KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
Senator Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, announced Tuesday he is requesting that the governor and legislative leaders authorize a special session of the Legislature to investigate the Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS).
“California is the fifth-largest economy in the world, but when the wind blows, the power goes out for millions of Californians. That is a totally unacceptable scenario, yet, according to the IOUs (Investor Owned Utilities), it will be the new normal for the next decade,” Wilk said. “Last week, a teacher in my district watched her home burn to the ground. Without power, her well was inoperable and there was no way to even pump water to a garden hose. How anyone could accept this as the ‘new normal’ is beyond me. I am calling for a full audit so we get to the bottom of the policies that put this in place.”
See Related: FEMA Assistance For Power Outage Area Residents Requested By Wilk, Lackey
Public Safety Power Shutoff outages can eliminate the ability to pump water, as well as shut off life-saving equipment like ventilators, sleep apnea and dialysis machines. Disabled individuals can also be left immobile once their battery packs run out, according to Wilk’s office.
Wilk is requesting a special session of the Legislature in order for the Joint Legislative Audit Committee to meet and approve an audit of the Public Utilities Commission’s guidelines and Investor Owned Utilities’ practices concerning the Public Safety Power Shutoffs.
The investigation must determine whether these power shutoffs are being conducted in a manner where they are necessary, whether less burdensome alternatives are being ignored and whether the Investor Owned Utilities are simply choosing to shut off the power to avoid any costs of maintenance or making any lasting investments in their infrastructure.
“Calls for the PUC to investigate these shutoffs is like asking the fox to audit the hen house. The investigating agency must be completely independent from the undue influence of both the administration and IOUs,” said Wilk. “The state auditor has a proven track record of independence and thoroughness in her investigations.”
Last week, Wilk and Assemblyman Tom Lackey personally rented a generator and brought it to a retired veteran in need of oxygen. The power had been off for over 24 hours, rendering his ventilator useless without a generator. Wilk and Lackey also requested that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provide personal generators and water deliveries to the rural communities affected.
Senator Wilk’s letter can be found here.
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I too lost 1 “mother in law” house and a garage because we had used all the water and no more could be pumped from the well without electricity.
At least we survived thanks to defensible space and the grace of God.
Hey Scott,
Ask why Edison turned off power in Agua Dulce where the lines are BRAND NEW. Do they not trust their work? Also make public the new policy that requires utilities to mitigate the problems with their equipment to avoid higher liability and using the blackouts as part of that mitigation. You know, follow the money….
I have tried many times to send this message let’s see if it goes through. This is what i sent to the Governor’s office, CPUC, and SCE.
SCE is a BILLION company who has a monopoly on electricity. Our quality of life is dependant on SCE. Fo those of us who are affected by the power outages have in some way experienced a loss one way or another. When I spoke to a representative from SCE he specifically told me that these outages are sanctioned by the Cal Public Utilities Comm (cpuc). They also said that a warning is given in advance for any outages but could not give a time when the power would be restored. Therefore, the outage is at the discrestion of SCE and can go on for days.
To make this brief
I asked what was in place for displaced families who have no food, heat, or life essential equipment that need power.
He said they did not have any resources until the next working day.
I asked what was the established criteria for power outages.
He could not answer me or refer me to anyone .
I then asked if they had safety crews watching power lines 24/7 during the outages.
He could not say. But to call back in the morning .
I asked if the had a Generator Purchasing Program for homeowners in the event of another power outage.
His reply was “No.”
I asked about the food spoils and medication that needs to be refrigerated.
He gave me a claims number for SCE.
I asked if they knew about the power outages ahead of time then why not have resources in place.
I can go on and on!!!
In a nut shell the only thing SCE will listen to is a class law suit or political intervention. I plan to sue even if they are protected!