ORD-2006-086 - Piedmont Electric Membership Corporation (PEMC) Planned Development (PD-OI) and Special Use Permit, Class A

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Homeland Security Critical Infrastructure Status Piedmont Electric Membership Corp HOMELAND SECURITY CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE STATUS - ORANGE COUNTY Piedmont Electric Membership Corporation (PEMC) is planning to implement a VHF trunked radio system to provide coverage for the PEMC service area The trunked radio system is to replace an existing VHF conventional radio system. PEMC requires a radio system that will optimize existing frequency spectrum and provide increased voice channel capacity and data functionality. This will require the installation of three (3) new towers. The radio system will consist of a VHF trunked repeater equipment, VHF top antenna, transmission line for the VHF radio system, and microwave dishes to interconnect the three tower sites. It should be noted that the installation of the microwave system is critical to the functionality of the trunked radio system. One of the towers is a proposed 350 -foot self - supporting tower to be installed in Hillsborough, North Carolina. The other two towers are located in Person and Caswell Counties and have already had their permits approved by the appropriate County Planning Boards. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has defined the electric utility system as part of the critical infrastructure facility. This infrastructure has been defined as any facility or combination of facilities, which if severely damaged, would have a significant impact on the ability to serve large quantities of customers for an extended period of time. These damages would have a detrimental impact to the reliability or operability of the energy grid, or would cause significant risk to public health and safety. In order to properly operate and maintain an electric utility grid, electric utilities require the use of a functional radio communications system/network. The radio communications system must function. on a daily basis as well as during emergency conditions such as storms, hurricanes, floods, and other disasters. The North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC) has established guidelines for electric utilities to protect critical infrastructure. A copy of this document, Security Guidelines for the Electric Sector and a copy of the Critical Infrastructure and Key Assets report to Congress on October 1, 2004, is attached for information. Prepared by: Alexander Utility Engineering, Inc. 6/28/2006 Page 1 of 1 105