Public Safety Power Shutoffs

Utilities may temporarily turn off power to specific areas to reduce the risk of fires caused by electric infrastructure. This action is called a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS).

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History and Background

Over the last decade, California has experienced increased, intense, and record-breaking wildfires in California. These wildfires have resulted in a devastating loss of life and billions of dollars in property and infrastructure damage. Historically, electric utility infrastructure has been responsible for less than 10% of reported wildfires. However, wildfires attributed to electrical infrastructure consist of roughly half of the most destructive wildfires in California history. With the continuing threat of wildfire, the electric investor-owned utilities (IOUs) may proactively cut power to electrical lines as a measure of last resort if the utility reasonably believes that there is an imminent and significant risk that strong winds may topple power lines or cause major vegetation-related issues leading to increased risk of wildfires. This effort is called a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). While PSPS events may reduce the risk of utility-associated wildfires, PSPS events can leave communities and essential facilities without power, which brings its own risks and hardships, especially for vulnerable communities and individuals.

In 2012, the CPUC ruled that California Public Utilities Code Sections 451 and 399.2(a) give the electric IOUs authority to shut off the electric power to protect public safety. This allows the electric IOUs (San Diego Gas & Electric, Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison, Liberty Utilities, Bear Valley Electric Service, and PacifiCorp) to shut off power to prevent catastrophic wildfires when strong winds, heat events, and related conditions are present.

In 2017, fires raged in Santa Rosa, Los Angeles, and Ventura, making it one of California’s most devastating wildfire seasons. In 2018, the CPUC adopted Resolution ESRB-8 to strengthen customer notification requirements before de-energization events and required utilities to submit a report within 10 days after each de-energization event.

In December 2018, the CPUC opened Order Instituting Rulemaking (OIR) 18-12-005 to examine its rules allowing electric utilities to de-energize power lines in case of dangerous conditions and seek input from affected communities, governments, first responders, and other stakeholders.

In May 2019, the CPUC issued the decision in the first phase of the PSPS proceeding (Phase 1 Decision). Phase 1 focused on IOU notification and communication guidelines for Public Safety Partners, Local Governments, and customers (including Access and Functional Needs customers).

In June 2020, the CPUC issued the decision in the second phase of the PSPS proceeding (Phase 2 Decision). Phase 2 expanded on notification and communication guidelines, working groups/advisory boards, PSPS exercises, Community Resource Centers (CRC), restoration, transportation/communications/water system resilience, and transparency.

In June 2021, the CPUC issued the Phase 3 decision in the PSPS proceeding. Phase 3 continued expansion of CRCs, critical facilities and infrastructure, PSPS exercises, definitions, education and outreach, Medical Baseline/Access and Functional Needs customers, mitigation, notification, Regional Working Groups, and reporting.

2023

April 18, 2023: Post-Season Public Briefings on Utility 2022 PSPS Events

What: The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) hosted public briefings for the electric investor-owned utilities to present to the CPUC and the public on their Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) program and events in 2022. The electric utilities provided updates on their efforts and coordination with public safety partners, critical infrastructure and facilities, and customers, including those most vulnerable or with access and functional needs in 2022. The utilities presented on efforts to mitigate customer impacts and identified changes to processes or operations in 2023 based on lessons learned.

Why: The CPUC required electric utilities to publicly present on their PSPS program and events in 2022. The CPUC oversees the utilities’ execution of PSPS events and has been driving the utilities to improve in response to lessons learned from previous PSPS events. The electric utilities submitted 2022 PSPS Post Season reports to the CPUC on March 1, 2023. The reports detailed their 2022 efforts regarding community resource centers, public safety partners, education and outreach, medical baseline, access and functional needs program, and notifications.

Meeting Documents

2022

August 1 and 2, 2022: Pre-Season Public Briefings on Utility Preparedness for 2022 PSPS Events

What: The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), in ongoing efforts to hold utilities accountable for executing safe and appropriate Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events, required the state’s electric investor-owned utilities to publicly present on their preparedness for PSPS events in 2022. The electric utilities provided updates on the status of preparation efforts and coordination with public safety partners, critical infrastructure and facilities, and customers, including those most vulnerable or with access and functional needs. The utilities will present on efforts to mitigate customer impacts and will identify changes to processes or operations in 2022 based on lessons learned.

Why: The CPUC oversees the electric utilities’ preparation for and execution of PSPS events and has been driving the utilities to improve in response to lessons learned from previous PSPS events. The electric utilities submitted 2022 PSPS Pre-Season reports to the CPUC on July 1, 2022. The reports included specific plans for Community Resource Centers, critical facilities, PSPS exercises, education and outreach-related surveys and accessibility efforts, notifications, highest risk circuits, and identified lessons learned from 2021.

Meeting Documents

July 2022: Utility Staff Briefings for 2022 PSPS Preparation

What: The electric investor-owned utilities presented Staff Briefings to CPUC staff in July 2022 on their preparedness for PSPS events. These Staff Briefings informed the utilities' Pre-Season Public Briefings on August 1 and August 2, 2022.

February 23 and 25, 2022: Post-Season Public Briefings on Utility 2021 PSPS Events

Media Advisory
Agenda
Presentations
- Liberty Utilities
- PacifiCorp
- PG&E
- SCE
- SDG&E

2021

November 10, 2021: Electric Utility Safety Update Public Briefing

What: The CPUC and the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety (Energy Safety), in a joint commitment to safety and transparency, will hold a public briefing to hear from Bear Valley Electric Service (BVE) and PG&E regarding updates on electric safety related efforts, pursuant to Public Utilities Code section 8389(e)(5). Members of the Board of Directors of BVE and PG&E will present and answer questions from the CPUC and Energy Safety.

Meeting Documents

August 25, 2021: Public Meeting on Utility Safety Practices

What: The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the Office of Energy Safety Infrastructure (Energy Safety), in their joint commitment to safety and transparency, called on San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) and Southern California Edison (SCE) to present updates on their electric safety related efforts. Members of the Board of Directors of SDG&E and SCE were present to answer questions from the CPUC and Energy Safety. There was the opportunity for public comment.

Meeting Documents

August 2-4, 2021: Public Briefings on Utility Preparedness for 2021 Public Safety Power Shutoffs