Update: Public Safety Power Shutoffs

PSPS Event – (Nov. 20, 2019)

Pacific Gas & Electric has issued a Public Safety Power Shutoff beginning Nov. 20 for an undetermined length of time. For a list of impacted communities, click here. If you live in impacted communities, PG&E will attempt to contact you via telephone, text and email.

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Waivers for Out-of-State Power Generators

If you are obtaining a generator from outside of California, here is a summary of the requirements you need consider:

Because of the recent PSPS events, many businesses are working to secure backup generators, sometimes from out-of-state.

  • The engine to be used is certified to meet a California or federal emission control standard;
  • The owner or operator demonstrates that there is an immediate temporary need to operate the engine to help alleviate a threat to public health and safety that is the result of a reasonably unforeseen event, that is beyond the control of the owner or operator;
  • The owner or operator notifies CARB within 24 hours of commencing operation; and
  • The engine is operated only for duration of the Emergency Event, or up to 12 months, whichever comes first.

The link to the waiver Form 40 is:  https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2018-12/perp_form40.pdf

Please email the Form 40 notifications to: [email protected]

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PSPS Warning – (Oct. 29, 2019)

Weather conditions, including potential fire risk, have been forecast that may impact electric service to portions of our service area. If a decision is made to turn off power, we expect to start turning off power for safety as outlined below. If you live in these communities, PG&E will attempt to contact you via telephone, text and email.

Outages (weather event plus restoration time) could last longer than 48 hours. For planning purposes, PG&E suggests customers prepare for outages that could last several days.

PSPS Warning – (Oct. 25, 2019)

Weather conditions, including potential fire risk, have been forecast that may impact electric service to portions of our service area. If a decision is made to turn off power, we expect to start turning off power for safety as outlined below. If you live in these communities, PG&E will attempt to contact you via telephone, text and email.

Outages (weather event plus restoration time) could last longer than 48 hours. For planning purposes, PG&E suggests customers prepare for outages that could last several days.

PSPS Warning – (Oct. 23, 2019)

PG&E has confirmed it will shut off power to portions of 17 counties, including some in the Sierra Foothills, North Bay, San Mateo and Kern Counties, Oct. 23, due to necessary gusting winds and the threat of a major wildfire.

The shutoff is expected to impact approximately 179,000 customers in 17 counties: Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, El Dorado, Kern, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, San Mateo, Sierra, Sonoma, Tehama and Yuba.

For a list of impacted customer counts and cities per county, see www.pge.com/pspsupdates.

Timeline for safety shutoffs:

  • The shutoffs are expected to begin around 2 p.m. in the Sierra Foothills, 3 p.m. in the North Bay counties, and approximately 1 a.m. Thursday in affected areas of San Mateo and Kern counties.
  • Forecasts indicate the peak period of winds should end about noon Thursday in the Sierra Foothills, North Bay and San Mateo County, and around noon Friday in Kern County.
  • Once the high winds subside, PG&E will inspect the de-energized lines to ensure they were not damaged during the wind event, and then restore power. PG&E will safely restore power in stages as quickly as possible, with the goal of restoring the vast majority of customers within 48 hours after the weather has passed.

Find more information about how to prepare for a shutdown.