PG&E says power shutoff prevented wildfires

Pacific Gas & Electric says evidence suggests it prevented wildfires with last week’s power shutoffs.

The utility says inspections found more than a hundred spots where high winds impacted its system. The damage included downed power lines and trees that toppled into lines. It says any one of those problems could have started a fire.

PG&E shut off electricity last Wednesday to more than two-million people in northern and central California after predictions of strong winds. Gusts did hit 70-miles an hour in Sonoma county, and surpassed 50-miles an hour in many other counties.

Its goal was to prevent electricity-sparked blazes like last year’s Camp Fire. It killed 85 people, and destroyed the entire town of Paradise.

Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom wants the utility to compensate customers for their inconvenience.

Newsome sent PG&E’s chief executive a letter Monday asking for a rebate or credit for anyone forced to go without power. He wants $100 for residential customers and $250 for small businesses.

The Governor criticized the utility for leaving too many people without electricity for too long. He also said PG&E implemented the shutoffs ” with astounding neglect and lack of preparation. ” Newsom also said the company refused the help offered by local and state emergency managers prior to the intentional outage.

PG&E has not commented on the governor’s statements.

KYMA 2019