Airport Gets Generators, Unaware of Exemption

Officials at San Francisco International Airport spent $5 million on a set of backup generators only to discover the sprawling complex is exempt from rolling blackouts. But airport officials say they will fire up the generators when power emergencies hit.

The airport leased the 10 generators, which run on jet fuel, to keep escalators and baggage conveyors running uninterrupted this summer. Then officials learned the facility would be exempted from blackouts because the state considers its facilities essential services.