What Do I Need to Know?
- Power [select one: is expected to be / was] shut off on [insert date] at [insert time].
- [List conditions that warrant a PSPS] are forecasted for the aforementioned areas.
- Approximately [insert #] customers will be impacted.
- Public safety partners and first responders were contacted and made aware of the medically sensitive customers who will be impacted by the PSPS.
- Customers who require power to operate life-essential medical equipment are strongly encouraged to call 9-1-1 if they are unable to secure necessary alternative power.
- [insert number] Community Resource Centers (CRC) are being activated at [insert locations]. The CRCs will remain open daily between the hours of [insert hours] throughout the de-energization event to provide customers with essential resources and an opportunity to speak directly with customer care representatives.
- For additional information and real-time updates please follow us on Facebook (@LibertyUtilitiesLT) and Twitter (@LibertyUtil_CA)
Who Is Impacted by the PSPS?
Approximately [insert number] customers in the following communities are impacted by the PSPS: [insert communities].
[EV Charging stations impacted-Link will be provided closer to event]
When Will Power Be Restored?
Liberty will begin the power restoration process when weather conditions measure below pre-determined safety thresholds. Prior to lifting the PSPS and restoring power, Liberty crews will conduct safety inspections on power lines and electric infrastructure throughout the impacted communities. We expect to begin restoring power at approximately [insert timeframe]. Additional updates will be provided when available.
Important
In the event of an emergency, including a PSPS, Liberty will attempt to contact you using the contact information on your account. If we don't have your current contact information on file, please email it to us at: CustomerInfo@libertyutilities.com.
Please help to keep our customer service phone lines clear for emergencies.
About Public Safety Power Shutoffs
A Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) is a safety procedure utilized by electric utilities to proactively turn off power when and where weather conditions create a high wildfire risk. The practice of de-energization, which is becoming more and more frequent, is supported by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) as a safety best practice.
In partnership with fire weather experts, Liberty monitors real-time weather data and forecasts and regularly tests fuel moisture during the fire season. If it is determined that the forecasted conditions meet or exceed safety thresholds, Liberty will initiate a PSPS.
Safety Thresholds:
- The Energy Release Component (measures dry fuel conditions) exceeds 92nd percentile
- Wind gusts exceed 40 miles per hour
- Fosberg Fire Weather Index (measures speed of potential fire) exceeds 50
In the event that a PSPS is a possibility, Liberty will attempt to contact customers through calls, texts and emails using the contact information on file. Customers should keep their contact information up to date and follow Liberty on Facebook and Twitter to receive timely PSPS updates.
Liberty’s Wildfire Mitigation Plan
Catastrophic wildfires have become all too common in California. Due to the dense vegetation and dry brush that characterize much of our landscape, the Lake Tahoe Basin and surrounding forested areas have been designated either "High" or "Very High" Fire Hazard Severity Zones by CAL FIRE.
Liberty is taking steps to mitigate the risk of wildfires in the communities we serve. Outlined below are the key components of our Wildfire Mitigation Plan.
August 5, 2020 Progress Report
December 9, 2020 Progress Report
Infrastructure Hardening
Infrastructure hardening is an ongoing system infrastructure improvement and replacement process aimed at lowering the potential of fires sparked by electric infrastructure. Over the next several years, Liberty will conduct the following improvements to support this process:
- Install covered conductors
- Replace conventional fuses with limiting fuses
- Test and replace aging poles
- Underground sections of the grid
- Remove tree attachments (electrical infrastructure attached to trees)
- Decommission the old wood structure Brockway Substation and replace with a new modern substation
- Complete system audit (inspect 100% of all poles and infrastructure in the system)
Vegetation Management
Liberty crews are deployed year-round throughout the region to inspect trees and vegetation in the vicinity of power lines. In compliance with state law and safety best practices, any trees or branches that have grown too close to power lines will be trimmed or removed to mitigate any wildfire risk.
When trees are identified for trimming, crews prune branches and vegetation back to a minimum of 12 feet from the high voltage power lines to maintain adequate clearance over the maintenance cycle period. Crews will additionally identify any trees for removal that are dead, diseased or structurally unsound, despite being within the acceptable clearance zone, if they have the potential to fall on power lines.
Customers should never attempt to conduct the tree trimming activities themselves, due to the risk of coming in contact with power lines during the process. If you spot a tree or branch you feel may be a hazard, please call us at 530-546-1787.