DPU News:

Half of White Rock customers serviced by the Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities lost electricity at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The DPU explained that a contractor replacing utility poles in the area inadvertently caused the outage, which was restored 15 minutes later.

A jumper burned while the primary riser was being attached to the new pole structure.

Work procedures require that overhead protective devices be placed on non-reclosing mode when work is being conducted on live electric lines.

This is to avoid further damage to the electric system and for worker safety.

As a result, when the line was ruptured the circuit tripped. No one was injured during the event.

The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) operates the county-owned electric, gas, water and wastewater systems under the jurisdiction of the Board of Public Utilities. The Board meets the third Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. and the public is welcome to attend. The DPU is funded by rates paid for electric, gas, water and wastewater services and auxiliary fees, and has provided the community with these services for more than 40 years.