AUSTIN – Advancing the Commission’s efforts to broaden inspectors’ expertise in electrical safety to support wildfire prevention, a first group of fourteen inspectors from the RRC’s Oil and Gas Division attended Electrical Power Awareness Training at the Quanta Advanced Training Center in La Grange from August 17–20. The program builds on recent Commission initiatives by providing specialized instruction designed to strengthen technical knowledge and equip inspectors to better identify and mitigate wildfire risks in the field.
Quanta Services is a premier infrastructure solution services company providing engineering, construction and training to design, build and maintain transmission lines, substations and distribution networks for the electric power industry.
During the training, inspectors received instruction in electrical fundamentals and theory, including reading and interpreting electrical schematics, safety and hazard prevention, and testing and troubleshooting practices. The curriculum also incorporated oil and gas specific modules to address issues inspectors may encounter in the field.
“Collaborating with electrical infrastructure experts gives our inspectors firsthand operational insight and practical knowledge to mitigate wildfire risk,” said Wei Wang, RRC Executive Director. “By leveraging their deep industry experience, we are strengthening our regulatory oversight to safeguard Texas communities and keep the state's energy infrastructure running safely.”
Over the next nine months, the Commission plans to send more than 120 inspectors through the Quanta Advanced Training Center as part of its ongoing work to address risks posed by improperly maintained electrical power lines at well sites.
This course provides additional training to support the enforcement of 16 Texas Administrative Code § 21(l), which requires that the operation and maintenance of electrical power lines by oil and gas operators comply with the National Electrical Code. The development of this course responds to the heightened awareness of this issue, as reflected by the passage of House Bill 143 and House Bill 2663 in the 89th Texas Legislative Session.
