PG&E. Are powerlines normally this "sparky"?

[underpants]

I feel like a part of the equation is missing.


I don't know that the powerlines I've seen are in any way a threat to start a fire.
Has PG&E's maintenance been THAT slack?
Have regulations been cut that much...in California?
Is PG&E THAT powerful? - God knows Dominion Power owns part of the General Assembly here.

[leftieNanner]

1. Apparently they have been terrible

About maintenance issues. Paid all that money to the bosses.

[SCantiGOP]

2. The only fire this time

That was started by a power line was after 70-plus mph winds.
The difference in California is that the winds, dry conditions and low humidity mean any line coming down starts a fire. In most places lines come down during storms so everything is wet.

[lunasun]

4. Thanks helps people like me understand

[Nictuku]

5. Definitely!

They get hundreds of millions of dollars from the citizens every month.

[Liberty Belle]

7. Not just lines coming down. Things blowing onto lines - tree limbs, tumbleweeds, balloons, etc.

All have started fires. One of the LA fires was caused by a limb falling on a line.

That said, PG&E has been terrible reportedly about maintaining lines, which should include trimming trees overhanging lines.

Also the only reason their lines didn't start more fires in these high winds is because they shut of power to millions of people which should not be necessary if lines were properly maintained.

[roamer65]

3. A lot of utilities have been shirking maintenance.

DTE in Michigan is horrible on it.

In CA, it just can’t be neglected...especially with a lengthened fire season.

[Turbineguy]

6. Power companies require emormous assets

to do their work. And they have a steady income from the fact that all of us are customers.

Now all you have to do is to loot that fat cashflow and not waste it on silly maintenance jobs.

[dalton99a]

8. PG&E pumped out $4.5 billion in dividends and let the tree budget wither

PG&E shareholders made millions while everyone suffered