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 power is shut off

What: Our weather specialists forecast potential severe weather

Public Safety Power Shutoff Watch notification (outages likely)

When: Up to two days before power is shut off

What: We notify you if your address may be affected by a shutoff

Public Safety Power Shutoff Warning notifications (outages required)

When: One to four hours before power is shut off

NEW IN 2022 – PG&E is required by the California Public Utilities Commission to send “Public Safety Power Shutoff Warning” notifications 24 hours a day. You may receive phone calls, SMS texts and email notifications between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m.

What: We notify you if your address will be affected by a shutoff

Power is shut off

When: Once power has been shut off

NEW IN 2022 – PG&E is required by the California Public Utilities Commission to send “power is off” notifications 24 hours a day. You may receive phone calls, SMS texts and email notifications between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m.

What: We notify you that power has been turned off to prevent wildfires

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

Weather “all-clear” notification

When: After severe weather has passed

NEW IN 2022 – PG&E is required by the California Public Utilities Commission to send “all-clear” notifications 24 hours a day. You may receive phone calls, SMS texts and email notifications between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m.

What: We notify you that we are inspecting powerlines and provide restoration estimates

Power is restored

When: Within 24 hours after severe weather has passed

NEW in 2022 – PG&E is required by the California Public Utilities Commission to send “power is restored” notifications 24 hours a day. You may receive phone calls, SMS texts and email notifications between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m.

What: We notify you when power has been restored