Only 5 customers in Antioch affected; Efforts to Begin in Many Areas; Continues to Monitor Weather Conditions in Many Areas including Bay Area; Restoration Progress Continues: 126,000 Customers Restored

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Pacific Gas and Electric Company reported that improving weather conditions in some parts of the areas affected by the Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) have allowed for an “all clear” to be issued for safety inspections, repair and restoration efforts to begin in many areas.

Updates

• As of 3 p.m. Thursday, the following additional counties were added to the “all clear” list for inspection, repair and restoration to begin: Alameda, Colusa, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Placer, San Benito, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Tehama, Trinity, Yolo, and in portions of Yuba.
• In a 2:43 p.m. email, PG&E Spokesperson, Tamar Sarkissian shared that “Antioch has approximately five customers impacted by PSPS.”
• As of 2 p.m. all clears have been declared in the following areas to begin inspections and assess if equipment is safe to resume electric delivery services.

 

County	Total Customers Notified	Weather Event
Alpine	633	All Clear
Amador	16,041	All Clear
Calaveras	23,708	All Clear
El Dorado	51,396	Partial All Clear
Mariposa	1,812	All Clear
Merced	14	All Clear
Monterey	3	All Clear
Placer	51,641	Partial All Clear
San Joaquin	52	All Clear
San Mateo	14,766	Partial All Clear
Santa Clara	38,250	All Clear
Santa Cruz	36,940	Partial All Clear
Stanislaus	1,088	All Clear
Tuolumne	34,413	All Clear

• PG&E crews will visually inspect power lines to look for potential weather-related damage to the lines, poles and towers. This is done by vehicle, foot and air.
• More than 30 PG&E Community Resource Centers remain open throughout the service area to provide water, phone charging stations and air-conditioned seating for customers. To view the full list, visit here.
• Resources supporting the restoration include more than 6,300 on-the-ground field personnel and 44 helicopters. Crews will conduct visual inspections and will make repairs as necessary if any damage is found.

Kern Update

Power was turned off for safety to approximately 4,000 customers in Kern County this morning.

Weather updates

Dangerous weather conditions are expected to continue in some parts of the Sierra Foothills and Bay Area until midday Thursday. Similar conditions in Kern County are beginning late morning Thursday and lasting through midday Friday.

126,000 Customers Restored; Current Impacted Count is 600,000

PG&E Continues to Monitor Weather Conditions; No Equipment-Related Fires Reported

Executes Final Wave of Safety Turnoffs in Kern County, Impacting Approximately 4,000 Customers

By Tamar Sarkissian, PG&E Spokesperson

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. 1:22 PM, Thurs., Oct. 10, 2019 — On Thursday morning, October 10, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) reported that improving weather conditions in some parts of the areas affected by the Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) have allowed for safety inspections, repairs and restoration in some areas to begin. Approximately 126,000 customers were restored by 6 a.m. Thursday.

There are still currently approximately 600,000 customers without power as a result of the PSPS event, which began on early Wednesday.

Updates

• There were no reported fires related to PG&E equipment in the PSPS impact zone.
• As of 6 a.m. Thursday, peak wind gusts — a major factor in the decision to implement a PSPS — have been recorded at 77 mph at Mt. St. Helena West in Sonoma County and 75 mph at Mount Diablo in Contra Costa County since midnight. Both of these areas were de-energized in the PSPS action.
• The company has received many preliminary reports of vegetation-related damage to its equipment in these areas.
• A third phase for portions of Kern County is scheduled for late morning Thursday. Due to changing weather forecasts, PG&E now expects this event to impact approximately 4,000 customers. Earlier forecasts predicted impacts to 40,000 customers in this area.
• Safety inspections, repairs and power restoration will begin in specific areas once a weather “all clear” is given.
• Customers not impacted by the PSPS may experience power outages due to PG&E equipment damaged during this major event.
• Resources standing by to support the restoration include more than 6,300 on-the-ground field personnel and 45 helicopters. Crews will conduct visual inspections and will make repairs as necessary if any damage is found.
• The number of circuit-miles requiring inspection includes nearly 25,000 miles of distribution lines and 2,500 miles of transmission lines, a combined distance measuring longer than a trip around the circumference of the Earth.

“We faced a choice between hardship or safety, and we chose safety. We deeply apologize for the inconvenience and the hardship, but we stand by the decision because the safety of our customers and communities must come first,” said Michael Lewis, Senior Vice President, Electric Operations.

Weather Updates

Dangerous weather conditions are expected to continue in parts of the Sierra Foothills and Bay Area until midday Thursday. Similar conditions in Kern County are beginning late morning Thursday and lasting through midday Friday.

