Comments on: Power Outages http://nslog.com/2006/05/05/power_outages The Weblog of Erik J. Barzeski Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:18:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Without Power | NSLog(); http://nslog.com/2006/05/05/power_outages#comment-41390 Without Power | NSLog(); Wed, 02 May 2007 16:30:54 +0000 http://nslog.com/2006/05/05/power_outages/#comment-41390 [...] power outages that I wrote about before have really been far fewer and shorter this year, thankfully, though we seem to get a few more dips [...] [...] power outages that I wrote about before have really been far fewer and shorter this year, thankfully, though we seem to get a few more dips [...]

]]> By: Jay http://nslog.com/2006/05/05/power_outages#comment-18721 Jay Sat, 06 May 2006 19:36:25 +0000 http://nslog.com/2006/05/05/power_outages/#comment-18721 Try calling your state public utility commission. Despite being career bureaucrats, they are generally very helpful when a citizen calls with a legitimate complaint, and they do have the power to smack down your electric company. Good luck. Try calling your state public utility commission. Despite being career bureaucrats, they are generally very helpful when a citizen calls with a legitimate complaint, and they do have the power to smack down your electric company. Good luck.

]]> By: Erik J. Barzeski http://nslog.com/2006/05/05/power_outages#comment-18720 Erik J. Barzeski Sat, 06 May 2006 11:52:12 +0000 http://nslog.com/2006/05/05/power_outages/#comment-18720 David, you're misunderstanding something: these power outages don't occur when something tragic happens. They just happen - no cars hitting poles, no lines being cut. It's as if they didn't budget enough power for this neighborhood and so, every week or two (and typically in the late spring through early fall), the power goes out for hours at a time. David, you're misunderstanding something: these power outages don't occur when something tragic happens. They just happen - no cars hitting poles, no lines being cut. It's as if they didn't budget enough power for this neighborhood and so, every week or two (and typically in the late spring through early fall), the power goes out for hours at a time.

]]> By: David S http://nslog.com/2006/05/05/power_outages#comment-18719 David S Sat, 06 May 2006 03:32:14 +0000 http://nslog.com/2006/05/05/power_outages/#comment-18719 You might be able to pick who generates your power through <a href="http://www.puc.state.pa.us/utilitychoice/whatis.aspx?ut=ec">Electric Choice</a>, but it probably won't make a difference in your quality of service. Here in VA, we have a <a href="http://www.dom.com/news/elec2000/pr1003.jsp">similar program</a>. The choice is more if you want to support "green" energy or different kinds of power plants, not how reliable they are getting you that power. Since they are public utilities, all the companies around most likely share the same power lines to your house, so when someone wrecks into a pole or the genius doing construction cuts up a line, everyone's power on that grid goes out. When things like that happen, they are generally more worried about getting telecommunications back up and running than they are about power. If you're worried about power outages, I suggest you pick up a generator, especially with the amount of snow and ice up in Erie. You might be able to pick who generates your power through Electric Choice, but it probably won't make a difference in your quality of service. Here in VA, we have a similar program. The choice is more if you want to support "green" energy or different kinds of power plants, not how reliable they are getting you that power.

Since they are public utilities, all the companies around most likely share the same power lines to your house, so when someone wrecks into a pole or the genius doing construction cuts up a line, everyone's power on that grid goes out. When things like that happen, they are generally more worried about getting telecommunications back up and running than they are about power. If you're worried about power outages, I suggest you pick up a generator, especially with the amount of snow and ice up in Erie.

]]> By: Jason http://nslog.com/2006/05/05/power_outages#comment-18718 Jason Fri, 05 May 2006 21:06:19 +0000 http://nslog.com/2006/05/05/power_outages/#comment-18718 We don't have a choice either, but the only problems we've had is during storms. Are there actually cities where you have a choice of power provider? I've never heard of that before. We don't have a choice either, but the only problems we've had is during storms.

Are there actually cities where you have a choice of power provider? I've never heard of that before.

]]> By: Erik J. Barzeski http://nslog.com/2006/05/05/power_outages#comment-18717 Erik J. Barzeski Fri, 05 May 2006 19:23:48 +0000 http://nslog.com/2006/05/05/power_outages/#comment-18717 I've done that, too. You're missing the point: we had perfectly good weather today. Not even many clouds. There was no reason to have no power for six+ hours. I've done that, too. You're missing the point: we had perfectly good weather today. Not even many clouds. There was no reason to have no power for six+ hours.

]]> By: mike3k http://nslog.com/2006/05/05/power_outages#comment-18716 mike3k Fri, 05 May 2006 19:01:10 +0000 http://nslog.com/2006/05/05/power_outages/#comment-18716 Try going 12 days without power, like we did after Hurricane Wilma last year. Try going 12 days without power, like we did after Hurricane Wilma last year.

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