary assessment are provided below. Impact on Life, Health, and Safety For the purpose of this HMP update, the entire population of Armstrong County is considered vulnerable to the utility interruption hazard. The Community Profile (Section 2) summarizes the population statistics for the County. Utility interruptions most severely affect individuals with access and functional needs (such as children, the elderly, and individuals with special medical needs). Special medical equipment will not function without power. Likewise, a loss of air conditioning during periods of extreme heat or the loss of heating during extreme cold can be especially detrimental to those with medical needs, children, and the elderly. Table shows the demographic statistics for more vulnerable populations. Fewer children reside in the County, resulting in lower vulnerability of this population to the effects of a utility interruption. The population over 65 years of age increased by 7.72 percent, somewhat offsetting the decrease in number of vulnerable to utility interruption. The population with special needs has decreased by percent, resulting in a lower vulnerability to this population. Table Demographic Trends for Vulnerable Populations Vulnerable Population 2010 Census Census Estimate Change in Population Children under 5 years 3,605 3, % 65 years and over 12,687 13, % Individuals with Access and Functional Needs Source: U.S. Census Bureau ,409 13, % Impact on General Building Stock and Critical Facilities All buildings and facilities in Armstrong County considered to be critical infrastructure are vulnerable to utility interruptions, especially the loss of power. Some key indicators of increased vulnerability to utility interruption include the presence of ground- or basement-level utilities, reliance on electronic banking, or facilities located in isolated or wooded areas where a downed tree might cause a utility interruption. The establishment of reliable backup power at these facilities is extremely important to continue to provide for the health, safety, and wellbeing of Armstrong County s population. Armstrong County Hazard Mitigation Plan

6 Impact on the Economy Utility interruptions could affect the ability of the government to function, especially if backup power generation or supply is inadequate or unavailable, which could have cascading economic impacts. Increased costs such as those related to providing shelters, and cooling and heating centers may be incurred as a result of a utility outage. Extended power outages will require officials to shelter victims who require heat and power for activities of daily living. Power interruptions can cause economic impacts stemming from lost income and spoiled food and other goods, costs to the owners or operators of the utility facilities, and costs to government and community service groups. FEMA s benefit-cost analysis (BCA) methodology measures loss of electrical service on a person-per-day-of-lost-service basis for the service area affected. For the electrical utility, the standard value is $131 per person per day (FEMA 2014). Impact on the Environment The most significant impact associated with utility interruptions is when the interruption involves a release of hazardous materials. This hazardous material may be released in a pipeline accident or when a material is in transit. Utility pipelines carrying flammable materials also have the possibility of exploding or starting a fire (PEMA 2013). For a complete discussion on the impacts of a hazardous materials release, please see Section Future Growth and Development Areas targeted for potential future growth and development in the next 5 to 10 years have been identified across Armstrong County (further discussed in Section 4.4 of this HMP). Any areas of growth could be potentially impacted by the utility interruption hazard because the entire County is exposed and potentially vulnerable. An increase in development and population will increase demand for power supply, which has the ability to increase the likelihood of utility interruption incidents. Effect of Climate Change on Vulnerability According to the 2015 Pennsylvania Climate Impacts Assessment Report, annual and seasonal average temperatures are expected to increase; with one scenario predicting almost a 7 F increase in annual average temperature by the end of the 21st century. Some areas of the world may experience greater temperature changes than others. It is important to note that frequency estimates may not be an accurate representation of future conditions due to the unknown impacts of climate change (PEMA 2013). The increase in average temperatures as a result of climate change makes the occurrence of extreme heat more likely. While increased average temperatures would make the occurrence of extreme cold less likely, some climatologists have suggested that warming in the Arctic could impact the position of the jet stream, allowing for more extreme cold weather events to occur. While some research supports this concept, others do not and the impact of climate change on cold weather events is not fully understood (Climate Central 2013). Extreme heat and cold result in greater strain on utilities, increasing the likelihood of utility interruption. Climatologists expect an increase in the number and intensity of severe weather events. This will include wind events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and wind associated with thunderstorms, among other phenomena. More storms with higher winds will increase the chance that the utility infrastructure will be impacted by these storms. Additionally, climatologists expect an increase in precipitation, which could come in the form of heavy downpours or winter weather thus causing additional utility interruptions. Increased risk of drought may also threaten water utilities. Armstrong County Hazard Mitigation Plan

7 Additional Data and Next Steps For future plan updates, Armstrong County can track data on power outage events and obtain additional information on past and future events, particularly in terms of any injuries, deaths, shelter needs, pipe freeze incidents, and other impacts. These data will help to identify any concerns or trends for which mitigation measures should be developed or refined. In time, quantitative modeling of estimated power outage events may be feasible as data are gathered and improved. Armstrong County Hazard Mitigation Plan