Legal News

SDG&E under fire for four-generator plan

By Richard Binder

San Diego Gas & Electric Co. officials said in a report Tuesday that the region may want to invest in a pool of four backup generators to make sure there is water to fight fire while power is out in the backcountry.  But opponents of SDG&E's controversial plan to turn off electricity when Santa Ana wind speeds and humidity reach certain levels, in a bid to prevent fires, said many more generators would be needed to keep water flowing if a wildfire were to break out for another reason.

Sophie Akins, an attorney for the San Diego law firm of Best Best & Krieger who represents the Valley Center, Ramona, Rainbow, and Fallbrook water districts, told the North County Times in a phone interview that there are 84 "critical" water pumping stations in the backcountry that do not have backup generators.  Water officials have warned that a power outage could prevent them from pumping water and keeping the pressure up for both firefighters and residents spraying down their properties.

"It seems absurd to me that this is their response," Akins said. "Four generators is not enough."

Full story at North County Times.

Full post as published by Legal Pad | LA on May 13, 2009 (boomark / email).