Here we go again...
Jan. 12th, 2009 03:26 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
missroseroseJuneau was struck by an areawide power outage this afternoon when the line to Snettisham tripped off when an avalanche knocked down a tower that was among those knocked off last April 16th.
The power went out at about 1:51 p.m. and was restored to most areas in about an hour.
Scott Willis of Alaska Electric, Light and Power says power was brought back through diesel generation.
They sent a line crew aboard a chartered a helicopter to inspect the line in attempts to isolate the problem. That's when they found Tower 35 down.
He didn't know at this report how serious the damage is, but says the town will be on diesel generation "for days or more."
Willis says avalanche danger is high.
The utility has contracted with Alaska Avalanche Specialists which has been monitoring conditions along the line all winter. They've also been conducting control work in the avalanche zone to bring down small slides so large ones don't develop.
Frankly, at this point I feel bad for AEL&P. The grumbling has already begun; if this turns out to be anything like the disaster that drove our utility bills up 500% last spring, there's going to be a lynch mob headed their way.
