SINGLE INDUSTRY SPOKESPERSON PROTOCOL FOR GAS IN VICTORIA

Transcription

1 SINGLE INDUSTRY SPOKESPERSON PROTOCOL FOR GAS IN VICTORIA PREPARED BY: Media and Crprate Affairs UPDATED: 7 July 2016

2 Cntents 1 Intrductin Backgrund Objective Criteria fr activating the SIS Prtcl fr Gas in Victria Prcess fr assessing activatin f the SIS Prtcl fr Gas in Victria Prcess fr activating the SIS Prtcl fr Gas in Victria Prcess fr prviding the cntent f SIS messages Prcess fr crdinating media respnses while the SIS Prtcl is activated 5 9 Prcess fr deactivating the SIS Prtcl Nminated representatives SIS Prtcl review... 6 Attachment 1: Gas emergency respnse level definitins... 7 Attachment 2: AEMO media release under SIS Prtcl gas emergency...10 Attachment 3: Energy Safe Victria media release gas emergency...11 Attachment 4: EnergySafe Victria safety advice gas emergency July 2016 Page 2 f 12

3 1 Intrductin This dcument cntains relevant prcedures, plicies, rles, respnsibilities, cntact details and draft media materials fr the Victrian gas industry, in the event that the Single Industry Spkespersn (SIS) Prtcl is invked during a Victrian gas netwrk emergency. 2 Backgrund Victrian gas distributin netwrk service prviders (DNSPs) directly manage the majrity f media relatins fr their individual day-t-day business and netwrk-related issues in Victria. Hwever the Australian Energy Market Operatr (AEMO) has a specified leadership media relatins rle when a Level 5 gas netwrk emergency has been declared. The definitin f a Level 5 gas netwrk emergency is an event that has escalated t the extent that: Energy Safe Victria (ESV) r AEMO reasnably believes that there is a situatin which requires them t declare an emergency; The Gvernr f Victria acting in Cuncil declares an emergency under Part 9 f the Gas Industry Act 2001; r, Or ESV r the Directr f ESV issues a directin under sectin 106 f the Gas Safety Act Where AEMO, the Directr f ESV r the Victrian Gvernment believe a Level 5 emergency is likely t exist fr a substantial span f time, invlve resurces beynd the supply capacity f the industry, and have widespread impact n the cmmunity, AEMO will recmmend that the Gvernr prclaim an emergency under Part 9 f the Gas Industry Act All gas emergency level definitins can be fund in Attachment 1. The Victrian Gvernment and the gas industry have als requested that, in additin t this circumstance, an agreement be established whereby AEMO is authrised t speak publicly n behalf f the Victrian gas supply industry in the event f widespread and prlnged multijurisdictinal gas shrtages affecting the state. This will ensure that a single, cnsistent descriptin f any state-wide event is readily available t the media. In respnse t this request, AEMO has develped an emergency respnse prtcl which cvers: The prcess and triggers fr the deplyment and de-escalatin f the SIS Prtcl fr Gas in Victria. The basis f key messaging t be cmmunicated by the SIS Prtcl fr Gas in Victria. The prcesses fr infrmatin exchange and decisin-making t apply in the event f a gas netwrk emergency. 3 Objective The SIS Prtcl fr Gas in Victria is designed t ensure media, custmers, and the general public receive a crdinated and timely respnses that cmmunicate the agreed key messages and give clear advice abut the status f a widespread gas emergency. 4 Criteria fr activating the SIS Prtcl fr Gas in Victria This prtcl nly applies t majr, widespread distributin-level gas supply shrtages in Victria, as detailed in the criteria and respnse prcess belw. Activatin f the SIS Prtcl fr Gas in Victria will be immediately cnsidered if ne r mre f the fllwing circumstances have ccurred: Tw r mre separate DNSPs are affected. 7 July 2016 Page 3 f 12

