Forensics indicate baby wipes, paper products, other hygiene items

and Fats-Oils-Grease
(SACRAMENTO) – With clogs and problems in California’s wastewater systems continuing to make headlines, INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry and the Responsible Flushing Alliance are raising awareness that many clogs in wastewater systems persist because items not labeled “flushable” are being flushed. These items include baby wipes, disinfecting wipes, hand and face wipes, feminine care products, washroom paper towels and other products not labeled as “flushable.”
Forensic studies undertaken to find the causes of wastewater system clogs and accumulations have found that 98 to 99 percent of the materials that are actually causing clogs are mostly hygiene products not intended to be flushed. These studies were conducted by municipal wastewater agencies in the United States and the United Kingdom to better understand precisely what categories of items are flushed, or in stormwater combined systems, washed into their systems and contributing to system upsets.
“It is important that we all do our part to protect plumbing and sewer systems by looking for the ‘flushable’ label before flushing any wipe. Anything without that label should go in the trash,” said Dave Rousse, President of INDA. “INDA promotes proper disposal by encouraging manufacturers to use the universal ‘Do Not Flush’ symbol, which is found on most baby wipes and surface cleaning wipes.”
As compared to baby wipes and other non-flushable wipes, flushable wipes are uniquely manufactured with exclusively tree- or plant-based fibers and lose strength quickly once flushed and disintegrate throughout properly maintained sewage systems. Flushable wipes – which do not contain plastic – were invented in the late 1990s after consumer usage data indicated many households without diapering-age children were buying baby wipes. Given that the invention was of a product specifically designed to be flushed in place of one not designed to be flushed, flushable wipes are actually a major part of the solution to proper sewer system operation.
Industry’s use of the “flushable” label is grounded in extensive product testing using methods developed over the years with input from municipal wastewater experts. INDA’s flushability assessment uses seven rigorous tests to ensure products are compatible with household plumbing systems and wastewater treatment infrastructure. Industry’s labeling Code of Practice requires a “Do Not Flush” symbol prominently on the package of wipes that do not pass this flushability assessment.
The key to solving this issue is simple: Read before you flush! Disposal instructions on the packaging of wipes and other hygiene and household products are a consumer’s best guidance on how to properly dispose of them. By following the disposal instructions on the label, consumers can protect their plumbing and the infrastructure and environment in their communities.
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MARYSVILLE, Calif. (Nov 7, 2019) – A diverse group of nine organizations announced today their commitment to prioritize, plan, and execute forest restoration on an unprecedented scale in the North Yuba River watershed, covering 275,000 acres of the northern Sierra Nevada.

The memorandum of understanding spells out the group’s commitment to work together to increase the pace and scale of ecologically-based restoration within the North Yuba River watershed and to prioritize community safety, forest health, and resilience through landscape-scale restoration.
The North Yuba Forest Partnership includes Blue Forest Conservation, Camptonville Community Partnership, National Forest Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, Nevada City Rancheria, Sierra County, South Yuba River Citizens League, The United States Forest Service - Tahoe National Forest, and Yuba Water Agency.
“Many forests in the North Yuba River watershed are critically unhealthy, overcrowded with small trees and brush,” said Eli Ilano, Tahoe National Forest Supervisor. “Unhealthy forests are at a greater risk of high-severity wildfire due to fire suppression and historic timber harvesting practices, a risk that is exacerbated by a changing climate.”
The North Yuba River watershed runs through multiple Northern California counties and two national forests, from Yuba Pass to New Bullards Bar Reservoir. The area includes thousands of acres of forest habitat, is an important source of water for downstream users, supports high biodiversity, is home to many rural communities, and offers excellent opportunities for recreation.  
“We’re loving our forests to death,” said Willie Whittlesey, Assistant General Manager of Yuba Water Agency. “A ‘hands-off’ approach to forest management is no longer an option now that our communities, infrastructure and water supply are at significant risk. To make a meaningful impact in this massive effort, it’s going to take all of us who care about the watershed coming together.”
Forests once characterized by large, widely-spaced trees and beneficial low-to-moderate severity fires are now overrun with vegetation that is not fire-resilient. This has increased the risk of destructive wildfire causing significant damage to local communities, entire ecosystems, and watershed health. 
Projects to restore resilience to the North Yuba River watershed include clearing underbrush, thinning smaller trees, managed burning, reforestation, and meadow restoration, among other efforts. In addition, traditional ecological knowledge from the local Nisenan people will be incorporated into planning and design.
“We are planning ecological forest management projects using the best available science,” said Rachel Hutchinson, River Science Director for South Yuba River Citizens League. “It’s important to all of us that we strike that balance between the desperate need to restore the forest’s resilience to wildfire and the need to preserve and protect vulnerable species and cultural artifacts.”   
“This public-private partnership holds promise as a model to restore the forests of the Sierra at a landscape scale,” said David Edelson, Forest Program Director of The Nature Conservancy. “By using the latest science, innovative planning and new funding approaches, together we can accelerate the restoration of our forests while maintaining the environmental safeguards and community input that are central to success.”
This effort is expected to take up to 20 years to complete, with the highest priority given to at-risk communities, emergency response, evacuation access routes, forests of critical ecological importance, and areas that have the potential to stop a wildfire from spreading.
While planning efforts for the larger North Yuba River watershed are just beginning, the 14,500-acre Yuba Project is already underway, serving as a pilot for the larger-scale North Yuba River watershed restoration effort. The Yuba Project is benefitting from a new financing tool called the Forest Resilience Bond (FRB), a public-private partnership that accelerates the pace and scale of forest restoration through investment from private capital sources, including foundations, impact investors, and insurance companies. 
“Investor demand for this first-of-its-kind private investment to support public land management greatly outpaced supply. Investors are eager to finance future, larger projects,” said Zach Knight, managing partner of Blue Forest Conservation, the lead developer of the FRB. “The North Yuba Forest Partnership plans to use the FRB model and other innovative approaches to finance planned work in the North Yuba River watershed.”
To learn more, visit the partnership website at yubaforests.org.
A downloadable map, audio from today’s press conference, as well as b-roll and photos of forest health initiatives can be found here. 

