The California Senate on Thursday unanimously approved legislation that classifies wildfire-related utility power shutoffs as local emergencies.
Authored by state Senator Bill Dodd of Napa, Senate Bill 52 makes local agencies that respond to such shutoffs eligible for financial assistance from the Emergency Services Act.
“Shutting off the power to prevent wildfires has become an unfortunate reality here in California,” Sen. Dodd said. “But doing so carries significant costs. My bill ensures these de-energizations are classified as local emergencies, allowing local agencies to recover expenses from available funding.”
PG&E began issuing Public Safety Power Shutoffs during wildfires two years ago. The utility has been tied up in lawsuits, after investigations found that PG&E’s outdated equipment played roles in sparking multiple deadly wildfires.
The bill is supported by Napa County, California Fire Chiefs Association, Fire Districts Association of California, Regional Council of Rural Counties, Disability Rights California and the California Association of Public Authorities.
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