Trystan Casey
California has experienced an increase in wildfires over the last decade, resulting in devastating loss of life and billions of dollars in property and infrastructure damage. To reduce the risk of fires caused by electric infrastructure, utilities may temporarily shut off power to specific areas. This action is called a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). The electric investor-owned utilities (IOUs) that may proactively cut power include San Diego Gas & Electric, Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison, Liberty Utilities, Bear Valley Electric Service, and PacifiCorp. These shutoffs can leave communities and essential facilities without power, which brings its own risks and hardships, especially for vulnerable communities and individuals. To prepare for PSPS events, residents can utilize resources such as power outage maps, customer alerts, and emergency plans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Power Shutoff | Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) |
| Reason | To reduce the risk of fires caused by electric infrastructure |
| Counties | Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino |
| Utilities Involved | San Diego Gas & Electric, Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison, Liberty Utilities, Bear Valley Electric Service, PacifiCorp |
| Alerts | Address Alerts, text, phone, email |
| Support | SCE Community Resource Centers, Community Crew Vehicles, Customer Resiliency Kits, Hotel Assistance Program, Food Banks, Public Cooling Centers |
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What You'll Learn
Electric investor-owned utilities (IOUs)
California has experienced an increase in wildfires over the last decade, resulting in 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 make up about half of the most destructive wildfires in California's history.
To reduce the risk of fires caused by electric infrastructure, electric investor-owned utilities (IOUs) may proactively cut power to electrical lines as a last resort. This is referred to as a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). While PSPS events can reduce the risk of utility-associated wildfires, they can also leave communities and essential facilities without power, creating risks and hardships, especially for vulnerable populations.
The following are examples of electric IOUs in California that have implemented PSPS:
- Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)
- Southern California Edison (SCE)
- San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)
- Bear Valley Electric Service
- Liberty Utilities
- PacifiCorp
These IOUs are required to publicly present their PSPS programs and events, as well as their preparedness plans, to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the public. Customers can receive alerts and updates about PSPS events through various communication channels, including phone, text, and email, in multiple languages.
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Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS)
PSPS events are a measure of last resort, employed when there is a significant risk that strong winds may topple power lines or cause issues with vegetation, leading to an increased wildfire threat. While PSPS can help reduce the risk of utility-associated wildfires, they can also leave communities and essential facilities without power, creating hardships, especially for vulnerable populations.
The decision to initiate a PSPS is made by electric investor-owned utilities (IOUs), who are authorized to shut off power to protect public safety. This includes companies such as San Diego Gas & Electric, Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison, Liberty Utilities, and Bear Valley Electric Service.
To prepare for PSPS events, electric utilities coordinate with public safety partners, critical infrastructure, facilities, and customers, especially those most vulnerable or with access and functional needs. Customers are encouraged to keep their contact information up to date and select their preferred language for alerts, which can be received via phone, text, email, or other methods.
PSPS events have occurred in California in recent years, with several reports and updates available from 2023 to 2025, indicating that this strategy is an ongoing part of wildfire prevention and public safety efforts in the state.
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Power Outage Maps
California has experienced record-breaking wildfires that have resulted in devastating losses. In some cases, electric utility infrastructure has been responsible for these wildfires. To reduce the risk of fires caused by electric infrastructure, utilities may temporarily cut off power to specific areas. This action is called a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS).
The State's investor-owned electric utilities, including Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), may shut off electric power to protect public safety. This is referred to as "de-energization" or Public Safety Power Shutoffs.
You can view current outage maps and more information on the websites of these utility companies. For instance, PG&E provides information about when the power will be turned off and back on via phone, email, and text in multiple languages. They also offer extra PSPS alerts for those who rely on power for health and safety.
Additionally, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) provides a Power Outage Maps page and a CPUC Public PSPS Dashboard. The dashboard allows users to view detailed PSPS post-event data since 2018 and look up whether an address has been impacted by a PSPS event since October 2021.
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PG&E Public Safety Power Shut Off
California has experienced record-breaking wildfires that have resulted in devastating loss of life and billions of dollars in property and infrastructure damage. Wildfires attributed to electrical infrastructure make up about half of the most destructive wildfires in California's history.
To reduce the risk of fires caused by electric infrastructure, utilities may temporarily turn off power to specific areas. This action is called a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has sorted regions according to their wildfire risk, with homes and businesses in Tiers 2 and 3 wildfire risk areas more likely to experience a PSPS.
The Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is one of the state's investor-owned electric utilities that may shut off electric power to protect public safety. PG&E offers PSPS alerts to account holders in multiple languages, including American Sign Language. They also provide information about when the power will be turned off and back on via phone, email, and text.
PG&E files a report with the CPUC after each PSPS and submits progress reports on their efforts. They also offer a Medical Baseline Program to support those who depend on power for certain medical needs.
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CPUC Public PSPS Dashboard
The CPUC Public PSPS Dashboard provides detailed information on Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) in California. PSPS events are a measure of last resort, where electric investor-owned utilities (IOUs) proactively cut power to electrical lines to reduce the risk of utility-associated wildfires. While PSPS can help prevent wildfires, they can also leave communities and essential facilities without power, impacting vulnerable populations.
The CPUC Public PSPS Dashboard offers post-event data on PSPS occurrences since 2018 and allows users to look up addresses impacted by PSPS events since October 2021. This tool empowers Californians to stay informed and prepare for potential power disruptions. Additionally, the website provides power outage maps and a link to the CPUC Power Outage Maps page for real-time outage information.
The CPUC plays a crucial role in overseeing and regulating PSPS activities. In 2012, it ruled that California Public Utilities Code Sections 451 and 399.2(a) authorize electric IOUs to initiate PSPS to protect public safety. The CPUC has also established phases to enhance PSPS notification and communication guidelines, improve community resources, and ensure compliance with PSPS guidelines through the PSPS Citation Program.
The CPUC hosts annual post-season and pre-season public briefings, inviting electric IOUs to share lessons learned from past PSPS events and preparedness measures for the upcoming year. These briefings foster transparency and collaboration between IOUs, public safety partners, critical infrastructure providers, and customers. The CPUC also collaborates with agencies like the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety (OEIS) and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to address safety culture and PSPS updates.
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Frequently asked questions
A PSPS is a temporary power outage initiated by an electric utility to reduce the risk of wildfires caused by utility equipment.
All counties serviced by the State's investor-owned electric utilities are subject to PSPS. These include:
- Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)
- Southern California Edison (SCE)
- San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)
- Bear Valley Electric Service
- Liberty Utilities
- PacifiCorp
You can receive updates and alerts about PSPS events and power outages through phone calls, emails, and text messages. You can also view current outage maps and information on the websites of the respective electric utilities. Additionally, PG&E offers Address Alerts, allowing you to receive notifications for specific addresses.
