As FortisBC's newest power shutoff safety measures are still on hold, the natural gas and electricity company still has other outages planned to help keep its system safe and effective.
On Thursday, June 12 starting at 9 a.m., FortisBC will turn off the power to about 215 customers near Missezula Lake north of Princeton. The outage will last for up to four hours and is needed to replace and upgrade power poles in the community.
The outage is also part of the routine work FortisBC does to maintain the electricity system.
"We recognize the inconvenience to our customers and appreciate their patience and understanding as we complete the work as quickly and safely as possible," FortisBC senior advisor Gary Toft said. "This is a good reminder to always be prepared for power outages and stay safe in the event you see a downed power pole."
Toft added that outages can happen at any time of the year for a variety of reasons, such as winter storms, thunderstorms, trees falling on power lines, motor vehicle accidents, unplanned maintenance and wildfires."
"It's important to remain prepared and know what to do before, during and after an outage to stay safe and protect your equipment," he said. "Have an emergency kit with items like flashlights, a battery-operated radio and fresh water on hand in an area that is easily accessible."
FortisBC is currently awaiting a decision from the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) regarding its Public Safety Power Shutoff Policy which would proactively shut off power in selected areas in advance of extreme weather. The policy was designed to protect communities and electricity systems against wildfires, but after backlash and concern from communities, the policy has been temporarily suspended, pending a review from the BCUC.
For updates on the upcoming outage and future outages, visit outages.fortisbc.com.
