PG&E work cuts power to 1,100 along Sonoma Coast

 

By MARY CALLAHAN

THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

Published: Monday, August 20, 2012 at 10:58 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, August 20, 2012 at 10:58 a.m.

 

Pacific Gas and Electric Company hopes to avoid further unplanned service disruptions as it continues upgrades along the Sonoma Coast this week in the wake of a Sunday morning power outage that occurred when a back-up generator failed, a company spokeswoman said.

 

About 1,100 customers lost power Sunday morning, spokeswoman Brittany McKannay said.

 

“We’re hopeful that we’ve fixed the issue and that customers won’t have additional outages throughout the week,” she said Monday.

 

PG&E crews will be working between Bodega Bay and Jenner throughout the week on an overhaul that includes replacing or upgrading more than 100 power poles and improvement at the Bodega Bay substation throughout the week aimed at increasing the reliability and safety of its equipment, the company said.

 

The failed generator was one of several set up to avoid interrupting power transmission while the work was under way, McKannay said.

 

But one of the generators failed about 6:25 a.m. Sunday, cutting power to about 1,100 households and businesses until 11:45 a.m., McKannay said.

 

The remainder had power restored by 1 p.m., she said.

 

The continuing work will include some additional, planned interruptions in power, but affected customers have been informed about those, PG&E said.

 

Residents and visitors traveling on the coast this week could also may encounter PG&E crews and equipment along Highway 1. There also will be helicopters in use, delivering utility poles and other equipment to work sites, McKannay said.

 

Traffic will be affected in some areas, but no detours will be necessary, she said.