SDG&E has been put on notice that it can shut off power to customers. But, if it arbitrarily shuts off service, it may suffer the consequences and be forced to show the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) an actual plan justifying such an action. Executive Director Michael Shames of Utility Consumers' Action Network (UCAN) is quoted in the Union Tribune article as follows: "With its action, the PUC put SDG&E on notice that it could be liable to regulators and ratepayers if it unjustifiably shuts off power."

UCAN's Executive Director Michael Shames has been a long-time proponent of the CPUC monitoring and enforcing regulations against corporate giants that continuously have failed to consider their customers when enacting their own rules.  The CPUC appears to have realized that "Market Competition" has not had any correlation with treating customers fairly. 

It's nice that the CPUC is asking for a plan on one hand, but the Union Tribune article quotes Terry Prosper from the CPUC stating that the state can't stop SDG&E from shutting off its power source. Prosper is quoted in the Union Tribune article as saying that "SDG&E has an obligation to serve its customers and to do so safely.  There is no CPUC rule or regulation that would override their professional judgment. Such action would be subject to CPUC review."  The article insinuates that the CPUC would deal with the ramifications after the fact.  This step is very encouraging.  We need to keep in mind that hundreds of homeowners sued SDG&E after losing their homes to the wildfires and that approximately 45,000 customers may be affected by a decision to shut off power.  

Questions of safety could go beyond cutting off power to avoid any further legal actions against SDG&E.  If it is extremely hot, the elderly customers could be at risk from heat stroke and/or dehydration.  Therefore, potential critical illnesses and loss of life from heat-related illnesses must be considered if the goal of SDG&E is in fact, to protect the safety of its customers. Another safety variable to consider is hospital and home patients on life support machines.  If the power goes off and there is loss of life because of it, it is unimaginable what repercussions would occur.   

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