A PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS), occurs in response to severe weather. PG&E turns off power to help prevent wildfire and keep communities safe. Although you may not live or work in a high fire-threat area or an area experiencing high winds, your power may be shut off if your home or business relies on a line that runs through an area with extreme weather. Power lines aren't always connected according to neighborhood, so your power could stay on, while a neighborhood across the street could be turned off. 

 

Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings

To help prevent wildfires during an ongoing drought, PG&E is continuing to evolve our safety efforts to protect our customers and communities. This includes adjusting the sensitivity on some equipment to automatically turn off power within one-tenth of a second if the system detects a problem. We call this Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS). This year, we are expanding these safety settings to all powerlines in high fire-risk areas (HFRAs) and some lines that are adjacent to HFRAs. For more information, please visit pge.com/epss.

The map below shows the approximate areas in your community powered by EPSS-capable circuits, which will be enabled during times of heightened wildfire risk.

Download your copy of the Santa Clara County Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings Map.

 

Prepare For Power Outage

During months where the risk of wildfire is high or periods of extended drought, Santa Clara County is at risk of wildfire and or a Public Safety Power Shutoff. Weather and fire conditions are subject to change, so everybody needs to be ready. Several important ways to prepare for emergencies are:

1. Sign up for AlertSCC, the County’s official alert, and warning system.
2. Make a plan.
3. Build an emergency supply kit.
4. Help family, friends and neighbors.

 

For PG&E customers:

• Stay informed on the latest Public Safety Power Shutoff updates.
• Update contact information online or by calling 1-866-743-6589 during normal business hours. PG&E will use this information to alert customers when and where possible before turning off electric service for safety.
• If you or a household member requires a medical or life support device for medical conditions, apply for the PG&E Medical Baseline Program.
• If your device qualifies, you'll receive a lower rate on your monthly energy bill and receive extra notifications in advance of a Public Safety Power Shutoff. Download the Pacific ADA Center’s Emergency Power Planning Fact Sheet.
• Prepare for and practice an emergency plan to be emergency-ready and safe during an outage. Keep in mind family members who are elderly, younger children, and pets. Information and tips including a safety plan checklist are available.
• Emergency supply kits can be a lifesaver during a power outage, earthquake, wildfire, flood, or other disasters. See the emergency supply checklist for a Public Safety Power Shutoff.

PG&E customers can also call the customer service line at 1-800-743-5000 and check PG&E's social media accounts for more information on how to prepare before and during a power outage:

Facebook @ pacificgasandelectric

Twitter @PGE4Me

Visit the PG&E website for information in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Korean, and Russian.

To receive additional information and referrals to services in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Cantonese, and other languages, call 211.

DOWNLOAD THE PACIFIC ADA CENTER’S EMERGENCY POWER PLANNING FACT SHEET FOR PEOPLE WHO USE ELECTRICITY AND BATTERY DEPENDENT ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICAL DEVICES