PSPS Update: Power Restored for Essentially All Affected Customers After Dry, Offshore Wind Event and Exceptional Drought Conditions Prompt Safety Shutoff

Rhea-AI Summary

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PCG) has successfully restored power to nearly all 50,000 customers affected by the Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) across 13 counties in California. The shutoff, initiated due to high wildfire risks, included comprehensive inspections of over 3,200 miles of power lines. Preliminary reports indicate at least 10 instances of weather-related damage, with four posing potential wildfire risks. PG&E will submit a detailed PSPS report to the California Public Utilities Commission within 10 days.

Positive

• Restoration of power to nearly all 50,000 customers impacted by PSPS.
• Proactive safety measures taken to prevent wildfire risks.

Negative

• At least 10 instances of weather-related damage reported.
• Potential wildfire risks from four identified hazards.

As of 5 p.m. today, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has restored power to essentially all of the approximately 50,000 customers impacted by the Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) event that began Tuesday evening in targeted parts of 13 counties, the majority in Shasta, Butte, Napa and Tehama counties.

Once the wind event passed in each affected area, PG&E crews conducted ground and aerial patrols to inspect more than 3,200 miles of distribution and transmission lines for damage or hazards. That’s a distance greater than driving from San Francisco to Miami, Fla. The patrol and inspection efforts included more than 1,300 ground patrol units and 33 helicopters.

Damage and Hazards Identified

As of 5 p.m. today, preliminary data show at least 10 instances of weather-related damage and hazards in the PSPS-affected areas; at least four of these had the potential to cause wildfire ignitions if PG&E had not de-energized power lines. Examples include damaged equipment and vegetation and other debris on power lines. More hazard and damage reports are being evaluated.

In areas where equipment was damaged by the wind event, crews worked safely and as quickly as possible to make the repairs and restore those customers.

More Information on PG&E PSPS Events

PG&E appreciates customers’ patience during this PSPS. The decision to initiate a PSPS is not taken lightly and is done as a last resort for public safety given the exceptional drought conditions and dry, offshore wind that heighten wildfire risk.

PG&E will submit a report to the California Public Utilities Commission detailing this PSPS event within 10 days of the restoration of the final customers.

For more information on the PSPS event, visit http://www.pge.com/pspsupdates.

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 pge.com and pge.com/news.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210819005812/en/

FAQ

What is the latest update on PG&E's PSPS event?

PG&E has restored power to almost all 50,000 customers affected by the PSPS event, with power restoration completed as of 5 p.m. today.

How many counties were affected by PG&E's PSPS?

The PSPS event affected targeted parts of 13 counties, mainly Shasta, Butte, Napa, and Tehama.

What were the main reasons for PG&E's power shutdown?

The power shutdown was initiated due to exceptional drought conditions and high-risk wildfire conditions.

What safety measures did PG&E take during the PSPS?

PG&E conducted ground and aerial inspections of over 3,200 miles of power lines to identify hazards and damage.

When will PG&E report the findings from the PSPS event?

PG&E will submit a report to the California Public Utilities Commission within 10 days of restoring power to the last affected customer.