Conserve energy to prevent rotating outages

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Your efforts can help prevent rotating outages

When electricity demand is higher than supply, such as during a heat wave, the power grid that serves all of California is put under strain. To prevent large blackouts during these periods, the statewide power grid operators ask Californians to conserve. If we all do our part cutting electricity usage, outages can be prevented. If electricity use remains too high, rotating outages become a possibility. Set thermostats to 78 degrees or higher. Run energy-intensive appliances during early morning or after 9 p.m. Close drapes and blinds to keep rooms cool.

What is a rotating outage?

A rotating outage is a series of small outages that relieve stress from the power grid to help prevent a widespread blackout. PG&E’s service territory is divided into areas called “blocks.” Each block is usually made up of several streets. When the state’s grid operator tells PG&E that rotating outages may be required, a number of blocks are put on standby for a shutoff. If a shutoff is needed, power is turned off to selected blocks typically for 1-2 hours. The result is that smaller groups of customers experience shorter outages, instead of a large area being blacked out for a longer period.

What to expect during a rotating outage

We’ll let you know if you’ll be impacted

PG&E will call, email or text customers letting them know of the possibility of rotating outages. The notification will direct customers to this page to look up their block number and possible outage time. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Look up your block number
2. Check estimated shutoff times

All customers will be asked to conserve energy in the hopes of avoiding the outages completely. If that’s not possible, a list of blocks that could have a shutoff will be posted on this page each day.

Posted outage times are always an estimate

When the grid is under strain, estimated shutoff times are posted here daily. However, the times are not a certainty because rotating outages will be cancelled or postponed when conservation efforts have been successful. For example, if your block was estimated to be shut off from 4-5 p.m. and a shutoff wasn’t required, your block becomes first on the list for 5-6 p.m. If the 5-6 p.m. shutoff isn’t needed, your block remains first on the list for a shutoff for 6-7 p.m. This continues until the risk for outage passes completely or until rotating outages are implemented.

Find your block and possible rotating outage period

Look up your outage block number below, then find estimated shutoff times further down on the page

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Today's rotating outages listed by block

A typical block number includes a number and a letter like "7C" or "2A," but over 50% of PG&E customers are in outage block 50. Outage block 50 customers share a circuit with a critical facility like a hospital, police station or fire department so they are typically exempt from rotating block outages.

IMPORTANT:

• Shutoffs posted below may be cancelled or postponed if conservation efforts are successful.
• If your block isn't listed or you are in outage block 50, we don't expect you to be impacted.
• If additional blocks are required for the day, we will add them here and will attempt to notify impacted customers.