Pacific Gas and Electric changes the way it notifies customers about power outages

The Pacific Gas and Electric Company is improving the way it notifies its customers about potential power outages.

These power outages are used to prevent wildfires during severe weather situations.

Whenever possible, a watch alert will go out two days in advance of a potential power outage. It will go out once more the day before.

A watch alert will be upgraded to a warning alert when the forecast shows a safety shutoff will be needed and will happen soon.

PG&E hopes to send warning notifications approximately four to 12 hours in advance.

Customers will also see an estimated time for when their power will be restored, and will send a final notification once power has been restored. 

Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer for PG&E Laurie Giammona says that these improvements are critical.

“Regardless of reason, we understand how disruptive it is for our customers to be without power," Giammona said. "Our goal is to improve our PSPS notifications to help customers plan for an outage when we need to turn off power to reduce the risk of a major wildfire.”      

The alerts will be issued via automated calls, texts and emails.