‘This Did Not Go Well’: Inside PG&E’s Blackout Control Room

Post by ip26 » Sun, Oct 13, 2019, 1:17 AM UTC

catalogia wrote: post #14

dstroot wrote: post #11

It will be interesting watching how all this plays out. As others have noted the liability math has certainly changed. Enough to bankrupt one of the largest utility companies in the country. One the other hand this is also a political statement. They are clearly signaling to the politicians that they better shield them from further liability or expect more of this behavior. Shut the power down when the wind blows, af…

Historically, aren't most earthquake fatalities due to fires? Cutting off electricity and flushing all gas lines with an inert gas seems like a prudent thing to do after a significant earthquake. Particularly in an environment like California, where it is unlikely anybody will freeze to death (keep the drinking water flowing though.)

Post by millstone » Sun, Oct 13, 2019, 1:25 AM UTC

williamDafoe wrote: post #82

PG&E is the worst power company in the western hemisphere. First in 2000 they had massive power outages due to early deregulation which led to the impeachment of governor Gray Davis. In 2017 the company killed thousands of customers and billions in property because of fires they caused! Now in 2019 they are doing massive shutdowns and directly killing their customers on life support! We have the highest prices (.22c…

Post by ggm » Sun, Oct 13, 2019, 1:34 AM UTC

heimatau wrote: post #84

What I strongly believe is being overlooked here is not the fact that their 'liability math' has changed but the fact that this is the result of regional utility monopolies. The entire energy sector are allowed to operate in these terrible ways because they have local governments supporting their terrible business models. Price of energy hasn't gone down because there is no actual competition. Without these large gov…

Post by dodobirdlord » Sun, Oct 13, 2019, 1:43 AM UTC

dredmorbius wrote: post #67

rb808 wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You'll say that until the company is full of public service workers who dont care and electricity costs 3x as much. Pretty much every developed country has privatized electricity generation to keep prices down.

There are numerous public utilities in California, and elsewhere. Generally the costs are lower and service levels higher than privately-held corporations. Granted, most munis don't have to deal with long-distance distribution, though there are four federal power administrations which do, the Bonneville, Southeastern, Southwestern, and Western Area Power Administrations. Also the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Post by zamadatix » Sun, Oct 13, 2019, 1:51 AM UTC

blondie9x wrote: post #12

Wildfires were prevented in the North of California where this occurred. The South of California was not spared and the Saddleridge wildfire still rages. I think yes more backup power and staffers are needed at community centers but these black outs are an important way to save lives.