Minimizing PSPS events
Making PSPS events smaller, shorter and smarter
Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events are just one part of our long-term strategy to help prevent wildfires. We know they are a burden and present their own safety concerns. In the near term, we are enhancing and expanding our efforts to ensure PSPS events affect fewer customers and for less time.
Weather damage and other hazards
After the severe weather has cleared, we perform safety inspections where wildfire hazards and weather damages are assessed. The following damages represent potential sources of wildfire outbreak had power not been shut off:
- Tree limbs across electric lines
- Tangled electric lines
- Tree falling onto electric lines
- Downed utility poles
Learn about monitoring and inspections
Our commitment to reduce PSPS events
Reduce the impact of PSPS events
- Reduce the number of customers affected during an event
- Restore power within 12 daylight hours after severe weather has passed
- Provide better resources and information to affected communities before, during and after a PSPS
Reduce wildfire risk
- Install stronger poles, covered lines and underground lines
- Meet and exceed state vegetation and fire safety standards
- Inspect electrical equipment more quickly
Improve weather awareness
- Install additional weather stations to better predict the need for PSPS events
- Install high-definition cameras to identify potential wildfires
- Monitor wildfire risk in real time
Additional resources
We're taking steps to reduce the risk of trees, limbs and branches coming into contact with power lines in high fire-threat areas.
Learn about vegetation management
Our progress as of the end of July to prevent wildfires and minimize PSPS impact:
Line switching
Installing line switches to redirect electric and keep communities powered
36 of 23 switches (156%) complete
Vegetation management
Inspecting and removing vegetation that poses potential wildfire risk
1,247 of 1,800 miles (69%) complete
Power grid separation
Separating the power grid into smaller sections to decrease areas affected by PSPS
367 of 592 devices (62%) complete
Substations ready for temporary power generation
Energizing customers with backup power during a PSPS
36 of 62 temporary generation sites (58%) complete
Infrastructure investment (system hardening)
Installing stronger poles, covered lines and underground lines
122 of 241 miles (51%) complete
Weather station additions
Enhancing the ability to predict and respond to severe weather
142 of 400 stations (36%) complete
High-definition camera enhancements
Improving real-time monitoring of high-risk areas and weather conditions with high-definition cameras
61 of 200 cameras (31%) complete
- Learn about our wildfire mitigation progress. Download the Community Wildfire Mitigation Plan: Q2 2020 Update (PDF, 159 KB)
- Learn more details about our plans to prevent wildfires
Related links
Why PSPS events occur
Discover what factors go into the decision to announce a PSPS event and find the weather tools that show if a PSPS will occur in your area.
PSPS support
Find resources including device charging, bagged ice and Wi-Fi to support you during a PSPS.