Letter to the editor: Power problems in Tarentum

On Aug. 24 at 3:37 a.m., the electric power meter on my garage blew up. Fortunately, the explosion was loud enough to wake me so that I could call for help. The structure would have burned to the ground if I was a sound sleeper. A few minutes before my meter exploded, another meter exploded on a multi-unit apartment building just a few blocks away.

I have been told that West Penn Power had a power surge that caused these explosions. West Penn Power provides the electric, and Tarentum installs the meter, but I am responsible to repair and pay for the damage caused by their faulty “product.” This is terribly wrong! Why do we just accept that the power companies are not responsible for damages caused by surges and outages? If you purchased a defective car, the manufacturer would be obligated to make the repairs.

Tarentum has lost power probably eight or more times just this summer. Back in June, power was out for a day. What is going on? Yes, electric usage increases in the summer, but the number of outages is excessive. Have other local communities experienced power outages this summer? If other towns are keeping their power on, what is happening in Tarentum? Can someone get to the root cause of Tarentum’s power grid problems, before lives are lost? This is a situation that needs investigated and corrected now!

Thank you to Patrolman Jeremy Howell, Fire Chief Josh Fox and the Tarentum fire personnel, and Allegheny County Deputy Fire Marshal Tim Smoley for their rapid response.

Robert Bodnar

Tarentum