This summer Pacific Gas & Electric will de-energize electric lines that pass through high fire-threat areas as part of their Community Wildfire Safety Program. These Public Safety Power Shutoffs will affect both distribution and transmission lines, meaning customers of Lassen Municipal Utility District here in Lassen County can expect to be affected over the course of the next few months.
The goal of the power shutoffs is to reduce the risk of fire during high-fire risk times such as high winds, low humidity levels and red flag warnings declared by the National Weather Service.
Although LMUD does not buy power from PG&E, its main transmission feed is from PG&E through the Feather River Canyon.
Since LMUD relies on this transmission feed, these public safety power shutoffs will impact customers, but the local utility is working to keep the impact of these shutoffs as minimal as possible.
“LMUD and Honey Lake Power, the local biomass generating facility, have been working together to formulate a plan that would keep LMUD customers from a power interruption due to a PG&E event,” explains LMUD Public Relations Manager Theresa Phillips.
However, this plan is dependent on PG&E providing sufficient notice to LMUD that they intend to deenergize the transmission line that delivers power to our system.
“If the line is de-energized without notification,” said Phillips, “it would cause the islanding process with HLP to become significantly longer, resulting in extended outages.”
“We will provide as much notice as possible to customers when PG&E notifies us it intends to shut off our transmission feed.”
The utility will post information at www.lmud.org, on Facebook and via text message. To sign up for text messages, text “LMUD” to 95577.
Preparing ahead for power outages can help make the best of a bad situation. Equip your home with a power outage kit that includes a flashlight and extra batteries; a battery-powered radio
with extra batteries; a fully charged cell phone with an additional external power source; a one-week supply of drinking water and non-perishable food and a cooler for storing frequently used foods.
Food spoils more quickly if the refrigerator door is opened. Keep these items on hand to make an outage more tolerable: a manual can opener; an alternative cooking source; and a deck of cards, board games and a book.
If someone in your home depends on electric-powered, life-sustaining equipment, make a plan for backup power.
“If you are going to install a generator and connect it to your home’s electrical system,” said Phillips, “please make sure it is done to code using an automated system, such as a Generac switch, or a manual double-pull double-throw switch that separates your house from the grid.”
Phillips warns that failure to follow these rules could cause injury or fire, leading to potentially massive liability on your part and disconnection from the grid, if discovered.
For more information on a double-pull double-throw switch, please talk to a licensed electrician.
Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane or charcoal burning device inside a home or garage. Locate the unit away from doors, windows and vents to prevent exposure to
carbon monoxide. Please install surge protectors on any sensitive electronics and appliances. Be sure to buy surge protectors that have a warranty for your connected load.
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