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When 'Public Safety' Blackouts Are Meant To Prevent Wildfires

WAMU 88.5
Published October 30, 2019 at 9:06 AM CDT
A fallen PG&E utility pole lays on a property burned during the Kincade Fire, along Highway 128 in Healdsburg, California. California's governor declared a state-wide emergency as a huge wind-fueled blaze forced evacuations and massive power blackouts, threatening towns in the famed Sonoma wine region.
PHILIP PACHECO/AFP via Getty Images
A fallen PG&E utility pole lays on a property burned during the Kincade Fire, along Highway 128 in Healdsburg, California. California's governor declared a state-wide emergency as a huge wind-fueled blaze forced evacuations and massive power blackouts, threatening towns in the famed Sonoma wine region.

In an effort to mitigate the damage from wildfires in California, Pacific Gas & Electric has cut off power to sections of the state.

Officials fear that high-speed gusts of wind along with dry weather could topple trees, which could blow into power lines, which would ignite a fire.

So far, impacted areas include portions of Oakland, San Francisco, the Santa Cruz Mountains and more.

How are the blackouts affecting California residents? And how do we adjust to life in a world altered by climate change?

Produced by Paige Osburn.

GUESTS

Russell Gold, Senior energy reporter, The Wall Street Street; author of “Superpower: One Man’s Quest to Transform American Energy”; @russellgold

Sam Liccardo, Mayor, San Jose; @sliccardo

Susie Cagle, Climate and energy reporter, Guardian US; @susie_c

Ted Nordhaus, Founder/executive director, Breakthrough Institute; @TedNordhaus

For more, visit https://the1a.org.

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