__SALUTATION__

PG&E has announced that they will be conducting a Public Safety Power Shutdown (PSPS) in Alameda and Contra Costa counties on Wednesday morning in response to weather conditions that are forecast for the East Bay from Wednesday 4:00 a.m. to Thursday 12:00 p.m.

The latest information from PG&E is that they will begin de-energizing power lines at noon today. The weather event is forecast to end around 12:00 p.m. on Thursday. Once the weather event has passed, PG&E will reinspect power lines prior to energizing them.

This will affect approximately 72,832 PG&E customers in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

Residents in the following areas should anticipate power being shut off:

Contra Costa County

• Orinda
• Lafayette
• Moraga
• Walnut Creek
• Concord
• Pittsburg
• Antioch
• San Ramon

Alameda County

• Pleasanton
• Livermore
• Sunol

Caltrans has worked through the night with their partners to provide power to the Caldecott tunnel. Motorists can expect them to be open during the power shutdown. Motorists should stay tuned to local media and use @511SFBay for the latest updates.

PG&E has opened Community Resource Centers in several locations. They will remain open during daylight hours only. Restrooms, bottled water, electronic-device charging, and air conditioning will be available.

• Contra Costa County - Bishop Ranch Parking Lot, 2600 Camino Ramon, San Ramon 94583
• Alameda County - Merritt College LOT B - Leona St., Oakland 94508

Here are some tips to help prepare for the Public Safety Power Shutoff:

• Plan for your family and pet medical needs. Do you have enough prescription meds? If you have major medical needs that depend upon electricity, is it safer for you to relocate to the home of friend or family member out of the area?
• Have an emergency supply kit with food and water.
• Flashlights? Extra batteries?
• Keep all of your mobile devices charged.
• Identify backup charging methods.
• Store water and non-perishable foods.
• If you have a generator, do you have extra fuel?
• Keep vehicle fuel tanks full.
• Remember, gas stations, stores and ATMs in the immediate area will be closed.
• Know how to use the manual release on your garage door.
• Talk with your neighbors and friends and share your plans.

During the outage:

• Keep freezers and refrigerators closed.
• Monitor freezer and refrigerator temperatures with a thermometer.
• Use perishable food supplies first.
• Use generators, stoves and grills outdoors away from windows.
• Disconnect electronics and appliances to avoid damage from electrical surges.
• Check on neighbors, animals and family.
• Drive safely and slowly as traffic signals may not be functioning properly.

More information about PG&E's Public Safety Power Shutdown can be found here: https://www.pge.com/en_US/safety/emergency-preparedness/natural-disaster/wildfires/public-safety-power-shutoff-faq.page

Senator Steve Glazer
Senate District 7