by Bill Kisliuk
Pasadena Sun
Unsatisfied with Southern California Edison’s response to the fall windstorm, Assemblyman Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge) has introduced a measure requiring utilities to meet regularly with local and county officials and to update emergency management plans.
The bill, AB 1650, requires utilities to meet with the local agencies in the areas they serve every two years. The measure also requires the California Public Utilities Commission to set preparedness standards for utilities.
“We saw in this last disaster that communications were often incomplete or confusing and the public really had no idea what was going on,” Potantino said in a statement. “We all know the ‘Big One’ is coming- it’s just a matter of when – and we need to be prepared.”