4 The gas supply f mre than 300 custmers acrss the Melburne metrplitan area is affected. The likely prspect that lengthy gas supply restratin times will ccur. Significant levels f media interest, requiring a crdinated respnse. 5 Prcess fr assessing activatin f the SIS Prtcl fr Gas in Victria The decisin t activate the SIS Prtcl will be the respnsibility f AEMO s Media and Crprate Affairs (MCA) department and ESV, in cnsultatin with DNSP crprate affairs managers and representatives f the Victrian Gvernment. Activatin f the SIS Prtcl will be cnsidered at the AEMO-led cmmunicatins telecnference which shuld be attended by all f the afrementined stakehlders. The purpse f the cmmunicatins telecnference is t discuss key messages, media strategies and actins as part f an agreed and crdinated cmmunicatins apprach between AEMO, industry and gvernment. The cmmunicatins telecnference will nrmally fllw the AEMO-led peratinal telecnference briefing. The AEMO peratinal telecnference briefing seeks t clarify the extent f likely r actual gas supply shrtages, the number f custmers and/r regins affected, and peratinal strategies by the affected DNSPs. While the peratinal telecnference briefing serves a different functin and stands distinct frm the cmmunicatins telecnference, it prvides the cntext, critical infrmatin, and likely utcmes f a gas netwrk emergency, which shuld be relayed and discussed during the cmmunicatins telecnference t assess the need t activate the SIS Prtcl. The SIS Prtcl respnse prcess can nly be activated if ne f mre f the abve circumstances have ccurred as a result f a gas netwrk incident, and if there is universal agreement amng DNSPs, ESV, the Victrian Gvernment and AEMO MCA that activatin f the SIS Prtcl is in the best interests f Victrian gas cnsumers. If extreme weather increases the likelihd f widespread gas supply shrtages, the SIS Prtcl can be activated befre any shrtages ccur. In such cases, DNSPs, ESV and AEMO MCA, in liaisn with the Victrian Gvernment, will review the situatin n an nging basis and ensure stakehlders are kept infrmed. If there are significant cmmunity cncerns arising frm the event, all parties will prmte the industry safety messages led by ESV. 6 Prcess fr activating the SIS Prtcl fr Gas in Victria If representatives (as utlined in Sectin 9 f this prtcl) f the DNSPs, ESV, AEMO, and the Victrian Gvernment agree the SIS Prtcl criteria have been met, the fllwing will ccur: Frmally activate the SIS Prtcl fllwing universal agreement by all parties. AEMO t ntify all relevant parties that the SIS Prtcl has been activated. In its rle as the SIS, AEMO t develp a hlding / practive media statement, and gain alignment/apprval frm all industry and gvernment representatives. A template media statement fr this purpse can be fund in Attachment 2. Establish a crdinated prcess and timeframe fr nging cnsultatins under the SIS Prtcl. 7 July 2016 Page 4 f 12

5 7 Prcess fr prviding the cntent f SIS messages The SIS Prtcl ensures all media messages and infrmatin are aligned. When required, media releases will be supprted by DNSPs infrmatin (i.e. utage numbers / key regins impacted). The key cmmunicatins messages and respnsibilities are utlined belw. When invked, AEMO will prvide the media with: Aggregated numbers f affected custmers. Overview f areas / regins mst affected. Cause/s f incident. Brad expectatins regarding restratin. General descriptin regarding the event (e.g. 1-in-100-year event). Safety messages. Referrals t individual DNSPs fr mre specific infrmatin abut individual events and respnses. It is preferred that AEMO des nt mentin individual DNSPs, hwever sme leeway is apprpriate in the cntext f live media interviews. DNSPs will prvide media with any r all f the fllwing: Detail in relatin t lcal netwrk-specific infrmatin. Detail abut the lcal regins affected, including numbers f affected custmers. Cause f individual, lcalised incidents r supply shrtages. Expectatins regarding restratin f supply. Safety messages. 8 Prcess fr crdinating media respnses while the SIS Prtcl is activated During a majr event, AEMO MCA will liaise with industry and gvernment (as required) t ensure cnsistency f messages and infrmatin flw t the public. AEMO and DNSPs have specific respnsibilities under the SIS Prtcl: AEMO MCA will manage majr state-wide media. DNSPs shuld cntinue t manage lcal and reginal media cmmunicatins. AEMO MCA will have the pwer t refer media enquiries back t DNSPs if the subject r vlume f media enquiries requires their assistance. The DNSPs must be infrmed f such actin by AEMO. Activatin f the SIS Prtcl des nt preclude DNSPs frm engaging with majr media utlets abut the event, if and when asked t d s. AEMO will ensure DNSPs crprate affairs managers are kept infrmed abut the number, surce and status f majr media enquiries, and will seek prir agreement if there is a need t hld any media cnferences. AEMO will prvide DNSPs cpies f media releases prir t them being distributed t the media. In additin t the cmmunicatins telecnferences, the DNSPs crprate affairs managers will keep AEMO MCA infrmed f any significant develpments r changes in the situatin, n an hurly basis, unless therwise agreed. 7 July 2016 Page 5 f 12

