Restoring Power
Power outages aren't common, but when they do happen, rest assured our team is ready to respond. Here's what you can check at home and how we work to restore power as safely and quickly as possible.
Stay safe around downed lines
If you go outside, please stay alert for any downed power lines. Stay at least 50 feet away and report downed lines to us right away by calling 503-464-7777 or 800-544-1795.
Getting updates during an outage
If you're not the only one without power, you should receive outage updates by text if we have your current mobile number. You can update your contact details online, on the PGE mobile app, or by calling PGE Customer Service at 503-228-6322. For real-time updates on your area, check our outage map to see where we are in the restoration process.
Prioritizing essential services
We're committed to restoring power as quickly as safety allows. Our first priority is public health and safety facilities, like hospitals, clinics and essential utilities, including water, sewer, natural gas and telecommunications. You can check the outage map for updates on our progress. Residential and small business customers will also receive text updates if we have your current mobile number.
Checking the power path
From generation to your home there are several . If we find an issue at a generation facility, we activate other resources to keep power flowing. Next, we inspect high-voltage transmission lines — our energy highways. If there's a problem with these lines, addressing it becomes a top priority for our crews.
Feeder lines take time
Transmission lines deliver power to substations, which lower the voltage for distribution to homes and businesses. From there, feeder lines bring power into neighborhoods, usually serving a few thousand customers. Trees, wildlife, and even car accidents can disrupt these lines. When there's an outage, these are usually the most likely culprit.
Repairing tap lines in your area
Tap lines distribute power from feeder lines to individual streets, serving about 20-30 homes each, with fewer in rural areas. If you see our crews in your neighborhood, they're likely assessing or repairing these lines.
Bringing power back to your home
If your power is still out, the service line to your home may be damaged. This step can be the most challenging, as crews need to visit each property to make necessary repairs.
What to do during an outage
Get practical tips for staying safe and comfortable until we're able to get your power back on.
Backup generators
Generators can be a convenient backup during a power outage when used correctly. Review safety tips to protect yourself and our crews.
Plan for medical needs
Use medical life-support equipment? Have a plan in place and consider a backup generator in case of an extended power outage.