Edison Unveils Blackout Warning Plan

Southern California Edison on Tuesday unveiled a system that will forecast coming blackouts over the Internet and by telephone.

Ordered by the state to create a warning system for customers as California enters a summer that will almost certainly include rotating blackouts, Edison is also preparing to use automatic phone calls, faxes and wireless communications to alert subscribers to outages.

With these steps, Edison is complying with an order by the state Public Utilities Commission, which in April told the company to notify customers of coming outages. Privately held Pacific Gas and Electric Co. established a similar program months ago.

Edison previously opposed a notification system, arguing that such a system could incite looters and burglars. But police agencies, including the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, saw more danger in not warning customers, said Richard Rosenblum, an Edison senior vice president.

“On balance, [we concluded] it was preferable for public safety to make that information available,” Rosenblum said.

Consumer advocates said Edison’s notification system is welcome, if tardy.

“It’s fair to say that Edison has been a little behind where PG&E; has been in trying to implement this,” said Mike Florio, an attorney with the Utility Reform Network and a member of the California Independent System Operator board, which runs the state power grid.

Edison’s Web site, https://www.sce.com, now features a pop-up screen that warns of any blackouts coming in the next hour. It also links to a page, which can be reached at https://www.outagewatch.com, that forecasts which “outage groups” will be cut off next in the event of rotating blackouts. Detailed maps outline which areas are included in each group.

The new Web features are expected to handle about 4 million simultaneous users. Beginning this month, Edison customers also can learn their block number by looking at their bills, said Edison spokesman Gil Alexander.

Outage information also will be made available on an automated phone line, (800) 611-1911.

Edison officials are negotiating with another company to provide additional warnings by e-mail, fax, phone and wireless communications. SDG&E;, which like Edison was required to inform customers of outage forecasts, has moved more quickly, providing large industrial customers with blackout notification via pager since June 4.

Up-to-the-minute outage reports also will be provided in several languages to radio and TV stations, Edison officials said.

Edison officials emphasized that the new alert system can never be 100% accurate, and that sudden blackouts, although rare, are always a possibility.

“We have planned as aggressively as we think is warranted, understanding that you can’t predict how your customers will respond,” Alexander said.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Outage Notification

Southern California Edison customers will find their “outage group” designation marked on bills (circled below) beginning this month. Groups next in line for likely blackouts are listed at Edison’s Web site (circled at right), www.sce.com, or on an automated hotline, (800) 611-1911.