Special E-Newsletter
Public Safety Power Shutoffs
December 2019
|
|
 |
This newsletter focuses on Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) and PG&E's role; highlights from the recent PSPS events; the oversight role at the state level; and resources to help us prepare for future shutoffs.
Thank-you for your patience. The impacts were real, significant, and PG&E must do better. I will continue to work to minimize the impacts in our District and neighborhoods while looking towards long-term sustainable solutions.
|
|
|
|
|
What Factors Affect the Likelihood of a Power Shutoff?
|
What to Expect:
- Early Warning Notification: PG&E will send outage alerts 48 hours, 24 hours, and just prior to shutting off power via automated calls, texts, and emails. Napa County will also provide advanced alerts using Nixle, social media platforms, and Nextdoor.
- Ongoing Updates: Updates are provided during the outage through Nixle, social media, local news, radio, and at pge.com until power is restored.
- Safety Inspections & Power Restoration: After the weather event passes, PG&E inspects power lines for potential weather-related damage to the lines, poles, and towers. Once necessary repairs are made, power is safely restored. Keep in mind that outages could last multiple days, so it's important to have a plan in place! (see resource section below for great ways to prepare)
|
|
|
|
Will Your Address Be Impacted during a Power Shutoff?
Electric lines in areas that are designated by the CPUC as elevated [Tier 2] or extreme risk [Tier 3] for wildfire, will most likely be impacted by an outage (see map on the right-hand side). Power can also be shut off if a community (not in a fire-threat area) relies on a line that passes through either Tier. This means all residents should be prepared for a possible PSPS event.
When PG&E announces a PSPS event will occur make sure to visit
PG&E's Potential PSPS outage map
or update your PG&E contact information to find out in advance if your address will be impacted.
|
|
Click to Enlarge Fire Threat Map!
|
|
Below you will find the damages that were found by PG&E that could have sparked a fire if power was not turned off.
|
Hazards, above means that there was no damage to assets or equipment but required remediation (e.g. removing branches found lying across conductors) prior to re-energizing.
|
|
|
CPUC INVESTIGATING PG&E
The County has been very involved with advocating to the County California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to get PG&E to address some of the issues we have raised, including the need for better communication, faster restoration, exploration of micro grids, among many others. The CPUC is the State agency responsible for regulating PG&E and other utilities. It launched an investigation regarding PG&E’s recent outages which includes re-examining how utility companies implement PSPS and actions they can take in the next six months to minimize impacts. For more information, click
here
.
|
|
|
|
|
HOW TO PREPARE:
Before an Outage:
- Update your contact information with PG&E.
- Create a safety plan for all members of your family, including pets.
- Prepare an emergency supply kit.
- Determine if your landline will work during an outage. Keep a mobile phone as a back up.
- If you have a generator, make sure it's ready to operate safely.
- Keep cash on hand and a full tank of gas.
- Learn how to manually open your garage/any door that operates with electricity.
- Talk with your building manager if you live/work in a building that has elevators/electronic key card access.
During an Outage:
- Unplug or turn off appliances, equipment, and electronics to avoid damage caused by surges when power is restored.
- Leave a single lamp on to alert you when power returns. Then, turn your appliances on, one at a time.
- Typically, a refrigerator will keep food cold for 4 hours, and a full freezer will keep its temperature for 48 hours -- consider using coolers with ice to keep food cold and safe.
- Be sure to use generators, camp stoves, or charcoal grills outdoors only. Do not use a gas stove for heat.
- Check on your neighbors.
|
|
|
|
Below is a list of additional resources regarding general emergency preparedness:
|
|
|
|
In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday and legacy, the MLK Coalition, various Non-profits, and community based organizations are proud to host 2020's "
Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration of Our Beloved Community
".
Sunday, Jan. 19, 5:00 PM
- Celebration/Commemoration
Monday, Jan. 20, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Community Service projects and presentations.
United Methodist Church
625 Randolph St, Napa
|
|
|
|
December 17
9:00 a.m
1195 Third Street, 3rd Floor
Downtown Napa
|
|
|
|
Contact Me
Cell: 707-225-2019
Alfredo.Pedroza@countyofnapa.org
Banner Photo Credit:
Art by Hudson Kramer. Hudson is a student at New Technology High School and 2nd place winner of the Agricultural Commissioner’s Crop Report Art Contest, 2016.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
