Dear Colleagues,
Pacific Gas & Electric has sent a preliminary notice to customers, including Berkeley Lab, that it might shut down electricity on Monday or Tuesday in parts of Contra Costa and Alameda counties due to dry windy conditions that meet the company’s thresholds for a precautionary public safety power shutdown. This action is intended to minimize the risk of wildfires. The shutdown, if it occurs, would last until there is no longer a fire threat and PG&E has had a chance to assess the electrical systems and repair and restore power, as necessary. You can follow the PG&E weather forecasting model to learn more.
We ask that you monitor the situation over the weekend, and look for additional emails or Lab Alerts. If you have not signed up for Lab Alert, please do so immediately on your Lab or personal mobile device.
If you perform essential work in one of the Lab’s scientific or operations areas, discuss your availability status with your supervisor, should you need to be called into the Lab to respond.
See the Lab’s emergency website for more information on how you can prepare at home and at work for a public safety power shutdown.
The Lab’s Emergency Operations Center will be monitoring the situation and will provide information via LabAlert, emails, at status.lbl.gov, and at 1-800-445-5830.