PAPC team at PG&E Wildfire Safety townhall

UTILITIES provider Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E), in cooperation with the Philippine American Press Club (PAPC) and KTSF-TV, held a mini town hall recently where wildfire safety was discussed and various programs available for customers were shared. The recorded event will be shown on KTSF’s Filipino news program “TV Patrol” at 5 p.m. on Monday, August 25.

The event featured Emmy-award winning journalist Henni Espinosa and PG&E’s Regina Venzon, Chief of the Staff of PG&E’s Chief Operating Officer (COO). KTSF host Angelina Wong welcomed the studio audience, presided over presentation of certificates to the attendees by Daly City Councilmember Juslyn Manalo, and introduced Espinosa.

According to Venzon, wildfire safety is paramount to PG&E as the company has addressed the many concerns of customers due to the increased hazards posed by inclement weather in its areas of coverage. That has included putting electric wires underground, trimming vegetation in areas when needed and putting more cameras and instruments to assist them in determining weather outcomes.

Venzon and Espinosa discussed EPSS (Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings) and PSPS (Public Safety Power Shutoffs) events.

PG&E has enhanced safety settings for its powerlines with EPSS, especially for high-risk wildfire areas. When an object (like a tree branch) touches its powerlines, it triggers a shutoff. Crews are then sent out to the affected areas to determine the risk and work to reestablish electric service when safe to do so. An EPSS event happens within 1/10 of a second or less and thus is unplanned by PG&E.

PSPS, on the other hand, is determined by all data that is accumulated and reviewed by PG&E. When a weather event is expected to happen – extreme heat that can trigger wildfires, windy conditions, atmospheric rivers, etc. – PG&E can schedule a shutoff for vulnerable areas to prevent a wildfire from happening. PSPS is a planned event, and customers are notified via text and/or through an announcement in the PG&E website.

Venzon advised customers to register their mobile phones with PG&E so they can receive warnings or advisories from the utility company.

Asked by Espinosa about the increase in utility bills, Venzon stated that the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) determines the rates that utility companies offer to customers. Any increase in rates, Venzon said, do not profit the company’s management team or its employees. In PG&E’s case, monies earned from any increase are put back for better infrastructure and improving services for its customers.

Also revealed during Espinosa and Venzon’s interaction was the availability of Tagalog-speaking representatives for those who want to talk to a person in-language. A customer can request for such by prompting the system that they want to speak to a representative in-language, and this choice can be put on record.

A question-and-answer portion followed the discussion between Espinosa and Venzon.

Among the takeaways:

• PG&E provides a program for customers who need assistance with special energy needs via its Medical Baseline Program. Customers who, for example, are dependent on life-support equipment at home can apply for the program to receive lower electric rate. A licensed medical practitioner must sign the application and certify the medical condition. During a PSPS event, Medical Baseline customers will receive additional alerts. This may include multiple texts, phone calls or even a door-bell ring.
• The Portable Battery Program (PBP) offers extra support to those who are reliant on electricity for medical needs. Through the program, qualifying customers can receive backup portable batteries. These batteries can help power medical devices, assistive technology and durable medical equipment during outages. Customers can go to pge.com/portablebatteryto determine if they are eligible for this program.
• PG&E has other programs that tap into alternative forms of energy, including the Green Saver Program, that can actually save customers money on their electric bills.
• Customers who want to have their electric use assessed to determine if they can save money can visit pge.comand look at tips and resources, or talk to a representative by calling 1-877-660-6789.

View the program on August 25 at KTSF’s “TV Patrol.” The recording will also be available on pge.com/webinars after airing. (Joseph L. Peralta/PAPC)