PG&E May Need to Turn Off Power for Safety

PG&E is monitoring an offshore wind event beginning Wednesday, October 14 through Saturday, October 17. In response, PG&E has activated its Emergency Operations Center and has sent advanced notifications in targeted areas where PG&E may need to proactively turn power off for safety to reduce the risk of wildfire from energized powerlines.

Elevated fire danger is expected due to dry and gusty conditions across much of the territory. Strongest winds are expected in the Sierras, Southern Central Coast and portions of the North and East Bay.

The potential Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) event is anticipated to begin late Wednesday and continue through Saturday. Approximately 30,000 customers in targeted areas of 22 counties are currently in scope, including approximately 2,000 Medical Baseline customers and two tribal governments.

Approximately 3,000 customers who experienced a PSPS event last weekend may be affected again due to this emerging wind event. For many customers, this will be their first PSPS event since the program was established in 2018, and PG&E is conducting additional outreach to explain how PSPS works, why PG&E calls them and how they can be prepared.

Customer counts and locations may change, depending on evolving weather and operational conditions.

Potentially affected counties and customer numbers

Customer notifications via text, email, and automated phone calls began late Monday, October 12, approximately two days before the potential shutoff. When possible, PG&E employees will conduct individual in-person visits to customers enrolled in the company's Medical Baseline Program who do not verify they have received these important safety communications, with a primary focus on customers who rely on electricity for critical life-sustaining equipment.

Customers can look up their address online to find out if their location is being monitored for the potential safety shutoff at pge.com/pspsupdates.

PG&E's commitment is that catastrophic wildfires shall stop. PG&E is determined to protect our hometowns from wildfires, and a PSPS is a last resort.

Once severe weather has passed, and it is safe to do so, PG&E will work quickly and nimbly to patrol and inspect lines to restore power for customers as soon as possible.