Bay Area customers may face power shutoffs due to approaching heat wave by PGE
An upcoming heat wave is set to hit the Bay Area, prompting concerns about potential power shutoffs. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for mostly inland areas and the North Bay, with temperatures expected to soar between the upper 90s and 110 degrees.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has announced the possibility of a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) starting as early as Tuesday morning. This measure is intended to reduce the risk of wildfires caused by energized powerlines during extreme weather conditions. The affected areas include eight counties, primarily located farther north outside the Bay Area, but residents of Napa and Solano counties should also be prepared for potential power outages.
PG&E has not specified the exact timing of the shutoffs, but they could begin early Tuesday morning and potentially last through Wednesday. The counties and the number of customers potentially affected are as follows:
– Colusa: 550 customers
– Glenn: 361 customers
– Lake: 49 customers
– Napa: 9 customers
– Shasta: 8,888 customers
– Solano: 96 customers
– Tehama: 1,855 customers
– Yolo: 204 customers
In total, about 12,000 customers across these eight counties and two tribal governments may experience power outages. PG&E emphasized that the proactive power shutoff is a safety measure to mitigate the risk of wildfires.
The NWS’s Excessive Heat Warning will be in effect from Tuesday morning through Friday evening. This warning indicates a “high to very high risk” of health-related impacts due to the extreme heat for most residents. San Francisco and the Peninsula are under a Heat Advisory, with temperatures expected to range from the lower 80s to mid-90s.
The PSPS is a temporary power outage implemented by PG&E to prevent wildfires. This measure has become increasingly common in recent years as California faces more frequent and severe wildfire seasons.
Residents in the affected areas are advised to stay informed about the potential power shutoffs and take necessary precautions to stay safe during the heat wave. This includes staying hydrated, avoiding strenuous outdoor activities during peak heat hours, and checking on vulnerable family members and neighbors.
PG&E has been working closely with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to improve its preparedness for PSPS events. The CPUC oversees the utilities’ preparation and execution of these events and has been pushing for improvements based on lessons learned from previous years.
In August 2023, the CPUC hosted pre-season briefings for electric investor-owned utilities to present their preparedness for PSPS events. These briefings included updates on coordination with public safety partners, critical infrastructure, and customers with access and functional needs. The utilities also provided reports on their community resource center plans, critical facilities plans, PSPS exercise reports, education and outreach efforts, notification plans, and lessons learned from previous years.
The CPUC has been holding utilities accountable for executing safe and appropriate PSPS events. This includes requiring public briefings and reports on their efforts to mitigate customer impacts and improve processes based on past experiences.
As the heat wave approaches, PG&E and other utilities are on high alert to ensure the safety of their customers and reduce the risk of wildfires. Residents are encouraged to stay updated on the latest information and be prepared for potential power outages.
Source: KRON4, National Weather Service, PG&E
