OK But wrote on Oct 13, 2008 2:03 PM:SDG&E will pay for my spoiled food. Also, how about lower rates like the water company gives farmers. This lower rate is given so if a drought comes they are the first to have their water reduced. They are in the situation now. The lower rate would allow me to purchase a generator for these outages and not have my food spoil.

SDGE is liable wrote on Oct 13, 2008 2:52 PM:SDGE policy should be cancelled not temporarily put on hold. They are responsible to the customers they are suppose to be serving. Cutting off electricity will cause food to spoil, communications to emergency services, watering plants and lawns, etc. etc. etc. Such a policy is only going to create more problems for SDGE than solve them. It will be like opening a can of worms.

CUT CUT CUT wrote on Oct 13, 2008 3:28 PM:Oh please this is bogus SDGE is not liable for your spoiled food get some generators!!!

Cut the juice SDGE!!!!!!

I don't want to pay for frivolous lawsuits!!!

Scooter wrote on Oct 13, 2008 3:35 PM:Another stupid, shoot from the hip, no thought policy put out by the talking heads at SDG&E. How do people get in the position to make decisions like this when there is absolutely no thought put in to them? Amazing.

Cancel the whole stupid idea. It was ridiculous from the start....

TO CUT CUT CUT wrote on Oct 13, 2008 4:21 PM:Buy a generator? You would have to have an electrcian wire the generator into your main house line, and install a transfer switch. VERY EXPENSIVE! - Into thousands of dollars. Not to mention that you would have to store very explosive natural gas, propane, or kerosine near your home. A generator is not a good solution during a fire hazard season.

CANDY wrote on Oct 13, 2008 4:24 PM:THERE IS NO NEED TO CUTOFF ELECTRICITY. AS LONG AS SDG&E PROPERLY MAINTAINS IT LINES, THERE IS NO NEED. IF SOMEONE CALLS IN BECAUSE SPACERS ARE NO LONGER IN PLACE, THE LINES SHOULD BE REPAIRED--PRONTO.

IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT FOR ME TO GO WITHOUT ELECTRICITY AS I WOULD ALSO HAVE NO WATER. NOT ONLY WOULD I HAVE ROTTING FOOD, AND PETS WITH NO WATER, I ALSO WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO WORK FOR--WHAT IS THAT--THREE DAYS. YEH RIGHT!!!!!!

Off The Grid wrote on Oct 13, 2008 4:37 PM:I think homes and lives are worth more than a pile of meat and frozen vegetables.

Lawn liability wrote on Oct 13, 2008 4:41 PM:Incredible. 2:52PM wants to hold SDG&E liable if the power is cut off and the lawn can't be watered. Reality check, folks. Your lawns should be dead by now anyway. Remember? You were "asked" to stop squandering water months ago. I know the arguments: "As long as I'm willing to pay for water, I can use as much as I want." Times have changed, and it's time for everyone to change with them.

Brian wrote on Oct 13, 2008 5:00 PM:The day the fires started last October (23rd I think) the wind damaged the substation that supplies power to our development. Not knowing how long we’d be without power, we purchased a generator ($650.00) and 2 heavy gauge extension cords and a CO gas monitor. We ran the extension cords through the windows and taped the windows shut to prevent CO from entering the house. We were able to power 2 refrigerators, chest freezer, 3 laptops, TV and the microwave for 8 days, until power was restored. While I do not want our power cut and it will be a pain in the arse, it's not that difficult to be prepared for.

Betty wrote on Oct 13, 2008 5:39 PM:Well, what happens to the reverse 911 system if the power is cut? Will they be able to call us to evacuate? Will we be notified that the power will be cut, or just come home to find it off?

Black Jack wrote on Oct 13, 2008 5:42 PM:Here's our other comment on this issue: if the power is cut, how will water be pumped (to fight fires) in the back county? Will SDG&E provide backup generators to the water companies? Ramona is at risk for this problem...
If the water supplies aren't pressurized, will there be contamination?
We need a few coherent answers from our "public" utility company.

k wrote on Oct 13, 2008 6:02 PM:Did any of you read your notice? They only expect power to be out for up to 72 hours max. Winds don't usually stick around longer than that. Yah a big inconvenience but better than having your HOUSE BURN DOWN DUH! Has anyone ever heard of dry ice? Or buy a generator, or better yet both! Did any of you bother to register your cell phones for reverse 911?

