Palm Desert City Council tables SCE power outage resolution until November

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) — The Palm Desert City Council unanimously voted Thursday to table a proposed resolution asking Southern California Edison to minimize planned power outages during the hottest months of the year.

The proposal would have asked SCE to schedule planned outages outside June, July, August and early September whenever possible, particularly during periods of triple-digit heat.

The push follows concerns over a maintenance outage originally scheduled for July 28 that would have affected 878 customers.

Residents raised concerns about losing power for several hours during extreme heat. SCE later rescheduled the outage for Aug. 9.

City staff also said outreach surrounding that outage found some nearby businesses were unaware their electrical service would be affected. Other businesses reported renting portable generators at an additional cost.

During Thursday's meeting, residents also raised concerns about the potential impact planned outages can have on businesses, including during the busy season when temperatures are cooler.

SCE representatives continued to emphasize that customers should stay informed about planned outages through the utility's online resources. The company also said it is following existing guidance while prioritizing grid reliability and necessary maintenance.

City officials said the resolution is not intended to prevent SCE from performing necessary maintenance. Instead, it would encourage the utility to better coordinate with the city and affected customers and provide enough notice for residents and businesses to prepare.

The resolution will now return to the council in November, giving city leaders and SCE more time to discuss the proposal and address questions about how planned outages are scheduled and communicated.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.