Railworks America

Getting ready for another round of planned power outages in parts of Northern and Central California from PG&E because of wildfire danger. Hopefully, it won't last longer than 48 hours. Where I am at no utilities except water will be working. No trains for me to run. I can go through a lot of past issues of Trains Magazines by lantern light.

Unbelievable in the USA in the 21st century

Shutoff starts at 2:00 PM local time today, should be reconnecting at noon on Wednesday.

I don't blame PG&E for shutting off the power. They got sued for the last wild fires their power lines caused during a wind storm. From what I've read the State prevents them from cutting the underlying brush from below the transmission lines. I don't how true it is. I still can't blame them for taking the preventative measure.

JohnS wrote:I don't blame PG&E for shutting off the power. They got sued for the last wild fires their power lines caused during a wind storm. From what I've read the State prevents them from cutting the underlying brush from below the transmission lines. I don't how true it is. I still can't blame them for taking the preventative measure.

You are correct. California does not allow the clearing of brush in rural areas, because it “hurts” the ecosystem. But in reality, just creates fuels. And causes hotter, more dangerous fires. But gotta save the field mice I guess.

Yea that's what read too. You reap what you sow.

California has one of, if not the most strict environmental law sets in the country so I don't understand why you all are burning to a crisp over there.

I mean, in New York, they post brush fire precautions when it gets 80 degrees here and there's still dew on the ground from the night. The standards must be strange out there or the population is being lazy with their cigarette butts and campfires.

I'm out here visiting family this week in the Bay Area. So far, we haven't been affected by the outages. But I don't blame PG&E for shutting down the juice. They are on the hook for a lot of dough as a result of that last large fire. If I were PG&E, I would do the same thing. From watching the news out here though, the folks seem mildly inconvenienced, but generally seem to support the outages. Really?? If this happened in Iowa, the population would be mad as heck... demanding answers, change and a few scalps.

What is comical is that the very liberal governor is launching an investigation into why California gas prices are so high. Oh I don't know... maybe it's excessive taxes the state put on gasoline? Or the excessive cost of doing business in this state? I'm just saying.

cnwfan wrote:I'm out here visiting family this week in the Bay Area. So far, we haven't been affected by the outages. But I don't blame PG&E for shutting down the juice. They are on the hook for a lot of dough as a result of that last large fire. If I were PG&E, I would do the same thing. From watching the news out here though, the folks seem mildly inconvenienced, but generally seem to support the outages. Really?? If this happened in Iowa, the population would be mad as heck... demanding answers, change and a few scalps.

What is comical is that the very liberal governor is launching an investigation into why California gas prices are so high. Oh I don't know... maybe it's excessive taxes the state put on gasoline? Or the excessive cost of doing business in this state? I'm just saying.

Who are they paying to do this investigation and where is the money coming from? seems like they are greasing a buddies palms to me. There's no question why gas is high in any state. THE TAX!! lol you answered the question for them. Ask to get paid for your answer lol

Power is back on. That is good news. Bad news it looks like Saturday and Sunday will be dark again. Ah, livin' the life.

JohnS wrote:

cnwfan wrote:I'm out here visiting family this week in the Bay Area. So far, we haven't been affected by the outages. But I don't blame PG&E for shutting down the juice. They are on the hook for a lot of dough as a result of that last large fire. If I were PG&E, I would do the same thing. From watching the news out here though, the folks seem mildly inconvenienced, but generally seem to support the outages. Really?? If this happened in Iowa, the population would be mad as heck... demanding answers, change and a few scalps.

What is comical is that the very liberal governor is launching an investigation into why California gas prices are so high. Oh I don't know... maybe it's excessive taxes the state put on gasoline? Or the excessive cost of doing business in this state? I'm just saying.

Who are they paying to do this investigation and where is the money coming from? seems like they are greasing a buddies palms to me. There's no question why gas is high in any state. THE TAX!! lol you answered the question for them. Ask to get paid for your answer lol

Along with the fact that due to Kalifornia environmental laws the refineries must make a special blend of fuel used no where else in the Country. There appears to be no grown ups in charge of any offices of authority.

The current tax on gasoline is about 61 cents/gal. Plus sales tax is on top of that. This left coast government has no clue!

Well California will continue to burn and people will continue to be pushed out because of rising costs until all of the people who vote these idiots into office actually wake up and realize the mess they have created.

Fireexplorer249 wrote:Well California will continue to burn and people will continue to be pushed out because of rising costs until all of the people who vote these idiots into office actually wake up and realize the mess they have created.

If these guys go any further left they will be in SF bay. It has become a nanny state. Doing what these elitists think is best for us all. Glad I am leaving next Spring.