Over 43,000 PG&E customers lose power in San Joaquin County outage

On Thursday evening, a significant number of customers in San Joaquin County, California, experienced an unplanned power outage. This incident affected over 43,000 PG&E customers, particularly in the cities of Tracy, Manteca, and Lathrop. The company's online outage map indicated that the incident began around 4:30 p.m., when crews started de-energizing certain sections to rebalance the grid. As a result, customers were left without electricity for what PG&E estimated would be a duration of 90 to 120 minutes. The utility company clarified that this outage was unrelated to the ongoing Public Safety Power Shutoffs that were in effect across the state during that weekend. These shutoffs are implemented as a precautionary measure to mitigate fire risks during high winds and dry conditions. PG&E has been under scrutiny and public criticism for their handling of power distribution and safety protocols, especially following extensive outages in previous wildfire seasons. As the outage unfolded, thousands of residents found themselves in the dark, impacting not only their homes but also businesses and essential services that depend on reliable electricity. PG&E's quick response in terms of sending crews to manage the situation reflects their ongoing efforts to maintain safety and reliability for their customers, despite the criticisms they have faced in the past. Restoration efforts were expected to conclude within a couple of hours, minimizing the inconveniences caused by the outage. This unplanned outage highlights the challenges that utility companies, like PG&E, face in balancing grid reliability and safety measures. It is crucial for them to both respond swiftly to outages while also ensuring long-term strategies are in place to reduce the likelihood of cascading failures in the future. As the utility continues to improve its infrastructure, the effects of such outages can serve as a learning opportunity for better management and preparation.