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California Public Utilities Commission
505 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS RELEASE Media Contact: Terrie Prosper, 415.703.1366, news@cpuc.ca.gov Docket #: A.08-12-021
CPUC DENIES SDG&E PROACTIVE POWER SHUT OFF PLAN
SAN FRANCISCO, September 10, 2009 - The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today denied, without prejudice, San Diego Gas and Electric Company's (SDG&E) request to proactively shut off power when certain fire conditions are present because SDG&E has not met its burden to demonstrate that the benefits of shutting off power outweigh the significant costs, burdens, and risks that would be imposed on customers and communities in the areas where power is shut off.
The CPUC directed SDG&E to make a good faith effort to develop a comprehensive fire prevention program in collaboration with all stakeholders, and encouraged the use of the CPUC's Alternative Dispute Resolution process for this purpose. The CPUC said that any new proposed fire prevention program must be based on a cost-benefit analysis and include detailed plans and timelines for mitigating any adverse impacts on customers and communities, and a proponent's environmental assessment, if appropriate. If the collaborative process does not result in a consensus proposal, SDG&E may file its own proposed fire-prevention program with the same information included as discussed above. If SDG&E chooses to not file a fire-prevention proposal, it will notify parties to this proceeding and explain why it chose not to file a plan.
SDG&E continues to have the authority to shut off power in emergency situations when necessary to protect public safety. Any decision by SDG&E to shut off power may be reviewed by the CPUC under its broad jurisdiction regarding the safety of public utility operations and facilities.
The proposal voted on today is available at: http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PUBLISHED/AGENDA_DECISION/106702.htm.
For more information on the CPUC, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.
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