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> In light of PG&E’s history of falsification of inspection reports, PG&E shall, between now and the 2019 Wildfire Season, re-inspect all of its electrical grid
by conistonwater 7y ago
> In light of PG&E’s history of falsification of inspection reports,
PG&E shall, between now and the 2019 Wildfire Season, re-inspect all of its
electrical grid and remove or trim all trees that could fall onto its power lines,
poles or equipment in high-wind conditions, branches that might bend in high
wind and hit power lines, poles or equipment, and branches that could break off in
high wind and fall onto power lines, poles or equipment; shall identify and fix all
conductors that might swing together and arc due to slack and/or other
circumstances under high-wind conditions; shall identify and fix damaged or
weakened poles, transformers, fuses and other connectors; and shall identify and
fix any other condition anywhere in its grid similar to any condition that
contributed to any previous wildfires. The trees and branches to be removed are
not limited to those within the distances prescribed by the California Public
Resources Code but extend farther to any tree or branch posing the dangers
described above. As used herein, the 2019 Wildfire Season means June 21, 2019,
through the first region-wide rainstorm in November or December.
> For each segment of its electrical grid, PG&E shall document the
foregoing inspections and the work done and shall rate each segment’s safety
under various wind conditions (from little wind to high wind). PG&E must
designate one or more qualified engineers to make these safety determinations
and the rating must be certified under oath by the engineer in writing. In light of
PG&E’s history of false reporting, PG&E may not rely upon its earlier inspection
reports as substitutes for the new inspections. PG&E shall follow all
requirements of law as well as those in this order, shall follow all guidance
provided by the Monitor, and shall be complete and truthful. If a power line
happens to comply with all of the requirements of state law but nevertheless poses
a safety issue under the circumstances, then the line may not be rated as safe until
the safety issue is resolved.
> At all times during the 2019 Wildfire Season (and thereafter),
PG&E may supply electricity only through those parts of its electrical grid it has
determined to be safe under the wind conditions then prevailing. Conversely,
PG&E must de-energize any part of its grid not yet rated as safe by PG&E for
the wind conditions then prevailing until those conditions have subsided. For
example, if Santa Ana winds of up to thirty miles per hour are expected in a given
county and if PG&E has not yet rated those power lines as safe for such winds,
then PG&E must de-energize those lines during the wind event and beforehand
notify affected customers that those lines will be de-energized. In determining
safety, PG&E may not take into account the need for reliability of service, the
inconvenience to customers resulting from interruption in service, or its impact
upon PG&E’s revenues and profits. Reliability is important but safety must come
first. Profits are important but safety must come first. Only safe operation will be
allowed.