PG&E Cuts Power to 57,500 California Customers as Dry Winds Raise Wildfire Risk
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · May 18
PG&E Cuts Power to 57,500 California Customers as Dry Winds Raise Wildfire Risk
6 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · May 18
779 outages were affecting nearly 57,500 PG&E customers by 9:22 p.m. Sunday, with the utility shutting off power in parts of California to reduce wildfire danger.
Dry, windy conditions drove the move, as PG&E said the outage total includes both planned shutoffs aimed at preventing sparks and unplanned disruptions.
The shutoffs expanded from earlier Sunday warnings centered on Colusa and Glenn counties, when PG&E said a Public Safety Power Shutoff could affect 7,382 customers across 15 counties.
The widening outages underscore how quickly Northern California fire-prevention blackouts can spread when wind, low humidity and dry vegetation raise the risk from overhead power lines.
As cities consider leaving PG&E, who will pay the billions in wildfire costs for the customers left behind?
Are PG&E's 'safety' shutoffs a necessary evil or a way to avoid liability under California's unique laws?