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Is PSPS Changing?

As fire risk increases throughout California, SCE is updating its Public Safety Power Shutoff protocol to help keep communities safe.
Taylor Hillo
Taylor Hillo
ENERGIZED by Edison Writer
Contributors
Photo Credit: Colton Walter
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This year, Public Safety Power Shutoffs - Opens in new window could happen more frequently, last longer and impact more customers — some who may never have experienced PSPS before.

In response to increasing fire risk, Southern California Edison continues to advance its wildfire safety efforts, including increasing the use of PSPS.

When it’s hot, dry and windy, fires can move quickly. In those conditions, SCE may need to temporarily turn off electricity in high risk areas. While being without power can create significant hardships, this precaution is necessary to help keep communities safe.

What’s Changing?

  • Improved Fire Potential Formula: SCE’s new risk formula better predicts when weather conditions could increase the risk of electric equipment causing a significant fire.
  • Wind Speed Triggers for Shutoffs: Wind speed levels have been refined, helping determine when to turn off power using updated circuit and environmental risk factors.
  • High Risk Circuits in High Winds: When high risk power lines are forecast to experience unusually high wind speeds, we may turn off power earlier, before those speeds reach their thresholds.
 

How Can I Prepare for PSPS? - Opens in new window


For more information, visit sce.com/psps - Opens in new window.

The state requires educational public communications for PSPS, which are funded by ratepayers.

Tags: PSPS, wildfire safety, Public Safety Power Shutoffs