[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 32, Number 27 (Monday, July 8, 1996)]
[Pages 1189-1190]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Memorandum on the Western Power Outage

July 3, 1996

Memorandum for the Secretary of Energy

Subject: Western Power Outage

    Yesterday, there was an unexplained power failure in the Western 
power grid, disrupting electric service to hundreds of thousands of 
customers in 15 Western states. The outages had a ripple effect as power 
stations across the vast grid automatically shut down as the result of 
experiencing a surge. The outages caused numerous problems throughout 
the region, including disruptions of train service, traffic problems, 
loss of air conditioning, interruption of telephone service, and 
interference with water supplies.
    I direct you to provide to me a report within 30 days, that:
1.          Analyzes the cause of yesterday's outage;
2.          Describes the extent and duration of the outage;
3.          Analyzes whether the outage could have been prevented and 
            whether the Western Systems Coordinating Council (WSCC) 
            electric reliability system responded as anticipated to the 
            initial outage;
4.          Makes recommendations for any operational or regulatory 
            changes at WSCC; and
5.          Assesses the adequacy of existing North American electric 
            reliability systems

[[Page 1190]]

            and makes recommendations for any operational or regulatory 
            changes.
    I have directed that these steps be taken to assure the reliability 
of the Nation's electricity infrastructure. A steady supply of power is 
a vital factor in both the local and national economies and is essential 
for the safety of all Americans. The swift implementation of this 
directive will assure that these interests will be protected.
                                            William J. Clinton