By RHEA-FRANCES TETLEY
Staff Writer
Southern California Edison was hosted by State Senator Ochoa Bogh and County Supervisor Dawn Rowe during a virtual community town hall meeting on Wednesday, April 23. The meeting lasted two hours and was mostly a presentation with slides by Edison of what they are doing to prevent starting wildfires.
During the presentation, there were numerous representatives from various SCE departments who explained the details of the many ways the company is mandated by laws passed by the California legislature to perform many of the unpopular activities they do, such as tree cuttings and removals, and grid, wire and pole upgrades that often require the power to be turned off while they work, as well as wind-related Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS).
The shutoffs, they stated, were only an action of “last resort” when indicated by their own weather network and forecasters with input from the National Weather Service forecasters. It may be felt it is necessary to shut down the power to eliminate the possibility of their equipment causing or contributing to destructive wildfires. Their web cameras and weather stations that track windspeeds are available for viewing at SCE.com/webcams.
Edison explained that climate change is part of the problem. One viewer stated they had grown up in the area and, although the Santa Ana winds always were strong, they had not been such a problem in the past, forcing the power to be shut off. Edison answered that, now with the laws and their ability to predict possible problems, they were required to shut down before a fire began.
When fire experts forecast dangerous conditions, which include the combination of strong winds, dry vegetation and low humidity, they “create the risk that flying debris or other damage to wires and equipment could cause a fire with the potential to spread rapidly and threaten communities,” said Edison.
There are many ways that winds can cause problems, from blowing downed limbs onto wires to knocking down wires and poles, causing damage to their equipment and creating arcing, which is sometimes many miles away, on another part of the circuit, so the entire circuit must be turned off. The network of circuits is interconnected and yet separate so it could be that your neighbor across the street may be on a different circuit and that is why they have power when you don’t. But, when your power goes off, Edison asks that you call them and let them know so they can track the outages and will know whether it is an equipment outage or failure or a PSPS.
No real new information was shared, but it is hoped that Edison heard the complaints about intentional outages during freezing weather; without any warming centers on the mountain, the residents are suffering. Also, there was no way to recharge their phones and electrical devices, and the residents wanted Edison to know that people can be injured in these weather situations.
Edison replied that sometimes they offer information centers where people can recharge their devices. But it is noted, without electricity, there is no way for Edison to get that information out to them, as there is no designated warming center in the mountains. In January, when the people had power out for several days and they had nowhere to go and were freezing in their homes with their children, since the schools had to be closed without electricity, some ended up at Goodwin’s Market to recharge their phones, do their work from home and stay warm during the day.
Edison stated they are doing their best and spending millions of dollars to keep the mountains of Southern California from burning up from wildfires. But, on some of the charts they showed during the meeting, it was indicated that many communities have over 60 percent of their electrical wires underground, lessening the need for PSPS events in those communities.
Since the 2003 Old Fire, residents have consistently requested that the wiring in the wind-prone areas have their wires put underground, but Edison has said it is impossible in the mountains, despite gas, water and sewer being underground. No answer was given during this meeting on that issue, either.
In concluding the Town Hall, Supervisor Dawn Rowe commented, “I am thankful that the Senator provided a forum for our residents to hear directly from Edison about Public Safety Power Shutoffs. They have devastating effects and this was an opportunity for Edison to understand that, as well as to help our residents be better prepared for the next time this happens.”
It was unfortunate that, during the town hall there were numerous technical problems and dropped calls from some of those who were listening and others who were bumped off the presentation in the middle of it. A representative from Ochoa Bogh’s office said it was the first time she had coordinated a town hall over the Teams System and admitted there were numerous technical problems. Several attendees who were disconnected during the meeting said, once bounced off, it was almost impossible to reconnect.
Those who have been following this issue heard nothing new from Edison and were disappointed at the end of the meeting. They just hope Edison heard some of the serious issues concerning the power outages that negatively affect mountain residents.
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