A Public Safety Power Shutoff, or PSPS, is when we temporarily turn off power during extreme weather conditions to prevent our electric system from becoming a potential source of ignition. A PSPS is last-resort measure for keeping customers and communities safe.

We consider many factors, like those shown below, and information from local fire departments and emergency management organizations, when we're deciding whether to call a PSPS.

If we do need to call a PSPS, we work to minimize the number of customers affected and the amount of time they are without power. And, we’ll keep you informed about what is happening and what to expect from us by communicating across a wide range of channels.

If PGE calls a PSPS, we’ll proactively notify customers through direct emails and information on our website and social media channels, as well as engagement with local news media outlets like radio, television and newspapers.

After we call a PSPS, our crews will inspect every line in the shutoff area for damage, repair it and make sure it’s safe before re-energizing. That can take time, and as a result, these safety-related outages can last several hours to several days. That's why it's important to prepare.

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We are committed to providing updates, including updates to estimated restoration times, at least every 24 hours throughout a PSPS, using a variety of channels that may include our website, the media, social media, email and public safety notifications.  

We take extra measures to reach customers enrolled in our Medical Certificate program and those who rely on electricity for home health devices or to refrigerate their medications. If there is medical equipment or needs in your home that relies on electricity, it's essential that you work with your medical provider to have a plan for appropriate backup power suited to your situation. We also recommend you apply to our Medical Certificate program so we know who you are and can support you in building a backup plan.

If you are in the areas highlighted on our interactive map, you are in an area that is at a higher risk for a safety-related outage during wildfire season. However, it’s possible that PGE could turn the power off in other locations, as well. In the event we need to call a PSPS, we will work to minimize the number of customers affected and the amount of time they are without power. We will keep customers informed about what is happening and what to expect from us by communicating across a wide range of channels in multiple languages, to all customers who may be impacted.

Before we call a PSPS, we'll make every effort to provide 24 to 48 hours of advance notice to all customers and community members who may be impacted, and another notice within 1 to 4 hours of when we may need to de-energize an area. We will also provide notice when de-energization happens, when restoration begins and again when it is complete.

We will also take extra measures to reach out to Medical Certificate customers.

We are committed to providing updates at least every 24 hours throughout a PSPS, which will include updates to estimated restoration times, using a variety of channels that may include our website, mass communications, social media, email and public safety notifications.  

Power will remain shut off as long as the threat of wildfire is present. When the threat has passed, PGE crews will patrol the lines to visually check for damage from wind-blown debris or any other issues before the power is turned back on.

It's hard to predict how long this process might take. It depends heavily on when conditions return to normal (crews can't inspect in the dark), the amount of damage crews discover and the terrain they have to cover (mountain terrain, rocky areas, etc.). We will work as quickly as safety allows to restore power to all de-energized areas.

Because these safety-related outages could last several hours or multiple days, it’s important that you have a plan in place.

There is no way to guarantee any home or facility will never experience an outage. That’s why we encourage customers with medical needs and facilities that care for vulnerable populations and depend on electricity for medical equipment to have a backup source of power and contingency plans in the event of an outage.

If you have, or care for someone with, significant health needs that require electricity, please let us know and apply for a medical certificate.

Customers enrolled in our Medical Certificate program will get additional phone calls from our Customer Service Advisors before and during a PSPS. If you have a medical need, we encourage you to enroll in our Medical Certificate program today so our Customer Service Advisors can partner to help you during a PSPS.