SAN JOSE — After two months, four generators and three shutdowns — amid a quiet standoff with PG&E — the Family Justice Center courthouse has fully restored its power service.
Equipment connecting the North First Street courthouse to a PG&E transformer failed on March 4, and a series of generators have maintained operations since, despite some notable interruptions. Officials announced Wednesday that permanent power had been restored.
“With power now restored by PG&E, the Court reaffirms its commitment to serving the community with stability and reliability,” read a release from the Santa Clara County Superior Court. “The Court expresses its gratitude for the patience and understanding shown by the residents, businesses and organizations of Downtown San Jose for their patience during this difficult situation.”
After the March 4 equipment breakdown, the court heard parts needed to repair the damage would take four to six weeks to arrive. As a stopgap measure, a generator was installed on March 7; it experienced an outage that closed the court for 30 minutes on April 3. Then, on April 15, the generator broke down again, prompting court officials to completely close the court for the first time and move hearings — covering issues including family, domestic violence , gun violence and drug cases – at nearby courthouses, both in the downtown Superior Court building across the street and in the Hall of Justice, about a mile north.
A second generator was installed, but its operating noise sparked complaints from nearby residents and businesses. The court decided to turn off power to the courthouse last weekend due to noise, while a third, quieter generator was installed. But the project failed early Monday, leading to the court being closed for half a day and using a fourth generator.
Amid the rush to meet the court schedule, court administrators revealed Monday that they failed to convince PG&E to put the courthouse on its reconnection schedule, even after the court ordered repairs which were completed on April 20. The court also sent a letter demanding the service. restoration Monday, to which PG&E responded in a statement that it had “worked with the customer to resolve all outstanding issues and is committed to restoring the customer safely and as quickly as possible.”
Two days after the letter and a report from this news agency, the lights came back on.
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