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About the Partners: 
·        Blue Forest Conservation: An innovative nonprofit organization committed to creating sustainable financial solutions to pressing environmental challenges. 
·        Camptonville Community Partnership: A nonprofit organization with a mission of rural people working together for a safe, sustainable, and healthy community.
·        National Forest Foundation: Engaging Americans in promoting the health and enjoyment of our public forests. 
·        The Nature Conservancy: One of the world’s leading conservation organizations, dedicated to scaling up forest restoration across the Sierra Nevada.
·        Nevada City Rancheria: The local tribal unit of the Nisenan people of Northern California, passionate about forest health and management, as it is central to their well-being.
·        Sierra County: Positioned at the headwaters of the North Yuba River, Sierra County’s highest priorities include reducing wildfire risk, enhancing forest and watershed health through implementation of fire resilient treatments, and protecting its rural communities. 
·        South Yuba River Citizens League: Uniting the community to protect and restore the Yuba River watershed, SYRCL understands that forest health and resilience are essential to a healthy watershed.
·        The United States Forest Service – Tahoe National Forest: Sustaining the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and managing over 50 percent of the Yuba River watershed, which lies within the Tahoe National Forest.
Yuba Water Agency: A special district in Yuba County, committed to forest health in the entire Yuba watershed, to ensure a sustainable water supply and reduce the risk of fire for the people of Yuba County.
 
 

Quincy, CA – Plumas National Forest wildlife crewmember Abby Marshall is asking the community for help by sharing their knowledge of local elk populations. This information will assist the Forest in their efforts to restore and improve elk habitat management.
 
“I’m creating a monitoring plan to identify important elk calving areas and habitat on the Plumas National Forest as part of my graduate work at Oregon State University (OSU). I’m hoping to get photographs and locations of elk collected by members of the public that will help us better understand areas important to the elk,” said Marshall. “Photographs that include calves are particularly helpful, as they can help us identify areas to survey and better manage important calving areas.”
 
Marshall is generally focusing on the area north of Highway 70 and west of Frenchman Lake although information from anywhere within the Plumas National Forest is helpful.
 
Within recent history, elk on the Plumas National Forest have been relatively novel and a small population has only become established since the early 2000s. Elk are large and require quite a lot of resources, but they are also highly elusive and difficult to study here. Absent current local information, it is challenging to manage the landscape for elk or other animals that interact directly or indirectly with them.
 
Photos and other information may be emailed to: SM.FS.PNF-elk@usda.gov. It would be most helpful if people identify the area where the photo was taken to smallest scale they are willing to provide; GPS coordinates are best, but Township Range and Section or even geographic area (for example, “within the Coyote Hills”) can assist Marshall (she understands some folks may be unwilling to share exact locations).
 
For more information about this project please contact Abby Marshall at the Beckwourth Ranger District (530) 836-2575.

