SCE Ordered To Explain “Tactless” Intentional Blackouts, CPUC Wants To See Remedy
Written by 991KBU on January 27, 2021
Southern California Edison is being ordered to appear before the California Public Utilities Commission …. to explain why it is turning the electricity off so often.
The CPUC has ordered the monopoly utility company to publicly respond to complaints … some of them from Malibu … regarding the decision-making, notification and operational procedures from the so-called PSPS events …
PSPS equals Public Safety Power Shutoffs … the Edison marketing term for intentional blackouts. That’s when Southern California Edison gets to violate state law … under a CPUC decision that allows it to determine when the winds are too strong for its power system to operate safely and efficiently.
Traffic crashes … cellular phone blackouts … school classes over the internet cancelled … are among the consequences.
And many Malibu residents are frankly fed up with the Edison company singling out one small part of Malibu for repeat power outrages … in winds that are not that strong … or sometimes nonexistent.
That area of course is the Cuthbert Circuit … stretching from Point Dume past Paradise Cove and reaching up Ramirez Canyon and Winding Way.
At least six intentional blackouts there this fall and winter …. and at least that many warnings of blackouts.
The power company has been given complete decision-making power over deciding when and how it can de-energize power lines to prevent its equipment from sparking wildfires.
Not just Malibu … but some areas in Ventura County … and the Bishop-Mammoth Lakes areas … have been hit by intentional blackouts over and over again.
Southern California Edison has been ordered to appear at a public meeting … over the computers … at 2 p-m Tuesday.
The CPUC has also ordered Edison to submit a corrective action plan – regarding concerns about the execution of the power shutoffs – by Feb. 12.
CPUC president Marybel Batjer told Edison they need to be more transparent on the decision making process … improve the notification system … communicate better with local governments … and better identification of customers who have access and functional needs.
She told SCE in her letter that the company’s execution of the outages appeared “tactless” and seemed deficient in meeting the standard its customers deserve.
The president of SCE wrote back that the dozens of intentional blackouts have succeeded in preventing a small number of fires.
Four … to be exact.
The hearing is next Tuesday at 2 p-m … on the internet … you can watch and maybe even speak …. we will post a link on the KBUU Newswire later this morning.
