New Balloon Safety Law to Make Celebrating with Metallic Balloons Safer, Reduce Balloon-Caused Power Outages for Customers

Rhea-AI Summary

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PCG) supports California's new metallic balloon law signed by Governor Newsom. Effective January 1, 2027, only compliant metallic balloons that do not conduct electricity will be sold, aimed at enhancing safety for employees and customers. In 2021, metallic balloons caused over 600 outages, a 27% rise from the previous year. The new law could help reduce wildfire risks, as historically, metallic balloons have led to significant fires and disruptions. PG&E urges the public to follow safety tips regarding metallic balloons.

Positive

• Support for new legislation aimed at enhancing public safety.
• New law could reduce metallic balloon-related outages and the risk of wildfires.

Negative

• Increased balloon-related outages in 2021, the highest in a decade.
• Past incidents of metallic balloons causing significant fires and disruptions.

OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) expressed support for a new metallic balloon law that will enhance the safety of PG&E employees, customers and hometowns. Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 847 which allows mylar or metallic balloons to be sold in California only if those balloons do not cause electrical faults when making contact with overhead distribution lines.

Metallic balloons conduct electricity and can pose a significant threat to public safety if released into the air. If they float into powerlines, they can disrupt electric service to an entire neighborhood, cause significant property damage and potentially result in serious injuries.

Here’s an example of what can happen when metallic balloons become loose and hit utility power lines.

Specifically, the new law requires balloons sold in the state after 2027 to meet Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineer standards. The standard requires that balloons must not be conductive at distribution voltages up to 38 kilovolts (kV). Of the 47 fires caused by metallic balloons in 2020-2021, 44 (90%) occurred on powerlines with voltage below 35 kV. Those fires could have been prevented under the new law.

“Balloon-caused outages have been on the rise in recent years and have the potential to cause ignitions when interacting with electrical assets. This legislation will help minimize that risk and is part of our unwavering focus on keeping our customers and our hometowns safe,” said Sumeet Singh, PG&E Executive Vice President and Chief Risk and Safety Officer.

Metallic balloon-related outages can pose a wildfire risk. In 2015, a metallic balloon coming into contact with overhead lines sparked the Webb Fire in Butte County which burned 75 acres. Since 2018, the number of balloon-related ignitions has increased in frequency.

Balloon-related outages also impact electric reliability. In 2021, metallic balloons that drifted into PG&E power lines caused more than 600 outages, a 27 percent increase from the previous year and the highest number of balloon-related outages that PG&E has seen in a decade.

Thanks to the new legislation, sales of non-compliant celebratory balloons would be banned after January 1, 2027. In the meantime, PG&E reminds customers to follow these important safety tips for metallic balloons:

• “Look Up and Live!" Use caution and avoid celebrating with metallic balloons near overhead electric lines.
• Make sure helium-filled metallic balloons are securely tied to a weight that is heavy enough to prevent them from floating away. Never remove the weight.
• When possible, keep metallic balloons indoors. Never permit metallic balloons to be released outside, for everyone's safety.
• Do not bundle metallic balloons together.
• Never attempt to retrieve any type of balloon, kite, drone or toy that becomes caught in a power line. Leave it alone, and immediately call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 to report the problem.
• Never go near a power line that has fallen to the ground or is dangling in the air. Always assume downed electric lines are energized and extremely dangerous. Stay far away, keep others away and immediately call 911 to alert the police and fire departments. Other tips can be found at pge.com/beprepared
• Visit our Safety Action Center for balloon safety graphics and more safety tips: https://www.safetyactioncenter.pge.com/articles/44-celebrate-safely

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com/ and http://www.pge.com/about/newsroom/.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221103006371/en/

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415-973-5930

Source: Pacific Gas and Electric Company

FAQ

What is the new metallic balloon law signed by Governor Newsom for PCG?

The new law allows the sale of metallic balloons in California only if they meet safety standards and do not conduct electricity, effective January 1, 2027.

How many outages were caused by metallic balloons in 2021 for PG&E?

In 2021, metallic balloons caused over 600 outages, a 27% increase from the previous year.

What safety measures does PG&E recommend for metallic balloons?

PG&E advises to avoid metallic balloons near power lines, secure them with weights, and keep them indoors to prevent hazards.

How has the frequency of balloon-related ignitions changed in recent years?

Since 2018, the frequency of balloon-related ignitions has increased, with significant incidents leading to wildfires.

What is the impact of the new balloon law on PG&E's operations?

The law aims to minimize risks associated with metallic balloons, potentially enhancing operational safety and reducing outages.