There is a remarkable size different between deer and elk. But elk also tend to have a dark brown head and neck, medium-to-light brown body, and large white/cream colored rump. The white rump for elk extends up their back above the start of their tail and the tail itself is also white. Deer are more uniformly light brown but they have white rumps that start below the tail.

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Attorney General Becerra Announces 148 Arrests as Part of Statewide Cannabis Eradication CampaignSACRAMENTO – California Attorney General Xavier Becerra today announced the arrest of 148 individuals as part of the Campaign Against Marijuana Planting (CAMP) Program, the nation’s largest illegal marijuana eradication program. This year, CAMP eradicated 953,459 marijuana plants from 345 raided grow sites across the state. A total of 168 weapons were seized throughout the raids.
“Illegal cannabis grows are devastating our communities. Criminals who disregard life, poison our waters, damage our public lands, and weaponize the illegal cannabis black market will be brought to justice,” said Attorney General Xavier Becerra. “This year, our CAMP teams worked tirelessly across the state to vigorously enforce California’s laws against illegal cannabis activity. The California Department of Justice is extremely proud of our partnership with federal, state, and local agencies and we look forward to continuing this necessary work.”
“Combating illegal marijuana cultivation takes dedication, teamwork, perseverance and courage,” said David Bess, Deputy Director and Chief of the Law Enforcement Division for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. “I’m immensely proud of the work we accomplished during the year with our county, state and federal partners. Together, we are protecting California’s natural resources and providing another measure of public safety.”
“USDA Forest Service law enforcement in California commend the collaboration and continuing efforts of our task force of partners in the yearly fight against illegal marijuana grows on public lands. This multi-faceted team approach is how we stay successful in mitigating these trespassers and the harmful destruction they intend on our land, water, wildlife and communities,” said Don Hoang, Special Agent in Charge of United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region.
“CAMP’s joint law enforcement efforts provide an opportunity for a stronger state-federal partnership against the illegal cultivation of marijuana. Together, we share a common goal – to improve public safety and protect our nation’s important natural and cultural resources on public lands,” said Joe Stout, Acting California State Director, Bureau of Land Management.
“We are proud to partner with our local, state, and federal partners in the CAMP program, which not only helps disrupt illegal activity, but assists in safeguarding natural resources and the environment,” said William D. Bodner, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration. “CAMP provides rotary wing assets and personnel to assist DEA in the eradication of illegal marijuana grows on federal lands.”
“Although cannabis has been legalized for use in California, there is still a large unlicensed black market,” said Robert Paoletti, Coordinator Colonel, California National Guard Counterdrug Task Force. “Our participation works to prevent this illegal market in order to promote a fair market place for those growers, producers, and vendors who choose to operate within the system that the voters approved.”
The CAMP operations were led by the California Department of Justice and included local, state, and federal agencies. Agents were divided into three teams that encompass the Northern, Central and Southern California regions, with teams covering 35 counties in the state. 
Throughout the course of this year’s operations, CAMP teams protected public resources against misuse and safeguarded public land and water from illegal pesticides. This year, agents assisted in serving over 120 search warrants in the growing black market of illegal cannabis cultivation on public lands. The sites, loaded with trash, banned pesticides such as carbofuran, methyl parathion, aluminum phosphate, and illegal fertilizers, discharge large quantities of these harmful products into the waterways of California. Agents shut down these illegal grow sites, shielded the public from harmful chemicals, and disrupted dangerous criminal activity. 
The 2019 CAMP operations count on multi-agency collaboration between the California Department of Justice, the United States Department of Agriculture, the United States Forest Service, the United States Department of the Interior, the National Park Service, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the United States Department of Justice’s Drug Enforcement Administration, the California National Guard, the California Bureau of Land Management, and the Central Valley High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program, and other local law enforcement departments.



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The last Loyalton Country Market was held October 26th. In spite of the cold, vendors turned out to sell a variety of goods. Watch for Country Markets at the Loyalton kiosk next season! - Photos by Bonnie Jessee

(Washington, DC) – Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) issued the following statement after joining fellow Representatives Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), Mike Simpson (ID-02), and Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) as well as agricultural stakeholders and labor organizations to unveil the Farm Workforce Modernization Act.
 
The bipartisan legislation provides needed certainty for farmers and farm workers alike and provides stability for the American agriculture industry by improving the H-2A program, capping wage increases, and instituting a merit-based immigration system for the current agriculture workforce based on past and future work commitments.
 