For restoration to begin, the company must inspect its affected equipment to ensure no damage has occurred to its equipment. As of 10 a.m., the company has not issued an “all clear” for the Bay Area. Inspection patrols take place during daytime hours.

50,000 Customers Already Restored from First Phase of Safety Shutoffs

Second Phase of Shutoffs Has Begun for 234,000 Customers in Sierra Foothills and Bay Area

Improving Weather Means Safety Inspections in Some Areas of Humboldt Have Started

Potential Customer Impacts in Kern County Reduced from 43,000 to Approximately 4,000

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is sharing important updates related to the Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) that has been implemented across portions of its service area as a precautionary measure to reduce the risk of wildfire during a widespread, severe wind event impacting its service area.

“In the East Bay, South Bay and Santa Cruz counties, shutoffs have begun and we will continue deenergizing through midnight tonight,” Katy Hernandez of PG&E’s Marketing and Communications shared.

The latest updates include:

• PG&E has now restored power to approximately 50,000 customers in the Sierra Foothills since the shutoff began.
• Improving weather means patrols in some areas of Humboldt County have started. PG&E anticipates being able to restore power to 60,000 to 80,000 customers tonight or early Thursday morning. Patrols take place during daytime hours and will resume at daybreak.
• The second phase of the PSPS event began this afternoon and will to continue into the evening. Approximately 234,000 customers will be impacted during this phase in the following counties: Alameda, Alpine, Contra Costa, Mariposa, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne. Outages are expected to happen in two waves, with the East Bay, South Bay and Santa Cruz counties being impacted later tonight.
• The first phase of shutoffs impacted approximately 513,000 customers in the following counties: Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Solano, Sonoma, Tehama, Trinity, Yolo and Yuba counties. Some additional customers in Calaveras and Mendocino were included in the second phase.
• A third phase is being considered for portions of Kern County. Due to changing weather forecasts, PG&E now expects this event to impact approximately 4,000 customers. Earlier forecasts predicted impacts to 43,000 customers.

Additional resources are poised to support the restoration process, including 45 helicopters and more than 6,300 on-the-ground field personnel. Inspections, repairs and restoration can begin once the weather event has passed and it is safe to do so. PG&E expects that the weather to subside around midday Thursday in the Sierra Foothills and the Bay Area/Santa Cruz. Weather conditions in the Kern/Bakersfield area are forecasted to improve into midday Friday.

The decision to turn off power was based on forecasts of dry, windy weather including potential fire risk.

“We understand that this power shutoff is difficult for our customers and communities. Please check on your neighbors, friends and family and know that we will work safely, and quickly as possible, to restore power across the region,” said Sumeet Singh, vice president, PG&E Community Wildfire Safety Program. “Our meteorological and operations teams are actively monitoring the weather and this evolving situation, and we are working directly with state and local agencies to help our customers and communities through this event safely.

Check PG&E’s new website for power shutoff area map.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

By Allen Payton

According to Sumeet Singh, Vice President, PG&E Community Wildfire Safety Program, during a press conference, Wednesday evening, the planned power shutoff in the East Bay, including Contra Costa County, would be postponed based on changes in the weather pattern.

“As part of our second phase we are continuing to monitor weather in the East Bay, the South Bay and Santa Cruz areas,” he stated. “We will be making a decision about the timing of the deactivation later this evening…because there is a shift in the timing of the weather pattern. So, we may be able to delay the start of that deactivation.”

“It took take several days to restore power,” Singh also shared. (See the press conference on Twitter, here.)

Jeff Smith of PG&E confirmed at 9:10 PM Wednesday night, that the shutoff has been postponed, saying “the second phase of shutoffs has begun for customers in the Sierra Foothills and Bay Area. The East Bay, South Bay and Santa Cruz Counties are weather dependent. But they haven’t begun. We are continuing to monitor the weather and it will be completely dependent on the weather.”

Maps of the affected areas can be viewed on the following PG&E web pages: www.pge.com/eventmaps and www.pge.com/pspseventmaps.

Approve MOU for Route 239 in East County to connect Brentwood to Tracy; $2.1 Million for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

By Daniel Borsuk

Potentially facing the first-ever utility-induced electric power shutdown in parts of Contra Costa County, members of the Board of Supervisors discharged a barrage of questions on Tuesday about the preparedness of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District in handling potential emergencies during what could be a power shutdown lasting several days.

At the end, Supervisors learned CCCFPD is ready to handle whatever might come down from a PG&E power shutdown.

