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uk.sci.weather (UK Weather) (uk.sci.weather) For the discussion of daily weather events, chiefly affecting the UK and adjacent parts of Europe, both past and predicted. The discussion is open to all, but contributions on a practical scientific level are encouraged. |
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We could all be rich if we get a power-cut this winter......
16:55 18Nov2005 RTRS-Florida utility sued for hurricane blackouts By Jim Loney MIAMI, Nov 18 (Reuters) - A Florida businessman has sued Florida Power & Light over Hurricane Wilma's massive blackouts, accusing the state's largest power company of gross negligence in failing to maintain power poles and other equipment. Wilma, which hit Florida on Oct. 24, knocked out electricity to about 3.2 million FPL customers, leaving nearly 6.5 million people without lights, refrigeration or air conditioning, some for weeks. The lawsuit, filed on Thursday in Broward County Circuit Court, seeks class-action status for the millions of people affected and alleges FPL, a unit of FPL Group Inc. FPL.N, violated a statutory duty to provide electricity. "In our view of it, the hurricane is an act of God. The failure to prepare is an act of man," said Philip Freidin, an attorney representing plaintiff Peter Rabbino, a Broward County resident, and his company, Legal Computer Consultants, Inc. An FPL spokeswoman said the company had not seen the lawsuit and had no comment. FPL's performance in the wake of Wilma, a relatively weak Category 1 or Category 2 storm on the five-step scale of hurricane intensity when it hit southeast Florida, has prompted civic groups and local politicians to call for an investigation of the company's maintenance practices. Wilma knocked out power to about 98 percent of people in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, Florida's most populous area. It damaged more than 200 substations and 10,000 power poles. The Miami Herald reported FPL scrimped on tree-trimming, pole inspections and basic maintenance, slashing operating and maintenance costs per customer by 32 percent between 1991 and 2001. "They have significantly decreased their maintenance costs in the face of substantial profits," Freidin said. "They have had a tremendous opportunity to prepare and their failure to prepare is what's mystifying." The lawsuit primarily seeks an injunction to force FPL to properly maintain its system, Freidin said. It also asks for "consequential damages," which could include the costs a business faced because it was shut down due to a lack of electricity. While FPL would not comment on the lawsuit, the company has vigorously defended itself against accusations of faulty maintenance in the wake of Wilma. In an editorial-page response published in the Sun-Sentinel newspaper on Tuesday, FPL President Armando Olivera said: "The fact is, our service reliability is among the best in our industry and our maintenance programs are aggressive and effective." |
#2
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Brendan DJ Murphy wrote:
We could all be rich if we get a power-cut this winter...... No chance Brendan, our crowd have it sown up 'The untouchables'. Just get used to the fact that we are only here to pay. -- Keith (Southend) http://www.southendweather.net |
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