What an effed-up world we have created. I worked in a number of socialist and communist countries in the early 70s and we often had power and hot water for a few hours a day.
I spent 30 years in the power industry. When I first went into power out of engineering school, regulated utilities had an "obligation to serve" because they were regulated and natural monopolies. Deregulation has created this gigantic mess. The notion of "obligation to serve" is outdated, I guess.
If President Trump is smart, he can point to this ridiculous situation in California and say "This is exactly what you will get from the Democrats running for President."
What are they doing about people who need electricity for machines that they require for medical conditions?
They already shut off the power in Simi Valley/Moorpark area..my Trump hating cousin lost power, he can go thank the dumb ass Governor he voted for for this
Too bad about the contents in your freezer and fridge. You wanted to see El Camino? Too bad. Toss that garage door opener. Californians must sacrifice for the greater good. Need power to stay alive and healthy? CPAP? Tough beans. Wait! They will be tough, ‘cause gas is not approved in the green state, and you can’t cook ‘em. Good thing you have batteries, candles, flashlights, oil lamps, and a bbq with lots of charcoal and lighter fluid! Didn’t charge your cell phone or your Kindle? Will the water and gas pumps still work without electricity? Welcome to the dark ages! I haven’t lived in CA for many decades. Won’t go back. This might be fun for the rest of us to watch!
Lets hope the psychos, arsonist/terrorist don’t take advantage and start lighting hundreds of fires while the citizens sit in the dark with no power and possibly no communications.
It was a nice place when we left it in 1974.
Wonder how all the tech companies in SCC are dealing with this?
Tons of fresh meat will be ruined, but what the heck..the people will be forced to become vegan.
Return to the days of the Old West, now playing at homes & businesses throughout the (formerly) Great State of California! Ronald Reagan is shaking his ghostly head at what his successors have made of his demi-paradise!
This is insane.
20 years ago my European friends and relatives chided us on these above ground power lines. So antique tech. Why do we have to spend all our $ on homeless drug addicts and illegals, when we could have made safe, underground power lines like other first world countries?
It’s not like the power co’s are strapped for cash.
This may be the start of CA swinging conservative.
Give California back to Mexico.
That will remove enough Democrats to make the rest of the country Republican.
The fact that this was released last minute reeks of they didn't give a crap about the people and didn't bother planning at all.
Or, they are up to something else other than what they are saying, (and didn't plan for -didn't care about-un-intended consequences).
In either case- This state is run by idiots and morons, managed by corrupt democrat politicians on the take.
And BTW the recall the governor campaign should pay visits to these places.
bookmark
Will FR be affected by this power outage?
Ummmmm, deregulation is not why PG&E is killing power delivery. PG&E is still a de facto local monopoly.
OVERregulation is why this is happening. CA laws and lawsuits prevented PG&E from upgrading their transmission lines, from being able to keep vegetation away from their lines, from anyone clearing out deadwood fire hazards from around lines.
If you can’t do preventative maintenance and you get sued into bankruptcy if you keep to your ‘obligation to serve’ and provide power to people, what the hell option is left?
My son got a notice he would have no electricity for 5 days.
What the heck is going on???
Restoration Progress Continues: 126,000 Customers Restored
PG&E reported that improving weather conditions in some parts of the areas affected by the Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) have allowed for an “all clear” to be issued for safety inspections, repair and restoration efforts to begin in many areas.
Updates
Power was turned off for safety to approximately 4,000 customers in Kern County this morning.
Weather updates
Dangerous weather conditions are expected to continue in some parts of the Sierra Foothills and Bay Area until midday Thursday. Similar conditions in Kern County are beginning late morning Thursday and lasting through midday Friday.