Davis to require warnings before blackouts

By the OGJ Online Staff

HOUSTON, May 24--California Gov. Gray Davis said he will issue an executive order to require advanced notice of blackouts so the public can get out of harms way before electricity is cut off.

"Here in California, blackouts have become the energy-era equivalent of an earthquake," Davis said. "But if blackouts are going to occur, there's no reason for us to be kept in the dark. We deserve some advance warning."

Davis said the California Independent System Operator will have to issue warnings beginning 24 hours in advance modeled on emergency weather warnings.

--"Rolling Blackout Alert"�at 48 hours the ISO will give Californians an alert if blackouts are likely to occur. There will be hourly updates for the public over the internet.

--"Location Notification"�at 24 hours utilities will be required to identify the neighborhoods scheduled for blackouts.

--"Blackout Warning"�at 1 hour prior to an actual blackout utilities will give a blackout warning with the exact location and time of the impending blackout.

Currently, Californians receive almost no warning before the electricity is blacked out and threatens public safety, Davis said. Warnings allow law enforcement to send personnel to intersections and warn people to avoid elevators.

The ISO has long maintained that it didn't give warnings in advance because often a blackout can be avoided at the last minute by obtaining additional power supplies.

With so much advance warning, there might be more blackouts than the system actually needs, said a source close to the ISO.