Public safety power shut-offs

Assemblymember Marie Waldron Special to Valley News Devastation from California’s wildfires has been at record levels in recent years. Last year our wildfire season resulted in over 4 million acres burned in 9,600 fires – 31 people died. The economic costs to homeowners, utilities, ratepayers, insurers and local governments has been catastrophic. While electric utility infrastructure accounted for less than 10% of wildfires historically, downed power lines have been responsible for about half of California’s most destructive fires. As a result, in 2012 the California Public Utilities Commission granted electric utilities authority to shut off power during excessive wind or heat events to protect public safety. As we all know, these public safety power shut-offs have been inc