PG&E expands resources for fire season

Tips for before, during and after PSPSs|

INDEX-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

May 27, 2021

How to Navigate PG&E’s Public Safety Power Shutoffs

For information about PG&E’s Community Wildfire Safety Program, go to pge.com/wildfiresafety.

For live weather reports, a 7-day PSPS potential “lookahead” and images from PG&E cameras in high fire-threat areas, go to pge.com/weather.

For information on keeping your family, home and business safe during PSPS events, go to safetyactioncenter.pge.com.

For information on backup power options, safety tips, financing options, and a marketplace to search major backup power retailers, go to pge.com/backuppower.

To learn more about PG&E’s Medical Baseline Program, go to pge.com/medicalbaseline.

To sign up for Address Alerts and receive PSPS notifications for any address, go to pge.com/addressalerts.

With nearly all of California now in some state of drought, residents are bracing for a hot and dry summer. The Pacific Gas and Electric Company is preparing for fire season by adding resources to support customers during potential public safety power shutoffs (PSPS).

Shutting off power during extreme weather events has been a standard practice of PG&E’s for the past two years. During severe weather, the utility can elect to cut power to targeted areas to protect public safety. High winds can cause tree branches and other debris to contact energized electric lines, which can damage poorly maintained equipment and cause wildfires.

Across California in 2019, nearly 3 million people found themselves intermittently in the dark, sparking backlash against PG&E. “We understand that being without power is a hardship on our customers. That is why we are continuing to listen to our customers and respond to their feedback by providing the information and tools they need to lessen the impact of PSPS events,” Marlene Santos, PG&E’s vice president of customer care said in a statement.

PG&E’s Expanded Resources for 2021

• Customer notifications in 16 languages have been refined to provide better information.

• Address Alerts will allow individuals to receive notifications of PSPS events for any address about which they may be concerned.

• Expanding event-ready, ADA-accessible indoor Community Resource Center sites to include equipment and device charging, Wi-Fi, and other amenities.

• Expanding meal replacement resources from local food banks to cover every county likely to be impacted by a PSPS event. Perishable and non-perishable food will be available for three days after restoration of power following any PG&E power cut.

• Providing customers in high fire-danger zones who depend on well water with rebates for purchasing qualified portable generators through the Generator Rebate Program.

• Helping communities plan and implement their own electric microgrid through the Community Microgrid Enablement Program.

Contact Kate Williams at kate.williams@sonomanews.com