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Utilities ‘Harden’ Transmission Equipment to Prevent Fires

Legislative Session Gets Underway in Sacramento

State lawmakers return to Sacramanto today after a month long summer break. And they better be well-rested. because they have a long to-do list. There are pending bills involving big issues like housing, charter schools, and police use of force. The state Assembly will also take up legislation that would make it tougher for parents to receive a medical exemption for getting their children vaccinated. That legislation has prompted passionate opposition ⁠— a campaign that some Sacramento lawmakers say has become too extreme.Reporter: Katie Orr

Utilities “Harden” Transmission Equipment to Prevent Fires

Investigators say some of the state’s deadliest wildfires in recent years were sparked by power lines and electrical equipment owned by California’s biggest utility companies. Now those utilities say they’ve started big and costly programs to reduce the risk of their infrastructure causing future blazes. We went out to see what one power company is doing and who’s going to pay for all of this work.

Solar Industry Sees Opportunity in Planned Fire-Prevention Blackouts

Utility companies in California have been shutting off power during heatwaves to limit the risk of wildfires and they plan to expand the areas where they do that. Solar and fuel-cell companies are seeing a business opening.Reporter: Avishay Artsy, KCRW 

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