STUDY OK'D FOR BACKUP GENERATOR AT BOB HOPE POWER OUTAGES, AGING SYSTEM CONCERN AIRPORT OFFICIALS.

Byline: Jason Kandel Staff Writer

BURBANK - Worried about the potential for power outages at Bob Hope Airport, commissioners on Monday approved a $111,540 contract to study the purchase of a backup generator.

At a meeting of the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority, officials said even though recent power outages in the region did not affect airport operations, they exposed weaknesses in its electrical capabilities.

``We handled those outages well,'' said Dan Feger, the airport's deputy executive director. ``However, during the course of the outages, we noticed that at least one of our large generators is starting to show signs of age.''

He pointed to the case of a generator that leaked fuel, prompting a response by the Burbank Fire Department. Officials couldn't shut the generator off because they didn't have backup. The machine can be run for only a certain amount of time before it needs to be shut down for maintenance, he said.

``We need a generator in reserve,'' Feger said.

Feger also reminded commissioners of the recent hurricanes that blasted the Gulf Coast, highlighting the urgency to be prepared for disasters here.

Officials will look at both diesel-fueled and natural gas-powered generators. Cost estimates for a 2-megawatt machine run between $500,000 and $1 million, depending on the type of fuel. At a future meeting, the commission is expected to approve the funding.

``I wouldn't describe it as a crisis,'' airport spokesman Victor Gill said. ``We're anticipating the possibility that a future power outage might be long term in nature instead of short term.

``There's too much riding on power availability at this facility, just like there is at a hospital or other facilities where vital public functions occur.''

Jason Kandel, [phone]

jason.kandel(at)dailynews.com