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

nytimes.com

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

#11

Post by dstroot »

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, after each earthquake until the lines can be checked, etc. My money is the politicians fold. The stock rose 3% Friday.

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

#12

Post by blondie9x »

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.

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

#13

Post by luckydata »

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…

My money is they get taken over by the state. Privatizing a utility was always a stupid move to begin with and they are finally proving it beyond any reasonable doubt. It's time we get to fixing all the damage Regan did to this country.

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

#14

Post by catalogia »

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.)

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

#15

Post by whatshisface »

luckydata wrote: post #13
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…

My money is they get taken over by the state. Privatizing a utility was always a stupid move to begin with and they are finally proving it beyond any reasonable doubt. It's time we get to fixing all the damage Regan did to this country.

How did president Regan privatize a California utility?

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

#17

Post by rhizome »

pascalxus wrote: post #8
ceejayoz wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The liability math didn't change. Decades of pretending that liability didn't exist just caught up with them.

the math changed because they were sued for something that should've been acceptable risk. So now it's unacceptable risk. What goes around, comes around.

They were known to be taking money from tree and line maintenance for profit and compensation purposes back in the 90s.

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

#18

Post by Dobbs »

whatshisface wrote: post #15
luckydata wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My money is they get taken over by the state. Privatizing a utility was always a stupid move to begin with and they are finally proving it beyond any reasonable doubt. It's time we get to fixing all the damage Regan did to this country.

How did president Regan privatize a California utility?

Not sure I’m this particular case but I’m going to go with Reagan did it when he was California’s Governor.

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

#19

Post by tryptophan »

luckydata wrote: post #13
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…

My money is they get taken over by the state. Privatizing a utility was always a stupid move to begin with and they are finally proving it beyond any reasonable doubt. It's time we get to fixing all the damage Regan did to this country.

Private utilites work just fine in every other state. Maybe this just a California being California issue again.

No need to throw the baby out with the bathwater...

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

#20

Post by joe_the_user »

pascalxus wrote: post #8
ceejayoz wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The liability math didn't change. Decades of pretending that liability didn't exist just caught up with them.

the math changed because they were sued for something that should've been acceptable risk. So now it's unacceptable risk. What goes around, comes around.

They didn't wind-up liable because arcing electricity just happens to sometimes 'cause fire.

They wound-up liable because they gutted their tree-trimming operations and paid the difference in dividends. That is something that definitely makes you liable regardless of whether the original thing is an acceptable risk.

Now, it's hard to if this is indeed a "bail us out or we'll shut down at every strong breeze" statement or whether they are legitimately worried the lines they neglected actually now ignite at every strong breeze.

Either way, I think the average Californian justifiably hates this company. But it seems unlikely things will change.

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