PG&E electric shutdown. Question.

[LAS14]

Can anyone explain to me how an electric shutdown of hours or days can be expected to address wildfire threat that goes on for weeks/months?

tia
las

[Newest Reality]

1. It is a complex situation they are having with the utility.

This really should answer any questions you may have about it. Profit, investors, etc.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/11/california-power-shutoffs-when-your-public-utility-is-owned-by-private-investors

[mr_lebowski]

2. Power shutdowns are happening at times of high winds and temps

High Winds increase probability of downed overhead power lines causing fires, as well as increasing their spread and severity, should one occur, esp if temps are high and humidity is low.

[LAS14]

4. Thanks. nt

[marlakay]

3. I read it had something to do

With a very hot wind storm. The night Santa Rosa fire few years ago hot winds were going 50 mph plus which is how fire got away from them.

[LAS14]

5. Thanks. nt

[MineralMan]

6. The real reason PG&E is doing those shutdowns is in an attempt

to get the state to indemnify them from any legal responsibility for wildfires. By causing enormous inconvenience, they're hoping to pressure the legislature into passing a law doing that. That could save the corporation many millions of dollars every year.

Meanwhile, fires still started in California, despite the shutdowns. They always do this time of year.

PG&E wants something. That's why they did something.

[Wellstone ruled]

7. You posted the real reason for these black outs.

They are positioning themselves for a Major dumping of Assets via Chapter 7 it appears.

[MineralMan]

8. Yup. They've lost some lawsuits from previous fires.

It can be expensive. So, they're planning accordingly. Time for them to become a real public utility, owned by the state, I think.

A nasty bunch - PG&E. Not responsive to their customers at all.

[Wellstone ruled]

10. My guess is,watch Mid West Energy

via Nevada Power to make a move. Nevada Power has a footholds west of Reno as well as west towards Death Valley . LA Water and Power buys most of their Power from Nevada.

[ChubbyStar]

9. Extortion

PG&E is a criminal enterprise.

[hunter]

12. Asshole money people ran the system into the ground, siphoned off $ billions...

... and now they are taking hostages.

It's just business.

[BSdetect]

11. We had 3 days without power - PGE panic.

Very little winds and mild temps.

Schools, businesses closed. Kids stay home so carers needed. Workers laid of etc etc

We have a generator but had no water we discovered as the well pump is wired for mains power it seems.

Could not flush toilets.

Relied on bottled water.

Planned to buy a water tank and special pump to fight fires if required. Have not managed that yet.

Did but a large water container an hour before they restored power. Got it filled at a restaurant.

Some lessons learned.