If it were a natural disaster, that would be one thing. But it isn't. At Sumiden Wire Products the power will stay on, because the company is on the same circuit as a hospital, one of the facilities exempt from blackouts in California. But while the power is reliable, the company can't afford it. One of the largest power users in San Joaquin County, the company has turned its shifts upside down to avoid costly peak power times.
Workers now run the plant on weekends, at night, and in the morning.
The plant shuts down at midday. CEO Bob Olson's contract won't be renewed come July. After 22 years at the plant, he's philosophical about the need to cut costs. Energy costs are the nail in a coffin of overseas competition. Dairy owners Mario and Ann Silva had just finished milking 750 cows when the power went out last month.