PG & E Plan to Prevent Wildfires :
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Pacific Gas & Electric continues to grab headlines , and not in a way that is favorable to the utility . In the March issue of FON , AEC reported on PG & E ’ s bankruptcy filing on Jan . 29 . According to news reports , that filing was related to a determination by California fire investigators , “ Cal Fire ,” who found that PG & E equipment was responsible for 18 major wild fires in 2017 that consumed 193,743 acres in eight counties , destroyed 3,256 structures and killed 22 . Eleven of those cases have been referred to county district attorneys for possible criminal charges against PG & E , according to news reports . Cal Fire announced in May that it had determined that PG & E transmission lines caused the “ Camp Fire ” in 2018 that resulted in the deaths of 86 people and destroyed 14,000 homes , news outlets reported .
PG & E is looking to protect itself against future liabilities , and has announced a new policy it is adopting to prevent its equipment from starting new wild fires . The utility ’ s answer is to shut off electric power to customers when the wind blows too strongly , potentially affecting 5.4 million people .
“ No U . S , utility has ever blacked out so many people on purpose ,” The Wall Street Journal noted in its April 27 print issue . “ In an October test run of sorts , PG & E for the first time cut power to several small communities over wildfire concerns , including the small Napa Valley town of Calistoga , for about two days ,” The Journal article noted . Emergency officials went door-to-door to check on elderly residents , some of whom relied on electrical medical devices , the article noted . Grocers discarded perishables and hotels lost bookings , The Journal article noted .
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The utility has said it does not plan to reimburse costs incurred by customers due to the loss of electric power . The utility said California regulations do not require it to , although PG & E conceded that it would consider claims on a case-by case basis .
If you are asking yourself how this plan by a very large electric utility to cut electric power for days on end fits the environmental narrative encouraging electrification of the heating and transportation sectors , it ’ s no wonder . Imagine going without heat or air conditioning for five or so days . More inconvenient : being unable to recharge your electric vehicle for five or so days .
The utility admits more planning is needed . Essential electric services that provide drinking water , traffic lights and phone services need to be maintained . The utility is considering the creation of “ resilience zones ” in town centers , where generators would provide electricity for police , a grocery store , a gas station , and a community center where residents can charge cell phones .
PG & E is not the only electric utility to consider cutting power to prevent wild fires , according to The Journal , which reported that San Diego Gas & Electric was the first California utility to cut power during dry , windy weather . That utility has been adding weather stations “ to precisely locate problem areas , as well as technology that allows it to shut down small parts of its grid ,” The Journal reported . The San Diego utility ’ s largest blackout to date affected approximately 21,000 people , according to The Journal .
The basic function of electric utilities to deliver electricity to their service areas safely and reliably is being challenged by the California experience . As northeastern states continue to push forward with an “ electrification ” initiative , to electrify our heating , air conditioning and transportation sectors , consumers need to beware . l FON
Thomas J . Tubman is the executive director of the American Energy Coalition , which promotes the benefits of oil heat in comparison to other energy sources , particularly natural gas .
44 JUNE 2019 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www . fueloilnews . com