The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said it will investigate the cause of a massive power outage that left more than 4 million people across Southern California, parts of Arizona and Northern Mexico without power for several hours on a sweltering hot day.
FERC officials will conduct a joint investigation with the North American Electric Reliability Corp. They will also coordinate with the Department of Energy and other federal agencies, the California ISO, the Western Electricity Coordinating Council, California and Arizona state regulators and the companies involved to monitor the situation.
PHOTOS: Blackout leaves millions without power
While power company officials in Arizona have said one of their workers may have triggered the massive outage north of Yuma, the investigation will concentrate on how the event unfolded and was allowed to spread.
“This inquiry is an effective way for us to protect consumers and ensure the reliability of the bulk power system,” FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff said in a news release.
Gerry Cauley, president and chief executive officer of NERC, said that partnering in the investigation "brings together the expertise of both organizations, and emphasizes the importance placed on reliability of the bulk power system."
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-- Richard Winton
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