Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) and PG&E Resources

Post

Severe weather, such as high winds, can cause trees or debris to damage equipment. If there is dry vegetation, this could lead to a wildfire. That’s why PG&E may need to turn power off to keep you safe. This temporary outage is called a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). 

Resources are available for you to help you prepare and respond for a PSPS:

  • Generator Rebates
  • Portable batteries for medical devices
  • Community Resource Centers
  • Meal replacements 
  • Transportation resources and hotel accommodations

Access information on resources.

PG&E partners with the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC). Together, they offer support through the Disability Disaster Access Resource program (DDAR) for older adults and people with disabilities. Support is available before, during and after wildfire safety outages.

If you have medical or independent needs, the DDAR program can help you:

  • Create an emergency plan.
  • Apply for a portable backup battery.
  • Get ADA-accessible car rides and hotel stays during a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) or other wildfire safety power outages.
  • Receive food replacements during a PSPS or other wildfire safety power outages.

Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings:

To help prevent wildfires and protect their customers, PG&E is continuing to enhance their safety efforts. They are adjusting the sensitivity on some equipment to automatically - and quickly – turn off power if the system detects a problem. They call this Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS). 

Learn more about the wildfire safety efforts by visiting their website and reviewing the flyer. 

Portable Battery Program:

PG&E’s Portable Battery Program provides backup batteries to lessen the impact of Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events on customers who rely on medical devices. In 2020, PG&E collaborated with community-based organizations to provide more than 5,500 portable batteries. PG&E is continuing to work with five Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program providers and Richard Heath and Associates to deliver additional batteries. 

Program partners will reach out to eligible customers to conduct a phone or email assessment. The assessment will survey customer emergency preparedness plans and medical device information to match the customer with the best battery available for their needs. Learn more with the flyer or by visiting their website.

Community Wildfire Safety Program:

PG&E and the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC) are working in collaboration on a readiness programto support people with disabilities and older adults before, during and after a Public Safety Power Shutoff or other emergency. This is one of the first statewide programs of its kind. 

CFILC is working with local Independent Living Centers (ILC) to conduct a pilot program to provide AFN community members with support and assistance to prepare for disasters and extended power outages. The CFILC will determine who qualifies for resources through an application process and criteria that includes disabilities and chronic medical conditions that require electricity to live independently in the community.

Learn more with the flyer.

Medical Baseline Program:

The Medical Baseline Allowance program is specifically designed for households that rely on in-home medical equipment, this program allows you to use more electricity at a low rate, which can lower your overall monthly energy costs, assuming consistent electricity use.

Apply for the PG&E Medical Baseline program.

Medical Baseline Allowance Flyer in Multiple Languages:

Arabic
Armenian
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Farsi
Hmong
Korean
Spanish
Tagalog
Vietnamese