Oakland, August 20, 2024: At the recently concluded Zoom Tag-lish Webinar on Safety and Prevention of Wildfires, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E ) collaborated once again with the Philippine American Press Club USA, based in the Bay Area, to specifically target the Filipino American community. This is the fourth year that this outreach to multicultural communities have been promulgated. Fiona Chan, Principal, Integrated Multicultural Communications, provided specific PG&E websites, while moderator, Atty, Regina Venzon, Chief of Staff to the Chief Operating Officer of PG&E, expounded on the latest wildfire prevention programs for customers, and risk reduction processes to make their system safer. And importantly, explain the costs behind customers’ electric and gas bill.
Safety first
First order of the day was for Ms. Venzon to highlight Safety preparation for customers, encouraging everyone to prepare for natural disasters or emergencies: Build a disaster kit for oneself, family and business to include food, water, medication, flashlights, first aid kits, a list of emergency contacts and more tools to keep you safe. Go bags should have food and water that will last at least 72 hours. Ideal is one week. And update your contact information with PG&E to stay informed of potential power outages and receive important alerts to keep customers and family safe.
The slides included specific PG&E websites like pge.com/alerts and to prepare for an emergency, visit safetyactioncenter.pge.com
Ms. Venzon pointed out risks in the community like untended vegetation, and that PG&E can assist customer by providing support before, during and after an event. The webinar allowed attendees to ask questions particular to their experiences.
Latest Improvements
PG&E’s latest improvements include installation of 2,000 weather stations and 600 hi-definition cameras with AI capability to better predict, monitor and respond to wildfires and severe weather; embarked on Situational Awareness programs, new tools and technology.
Installation of Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS) to 44,000+ line miles in high fire-risk areas to automatically shut off power with one-tenth of a second if a hazard is detected; and established Public Safety Power Shutoffs which turns off power for safety as a last resort during severe weather.
Their resiliency work included installing strong poles and covered powerlines on 1,800+ miles of overhead powerlines; 630 miles of Undergrounding powerlines. So far,10,000 miles in high-risk areas have been targeted for this project. Vegetation Management Includes removing or pruning 1 million+ trees each year to ensure they are a safe distance from powerlines. These measures have reduced wildfire risk from equipment by more than 94%.* (Based on PG*E’s 2020 Risk Assessment and Mitigation report.)
Customer Care
Community Wildfire Safety Program (CWSP) established the
Community Resource Centers during Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) to provide resources and up-to-date information. Assistance is given for personal and medical device charging; mobile battery chargers; ADA-accessible restrooms; bottled water and snacks, and resting areas. Visit pge.com/crc
Their Portable Battery Program and Disability Disaster Access and Resources (DDAR), PG&E provides portable batteries to customers, and refrigeration for medication. Since 2020, PG&E has distributed more than 18,000 portable batteries to eligible customers. Electricity-dependent individuals are assisted with emergency preparedness planning, portable batteries and PSPS in-event support like hotels, transportation and food for eligible customers. For those who are at an increased risk of harm to their health, safety and independence during a PSPS and other emergency events, they can reach out to their local Disability Disaster Access and Resources Center prior to a PSPS for assistance. Illnesses like Sleep apnea, COPD, etc. are eligible. One has to be eligible though for these services. Visit pge.com/ddar
For 2024, they increased funding and expanded eligibility for the Generator and Battery Rebate Program. They have rebates and financing to boot. Visit pgecom/portablebattery and pge.com/backuppower.
To add to this, PG&E developed a new meter design to make it easier for customers to use backup power during emergency outages. The program is free to customers with a compatible generator. Visit http://pge.com/transfermeter
Self-Generation Incentive Program to save on energy storage systems is offered to residences and business Customers that live in high-risk areas This new program is called . pge.co/sgip
Ms. Venzon provided PG&E’s 800 743-5000 for assistance, and website www.pge.com where one can search for their particular subject of interest like Getting Started with Solar; California Energy Efficiency Loans for home and Business at Go Green Financing, List of qualified batteries, etc.
Understanding two causes of outages: Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS) vs Public Power Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS)
Whild both help prevent wildfires, they have different functions: EPSS automatically turns off power within one-tenth of a second when wildfire hazard, like when a tree branch is detected on a powerline. Outage is not pre-planned compared to PSPS where outage is planned when there is an expected severe weather forecast, low humidity levels, forecasted high winds, dry vegetation or imminent wildfire situations. visit http://pge.com/outages
Understanding your power bill
Ms. Venzon said many of their customers wanted to know what comprises their electric bill. She explained that 31% of their bill is mandated by the State. These includes tree trimming, renewables Portfolio standard, EPSS, PSPS, and subsidized public programs. 32% goes to Energy Generation and Purchasing Costs; 22% goes to Operations, Maintenance and Upgrades (improvements and waste elimination programs), reduction of wildfire risks; only 10% is Regulator-Authorized Earnings. 5% is for Taxes
Tips on reporting wildfire hazards or events
Hotline Wildfire Safety: 1-866 743-6589
For free and confidential support and resources via text call 211.
Visit http://211ca.org/
When someone, notices fire in the surroundings, it is Calfire that should be notified first. Not PG&E.
To alert PG&E for a possible hazard with trees, email [email protected] or download PG&E’s app, “Reportitact”. Take a photo and upload thru the app and you will get updates on action.
For other questions regarding this webinar, email [email protected]Link to webinar on Youtube https://youtu.be/YTkn3GCUP34
