FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SQUIRREL, BALLOONS CAUSE OUTAGES

ALAMEDA, Calif., December 6, 2004 - Two power outages occurring Sunday morning both resulted from interference with Alameda Power & Telecom distribution facilities.

Virtually all customers east of Sherman Street on the main island lost power at 9:48 a.m. when an ill-fated squirrel climbed a utility pole in the 2000 block of Clinton Street. The squirrel crossed lines causing protective equipment to operate, as well as its own demise. The outage lasted 1 hour and affected approximately 10,000 residences and businesses.

Earlier in the morning, metallic balloons again were the culprits behind an outage affecting 1,500 customers west of Sixth Street. Pockets of the area were without power beginning at 12:51 a.m. until all neighborhoods could be fully restored by 2:59 a.m. The outage began when metallic balloons crossed lines in 1800 block of Third Street.

In both instances, repairs and inspection of distribution facilities were necessary, and many of the same Alameda Power & Telecom personnel responded. "It wasn't the most restful morning for some of our employees", said General Manager Val Fong. "But we all very much appreciate their actions."

While the full costs of both outages have not yet been totaled, the costs of an outage are a secondary concern. Particularly in the case of the metallic balloons, the potential for severe injury or death resulting from electric shock is of far greater importance. The coating on the balloons is a natural conductor of electricity, and when in contact with electric lines, power outages, damaging power fluctuations, and electrical fires have resulted.