Electricity: deenergization events: communications.

Senator Stern's proposed legislation would establish new requirements for electrical utilities during planned power shutoffs, mandating immediate notification protocols and detailed status updates throughout deenergization events. The measure adds provisions to California's Public Utilities Code governing how utilities communicate with emergency responders and restore power after weather-related shutdowns.

Under the proposal, utilities must notify public safety partners immediately upon deciding to initiate a power shutoff, detailing impacts on critical facilities like hospitals, water treatment plants, and communications infrastructure. The legislation requires utilities to publish real-time weather data for affected circuits, including wind speeds, humidity levels, and temperatures, through their websites and mobile applications. Status updates on restoration efforts must be provided at least every 12 hours to emergency managers, safety officials, and the public.

The bill outlines specific restoration protocols, requiring utilities to begin reenergizing lines without delay once hazardous conditions subside. Utilities must prioritize circuits serving critical facilities when restoring power, working with local emergency management agencies to identify restoration priorities. The California Public Utilities Commission would oversee compliance with these requirements through annual reporting and may impose financial penalties on utilities that fail to meet notification, data publication, or communication standards.

Each electrical corporation must submit yearly reports documenting their adherence to these transparency and restoration requirements, including data on the number of shutoff events, weather conditions, communications with stakeholders, and any issues encountered during power restoration. These reports would be publicly available through both the commission and the utilities to enable stakeholder review of implementation.