Large Hospitals Exempted from Blackouts
The Public Utilities Commission ruled Friday that Pacific Gas & Electric Co. and Southern California Edison Co. must exempt hospitals with more than 100 beds from rolling blackouts, even if they have backup power generators, the AP/San Diego Union-Tribune reports. The order was issued in response to an emergency motion filed on behalf of more than 500 hospitals statewide after last week's rolling blackouts cut power to at least 12 hospitals that "were known to have backup generators." Since 1982, PUC rules have designated large hospitals as "essential service providers" that cannot lose power unless they have backup generators. The order does not affect hospitals with fewer than 100 beds or those not in the PG&E and Southern California Edison service areas (AP/San Diego Union-Tribune, 3/24).
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