SAN DIEGO -- State Sen. Christine Kehoe, D-San Diego, sent a letter to the California Public Utilities Commission Thursday opposing San Diego Gas & Electric's plan to shut off power to parts of the county during periods of high wind to prevent wildfire.

Kehoe recommended that the CPUC delay any shutoff plan for six months so that SDG&E can meet with various affected stakeholders and public agencies to discuss their concerns.

"Although SDG&E informed stakeholders about their proposed plan prior to releasing it to the Public Utilities Commission and the public, I believe SDG&E should engage in a public process and involve affected stakeholders in developing a plan that is based on the premise of 'First, Do No Harm,'" Kehoe wrote.

The CPUC is scheduled to consider SDG&E's shut-off plan Sept. 10.

The CPUC voted last month to temporarily prevent SDG&E from implementing its shut-off plan until the regulatory body has a chance to review the proposal.

Before any shut-off plan is implemented, Kehoe wants SDG&E to first meet with officials from the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services, San Diego County Department of Education, Cal Fire, local water districts, telecommunications companies, major health care providers, disabled rights groups, the Utility Consumers' Action Network and Sheriff's Department.

SDG&E's proposal calls for the power to be turned off in rural areas of the county when extreme weather conditions, including high winds and low humidity, create an accelerated risk of wildfire.

The utility proposed the shut-off plan after state investigators concluded it was SDG&E's power lines that sparked the wildfires that devastated San Diego County in 2007. SDG&E has agreed to pay about $740 million to settle lawsuits stemming from those wildfires.

The San Diego City Council has also voted to endorse SDG&E's proposal. The San Diego County Board of Supervisors, however, opposes the idea.