Features

Bill would exempt hottest areas from power blackouts

The Associated Press
Tuesday August 14, 2001

SACRAMENTO — Desert dwellers could get a break if California is hit by rolling power blackouts later this summer. 

Gov. Gray Davis said Monday he had signed a bill that requires the Public Utilities Commission to consider the potentially harmful effect of extremely high temperatures when considering where to allow rolling blackouts. 

The measure was introduced by Sen. Jim Battin, R-Palm Desert, who represents much of the Southern California desert. 

The law already requires the PUC to set priorities among utility customers for service. The commission has exempted facilities providing essential public services from rolling blackouts. 

Other customers on the same electricity grid circuits as those police offices, fire departments, hospitals and government agencies needed for national defense are also exempt. 

 

On the Net: Read the bill, at www.sen.ca.gov