It's Feeling a Little Windy Outside and at City Hall

The National Weather Service out of Oxnard is reporting some gusty wind and some readers are saying their power is out in Echo Park. While some areas in Santa Barbara County have wind gusts of over 50 mph, Malibu is at 49 mph, Burbank at 40, Newhall Pass at 34 and Whittier Hills at 45.

Today's blackout comes on the same day the Department of Water and Power approaches a City Council committee to approve rate hikes, warning that if prices are raised and infrastructure is not upgraded, then more blackouts are on their way. If passed, electricity rates will be upped 9% over the next three years and water 6% over two years, an $8 and $1 average increase, respectively. But opponents of the increase say it will be much higher than that when you include the tenacious costs of "green power, natural gas and imported water."

The proposal is expected to pass today's energy and environment committee hearing and go to the full City Council tomorrow where it is also expected to pass.

Photo by Omar Omar via Flickr