California regulators order inquiry into power outages

By JANIE HAR
SAN FRANCISCO — California regulators opened a formal investigation Wednesday into pre-emptive power outages that blacked out large parts of the state in October, drawing strong rebukes from public officials and residents who said the shut-offs were too broad and poorly executed.
The unanimous vote by the California Public Utilities Commission followed testimony from a handful of people who pleaded with the regulatory body for leadership at a time of increased danger from fire