Rolling Blackouts Possible This Week After Fire Hits Power Plant

The Pasadena Water and Power Department on Wednesday advised residents that the city could initiate local rolling blackouts during this week’s heat wave with no advance warning after a fire struck Glenarm Power Plant Tuesday that reduced the city’s ability to generate electricity.

PWP General Manager Phyllis Currie cautioned that any additional local generation or transmission equipment failures could force them to ration electricity and at the same time advises all customers to run air conditioners at no less than 78 degrees, close curtains and blinds to keep out direct heat from the Sun and unplug all unnecessary electronics and appliances.

“Since the generation output from our local power plant is limited at this time, PWP will have to rely more heavily on electricity from external supplies that come through our cross-town transmission lines,” said.  “If there is too much demand for electricity during this heat wave, our city’s electric system could overload.”

Pasadena city spokesman William Boyer said that although the local government is not anticipating any unforetold incident to happen that could force a rolling blackout, they wanted to public to be aware of the situation and be ready for any eventuality.

PWP is urging all Pasadena residents and businesses to be extra vigilant in their energy conservation during this week’s hot weather, especially between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

A fire broke out at about 10:18 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 16, inside a turbine containment unit at  Glenarm Power Plant.  The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but initial indications are that a turbine blade in the “GT-2” power turbine broke loose, causing equipment damage and the fire.  No injuries were reported and no interruption of service occurred to customers of the PWP.

With GT-2 now out of service and GT-1 and GT-3 both offline for repairs, Pasadena’s local power plant is currently operating with just one power generating unit, GT-4, a natural gas-fired system than can produce at peak about 45 megawatts of power.

The power plant does have a fifth unit, B-3, which uses steam technology and cannot be brought online in time to help augment power needs due to the heat wave.

The GT-2 power generating unit, in operation since 1975, uses a Pratt & Whitney jet engine-powered turbine to turn a generator, producing up to 22 megawatts of electricity.  For safety and noise mitigation, the entire GT-2 system is housed within a metal containment unit.  The fire occurred inside the metal containment unit.  After its twin generating unit—GT-1—was damaged on May 4, 2010, a safety assessment of GT-2 was performed by a power turbine consulting firm.  GT-1 is currently under repair, at a cost of approximately $15 million that is being covered by insurance.

Installation of a new, state-of-the-art generating unit, GT-5, is included in the Pasadena Power Plant Repowering project.  The new unit would replace the B-3 unit, which dates from the 1960s.  PWP anticipates publishing the Draft Environmental Impact Report on that project in late November.

PWP customers with any power emergencies should call (626) 744-4673.  For water-related emergencies, call (626) 744-4138.  For more information about PWP, go online to www.cityofpasadena.net/waterandpower.  For more information about Pasadena, go to www.cityofpasadena.net.

Lack of rain this year also means area vegetation and brush is extremely dry and Pasadena Fire Officials urge extra care when using landscaping equipment.  Remember to discard cigarettes properly and be aware that sparks from landscaping equipment or vehicles can ignite brush fires.  Check the City’s website, www.cityofpasadena.net for updates on changing conditions.

Pasadena Officials also offer the following reminders and precautions:

•    Weather updates can be found online at www.weather.gov/losangeles.
•    If possible, stay indoors in an air conditioned environment, especially the young and the elderly.  If your home or apartment is not air conditioned, consider going to an enclosed shopping mall, a public library or a designated cooling center.
•    Remember to check on your neighbors, family and friends—especially the elderly—to make sure they are OK.  Take them extra water or a cool beverage.
•    Never leave anyone unattended in closed vehicles, including pets!
•     Make sure your pets also have easy access to water and a cool place to stay.
•     Keep air conditioners set to about 78 degrees.
•     Close blinds and drapes to block out direct heat. Use energy efficient fans as alternative.
•    Use major appliances in early morning or after 7 p.m., when energy demand is lower.
•    Turn off lights, air conditioners, computers, TVs and other electronics when not in use.
•    Set refrigerator to 37 degrees, clean coils regularly & unplug unused secondary fridges.

If your work or recreation plans mean you must be outdoors, please consider the following:

•    Air quality can easily degrade during hot weather.  If you have heart disease, asthma or other lung disease, minimize outdoor activity to reduce heat-related illness.
•    Symptoms of dehydration and heat cramps include dizziness, fatigue, faintness, headaches, muscle cramps and increased thirst.
•    Wear light and light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
•    Drink water often.  Do not wait until you are thirsty.
•    Avoid, reduce unnecessary exertion or vigorous exercise, whether outside or in a non-air conditioned building, especially during peak heat hours from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
•    Seek shady spots if possible and stay out of the sun if you don’t need to be in it.
•    Wear a hat, preferably with a wide brim and use plenty of sunscreen.

COOLING CENTERS

In Pasadena, the Pasadena Senior Center, 85 E. Holly St., is the only pre-designated Cooling Center.  The Senior Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday; 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday and from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Sunday.  Go to www.publichealth.lacounty.gov to find other designated cooling centers in Los Angele County.

PASADENA PUBLIC LIBRARY

While not official Cooling Centers, the Pasadena Public Library and other local public libraries offer an enjoyable, air conditioned respite from the heat.  The Pasadena Public Library offers these sites and hours of operation:

Central Library, 285 E. Walnut Street, (626) 744-4066.  Open 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday to Thursday; 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday.

The following branches are open 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday toThursday and Saturday:

•    Allendale Branch, 1130 S. Marengo Ave., (626) 744-7260.
•    Hill Avenue Branch, 55 S. Hill Ave., (626) 744-7264.
•    Lamanda Park Branch, 140 S. Altadena Dr., (626) 744-7266.
•    Linda Vista Branch, 1281 Bryant St., (626) 744-7278.
•    San Rafael Branch, 1240 Nithsdale Road, (626) 744-7270.
•    Santa Catalina Branch, 999 E. Washington Blvd., (626) 744-7272

Other branch locations and hours are:

•    La Pintoresca Branch, 1355 N. Raymond Ave., (626) 744-7268.  Open 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.     Monday to Thursday, and 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday.
•    Villa Parke Branch, 363 East Villa St., (626) 744-6510.  Open 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  Monday to Friday.

Pasadena’s recreation centers also provide air conditioned environments.  Go online to http://www.cityofpasadena.net/HumanServices and click on link for Community and Recreation Centers for details or call (626) 744-4386, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday.

ICE SKATING!

A trip to the Pasadena Ice Skating Center, 300 E. Green St., is also a good way to beat the heat.  Call (626) 578-0800 or online at www.skatepasadena.com for more info.  For more information about the City of Pasadena, go online to www.cityofpasadena.net.