Starting April 29, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) will host a series of county webinars to detail the progress of its actions being executed as part of the Community Wildfire Safety Program and share how any needed Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events in 2020 are expected to be smaller in scope, shorter in duration, and smarter for customers.
PG&E crews and contractors are in the field performing essential work to maintain gas and electric service, improve the safety of the system, further mitigate wildfire risks, and reduce PSPS impacts. With the webinars — amid the ongoing COVID-19 health impacts — the company intends to keep customers and communities informed about its continuing important safety work to prevent and mitigate the serious risk of catastrophic wildfires while keeping customers and communities healthy and safe.
The schedule has been set up so that customers in adjoining counties can participate and hear details specific to their county. The webinars will feature a brief presentation and provide ample opportunity for participants to ask questions and provide feedback.
"As we all work to meet the challenge of COVID-19, we also know wildfire season is around the corner," said Laurie Giammona, senior vice president and chief customer officer for the PG&E. "We want to ensure our customers understand the steps we are taking in their community to prepare and improve for this year."
This year, the PG&E is expanding its efforts to reduce wildfire risks and keep customers and communities safe. Changes reflect feedback from customers, elected leaders, and other stakeholders. These include:
- Making PSPS events smaller in size, shorter in length, and smarter for customers
- Installing new grid technology
- Hardening the electric system
- Performing enhanced vegetation management
Since last year's wildfire season, the PG&E has participated in nearly 200 meetings with state and federal agencies, local emergency managers, local elected leaders, customers and community groups. Given COVID-19 guidelines, these meetings have transitioned from in-person to web-based gatherings as the company continues to share its plans and seek feedback.
The webinars will take place on Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., beginning April 29 and continuing through the summer. The following are the webinars planned through May:
- April 29: For customers in Butte, Plumas, and Lassen counties
- May 6: For customers in Sonoma and Napa counties
- May 13: For customers in Placer, Nevada, Sierra, and Yuba counties
- May 20: For customers in Solano, Yolo, and Colusa counties
- May 27: For customers in El Dorado, Amador, and Calaveras counties
Although the webinar events will highlight work in the listed counties, they will be open to all PG&E customers throughout the service area. The full webinar schedule, along with more information about the PG&E's Community Wildfire Safety Program, can be found here.
