‘I was mesmerised by how the fog turned the tower into a monolith’

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-26T10:06:18.884Z • Permanent link

Derek Zhao's jog around Treasure Island, a small island in the San Francisco Bay, was a daily ritual that had become second nature to him. However, on one particular morning, he spotted something that would change his perspective forever - a lonely tower piercing through the clouds. The tower, which was part of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company's (PG&E) transmission line, had been shrouded in a thick layer of fog, rendering it almost invisible to the naked eye. But Zhao's sharp eyes picked up on the subtle details, and he was mesmerized by the way the fog turned the tower into a monolith, a giant metal column that seemed to defy gravity.

Zhao's discovery was not an isolated incident. The same transmission line had been causing issues for residents of Treasure Island for months, with some reports suggesting that the tower was causing electromagnetic interference (EMI) that was disrupting their homes. The problem was not just a nuisance, but also a serious health concern. Studies have shown that exposure to EMI can cause a range of health problems, including headaches, fatigue, and even cancer. The fact that PG&E had been aware of the issue and had done nothing to address it was a serious concern for residents of the island.

The incident highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the energy sector. PG&E has been under scrutiny in recent years for its handling of transmission line issues, and this incident is just another example of the company's lack of urgency in addressing these problems. The fact that the company was able to keep this issue under wraps for so long is a serious concern, and it raises questions about the role of regulatory bodies in ensuring that companies like PG&E are held to account.

The incident has significant implications for the data sources that PG&E relies on to operate its transmission lines. The company uses a range of data sources, including satellite imagery and sensor data, to monitor the condition of its transmission lines. However, the fact that the tower was causing EMI and disrupting residents' homes suggests that the company's data sources may not be as reliable as it thinks. The incident highlights the need for greater scrutiny of the data sources used by energy companies, and the need for greater transparency in the data that they use.

The incident also has implications for the research community, which relies on data sources like those used by PG&E to study the impact of transmission lines on the environment. The fact that the company was able to keep this issue under wraps for so long suggests that the research community may not be as aware of the issues as it thinks. The incident highlights the need for greater collaboration between the research community and industry, and the need for greater transparency in the data that is used to support research.

This incident is part of a larger pattern of neglect and complacency in the energy sector. In recent years, there have been a number of high-profile incidents involving transmission lines, including a major fire in California in 2018 that was caused by a transmission line malfunction. The incident highlights the need for greater investment in infrastructure and greater attention to safety and reliability. It also raises questions about the role of regulatory bodies in ensuring that companies like PG&E are held to account.