6 9 Prcess fr deactivating the SIS Prtcl DNSPs and AEMO MCA shuld agree t deactivate the SIS Prtcl when the event reaches a pint where any ne f the fllwing criteria is satisfied: Only ne DNSP remains significantly affected. The number f custmers ff supply has greatly reduced. The likelihd f large numbers f custmers remaining ff supply fr a prlnged perid has decreased. Media interest has greatly reduced. This decisin will be prmptly cmmunicated t all key stakehlders. 10 Nminated representatives Nminated representatives include the authrised crprate affairs managers f the fllwing rganisatins: AEMO ESV Multinet Gas Australian Gas Netwrks AusNet Services Department f Envirnment, Land, Water and Planning DELWP (bserver status) The parties will ensure that current cntact details are knwn t all thers at all times. 11 SIS Prtcl review The parties and DELWP will cnvene within a week f deactivating the SIS Prtcl t review all aspects f the prcess and utcmes f the event. The parties and DELWP will meet annually t review the peratin f the prcess and the terms f the prtcl. 7 July 2016 Page 6 f 12

7 Attachment 1: Gas emergency respnse level definitins LEVEL DEFINITION IMPACT OPERATIONAL / DESCRIPTIVE GUIDELINE 1 Can be dealt with by the site resurces withut any additinal assistance. There is n injury, envirnmental impacts, r invlvement f the Emergency Services beynd rutine respnse, there is minimal custmer impact, and n adverse publicity. A Site Manager manages this level f emergency. This level f emergency des nt need t be declared, it exists as part f nrmal peratins. Managed by Incident Respnse Team. Dealt with by site resurces withut additinal assistance. N adverse publicity, injury, envirnmental impacts r invlvement r emergency services. Minimal custmer and public impact. General Maintenance requiring rutine repair methds, e.g. brken service r lss f supply t a small number f custmers. 2 May invlve minr injury, have envirnmental impacts, result in minr lss f supply, and may have minr business cntinuity r Infrmatin Technlgy impacts, and may attract sme adverse publicity. This level f emergency requires the mbilisatin f an peratinal Emergency Cntrller, nrmally a Senir Manager and will require direct ntificatin f a Duty Manager wh may elect t manage the emergency as the Emergency Cntrller. During nrmal wrking hurs an Operatins Manager r Emergency Cntrller is respnsible fr declaring a Level 2. Fr an emergency utside nrmal wrking hurs an Operatins Duty Officer r Emergency Cntrller is respnsible fr declaring a Level 2 event. Ptential adverse publicity, envirnmental impact, result in minr lss f supply, may have minr business cntinuity impacts. Directly ntify the Duty Manager. Managed by Emergency Respnse Team r Incident Respnse Team. Emergency Respnse Team is led by the Senir Manager Gas Real Time Operatins r Gas Duty Manager, and is supprted by the Emergency Management Services Team. Generally lss f supply t mre than 100 custmers. Any incident that: Results in significant traffic diversins, evacuatins r prperty damage. All the Emergency Services attend. Media are n site. Where a gas asset r appliance is n fire. Results in a minr injury. An ambulance attends. Any incident invlving damage t r cntact with transmissin pipe assets. 3 Culd invlve substantial risk f serius injury r death, may have serius envirnmental impacts, result in serius lss f supply, and may have serius business cntinuity r Ptential adverse publicity, substantial risk f injury / death, may have serius envirnmental impacts, Generally lss f supply t mre than 1,000 custmers. 7 July 2016 Page 7 f 12