TO K wrote on Oct 13, 2008 6:16 PM:Don't have a cell phone. Didn't get a notice. Can't afford a generator. Dry ice won't work for five days. Don't have such an attitude. We're not all rich or a block away from 7-11.
Is this payback for all the Powerlink opposition?

To to K wrote on Oct 13, 2008 7:23 PM:You're the only one with common sense!
It is refreshing. Everyone else is brain washed into thinking the only solution is to suffer.

Stark Reality wrote on Oct 13, 2008 8:55 PM:I agree with To K -- also, SDG&E/Sempra is a public utility, regulated by PUC.
There has been no public comment on this policy, perhaps with exception of this comment section. They aren't required to do an Environmental Impact Report, but the public perception of SDG&E's actions is important. They are supposed to serve the entire county. Our family has medical/electrical needs, and we have gotten no notice of this policy. We are not into suffering or victimization, I just need certain equipment to function if it's needed.
The cost of a generator, the electrician needed to interface the equipment with the breaker box is prohibitive right now. Perhaps SDG&E could offer generators (cheaper if they bulk buy them) at cost. It's a thought.

There must be a better way wrote on Oct 14, 2008 6:48 AM:We've come close to losing our home to wildfires twice, both caused by humans and neither from SDG&E power lines. One fire came upon us suddenly and with no warning.

I can't imagine trying to gather our pets and most important papers, etc., for an evacuation in the dark, in the middle of the night, if our power had already been cut. Multiply that scenario to the thousands who might need to urgently evacuate in the dark hours.

But with no reverse 911, many might not even know to evacuate. Many home phones do not work without power either.

There is also the possible [lack of] water pressure issue that has been mentioned. Etc.

And consider people needing to evacuate who ran too low on gas because the power to the local fuel pumps had been cut days before.

The potential dangers connected to this proposal are frightening. There must be a better solution.

Al wrote on Oct 14, 2008 6:56 AM:Come on people, Horn and the test of you that are opposed to the idea really need to check your facts. First, you do not need power to run a typical phone. It receives its power over the landline so you will have service if SDG&E cuts power. As for the medical and other problems, these would exist if the power went out because of doned lines from winds or fires. So you should already be prepared.

SDG&E -- Brilliant plan. Sorry there are so many idiots living in San Diego. But, then again, that is the make up of the majority of the Left Coast.

Backcountry wrote on Oct 14, 2008 7:42 AM:My business will be complety shut down, as will most with a multi-line phone system. My employees will be sent home and lose wages. Will SDG&E pay for lost wages? I am sorry, but during these times 3 days wages makes a big difference to me. I CANNOT afford a generator, my insurance will NOT PAY for lost food under these circumstances.

What about the back country schools? How much revenue will they lose? How will they safely get the kids home if they are not able to notify parents who have phone systems that need electricty?

I saw CalFire out patrolling the Santa Ysabel Valley yesterday, but did not see a SDG&E vehicle at all. Wouldn't it be wise to patrol their own lines during windy conditions and heed warnings, like those sent before the Witch Creek Fires, I understand three warnings went out to SDG&E that there was a problem in the line and they choose to ignore them.

There are better solutions that this.

There must be a better way wrote on Oct 14, 2008 8:03 AM:'Typical' landline phones of today, those which are cord-free, will NOT work without power.

Each home would do well to have at least one old-style phone that plugs directly into the phone jack which should work even if power is cut, assuming of course the home has regular, landline phone service and the phone lines aren't down.

Many younger persons only have mobile service and no landlines.

Sorry Al wrote on Oct 14, 2008 9:38 AM:All cordless phones will not work when the power is off. And most people have only cordless phones in their homes.

Why cut wrote on Oct 14, 2008 9:58 AM:power to just the back country? It is obvious by these blogs that many wouldn't mind if their power got cut also. Turn it all off, just in case. Call it a day for Global warming. Or is it just a big mouth syndrome because they are not affected. By the way, SDG&E will reimburse for food spoilage if they deem it is their fault.

Thx Why Cut wrote on Oct 14, 2008 11:19 AM:I agree, cut the power to the entire county, lets play it safe. Sounds like everyone not affected in this initial plan are all for power being cut off. And thx for the tip on SDGE paying for lost food - I do not remember seeing it in their mailer on this new program - funny how that is.

