Superrich California enclave furious over energy giant’s planned power outage during scorching heatwave

Homeowners in one of Southern California’s wealthiest enclaves are blasting Southern California Edison over a planned power outage as a dangerous heat wave pushes temperatures into the triple digits.

More than 500 customers in Calabasas are scheduled to lose electricity overnight on Friday and Saturday while crews carry out infrastructure upgrades designed to reduce wildfire risks.

“On a heat wave. It’s horrible, it’s unbearable,” resident Jonathan Bobbitt told CBS Los Angeles. Bobbitt said the loss of electricity during the hot spell would make conditions inside his home difficult.

“Our house gets so hot. It’s harder to sleep when … it’s 80, 90 degrees in your house,” he added.

The planned shutdowns come as Southern California swelters under an intense heat wave, with forecasters warning that some inland communities could see temperatures soar above 100 degrees.

Even after sunset, overnight temperatures were expected to remain unusually warm, raising concerns that homes without air conditioning could stay uncomfortably hot.

In Calabasas, temperatures are forecast to reach the mid-90s through the weekend, with some nearby areas potentially climbing as high as 104 degrees, while overnight lows remain in the upper 60s.

Southern California Edison said customers were notified about the planned outages roughly two weeks in advance.

According to the utility, the work cannot be delayed because crews are scheduled to upgrade equipment intended to reduce wildlife-related hazards and lower the risk of future power interruptions.

The utility initially planned to begin the outages at 7 p.m. each night but later pushed the start time back to 9 p.m. after reviewing the schedule.

Calabasas Mayor James Bozajian said the adjustment appeared to come after significant public backlash.

“I haven’t really seen that before, where they change hours,” Bozajian told CBS. “They must have gotten quite a bit of pushback.”

The mayor said City Hall received numerous complaints from residents worried about losing power during extreme heat, particularly those who may struggle to leave their homes.

“Elderly and some people, maybe with disabilities, they have limited ability to get out of the house or to go somewhere else, or to take alternatives,” Bozajian told the broadcasting station.

Although many residents acknowledged the importance of upgrading the electrical system for public safety, they questioned why the work was scheduled during one of the hottest stretches of the summer.

“I just think that there could be better planning for this,” one resident said. “It’s called reschedule the entire thing, not just reschedule the hours.”

Bozajian said the city is developing plans to assist vulnerable residents who may need a place to cool off while the outages are underway.

Calabasas is widely regarded as one of California’s most affluent enclaves.

The Los Angeles County city is home to numerous celebrities, professional athletes and entertainment executives, with luxury gated communities such as The Oaks and Hidden Hills nearby.

Median home values routinely exceed $1.5 million, while many estates sell for several million dollars, cementing the area’s reputation as one of Southern California’s wealthiest communities.

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