I am disabled, but every time a gust of wind blows in Southern California, I am forced to muster strength I barely have. Carrying heavy cords, the generator and fuel cans around becomes an ordeal too painful to bear. Unfairly, this is a reality more common than it should ever be. People like me are suffering. Our neighbors, many without the convenience of owning generators, face the frustrating fate of losing the entirety of their food stock each time the power is cut. This issue is bigger than a simple inconvenience. It fundamentally hurts us, our homes, and our communities.

A power company, such as Southern California Edison, should have measures in place that prevent such an outcome. It is their responsibility to ensure consistent power supply irrespective of the weather. Yet, their reactive protocol of shutting off power during periods of wind ironically leaves the most vulnerable among us in the dark.

A regional report by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory states that power outages cost the U.S. economy between $22 and $33 billion annually due to food spoilage, lost work hours, and other related causes. This is a glaring exhibition of an untenable situation.

Enough is enough. We must not tolerate such administrative misaction, which undoubtedly leads to disastrous results for many residing in the Southern California region. This petition seeks to halt Southern California Edison’s protocol of shutting off power during windy conditions. We implore regulatory bodies to audit this practice and implement a solution that ensures consistent power delivery to the homes that heavily rely on it - especially those of the disabled and less fortunate.

It’s time for change. It’s time to keep our lights on, our food fresh, and our lives unburdened by such basic utilities. Please, sign this petition and help us shine a light on this pressing issue.