Wednesday, April 1, 2020

A Power-ful Problem


When I first heard there was going to be an open, public meeting of a committee of the Fairfield City Council on Thursday night, I really couldn’t believe it. I mean, businesses in the community have been effectively shut down…the police are saying you can’t use the parks…the last city council meeting was on the phone.

But then it was revealed that it was the Electric committee. A meeting was called by Wayne White Co-op to discuss a backup plan for our horribly maintained power grid which has been neglected for years. The fact that the meeting was requested by the co-op speaks volumes.
Remember last year when the power went down on one of the hottest days of the year? The power system in this city continues to be a tinder box. A report by an independent electrical engineer confirms that fact.

If we got instant hot weather, the city might have to reach out for help from Wayne-White. If I was leading the Co-op, I’d think twice about becoming the scapegoat when city residents can’t leave their houses at the same time the city can’t air condition them.

Last fall I took fire after commenting on the “glowing fence” incident. I said it was time for the city to consider getting out of the power business….The aforementioned study says there are millions in upgrades needed…and needed fast.

The meeting is happening because it can’t wait.

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