LaMalfa said: “Today, we announce a common-sense compromise that is fair to farmers, farmworkers, and to US citizens who appreciate the rule of law. In California and across the US, farmers have been calling for a reliable and legally documented workforce for years. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act addresses these issues in a constructive, bipartisan manner that will provide much-needed certainty. It does so by modernizing the H-2A program, stabilizing wages, and instituting a merit-based system for agricultural workers to eventually earn legal status – but only after years of proven and consistent employment in the U.S. agriculture industry. Vigorous background checks and state-of-the-art biometric verification are included as well. It also prohibits the usage of every source of public assistance benefits, including the ACA. 
 
“After the program is in place, E-Verify will become mandatory to ensure only those legally in the country can work. This employment-based immigration reform is what President Trump has requested from Congress, it’s what agriculture and its farmers have been asking for, and it’s what the workers themselves need. It will vastly increase safety via legal border access and significantly reduce the use of fake documents and IDs while cutting out the human trafficking that is such a large part of border access for those seeking otherwise to fill these work needs.
 
“I’m happy to have been a part of crafting this bipartisan agreement and deliver on our promise to find solutions to our agriculture industry’s needs – while also upholding a legal process that honors our immigration laws and US citizens’ ideals of honoring those laws.”
 

Rep. LaMalfa speaks at a press conference to introduce the Farm Workforce Modernization Act.
 
Jamie Johansson, President of the California Farm Bureau Federation, said: “The agricultural labor crisis is resulting in rotting crops in fields and greater economic uncertainty in rural California. The only solution is better laws that address the real needs for both farm employers and their employees. Farmers and ranchers from across the state applaud Rep. LaMalfa’s leadership in brokering the best possible legislative deal in the House to allow for a legal agricultural workforce. The only way forward is a plan both Republicans and Democrats can get behind, and Mr. LaMalfa, working closely with Reps. Lofgren and Newhouse, has cleared the way.”
 
Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019 Facts:
 

• Stabilizes existing workforce by giving those who have a proven work history in agriculture a chance to get a 5 year “Certified Agricultural Worker” status to stay in the U.S. and work in agriculture. As long as the worker continues to work annually in the agriculture industry, they can continue to work in the U.S. with unlimited 5-year renewals. CAWs can cross the border as they need without restriction.
• CAWs can earn the right to apply for a lawful permanent residency by continuing to work in agriculture for a minimum of 8 additional years, with a slightly faster option for those who can prove over a decade of work in agriculture.
• Mandatory E-Verify is phased in as the program begins to ensure only a legal workers can be employed.
• Strict prohibition on all government assistance to CAW’s and foreign workers, including ACA, SNAP and all types of welfare.
• Prohibits chain migration, while allowing only minor children and spouses to stay together.
• Reforms H2A by reducing duplicated paperwork – now only one filing is needed instead of three, previously.
• Online jobs board administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for all farm jobs in the USA
• Staggered entry for H2A workers – brings in specific workers with skillsets needed for specific jobs at the time needed.
• One-year freeze foreign farmworker wages and a cap on growth to a maximum of 3.25%, with the possibility that it will be reduced by -1.5%
• Year-round H2A to help with industries previously excluded from H2A such as the struggling dairy industry
• Pilot “portability” program for 6 years that allows for additional at-will work opportunities on farms outside of the traditional H2A model and with fewer costs.

 
Congressman Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and Tehama Counties.
 
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October 30, 2019, 4:00 p.m.
 

Currently, 168,500 Total PSPS Impacted Customers Remain Without Power
 
Safety Inspections and Restoration Work Continues
 
Weather “All Clear” Declared in Northern Portion of Kern County
 
Community Resource Centers Remain Open Today
 
 
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.-- Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) confirmed at 4 p.m. that it had restored power to approximately 196,500 customers since the Oct. 29 Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) “All Clear” was given at 10:00 a.m. today (Oct. 30). 168,500 total PSPS impacted customers remain out of power.
 
At first light, PG&E crews along with mutual aid workers from other utilities from across the U.S. began safety inspections of de-energized equipment, repair work for any wind related damage found, and restoring power to customers.
 
Counties Completely Restored
 
PG&E has achieved 100 percent restoration across all PSPS events in the following counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Humboldt, Madera, Mariposa, Monterey, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and Siskiyou.


Kern County Update
 
PG&E issued a partial “all clear” in the northern portion of Kern County, and expects to issue a full “all clear” on Thursday morning (Oct. 31), given continued significant wind activity in the southern part of PG&E’s service area.
 
