Sen. Dodd Authors Power Outage Safety Bill

Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, today announced new legislation to ensure critical facilities such as hospitals, fire stations and water treatment plants can operate during wildfire-inspired electric power shutoffs such as those used last year by Pacific Gas & Electric Co.

“Essential facilities must continue to function if PG&E again uses forced power shutoffs to avoid having its equipment spark fires,” Sen. Dodd said. “My bill is a commonsense measure that would allow the use of generators, ensuring the public is served and protected at the most critical time.”

Senate Bill 1099, introduced late Wednesday, allows critical facilities to operate permitted emergency backup generators in the event of public safety power outages. Among other things, this flexibility would ensure there is electricity to pump and treat water during such outages, protecting public health and safety. Under existing law, such facilities could face penalties for running generators during power outages.

The bill is supported by the California Municipal Utilities Association and local water districts.

Senator Bill Dodd represents California’s 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Solano, Sonoma, Yolo, Sacramento, and Contra Costa counties. You can learn more about Senator Dodd at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd.