FAIRFAX TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
STAFF REPORT
AGENDA ITEM #16
MEETING DATE: July 17, 2024
PREPARED FOR: Mayor and Town Council
PREPARED BY: Christine Foster, Deputy Town Clerk and Heather Abrams, Town Manager SUBJECT: Receive Pacific Gas & Electric Company Report on Outage Data, Reliability Statistics, and Improvement Measures for the Town of Fairfax
RECOMMENDATION
Accept the report.
BACKGROUND
Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) has provided annual data on power outages and system reliability in Fairfax, which is critical for understanding the impact on residents and planning for improvements.
The data highlights performance on Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS)-protected powerlines, common outage causes, and year-over-year comparisons. These insights help the Town of Fairfax in addressing reliability issues and coordinating with PG&E on infrastructure enhancements.
DISCUSSION
This report provides an overview of power outage data in the Town of Fairfax from 2021 to 2024, based on PG&E's reliability summaries. It includes statistics on outage frequencies, durations, and common causes, as well as details on PG&E's efforts to improve system reliability and reduce wildfire risks.
The report reveals the following key points for each year:
• 2021: 66 total outages with an average duration of 5.7 hours, impacting an average of 652 customers per outage. Common causes included third-party interference, vegetation, and equipment failure.
• 2022: 103 total outages with an average duration of 3.8 hours, impacting an average of 223 customers per outage. There was a notable increase in outages due to maintenance and vegetation issues.
• 2023: 105 total outages with an average duration of 5.2 hours, impacting an average of 348 customers per outage. The primary causes remained consistent, with a rise in equipment-related outages.
• 2024: Preliminary data shows 34 total outages with an average duration of 7 hours, impacting an average of 536 customers per outage. PG&E has undertaken several reliability improvements, including fault indicator installations and vegetation management.
PG&E has implemented various measures to enhance reliability, such as installing fault indicators, modifying device settings, replacing fuses, and pruning trees. These efforts aim to reduce outage frequency and duration, especially in high fire-risk areas.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
PG&E has communicated their efforts and improvements through various channels, including social media, community workshops, and dedicated wildfire safety contacts. They have also provided 2 resources and support programs for customers with access and functional needs, including rebates for backup power solutions and portable battery programs.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with accepting this report.
ATTACHMENTS
PG&E Report Presentation
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Town of Fairfax Follow Up
June 5, 2024
Local EPSS Reliability
and Improvements
Some of the measures included in this presentation are contemplated as additional precautionary measures intended to further reduce the risk of wildfires. 3 Town of Fairfax Reliability Summary: 2021
Data is approximate and as of 5/16/2024
*Customer counts are approximate as of 5/16/2024 and may change based on ongoing program updates and enhancements. 2021 Performance on
EPSS-Protected Powerlines
32%
31%
27%
0 Outages 9%
1-2 Outages
3-7 Outages
8-9 Outages
10+ Outages
Customers
Experiencing*
6%
52%
9%
6%
12%
Third Party 14%
Animal
Maintenance
Equipment
Unidentified
Vegetation
Wildfire Mitigation
Common
Outage
Causes
1%
Total
Outages: 66
Average
Duration: 5.7 hours
2021 By the Numbers
Customers on Average
Impacted per Outage: 652
1%
Some of the measures included in this presentation are contemplated as additional precautionary measures intended to further reduce the risk of wildfires. 4 Town of Fairfax Reliability Summary: 2022
Data is approximate and as of 5/16/2024
*Customer counts are approximate as of 5/16/2024 and may change based on ongoing program updates and enhancements. 2022 Performance on
EPSS-Protected Powerlines
8%
37%
46%
0 Outages 8%
1-2 Outages
3-7 Outages
8-9 Outages
10+ Outages
Customers
Experiencing*
23%
11%
54%
Third Party
Animal
Maintenance
Equipment
Unidentified
Vegetation
Wildfire Mitigation
Common
Outage
Causes
1%
Total
Outages: 103
Average
Duration: 3.8 hours
2022 By the Numbers
Customers on Average
Impacted per Outage: 223
1%
2% 4%
5%
Some of the measures included in this presentation are contemplated as additional precautionary measures intended to further reduce the risk of wildfires. 5 Town of Fairfax Reliability Summary: 2023
Data is approximate and as of 5/16/2024
*Customer counts are approximate as of 5/16/2024 and may change based on ongoing program updates and enhancements. 2023 Performance on
EPSS-Protected Powerlines
5% 14%
74%
0 Outages 6%
1-2 Outages
3-7 Outages
8-9 Outages
10+ Outages
Customers
Experiencing*
22%
8%
6%
17%
43%
Third Party
Animal
Maintenance
Equipment
Unidentified
Vegetation
Wildfire Mitigation
Common
Outage
Causes
1%
Total
Outages: 105
Average
Duration: 5.2 hours
2023 By the Numbers
Customers on Average
Impacted per Outage: 348
1% 3%
6 Some of the measures included in this presentation are contemplated as additional precautionary measures intended to further reduce the risk of wildfires.
Year-Over-Year Comparison: 2021 – 2023
We are continuously working to improve reliability and minimize customer impacts.