Inspection Process
 
Safety patrols and equipment repairs, which take place largely during daylight hours, are underway for impacted miles of distribution and transmission line miles. More than 6,300 personnel and 43 helicopters are deployed and supporting the restoration process. PG&E has also secured mutual assistance of approximately 830 electric workers from other utilities from across the U.S. to help with inspections and repairs. For this PSPS event PG&E has verified 83 instances of weather damage or hazards involving PG&E assets.
 
Oct. 29 PSPS Scope Decreased Due to Improving Weather
 
For the Oct. 29 PSPS, the number of impacted counties was decreased from original estimates, as weather conditions changed and as PG&E was able to sectionalize parts of its grid to allow for greater precision in the shutoffs. Counties that were removed from the shutoff scope were Alameda, Contra Costa, Humboldt, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Mateo and Siskiyou.
 
Community Resource Centers
 
PG&E will continue to operate Community Resource Centers for affected customers, providing restrooms, bottled water, ice, blankets, food, electronic-device charging and air-conditioned seating for up to 100. Centers will remain open during daylight hours, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., until power has been restored in those areas.Locations and status of these centers are listed at www.pge.com/pspsupdates.
 
Emergency Preparedness Tips
 
PG&E does not currently expect another significant wind event in the next seven days. All customers are encouraged to use this time to restock their emergency kits with supplies that were depleted during the recent power shutoffs. Find preparedness tips at www.safetyactioncenter.pge.com.
 
Customers are encouraged to update or provide their contact information by calling 1-866-743-6589 during business hours if they have not already done so. PG&E will use this information to alert customers through automated calls, texts and emails, when possible, prior to and during, a Public Safety Power Shutoff. 


About PG&E
 
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric energy companies in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with more than 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation’s cleanest energy to 16 million people in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com and www.pge.com/news.
 
​
October 30, 2019, 4:00 p.m.
4 P.M. UPDATE: PG&E Has Restored Power to 196,500 Customers Since “All Clear” Announced This Morning        
 
Currently, 168,500 Total PSPS Impacted Customers Remain Without Power
 
Safety Inspections and Restoration Work Continues
 
Weather “All Clear” Declared in Northern Portion of Kern County
 
Community Resource Centers Remain Open Today
 
 
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.-- Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) confirmed at 4 p.m. that it had restored power to approximately 196,500 customers since the Oct. 29 Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) “All Clear” was given at 10:00 a.m. today (Oct. 30). 168,500 total PSPS impacted customers remain out of power.
 
At first light, PG&E crews along with mutual aid workers from other utilities from across the U.S. began safety inspections of de-energized equipment, repair work for any wind related damage found, and restoring power to customers.
 
Counties Completely Restored
 
PG&E has achieved 100 percent restoration across all PSPS events in the following counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Humboldt, Madera, Mariposa, Monterey, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and Siskiyou.


Kern County Update
 
PG&E issued a partial “all clear” in the northern portion of Kern County, and expects to issue a full “all clear” on Thursday morning (Oct. 31), given continued significant wind activity in the southern part of PG&E’s service area.
 
Inspection Process
 
Safety patrols and equipment repairs, which take place largely during daylight hours, are underway for impacted miles of distribution and transmission line miles. More than 6,300 personnel and 43 helicopters are deployed and supporting the restoration process. PG&E has also secured mutual assistance of approximately 830 electric workers from other utilities from across the U.S. to help with inspections and repairs. For this PSPS event PG&E has verified 83 instances of weather damage or hazards involving PG&E assets.
 
Oct. 29 PSPS Scope Decreased Due to Improving Weather
 
For the Oct. 29 PSPS, the number of impacted counties was decreased from original estimates, as weather conditions changed and as PG&E was able to sectionalize parts of its grid to allow for greater precision in the shutoffs. Counties that were removed from the shutoff scope were Alameda, Contra Costa, Humboldt, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Mateo and Siskiyou.
 
Community Resource Centers
 
PG&E will continue to operate Community Resource Centers for affected customers, providing restrooms, bottled water, ice, blankets, food, electronic-device charging and air-conditioned seating for up to 100. Centers will remain open during daylight hours, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., until power has been restored in those areas.Locations and status of these centers are listed at www.pge.com/pspsupdates.
 
Emergency Preparedness Tips
 
PG&E does not currently expect another significant wind event in the next seven days. All customers are encouraged to use this time to restock their emergency kits with supplies that were depleted during the recent power shutoffs. Find preparedness tips at www.safetyactioncenter.pge.com.
 
