PUC: SDG&E Power-Line Violation Led to Witch Creek Fire

9/2/2008 - San Diego Union Tribune
By Jeff McDonald - Staff Writer

San Diego Gas & Electric Co. violated at least one regulation in its power-line maintenance practices, leading to the start of the deadly Witch Creek fire last October, the California Public Utilities Commission concluded in a report released Tuesday evening.
Read the PUC's report (PDF)

The utility also failed to fully cooperate with regulators investigating the wildfires, slowing their examination of what happened and how future fires might be prevented, state officials said.

In the 32-page report issued by the Consumer Protection & Safety Division of the utilities commission, regulators also blamed a Cox Communications wire for contacting an SDG&E-owned power line and igniting the Guejito fire.

The Guejito fire killed two people before merging with the Witch Creek fire on the second day of a massive firestorm that began burning across San Diego County on Oct. 21.

Investigators recommended several rules be changed to try to protect the public from damages caused by future power-line-related fires.

They also suggested that the Public Utilities Commission adopt an order requiring SDG&E "to cooperate fully with CPSD and provide immediate access to witnesses, sites, or any other evidence requested" by the state.

In a statement released Tuesday night, SDG&E strongly disagreed with the findings.

"This report ... is full of speculation and faulty conclusions, with sparse evidence – if any – to support its claims," the statement reads.

The utility also denied blocking access to employees, saying initial interview requests came in November, when staffers were working around the clock to maintain service.

"Later, the utility made available all requested personnel for interviews and provided all the documents as requested," the statement says.

In July, the California Department of Fire and Forestry Protection issued a report blaming three of the October wildfires on power lines operated by SDG&E and the Cox Communications wire.

A spokeswoman for Cox Communications said she would review the report and respond later Tuesday.

The electric utility already is fighting lawsuits from more than 300 fire victims and the city of San Diego.

City Attorney Michael Aguirre said he was planning to add Cox Communications to the city's suit against SDG&E even before the PUC's Consumer Protection & Safety Division issued its report.

The investigation "solidifies and confirms the basic theories that all of the plaintiffs have been pursuing," Aguirre said. "Now we have a fairly unanimous government process that has been followed and reached the same result."

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