TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Executive Office
MEETING DATE: May 11, 2021
DEPARTMENT CONTACT:
Carmel J. Angelo
PHONE:
463-4441
DEPARTMENT CONTACT:
Steve Dunnicliff
PHONE:
463-4441
ITEM TYPE: Regular Agenda
TIME ALLOCATED FOR ITEM: 90 Minutes
AGENDA TITLE:
title
Discussion and Possible Action Including Acceptance of Presentation from Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) Regarding Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) Planning & Preparations in the County of Mendocino
(Sponsor: Executive Office)
End
RECOMMENDED ACTION/MOTION:
recommendation
Accept the presentation from PG&E regarding PSPS planning & preparations in the County of Mendocino.
End
PREVIOUS BOARD/BOARD COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
The Board first received a PSPS report and presentation from PG&E in July 2019, with additional presentations provided August of 2019, and August 2020.
SUMMARY OF REQUEST:
As Mendocino County has experienced in 2019 and 2020, PG&E turns off the electricity in the interest of public safety during severe weather that threatens a portion of the electric system. These power shutoffs are known as Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). Based on a judge's recommendation, the weather criteria PG&E uses to determine when to shut off the power will likely be reduced in 2021. This will increase the likelihood of PSPS events. Additionally, the criteria for evaluating the threat of vegetation ("overstrike trees") to the grid has been increased. This will further increase the likelihood of PSPS events. In 2020, PG&E's message focused on explaining how they were working to make PSPS events smaller in size, shorter in length, and smarter. In 2021, that messaging remains similar. In 2020, infrastructure was installed at substations within Mendocino County to facilitate connection of generators and powering of microgrids, and physically staged generators for this purpose. In 2021, PG&E has not committed to staging generators or powering microgrids in Mendocino County. ...
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