CPUC temporarily blocks
SDG&E power shut-off plan

By Christy Scott
The Alpine Sun

     Last week, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) temporarily blocked San Diego Gas & Electric’s (SDG&E) plan to shut off power to parts of East County and the Back Country during periods of high winds to prevent wildfire.
     The CPUC voted 3-2 to issue a temporary restraining order preventing SDG&E from implementing the shutoff plan until the regulatory body has a chance to fully review the proposal. The CPUC has scheduled a hearing on SDG&E’s plan for Sept. 10.
     The utility had planned to begin implementing the shutoff program this week, beginning Sept. 1, when extreme weather conditions, including high winds and low humidity, create an accelerated risk of wildfire.
     Specific conditions that would trigger the shutoff, according to SDG&E, are a “red flag” fire warning from the National Weather Service, sustained winds of at least 35 mph or sustained winds of at least 30 mph with gusts of at least 55 mph, a humidity level under 20 percent, and moisture levels below 6 percent for dry brush and 75 percent for live plants.
     “This kind of proactive power shutoff during extreme weather events, we think … is prudent,” said SDG&E spokeswoman Stephanie Donovan. “We think it can help to prevent catastrophic wildfire.”
     SDG&E proposed the shutoff plan after state investigators, including the CPUC, concluded it was SDG&E’s power lines that sparked the wildfires that devastated San Diego County in 2007. SDG&E has been sued by residents who lost their homes and municipalities seeking to recover hundreds of millions of dollars in damages. So far, SDG&E has agreed to pay about $740 million to settle lawsuits stemming from the wildfires.
     Supporters of SDG&E’s plan say it is necessary to prevent catastrophic wildfires in the future.
     Commissioners John Bohn and Rachelle Chong are in support of SDG&E’s position. Bohn argued at the meeting that, “it is appropriate that they [SDG&E] make the decision on when a safety hazard exists.”
     Critics, however, argue it would leave vast parts of the county without vital services during times of emergency, including water pumping, telephones, radios and the use of medical devices.
     San Diego attorney Jennifer Haley, representing opponents, said one reason the order was needed was to protect disabled people.
     SDG&E says 900 people in the affected area have chronic medical problems, and 590 of them rely on life-sustaining electrical equipment. Mike Niggli, SDG&E’s chief operating officer, said the company hasn’t been able to reach 211 of the medically sensitive customers.
     But Niggli said it hasn’t been for lack of trying; they have received multiple letters and five telephone calls each and representatives have been sent to knock on doors.
     Two competing recommendations are before the CPUC on Sept. 10.
     Earlier this month, administrative law judge Timothy Kenney recommended that the CPUC reject SDG&E’s plan, stating that the utility “has not met its burden to demonstrate that the benefits of shutting off power outweigh the significant costs, burdens and risks that would be imposed on customers and communities in the areas where the power is shut off.”
     Commissioner Timothy Simon recommended SDG&E be allowed to implement the shutoff plan as a test until the end of the year but that tough restrictions be imposed. The conditions include giving affected residents 12 hours’ advance notice, limiting blackouts to 24 hours, and getting the consent of state fire and county emergency officials.
If implemented, the plan potentially could black out homes and businesses, affecting more than 55,000 residents in parts of Alpine, Lakeside, Poway, Escondido, Valley Center and Fallbrook. Customers would be provided a six-hour notice under the SDG&E plan.
     Also at the meeting, the CPUC adopted new rules aimed at reducing fires caused by power lines, which have been blamed for three of the major wildfires in 2007. Utility companies will be required to trim trees and bushes farther back from wires than in the past, place wires farther apart, and limit the number of wires and transformers on a single pole.

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