8 LEVEL DEFINITION IMPACT OPERATIONAL / DESCRIPTIVE GUIDELINE infrmatin technlgy impacts, and may attract adverse publicity. This level f emergency demands the attentin and mbilisatin f bth Operatinal and Executive management t cmbat the impacts f the emergency. A Senir Manager, r after hurs a Duty Manager is respnsible fr declaring a Level 3 event. result in serius lss f supply, may have serius business cntinuity impacts. Managed by Emergency Management Team, which is usually the Incident Crdinatin Team (ICT). The Emergency Duty Officer activates the ICT prcess n advice frm the Senir Manager r Gas Duty Manager, and cntacts the Incident Crdinatr. Ntify and mbilise bth the Operatinal and Executive Management. Fires r explsins resulting in r psing substantial risk f serius injury, death, r majr prperty damage. 4 An emergency that has escalated t the extent that the impacts f the emergency are beynd a single distributin cmpany r a transmissin cmpany. The verall system safety and integrity is nt in jepardy but the impacts are such that they require the jint respnse f tw r mre cmpanies (distributin r transmissin) t cmbat the event. Generally an Executive level manager is respnsible fr declaring a Level 4 event in cnjunctin with the ther entity's equivalent. 5 An emergency which has escalated t the extent that: Energy Safe Victria (ESV) r AEMO reasnably believes that there is a situatin which requires them t declare an emergency. The Gvernr f Victria acting in Cuncil declares an emergency under Part 9 f the Gas Industry Act Impacts affects mre than a single distributr cmpany r a transmissin cmpany. System safety and integrity is nt in jepardy but a jint respnse f tw r mre distributr cmpanies, r a distributr cmpany and a transmissin cmpany are required. The Emergency Duty Officer activates the ICT prcess n advice frm the Senir Manager r Gas Duty Manager, and cntacts the Incident Crdinatr. The Incident Crdinatr in cnsultatin with the Senir Manager r Gas Duty Manager cntacts an Executive level manager and determines whether the Crisis Management Team activated. The Single Industry Spkespersn is activated when the event is cnfirmed t be a Level 4 event. ESV r AEMO reasnably believes that there is a situatin that requires them t declare an emergency. The declaratin f a Level 5 Emergency r Threat t System Security is nt an actin that is taken lightly. Where pssible, prir t AEMO declaring a Level 5 Generally lss f supply t greater than 1,000 custmers requiring the resurces frm mre than ne distributr / transmissin cmpany. Gas quality excursins requiring implementatin f specific mitigatin measures and gas supply limitatins effecting mre than ne distributr / transmissin cmpany. Lss f supply frm a majr injectin pint r unplanned islatin f a significant transmissin pipeline jepardising the integrity f the transmissin netwrk. 7 July 2016 Page 8 f 12

9 LEVEL DEFINITION IMPACT OPERATIONAL / DESCRIPTIVE GUIDELINE 2001 n the recmmendatin f the Minister fr Energy and Resurces r Respnsible Minister. ESV r the Directr f ESV issues a directin under sectin 106 f the Gas Safety Act Where AEMO, the Directr f ESV r the Victrian Gvernment believes a Level 5 emergency is likely t exist fr a substantial span f time, invlve resurces beynd the supply capacity f the industry and have widespread impact n the cmmunity, AEMO will recmmend t the Minister fr Energy and Resurces r the Respnsible Minister and his/her Department that the Gvernr in Cuncil be requested t prclaim an emergency under Part 9 f the Gas Industry Act The AEMO Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operatins Officer, r Grup Manager Real Time Operatins are the authrised fficers wh may declare a Level 5 Emergency. If nne f the authrised fficers can be cntacted in reasnable time and having due regard t the abslute urgency f the situatin, then the AEMO Gas Duty Manager may declare a Level 5 Emergency. emergency, AEMO will cnsult with ESV. The fllwing needs t be cnsidered by AEMO fficers and industry in determining whether a situatin warrants AEMO making a declaratin: threaten the reliability f gas supply; r pse a risk t public safety; r cause material damage t the transmissin system; r cause material damage t a distributin pipeline and impact n the peratin f the transmissin system r the market; r threaten the system security r the security f a declared distributin system. The Gvernr / Minister in Cuncil declares the emergency under Part 6A f the Gas Industry Act r ESV r the Directr f ESV issues a directin under sectin 106 f the Gas Safety Act The Crisis Management Team and the Single Industry Spkespersn are activated by the Incident Crdinatr, wh is assisted by Emergency Duty Officer. The Energy Industry Respnse Cmmittee (ERIC) and the Gas Emergency Management Grup (GEMG) are cnvened. The declaratin will be implemented by issuing the Emergency Declaratin Ntice, t the Emergency Manager, Duty Manager r General Manager f each Registered participant. 7 July 2016 Page 9 f 12