Walt of Alpine wrote on Oct 14, 2008 3:03 PM:I think this is a knee jerk, CYA reaction. Did this fire session come as a surprise to SDG&E? To announce this policy 1 to 2 weeks prior to our annual Santa Ana Fire Session shows the lack of planning on SDG&E’s part. SDG&E gets a big chunk of money, 50% of your power bill is for the cost of getting the power out to us (distribution). That money is suppose to be used to maintain lines & poles, sub stations, trim trees, keep the spacers in place etc…SDG&E has an army of people driving all over the county every month reading meters, I don’t understand why this army of people can’t see when a tree need to be trimmed or spacers are missing, or poles are bending etc…..Flat out, SDG&E haw not been doing their job!

We have lived out in the east county for 10 years and we lose power two or three times a year and have lost power for 2 of the last 3 major fires for several days. So losing power is nothing new. We have a small back up generator to run the refrig & freezer, keep a few lights on, TV and computer. It’s a pain to deal with, but when nature or an accident causes the power to go out, you deal with it. But this concept of cutting power because somebody is not doing their job is a different issue. SDG&E had all year to plan this and allow people and organizations time to get prepared. SDG&E’s lack of planning should not cause an emergency response on our part.

Diane wrote on Oct 14, 2008 7:55 PM:I think it's hilarious! How many of you here are part of the crew that BLAMED SDG&E for the fires last year???? and now whining about power shut off? Next time, BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR (& WHO YOU BLAME!). If I got blamed for my dog pooping on your lawn, be rest assured - I'd control the dog better. SDG&E is gonna make sure they're covered this time and shutting down the source is all they can do.

Please Dianne wrote on Oct 15, 2008 5:59 AM:People blame SDGE for the fires because the State and fire officials said SDGE was to blame. The fact you are ignorant of this shows why you have this attitude. I agree - shut down the entire county, lets play it safe because SDGE can't do it's job of keeping trees away from power lines like every other power company in America!

Brilliant Plan... wrote on Oct 15, 2008 10:00 AM:You are all missing the brilliance of this plan...

If the PUC denies SDG&E’s request, when SDG&E starts another fire, they can say I told you so, you should have let us turn off the power.

If the PUC approves the request, SDG&E can eliminate THIER risk without doing anything, and we will be forced to be upset with the PUC, not SDG&E.

It’s a win-win for SDG&E, and either way we the “back-country folk” loose. Now, not only are we forced to build new homes, start rebuilding our history, we have to go buy a generator too?

The proper response is for the PUC to require SDG&E fix their powerlines, make them safe and then maintain them. The 2007 fires were carefully planned and beautifully executed by SDG&E. It took years of neglect and sub-standard maintenance to get the powerlines in the condition they were in. Then it was on their third try (that one day, Oct 21, 2007, the lines faulted MANY times before over the past several years and SDG&E NEVER FIXED THEM!!) to get the fire started. All the while, profits continued to go up, and funds for maintenance and investment go down.

As a PUBLIC utility, you don’t get to pick and choose your customer base. But as a MONOPOLY, SDG&E believes they can bully us around and just turn off the power when it is convenient for them, simply brilliant.

Whitefawnf wrote on Oct 16, 2008 11:22 PM:First they did plan it all wrong, with no public communications meetings. 2)to make sure add some bleach to your well not alot. Other wise you have to drain it if to much is added, waste of water!. 3) Will they supply discount generators? No they would not. 4) people who need medical machines will need to make sure that they are battery operated or portable o2 tanks. 5) Did you know that they only have 1 man who covers from El Cajon to Warner Springs, to San Diego / Riverside to inspect all those poles? It takes him a couple of months, then also puts in his reports, then its another long wait for their contracted weed eaters to come clear around them. I know I have talked to him. They need more personal on this issue. 6) As for the phones you need one of the old ones that plug in. Ours works. Not the cordless nor do we have the right to have public cell phone towers as they would not supply us with that courtesy to provide that for the back country folks for such emergencys and they know this,but they put earmuffs on instead. Or at least think about solar cell towers would even help, down and around Oak Grove would be nice or near Chihuahua Vly.Rd. We pay taxes but never get any thing in return for all of us paying our bills.
7) Write to your congress men and woman! Good luck to all