Imagine spending your Christmas in the dark, without the twinkling lights, warm showers, or even the ability to charge your phone. This is the harsh reality for many Monterey residents, who are now facing yet another power outage, with PG&E pushing back restoration times to December 29th.
"Oh God, not again," exclaimed Joanne White, a Monterey resident, upon hearing the news. Her frustration is shared by many, as this disruption has turned what should be a joyous holiday season into a somber affair. Bonnie Thompson, visiting her mother for the holidays, lamented, "It’s just been like a sad Christmas because everything is not the same. There’s no Christmas lights, no showers, and we can’t even charge our phones." Another resident, Joanne White, added, "I miss my TV, my garbage disposal, and my heat." These basic comforts, often taken for granted, have become luxuries during this prolonged outage.
But here's where it gets controversial: While residents in Monterey struggle, some businesses in nearby Carmel have managed to keep their doors open, thanks to generators. Flaherty’s Seafood Grill, for instance, reopened on Saturday after being forced to close due to the outages. Owner Ken Spilfogel expressed relief and pride in his team, saying, "My crew was amazing. We even sent our reservations to a couple of other restaurants to help out." Similarly, Edwin’s, another Carmel restaurant, not only stayed operational but also lent generators to neighboring businesses. "We try to always help the businesses around us," said owner Jakub Kacprzynski, "ensuring not just we’re running, but everybody else can too."
And this is the part most people miss: While the resilience of these businesses is commendable, it raises questions about the equity of access to resources during crises. Why are some areas, like Pebble Beach and Skyline Forest, seemingly more prepared or prioritized for power restoration? Residents in Monterey feel that PG&E’s response has been inadequate, with one resident stating, "It’s almost like they’re used to it. They won’t complain, but it’s ridiculous how often this has been happening. PG&E should be able to improve the situation."
As of now, over 1,100 residents in Monterey County and more than 800 in Santa Cruz County are still without power, leaving many to wonder: Is this the new normal, or can we expect better from our utility providers? What do you think? Should PG&E be held more accountable for frequent outages, or is this an unavoidable challenge in the face of severe weather? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
