On December 30, Z107.7 reported on a planned power outage affecting approximately 2,400 households in Landers and Yucca Mesa. For many of those affected, our report was the only information they received on the planned outage. Reporter Mike Lipsitz tells us how those caught by surprise when the lights went out can get a $30 credit on their electric bill…
In Landers, the coldest recorded temperature this Winter was 28° F recorded December 30. For hundreds of households there and in Yucca Mesa that lost power about 6:30 a.m. it was an especially cold morning. Both communities were kept in the dark until sometime after 4 p.m. The irony is that Southern California Edison flipped off the switch as part of a planned system upgrade, but neglected to notify most of those affected. Even the busy Landers Post Office and Bighorn Desert View Water Agency were kept in the dark. The occurrence is rare according to David Song of SCE’s Media Relations Department. He said that in his eight years with the utility he’d not seen a planned outage where customers weren’t notified in advance. The utility guarantees ratepayers three-day advance notice of such an outage and promises a $30 credit if they fail to provide it. If you weren’t properly notified, follow links in this story for a copy of SCE’s guarantee and an online claim form.
Anyone seeking restitution from SCE may also leave a message for their Claims Department at 800-251-3311 and reference Outage #737608.
http://tinyurl.com/SCE-power-outage
http://tinyurl.com/SCE-claim-form
