PG&E Focused on Essential Safety and Wildfire Mitigation Projects as COVID-19 Pandemic Continues

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) said today that it remains focused and engaged on essential projects to provide continuity of service during this critical time and for the safety of its customers and communities. These essential projects involve maintaining, repairing and upgrading the safety and reliability of its gas and electric infrastructure as well as key wildfire mitigations as the state and nation continue battling the COVID-19 virus.

California’s shelter-at-home order currently remains in effect for all 40 million Californians and has been extended in key areas until May 1. Importantly, the order exempts essential workers in critical infrastructure sectors, including energy companies like PG&E. This includes individuals performing any work necessary to the operation and maintenance of gas and electrical systems and services, including those that support other essential services.

Defining Essential Electric Work

PG&E will continue performing electric work consistent with the Governor’s priorities for essential services and for the safety of our customers and communities including:

• Emergency response to restore electric service;
• Work to further the preparedness for Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events as directed by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), CAL FIRE and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC);
• Enhanced and routine vegetation management;
• Critical maintenance; and
• Work associated with our Wildfire Mitigation Plan.

PG&E electric crews also will proceed with new business work to support residential projects with residents ready to move in; new business projects related to medical facilities, agencies, labs, manufacturers or businesses supporting COVID-19 response; new business projects in support of homeless shelters, elder-care facilities, grocery stores and restaurants providing take-out service.

Limiting Planned Outages

As PG&E continues with critical and essential safety and maintenance projects, customer impacts will be minimized to the extent possible. Where service interruptions are required to safely complete critical and essential work, PG&E will work to limit the number and duration of planned outages.

“We understand the impacts of a service interruption given the current shelter-at-home orders for our communities, and the potential disruption or hardship these outages may cause,” said Laurie Giammona, PG&E’s Chief Customer Officer and its Senior Vice President of Customer Care. “We appreciate our customers’ patience and support for our crews as we conduct our essential safety and maintenance work.”