The commission would review each utility's calendar to see that the schedule provides the utility's customers equitable chances of blackout. The Briggs bill would go into effect immediately as an emergency measure and would expire Nov. 1, 2002. Earlier this spring when the California PUC approved rate hikes, California crop producers and dairymen made it clear that while they would struggle to absorb the higher costs, they most feared blackouts. California PUC itself noted in a recent rate ruling that agricultural users depend on usage during peak use times and can't shift all that demand to other times. California PUC, Assemblyman Briggs and Secretary of State Bill Jones have all shown they realize agriculture can't stand surprise blackouts.
Some businesses can handle power outages better than others.
Any can handle them better if they know the outages are coming. California ought to adopt a calendared blackout plan. In neighboring states, power users in agriculture and other industries ought to take a close look at how they could plan better to minimize the pain if and when blackouts occur.