10 Attachment 2: AEMO media release under SIS Prtcl gas emergency MEDIA RELEASE Fr immediate release (INSERT DATE AND TIME) <<CAUSE>> CAUSES GAS SUPPLY DISRUPTIONS ACROSS VICTORIA Victria s gas distributin businesses and the Australian Energy Market Operatr (AEMO) advise that an unplanned gas supply disruptin has ccurred, affecting custmers acrss the state. This is as a result f <<INSERT CAUSE>>. At present, apprximately <<INSERT TOTAL NUMBERS OFF SUPPLY>> Victrian custmers are affected by the gas supply disruptin. The majr areas affected are <<INSERT MAJOR AREAS AFFECTED>>. <<INSERT ANY OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION I.E. RESTORATION TIMEFRAME>> AEMO, as peratr f the Victrian gas transmissin netwrk, will cntinue t prvide media with a state-wide verview f the situatin n behalf f the Victrian gas industry until cnditins imprve. Media requests fr high-level, summary infrmatin abut the gas supply disruptin, r interviews, shuld be directed t AEMO. Media enquiries regarding specific areas r regins affected by the gas supply disruptin shuld be directed t the apprpriate gas distributin businesses listed belw. Gas safety matters shuld be directed t Energy Safe Victria. ENDS Fr state-wide media enquiries, please cntact: AEMO media enquiries r media@aem.cm.au Fr regin r area-specific media enquiries, please cntact: Multinet Gas media enquiries , mediaenquiries@ue.cm.au Australian Gas Netwrks Limited media enquiries AusNet Services media enquiries Fr gas safety-related media enquiries, please cntact: Energy Safe Victria, Sharn Rainsbury r July 2016 Page 10 f 12

11 Attachment 3: Energy Safe Victria media release gas emergency MEDIA STATEMENT Date URGENT SAFETY ADVICE IN GAS EMERGENCIES Gas safety regulatr, Energy Safe Victria (ESV), prvides the fllwing advice during gas emergencies. Can yu smell gas? Dn t Smke r strike matches in the vicinity f a gas leak. Turn electrical switches n r ff. D Extinguish flames Open drs and windws Keep peple away frm the affected area. Turn ff the gas at the gas meter. Keep this infrmatin where it is readily available. In emergencies Call fr gas leak and emergency services. Further infrmatin: Sharn Rainsbury Media spkespersn T: (03) r Visit the ESV website at 7 July 2016 Page 11 f 12

12 Attachment 4: EnergySafe Victria safety advice gas emergency MEDIA STATEMENT Date URGENT SAFETY ADVICE FOR HOUSEHOLDS EXPERIENCING LOW GAS PRESSURES During winter mnths when there is cld weather, sme husehlds in Victria may experience either lw r n gas pressure. The shrtages are due t the high demand fr gas. Gas safety regulatr, Energy Safe Victria (ESV), prvides the fllwing advice fr husehlds experiencing such situatins. Gas ckers if the gas pressure is lw and there is nly a limited flame in ck tps, grillers etc., any cking must nt be left unattended at anytime. If n gas pressure is detected r the flame is extinguished, the appliance must be turned ff. N attempt shuld be made t re-light the appliance until gas supplies are fully restred. Ht water service/ central heating systems these appliances will autmatically switch ff when gas supplies are curtailed. N attempt shuld be made t re-light them until gas supplies are restred. Space heaters/wall furnaces these appliances will als autmatically shut ff when there is n gas. Again n attempt shuld be made t re-light them until gas supplies are restred. Infrmatin listen t yur lcal ABC radi fr messages abut restratin f gas supplies. Relighting appliances when gas supplies are restred, appliances can be relit. Manufacturers instructins must be fllwed when relighting appliances. When relighting gas appliances after a supply interruptin, relight a gas ck tp burner first and make sure that the flame is stable fr a few minutes befre attempting t re-light ther appliances. If difficulties are experienced, husehlds shuld cntact their gas supplier (cntact details are available n their latest gas bills) r a licensed gasfitter (cntact details are available in lcal newspapers and Yellw Pages phne directries). Assisting neighburs and relatives the cmmunity is urged t assist, where pssible, relatives, friends and neighburs wh need help t relight gas appliances fllwing lw r nn-existent gas pressure situatins after gas supplies are restred. In the case f gas emergencies, ring Further infrmatin: Sharn Rainsbury Media spkespersn T: (03) r Visit the ESV website at 7 July 2016 Page 12 f 12