We had a fire near Boulder CO that destroyed 1000 homes and had a few fatalities. If there are 100mph winds and dry conditions then it just takes one spark to c

We had a fire near Boulder CO that destroyed 1000 homes and had a few fatalities. If there are 100mph winds and dry conditions then it just takes one spark to create an unstoppable fire. The local utility closed down some (but not all) lines for a recent wind event and everyone is kvetching. Maybe this isn't obvious but domestic electric service is a marginal business. It's not profitable for every customer. That's why it's a regulated monopoly. In edge and rural areas the lines are not profitable (you can't charge more to joe farmer at the end of hundreds of poles.) New subdivisions with new poles/transformers etc. cost less Windswept lines and poles out in the middle of nowhere are the places at risk and "make no money." The utility doesn't "pay" for the shutdowns but they can get sued for a fire.