Large Majority Of Big Cal Fires NOT Linked To Power Wires
Written by 991KBU on September 6, 2018
How risky are overhead power lines … in terms of causing wildfires?
The 20 biggest wildfires in California we’re analyzed by the San Francisco Chronicle.
Only two of them we’re caused by powerline failures … Power lines that did not meet state safety regulations.
A third fire was caused buy power lines that met State standards but it ignited a tree that fell on them.
And four fires were caused buy as yet undetermined causes.
But 13 out of the 20 biggest wildfires were not caused by overhead power lines.
Power saws … grinders … a defective hot tub that caused sparks … and arsonists.
Those cause the large majority of fires.
The issue of electric power lines causing fires is huge as Southern California enters the traditional fire season this fall.
A state report has shown that 10 percent at most of the fires the damage California are caused by falling power lines.
In order to shield California utility companies from liability for causing fires … the California Public Utilities Commission has granted the company’s permission to turn off circuits in extreme wind events.
Critics in Malibu say that allows the utility companies to shirk the responsibility … causing dangerous conditions as water pumps … traffic lights and other electric devices get turned off during big windstorms.
Meanwhile … the state’s utilities are about to get a massive bailout from the state’s ratepayers … if the governor signs a bill as expected.
Consumer advocates tell the New York Times that Southern California Edison shareholders will get off the hook for the company’s negligent behavior … when they violate safety laws and their polls caused fire.
Under the legislation passed last week … the costs arising from the utility’s liability for a fire could be transferred to its customers.
Pacific Gas and Electric is on the hook for 17 billion dollars in damages for the 2017 fires north of the Bay Area …. that’s more than eight times its profit that year.
PG and E and our local utility … Southern California Edison … could face bankruptcy due to wildfire costs.
And Gov. Jerry Brown and the Legislature are determined to prevent that from happening.
Bankrupt power companies would cause consumer bills to skyrocket … and would put a significant dent in the utilities promises to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The bill now facing the governor provides 1 billion dollars over five years for clearing brush around power lines and other fire-prevention efforts.
It also imposes tougher penalties on utilities for violations.
Our standard editorial note … Zuma Beach FM broadcasting has filed an application to overturn the California Public Utilities Commission decision to allow the preemptive blackouts.
Zuma Beach FM is licensee for KBUU … and the station acknowledges its responsibility to cover the issue fairly.
Also … its obligation to thoroughly cover this issue of vital importance in our listing area.
