PSPS Events: What They Are and How To Prepare

PSPS stands for Public Safety Power Shutoff. 

A PSPS event is a planned power outage initiated by an electric utility such as PG&E when weather conditions create an increased risk of wildfire. High winds, dry vegetation, and other factors can raise the likelihood that power lines or electrical equipment could spark a fire. To reduce that risk, utilities may temporarily turn off power in affected areas until conditions improve.

While these outages can be inconvenient, their goal is to help protect communities from potentially dangerous wildfires.

No. Ava Community Energy does not initiate or manage PSPS events, decide which customers are affected, or determine when service is restored.

Ava provides electricity generation service to customers in Alameda County and San Joaquin County, but we do not own or operate the poles, wires, or electrical equipment that deliver power to homes and businesses. Those systems are managed by PG&E.

While Ava does not manage PSPS events, we are working to help communities prepare for them. Through programs like our Resilience Hubs Initiative and Critical Municipal Facilities, Ava supports community-serving facilities that can provide critical resources during power outages.

If a PSPS event may affect your area, PG&E will typically provide advance notice when possible. Existing PG&E customers with current contact information on file will generally receive outage notifications automatically. 

Ava recommends:

For free support in creating an outage preparedness plan, call 211. The California 211 Providers Network offers local advice at no cost and in more than 150 languages. You can reach a Care Coordinator by calling any time, or you can schedule an appointment ahead of time.

PG&E’s PSPS information page will have information about the expected time of power restoration, when available. If you need to access services like charging stations, Wi-Fi, or air conditioning during a PSPS event in Alameda County or San Joaquin County, you can find a local Community Resource Center near you.

To get connected to information and services quickly, you can also always call 211. They can share status updates about the outage, direct you to local Community Resource Centers, and share information about any available hotel discounts, food banks, and transportation resources.

For the latest PSPS updates, outage alerts, and preparedness resources, visit PG&E’s PSPS information page.

You can also find information and resources on your local 211 website.