Customers are encouraged to update or provide their contact information by calling 1-866-743-6589 during business hours if they have not already done so. PG&E will use this information to alert customers through automated calls, texts and emails, when possible, prior to and during, a Public Safety Power Shutoff. 


About PG&E
 
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric energy companies in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with more than 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation’s cleanest energy to 16 million people in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com and www.pge.com/news.
 
 

 
Power Restored to 325,000 Customers of 970,000 Impacted by Safety Shutoff
 
For Wind Event Starting Tuesday, Oct. 29, PG&E Moving Forward with Public Safety Power Shutoff for 605,000 Customers
 
 
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.—Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) continues to restore customers impacted by the Oct. 26 Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS), as it works to prepare for an additional shutoff planned to begin Tuesday, Oct. 29.
 
Updates on Oct. 26 PSPS:
 

• As of 4:30 p.m. today, more than 325,000 customers had been restored.

 

• Crews have been inspecting de-energized lines and repairing wind-related damage since receiving the all-clear Monday morning.

 

• PG&E so far has more than 20 preliminary reports of damage on its system during the extreme wind.

 

• PG&E needs to inspect more than 32,000 miles of the electric system before fully restoring power—longer than the circumference of the Earth. Restoration will occur in stages depending on inspections and any repairs of wind damage to the electric system.

 

• More than 6,300 on-the-ground field personnel are available, as well as 46 helicopters. Helicopter inspections may be impacted by firefighting efforts in some areas.

 

• To assist in the restoration process, PG&E has requested mutual aid of 1,000 workers from other energy companies.

 

• A total of approximately 970,000 customers in portions of the following 37 counties were impacted by shutoffs during this historic weather event: Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Madera, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, San Benito, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tehama, Trinity, Tuolumne, Yolo and Yuba.

 

• In addition, approximately 100,000 customers lost power due to wind-related outages on the system in areas that were not de-energized. Of those customers, about 65,000 had been restored as of 4 p.m. today.

 
Updates on PSPS Scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 29
 
As a precautionary measure to reduce wildfire risk during the next severe and widespread wind event in the forecast for Tuesday, Oct. 29 and Wednesday, Oct. 30, PG&E confirmed Monday that it will implement a PSPS in portions of 29 counties, affecting electric service for up to 605,000 customers.
 
Portions of the following counties are currently expected to be impacted: Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Humboldt, Kern, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Tehama, Trinity, Tuolumne, Yolo and Yuba.
 
The severe wind event is expected to start Tuesday morning in the North Valley, North Bay and Sierra Foothills; Tuesday afternoon in the southern Sierra Foothills; Tuesday evening in Kern County; and very early Wednesday in the Bay Area. The weather should clear in all areas by mid-day Wednesday.
 
Important Advisory
 
It is possible that customers impacted by the Oct. 26 PSPS could be part of the Oct. 29 shutoff. It’s also possible that power restoration for some customers impacted by the Oct. 26 shutoff will not be complete before the next safety shutoff must begin.
 
PG&E will continue working to reduce the scope of this next event. For customers who are restored between events, PG&E urges them to use the time to charge any medical equipment, phones and other electronic devices and restock emergency kits.
 
Customer Notifications
 
PG&E has notified customers who could potentially be affected by the next PSPS event via text, email and automated phone calls.


Customers enrolled in the company’s Medical Baseline program who do not verify that they have received these important safety communications will be individually visited by a PG&E employee when possible. A primary focus will be given to those customers who rely on electricity for critical life-sustaining equipment.
 
Community Resource Centers
 
PG&E has opened Community Resource Centers in several locations. These centers will be open during daylight hours, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., until power has been restored. Restrooms, bottled water, electronic-device charging and air-conditioned seating for up to 100 will be available at each of these facilities. Locations of these centers are listed at www.pge.com/pspsupdates.
 
How Customers Can Prepare
 
As part of PSPS preparedness efforts, PG&E is asking customers to:
 

• Plan for medical needs like medications that require refrigeration or devices that need power.
• Identify backup charging methods for phones and keep hard copies of emergency numbers.
• Build or restock your emergency kit with flashlights, fresh batteries, first aid supplies and cash.
• Keep in mind family members who are elderly, younger children and pets.
• Learn more about wildfire risk and what to do before, during and after an emergency to keep your family safe at PG&E’s Safety Action Center.

 
About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric energy companies in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with more than 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation’s cleanest energy to 16 million people in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com andwww.pge.com/news.