Supervisors relayed their concerns about the CCCFPD’s fire emergency readiness at Tuesday’s fire district meeting where supervisors also serve as the fire district’s fiscal and policymaking entity.

PG&E revealed plans on Tuesday it would intentionally shut down power serving Rossmoor and parts of the Lafayette-Moraga-Orinda areas on Wednesday, due to high winds and concerns the winds could knock down power lines sparking a fire. The power shutoff could last through Friday or longer depending on weather conditions.

CCCFPD Chief Lewis Broschard III forecast one-third of Rossmoor or 4,000 to 5,000 residents could be potentially harmed by a power outage. Many elderly residents living in senior housing don’t have backup electric generators, he said.

“We’re looking at longer response times due to traffic tie ups,” the chief said. This will require having equipment and personnel strategically located ahead of potential emergencies.

Broschard acknowledged that the fire district has encountered a roadblock in obtaining state pre-position funding.

When Chief Broschard informed supervisors that the district’s newly built Fire Station 16 in Lafayette will be officially opened on Wednesday, Board Vice Chair Candace Andersen, whose District 2 covers most of the areas PG&E has identified will have power shut off observed “We might not have power tomorrow to dedicate the station.”

Chief Broschard said the district recently accepted delivery of its newest bulldozer, the district’s second bulldozer that will provide district extra firefighting power in what has been “a quiet fire season” up to this point in time.

In other business, supervisors unanimously approved their 2020 schedule consisting of 30 meetings. Vice Chair Candace Andersen of Danville has already been elected chair for next year and District 3 Supervisor Diane Burgis of Brentwood has been elected vice chair for 2020.

Supervisors also approved as consent items:

MOU for Route 239 in East County

An amended and restated Memorandum of Understanding between the county and the Contra Costa Transportation Authority concerning the development and federal funding for State Route 239 Project in the Byron area. There were no public speakers concerning the $17.6 million project, $14 million in federal funding and $3.6 million in Local Road Fund.

$2.1 Million for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

Supervisors approved a $2,099,274 contract for the California Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program for the period of Oct. 1, 2019 through June 30, 2021. The grant is funded with federal money through the California Department of Community Services and Development.

Contra Costa County postponed until 8:00 p.m., tonight

By Tamar Sarkissian, PG&E Spokesperson

513,000 customers were part of the first phase of this PSPS; those customers are currently deenergized. They’re in the following counties: Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Solano, Sonoma, Tehama, Trinity, Yolo and Yuba counties.

About 21,000 customers in Calaveras and 800 in Mendocino were not part of the first phase and will be deenergized during the second phase coming later today.

Shutoffs for the second phase of counties, initially scheduled to start around noon on Wednesday, have been delayed by a few hours, given changes to the weather forecast. Those counties are: Alameda, Alpine, Calaveras, Contra Costa, Mariposa, Mendocino, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Stanislaus and Toulomne.

We understand the impact turning off the power for safety has on customers, we don’t take this action lightly. We thank our customers for their patience during this significant wind event.

EAST BAY AREAS EXPECTED TO BE IMPACTED

County	Customers	Cities
Alameda	32,680 Medical Base: 872	Oakland, Castro Valley, Fremont, Union City, Berkeley, Albany, Hayward, San Leandro, Sunol, Pleasanton, Livermore
Contra Costa	51,310 Medical Base:1,594	Antioch, San Ramon, Orinda, Lafayette, Moraga, Pinole, Richmond, Kensington, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, El Cerrito, El Sobrante, Canyon, San Pablo, Pittsburg, Rodeo, Concord, Martinez,

 

COMMUNITY WILDFIRE SAFETY PROGRAM

PSPS is part of a larger effort. Given the continued and growing threat of extreme weather and wildfires, and as an additional precautionary measure following the 2017 and 2018 wildfires, we are expanding and enhancing our Community Wildfire Safety Program to further reduce wildfire risks and help keep our customers and the communities we serve safe.

Our ongoing and expanded efforts include further enhancing vegetation management around power lines, conducting accelerated safety inspections of electric infrastructure in high fire-threat areas, and hardening our electric system.

In response to the rapidly changing environmental conditions in our state, beginning with the 2019 wildfire season, we are also expanding our Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) program to include all electric lines that pass through high fire-threat areas – both distribution and transmission. Factors that PG&E considers when deciding to initiate a Public Safety Power Shutoff included strong winds, very low humidity levels, critically dry vegetation and on-the-ground observations by our crews.

COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTERS

To support customers in the affected areas, PG&E will open Community Resource Centers in several locations beginning at 8 a.m. today. The centers will remain open during daylight hours only. Restrooms, bottled water, electronic-device charging and air-conditioned seating for up to 100 will be available at these facilities.

The East Bay centers will be opened at the following locations:

 

County	City	Location
Contra Costa	San Ramon	Bishop Ranch Parking Lot – 2600 Camino Ramon, San Ramon 94583
Alameda	Oakland	Merritt College LOT B – Leona St., Oakland 94508

CUSTOMER TIPS

We know how much our customers rely on electric service and that there are safety risks on both sides. We understand and appreciate that turning off the power affects first responders and the operation of critical facilities, communications systems and much more. Below are some helpful safety tips you can share. You can also direct customers to: www.safetyactioncenter.pge.com

PG&E Power Outage Safety Tips

• Use a cell phone or hard-wired phone. Cordless phones do not work without electricity.
• Use battery-operated flashlights, not candles, which pose a fire hazard.
• Unplug or turn off all electric and heat-producing appliances (e.g. air conditioners, washers and dryers, ovens, stoves, irons) to avoid overloading circuits. Overloaded circuits can be a fire hazard once power is restored.
• Unplug televisions and computers that were in use when the power went out.
• Leave a single lamp on to alert you when power returns.
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed, and place extra containers of ice inside to preserve food. A full freezer will remain colder longer.
• Notify your alarm company if you have an alarm system. Equipment can be affected by outages.
• Turn your appliances back on one at a time when conditions return to normal.
• Reset clocks, thermostats and other programmed equipment after power is restored.

Preparing for a Power Outage

• Keep important numbers (e.g. hospital, fire department, police, friends, relatives) near the phone.
• Keep battery-operated flashlights and radios and extra batteries on hand.
• Gather non-perishable food that doesn’t require cooking, as well as a manual can opener.
• Freeze water-filled plastic jugs to make blocks of ice. Place them in the fridge and freezer to help prevent food from spoiling.
• If you have a generator, make sure a licensed electrician properly installs it. Improperly installed generators pose a significant danger to our crews.

 

By Susan Shiu, Director, Office of Communications & Media, Contra Costa County

Contra Costa County is preparing to respond to the impacts of a confirmed PG&E power shutoff event that will affect parts of the County. PG&E’s Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) is expected to start around 12 noon on Wednesday, October 9th, through Thursday, October 10th, at 12:00 pm. According to PG&E, complete power restoration may take one to five days.

PG&E estimates that 51,000 customers in Contra Costa County could lose power. We expect the shutoff to impact over 120,000 residents of the County. The PG&E power shutoff event will affect large areas of the County, including Bay Point, Canyon, El Sobrante, Kensington, Lafayette, Moraga, North Concord, Orinda, Pleasant Hill, Pinole, Pittsburg, Richmond, San Ramon and Walnut Creek. PG&E notice: Rossmoor and Danville will NOT be impacted by the PSPS. PG&E expects to start restoring power on Thursday, October 10^th with complete restoration possibly taking several days.

Shiu confirmed to the Herald that the list of cities and communities is not exhaustive and that a few customers in Antioch will be affected. She is checking with PG&E to get the details.

Contra Costa County is working to ensure that the public is aware of this PG&E power shutoff event.  The County’s Emergency Operation Center is now at a Level 2 partial activation.  Contra Costa County will be in business on Wednesday and Thursday. The Bay Point Health Center will be closed during the power shutoff.  Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) is contacting patients to reschedule appointments. Patients can also call the CCHS appointment line at 1 (800) 495-8885. Contra Costa Regional Medical and all other county health centers are not expected to be impacted by the outage. CCHS will continue to provide services during the outage.

PG&E Community Resource Center

2600 Camino Ramon, San Ramon

County Charging Stations (for mobile phones):

The County Employment & Human Services Department is setting up charging stations for community members during the PG&E power shutoff. These charging stations are available in the lobbies of the following locations starting Wednesday, October 9^th, from 8 am to 5 pm:

4545 Delta Fair Blvd., Antioch

151 Linus Pauling, Hercules

400 Ellinwood Way, Pleasant Hill

1305 Macdonald, Richmond

There are no scheduled public school closures in Contra Costa County for Wednesday, October 9.  For updates on school closures, go to www.cocoschools.org.

Go to Contra Costa County’s website at www.contracosta.ca.gov for updates, a PG&E map of impacted areas, and ways to prepare before, during and after a power outage. Check www.pge.com to register for wildfire alerts and for customer updates.

Please check back for any updates. Allen Payton contributed to this report.

 

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