It's very windy today. A fire has started. What would you do if your power were shut off right now with no warning and no idea when it would be back on? Our schools and our kids are asking the same questions.
On December 22, 2008, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) filed an application with the California Public Utilities Commission to shut off power to "high fire risk" areas, including the Jamul-Dulzura Union School District, during what SDG&E considers to be high risk fire conditions (high wind and low humidity, such as a Santa Ana). The San Diego County Superintendent on behalf of San Diego County school districts has filed a protest against SDG&E's application on the basis that SDG&E's shut-off plan could result in the loss of State funding and could require the relocation of thousands of students in the middle of the school and work day.
SDG&E's plan to shut off power could occur at any time 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year round, whenever the weather conditions constitute a high risk of fire as determined solely by SDG&E. This means that SDG&E could shut-off power at any time during the day, any day of the week.
If you would like more information about SDG&E's shut-off plan or have specific concerns that you would like SDG&E to address, you are invited to attend the following public meetings:
Tuesday, April 7th 7:00 pm
The Alpine Community Center, Sage Room
1830 Alpine Blvd.
Alpine, CA 91901
Wednesday, April 8th 7:00pm
Harrah's Rincon Casino & Resort
777 Rincon Way
Valley Center, CA 92082
If you cannot attend one of the above public meetings, you are invited to
submit written comments to the California Public Utilities Commission Public Advisor's Office at:
CPUC Public Advisor
505 Van Ness Avenue, Room 2103
San Francisco, CA 94102
Or email:
public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov
Please reference Application 08-12-021 in your comments.
Some points regarding a Shut Off
1. Safety of schoolchildren and staff
a. No communications
i. Internet
ii. Land lines
iii. Cell phones
iv. Satellite phones
v. Sheriff relay stations
b. No water
c. No back up power
d. No HVAC
e. No fuel pumps
f. No evacuation plan
g. No busses
h. No parents to pick up kids
i. No fire alarm systems
j. What happens if fire does break out?
2. Limited to no communications
a. Needed to keep up with plan as it changes
b. Where/how do we direct logistics?
c. Will there be an emergency center support?
3. Unreimbursed costs
a. ADA (not a recognized emergency per EdCode 46392 & 41422)
b. Planning
c. Kids staying home during "red flag" days
d. Facility upgrades if we address needs in #1
4. No real plan from SDG&E
a. Have to plan for outage anywhere and everywhere at once
i. No scenarios
ii. No logistic support
b. Is there even a correlation between the 5 fire factors and any fires in the region? Can a fire break out without the 5 fire factors?
Please bring these questions and any others you have to the meeting on Tuesday. The school district is looking to have as many parents as possible at this meeting.
If you are unable to make it please take a couple minutes and write a strongly worded letter to the CPUC.
Thank you for your time.
