Public Safety Power Shutoff large businesses and critical infrastructure

PSPS overview

A Public Safety Power Shutoff, also called a PSPS, occurs in response to severe weather. We turn off power to help prevent wildfires and keep communities safe. Multiple factors are at play when deciding to turn off your power and we take the decision very seriously.

Although your location may not be in a high fire-threat area or an area experiencing high winds, your power may be shut off if your business relies on a line that runs through an area with severe weather. Or, a nearby business may be served by a different line than the one that serves you and in a PSPS, your power could stay on while a business across the street may have power turned off.

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PSPS timeline: what to expect

When we need to temporarily turn off power for safety, you can expect the following:

Severe Weather Forecasted

When: Up to a week before

What: Our weather specialists forecast potential severe weather.

PSPS Watch Notifications (outages likely)

When: Two days before

What: We notify you if you are in an area that may be affected by a PSPS. We let you know the potential estimated power shutoff start time and restoration time.

PSPS Warning Notifications (outages required)

When: One day before

What: We notify you if you are in an area that will be affected by a PSPS. We let you know the potential estimated power shutoff start time and restoration time.

Power Shutoff

When: During severe weather

What: Power is shut off to affected areas to prevent wildfire.

When: Weather has improved and inspections and restoration activities have begun What: Our power crews inspect power lines to restore power to affected communities as quickly and safely as possible. W

Inspections and repairs

When: After weather has improved

What: Our crews inspect electric lines to restore power to affected communities as quickly and safely as possible. We notify you daily about the estimated time of power restoration through notifications, social media, local news, radio and our website.