Malibu Nervous Over Plan To Cut Power During Strong Winds

MALIBU, CA – The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved intentional power shutoffs in Malibu when strong winds create dangerous situations, but local officials and residents are nervous to be without electricity during an emergency.

The CPUC approved the intentional power shutoffs to minimize the fire hazard created when power lines spark wildfires in Malibu. But Malibu officials say their input was ignored.

The City of Malibu asked the CPUC for input into the decision-making process. They also asked for generators or batteries to be required at crucial installations, but their requests were turned down, The Malibu Times reported.

Mayor Rick Mullen told KTLA that he can't really see how an intentional blackout will make the situation better in an emergency.

"Imagine if you will, Santa Ana conditions, winds blowing, a large fire bearing down on you, dust blowing...and all of a sudden your power goes out," Mullen said.

Sparking power lines and electrical equipment were the leading cause of wildfires in 2015, according to KTLA. But Mullen thinks the risks of keeping the power on may outweigh the benefits of shutting it off.

Concerns regarding the power shutoffs include dark traffic signals, no cell towers, and loss of Wi-Fi which would make emergency alerts useless, according to The Malibu Times.

In December 2017, Southern California Edison sent an email to city officials.

"Due to public safety concerns, SCE may also turn off power to specific circuits in areas where there is a high risk of predicted extreme winds," the email said.

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