Customer support to reduce the impact of outages
We know it's hard to lose power. That’s why we’re working hard to provide support and reduce the impact of outages. We have resources and tools available to help you.
EPSS are advanced safety settings.
They allow our powerlines to automatically turn off power within one-tenth of a second. This can happen when there’s a hazard, like a tree branch falling into a powerline, which can cause a fire. These settings are in high fire-risk and surrounding areas.
“EPSS reduces wildfire risk. In 2022, there was a 68% reduction in ignitions on EPSS-enabled powerlines.” *
* CPUC-reportable ignitions in High Fire-Threat Districts on distribution powerlines (compared to the weather-normalized 2018-2020 average).
By stopping ignitions, we help prevent wildfires from starting and spreading.
If ignitions occur, the size of fires are much smaller due to EPSS. In 2022, there was a 99% decrease in acres impacted by ignitions.* This decrease occurred despite dry conditions.
*As measured by fire size from electric distribution equipment (compared to the 2018-2020 average).
This is most likely from May to November, but wildfire risk can exist year-round in some areas.
If weather conditions don’t meet the need for EPSS, settings are turned off. This helps to prevent unnecessary outages.
EPSS helps keep you safer, but you may experience unplanned power outages. Many things can cause an unplanned outage. This includes hazards like a branch or animal hitting a powerline. Hazards could cause an outage on any powerline, including those without EPSS. Lines with EPSS help prevent wildfires by turning off power faster.
We do not expect these settings to impact customer bills.
We know it's hard to lose power. That’s why we’re working hard to provide support and reduce the impact of outages. We have resources and tools available to help you.
Find out if you qualify for a portable battery.
Get a backup power rebate.
Connect a generator to your house through this free offer.
Ensure you get outage alerts.
Other safety efforts include:
If you’re served by powerlines with EPSS, you may experience unplanned outages. We notify you when there is an outage. We also send updates until the power is back on.
If a powerline is on your property, we may need access to restore power. Please allow our technicians access to patrol. The sooner they can patrol, the sooner power will be restored.
Outages that result from enhanced safety settings are not Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). PSPS outages are a last resort used to keep you safe. You will be notified before a PSPS takes place.
We’re reducing the impact of losing power by:
We’re improving the electric system for safety and to keep your power on. No matter the season, it’s important to stay safe and prepared for outages.
How we're adjusting the sensitivity on some equipment to automatically - and quickly - turn off power if the system detects a problem.
Safety information for business and property owners
Information to keep you and your community safe.
At PG&E, nothing is more important than safety.
Stay prepared for power outages and get support.
Find out how we are making our system safer and more reliable.