PG&E’s Public Safety Power Shutoff won’t affect LMUD customers, utility may still be ordered to de-energize system if necessary
PG&E’s Potential Public Safety Power Shutoff Tuesday Night may affect about 65 Lassen County residents; however, LMUD noted it shouldn’t affect their power supply. If deemed necessary though, LMUD may still be ordered to de-energize power for safety.
“We have been made aware that some customers are concerned that this PG&E, PSPS event may affect LMUD customers. This is not true,” the utility shared Monday. “Although Lassen county is listed as a ‘potential impact area,’ at this time, LMUD is not connected to the PG&E grid – we are still receiving power from HLP.”
“Currently, we do not have plans to de-energize any part of our system. However, due to the Dixie Fire, high-winds and possible erratic fire behavior, LMUD may be ordered to de-energize power if fire personnel deem it necessary for safety. As always, we will do our best to keep our customers informed and up to date on all power situations,” LMUD wrote.
The potential PSPS event starting Tuesday night could affect approximately 39,000 customers in small portions of 16 counties in the Sierra Nevada foothills, the North Coast, the North Valley and the North Bay mountains. While the majority of customers—about 27,000— are in Butte and Shasta counties, PG&E is also notifying customers who may experience safety shutoffs in portions of 14 other counties: Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Mendocino, Napa, Plumas, Sierra, Solano, Sonoma, Tehama, Trinity, Yolo and Yuba.
Customer notifications — via text, email and automated phone call — began Sunday evening, approximately two days prior to the potential shutoff. PG&E employees will pay individual, in-person visits when possible to customers enrolled in the company’s Medical Baseline program who do not verify that they have received these important safety communications, with a primary focus on customers who rely on electricity for critical life-sustaining equipment. Customers can look up their address online to find out if their location is being monitored for the potential safety shutoff at www.pge.com/pspsupdates.
