How to survive the Sierra Nevada winter snowstorm power outage
Thousands of homes and businesses have been left without power in the Sierra Nevada mountains after a record amount of December snow hit Northern California this week.
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. and contractor crews restored power to about 157,000 customers between Monday and Wednesday. But as of Wednesday evening, roughly 80,000 customers were experiencing outages due to the winter storm.
And while PG&E said in a Wednesday news release that they have been contacting customers with updates — the website doesn’t give estimated restoration times.
So below are tips and resources provided by PG&E on backup power solutions, how to safely operate them and financial assistance for those in need.
PORTABLE POWER STATIONS
Portable power stations and battery technology can power anything from phones to refrigerators and can operate indoors and outdoors. The advantages include minimal noise and fumes as well as reduced greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants. Another environmentally friendly and reliable option is pairing your solar energy system with a battery.
HOW TO SAFELY USE A PORTABLE SYSTEM
Never connect a backup power system to another power source, including PG&E power lines.
Store generators away from flammable materials including dry grass.
Remember that generators become hot during and after use.
Position your generator where exhaust can vent safely to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Use appropriate size extension cords and never run cords under rugs or carpet.
FINANCING OPTIONS
PG&E provides a Self-Generation Incentive Program that helps businesses and residential customers install new and qualifying equipment for backup power during shutoffs.
The program helps customers extend electrical power by adding battery storage to their wildfire safety plan. It also offers qualifying customers the support they need to cover 100% of battery and installation costs with help based on the customers’ income, location, medical needs and experience with past Public Safety Power Shutoffs.
Other financing resources include:
Loan program for Californians with disabilities and their families.
This story was originally published December 30, 2021 at 2:23 PM with the headline "How to survive the Sierra Nevada winter snowstorm power outage."