Proposed Resolution Calls For Less SCE Planned Outages In Palm Desert

PALM DESERT, CA — The Palm Desert City Council will consider adopting a proposed resolution calling for Southern California Edison to conduct less planned outages during the summer months, slated for next week at City Hall.

The resolution, titled "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California, Requesting Southern California Edison (SCE) to Minimize Planned Outages During High Temperatures Summer Months," focuses on asking the electric utility company to perform their planned outages outside of June, July, August and early September, if feasible, to provide residents relief amid triple-digit heat.

The item comes after a maintenance outage initially scheduled for July 28, in which residents voiced their concerns about temporarily living without power for several hours during high-heat temperatures. The outage would have affected 878 customers, but SCE opted to reschedule the outage to Aug. 9.

City staff learned during an outreach that some nearby businesses were unaware their electrical services were affected by the scheduled outages, and other businesses reported renting portable generators adding costs to their operations, according to a city staff report.

City official said the city understands the routine planned maintenance is necessary to maintain the safety and reliability of the electrical grid. "The intent of the proposed resolution is not to interfere with SCE's responsibility to maintain the electrical system," the staff report reads.

Additionally, the resolution also requests that SCE officials coordinate and communicate with the city and affected customers, so nearby residents and businesses can adequately prepare.