Average
Outage
Length
Average
Customers
Impacted
per Outage
2021 2022 2021-2022
Comparison
5.7 hours
3.8 hours
33%
decrease
652 223 66%
decrease
2022 2023 2022-2023
Comparison
3.8 hours
5.2 hours
37%
increase
223 348 56%
increase
2021-2023
Comparison
9%
decrease
47%
decrease
Some of the measures included in this presentation are contemplated as additional precautionary measures intended to further reduce the risk of wildfires. 7 Town of Fairfax Reliability Summary: 2024
Data is approximate and as of 5/16/2024
*Customer counts are approximate as of 5/16/2024 and may change based on ongoing program updates and enhancements. 2024 Performance on
EPSS-Protected Powerlines
44% 52%
0 Outages
1-2 Outages
3-7 Outages
Customers
Experiencing*
29%
11%
11% 5%
39%
Third Party
Animal
Maintenance
Equipment
Unidentified
Vegetation
Wildfire Mitigation
Common
Outage
Causes
Total
Outages: 34
Average
Duration: 7 hours
2024 By the Numbers
Customers on Average
Impacted per Outage: 536
4%
1% 4%
Some of the measures included in this presentation are contemplated as additional precautionary measures intended to further reduce the risk of wildfires. 8 Improving Reliability in Fairfax
We have taken steps to improve
reliability on circuits protected by
EPSS in the Town of Fairfax.
Circuits serving the Town of
Fairfax:
San Rafael 1104
San Rafael-1108
Woodacre-1102
High fire-risk area
Town of Fairfax
Improvements completed
on circuits serving the
Town of Fairfax:
FI = Fault Indicator
FR = Fuse Replacement
SA = Device Settings Adjustments
Data as of 6/3/2024. Locations are approximate and may overlap. Work plans are subject to change.
Installing10 fault indicators to precisely
identify outage locationsand speed
up restoration
Modifying engineering settings on 3
devices to reduce customer impacts
This work is ongoing and includes:
Replacing 2 fuses with line reclosers
to mitigate future outages
Pruning trees along the San Rafael 1108
circuit to reduce vegetation related outages
SA
SA
FI
SA
FR
FI
FI
FI
FI
FI
FI
FI
FI
FI
FR
Customer Resources
10 Some of the measures included in this presentation are contemplated as additional precautionary measures intended to further reduce the risk of wildfires.
Wildfire Safety Progress Map
The Wildfire Safety Progress Map is a comprehensive, interactive map of PG&E wildfire safety work and progress for customers.
The map includes data relatedto:
▪ System Upgrades (Hardening)
▪ Installing Strong Poles and Covered
Powerlines
▪ Undergrounding
▪ Line Removal
▪ Sectionalizing Devices
▪ Temporary Microgrids
▪ Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS)
▪ Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS)
▪ Customer Assistance Programs
▪ Self-Generation Incentive Program
▪ Permanent Battery Storage Rebate
Visit pge.com/progressmap to learn more
11 Some of the measures included in this presentation are contemplated as additional precautionary measures intended to further reduce the risk of wildfires.
Customer Resources and Support for Wildfire Safety Outages Portable Battery Program
Supporting eligible customers with fully subsidized portable battery solutions Generator and Battery Rebate Program
Rebates for eligible customers to purchase a qualified generator or battery Self-Generation Incentive Program
Rebates to help customers save on energy storage systems for their business Disability Disaster Access and Resources
Emergency preparedness planning, portable batteries, and support for customers requiring additional accommodations
Residential Storage Initiative
Permanent, long-term backup power solutions for the most impacted customers pge.com/portablebattery
pge.com/backuppower
pge.com/sgip
pge.com/ddar
pge.com/residentialstorageinitiative
12 Some of the measures included in this presentation are contemplated as additional precautionary measures intended to further reduce the risk of wildfires.
Resources for Customers with Access and Functional Needs We provide support options for customers with Access and Functional Needs, through our Medical Baseline and Vulnerable Customer Status programs.
A monthly discount or additional monthly allotment
of power based on rates.
Additional notifications ahead of Public Safety Power
Shutoffs.
Participants qualify through medical device or
medical condition needs.
Potential to qualify for additional resources including the generator rebate, portable battery or a Backup
Power Transfer Meter.
Medical Baseline (MBL) Program
Various financial support programs available for
customers who have fallen behind on bills or additional programs to help customers save.
Additional notifications ahead of Public Safety Power
Shutoffs.
Service disconnection notifications 48 hours prior or at the time of disconnection due to nonpayment.
Potential to qualify for additional resources, including portable batteries
Self Identified Vulnerable Customer Status
Customers can learn more at pge.com/mbl. Customers can learn more at pge.com/vcstatus. 13 Some of the measures included in this presentation are contemplated as additional precautionary measures intended to further reduce the risk of wildfires.
Social Media Resources and Informational Tools
To find out about savings resources, preparedness tips and more to share with your community, visit our social media pages.
YouTube
@pgevideo
Instagram
@pacificgasandelectric
Facebook
@pacificgasandelectric
Nextdoor
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Twitter/X Screenshot
Twitter/X
@PGE4Me
14 Some of the measures included in this presentation are contemplated as additional precautionary measures intended to further reduce the risk of wildfires.
Additional Resources
Dedicated wildfire safety contacts: Hotline: 1-866-743-6589 | Email: [email protected] Information on wildfire
prevention efforts
Wildfire Safety
pge.com/wildfiresafety
Submit photos of
non-emergency potential
safety concerns
Report It App
pge.com/reportit
Free and confidential
support and resources via
calls or texts to 211
California
Network of 211
211ca.org
Create an emergency
safety plan to keep you
and your family safe
Safety Action Center
safetyactioncenter.pge.com
Thank You