FortisBC’s wildfire prevention plan to cut power in B.C. Interior during extreme heat suspended [Video]

The B.C. Utilities Commission has temporarily quashed a FortisBC plan to cut power to some customers in the southern Interior during extreme heat and wind events after a complaint from the Town of Princeton.

The commission has suspended FortisBC’s new “public safety power shutoff” policy, which Fortis described as a precautionary measure in which it would shut off the power in high-risk fire regions during extreme weather conditions.

Fortis said the outages would prevent trees or other vegetation from catching fire when they come into contact with power lines.

The BCUC decision comes as a result of complaints from the Town of Princeton that the outages would negatively affect the community.

LISTEN | Spencer Coyne, mayor of Princeton, expresses concerns about the public safety power shutoff plan

Princeton Mayor Spencer Coyne talks to Stephen Quinn about FortisBC’s plan for proactive power outages to reduce potential wildfire risks.

Princeton Mayor Spencer Coyne told The Early Edition earlier this week that …