Sens. Dodd/Glazer power shutoff generator bill clears Senate

Thursday, June 25, 2020

SACRAMENTO – The Senate today unanimously approved legislation from Sens. Bill Dodd and Steve Glazer to ensure critical facilities such as hospitals, fire stations and water treatment plants can operate during wildfire-inspired electric utility power shutoffs such as those used last year by Pacific Gas & Electric Co.

“With the possibility of more wildfires and the attendant power shutoffs on the horizon, it is essential that we are able to keep our most important facilities operational,” said Sen. Dodd, D-Napa. “I commend my Senate colleagues for recognizing this commonsense measure to ensure the public is served and protected at the most critical time.”

“This an important bill to protect hospitals and their patients by allowing them to run backup generators without penalty during PSPS events,” said Sen. Steve Glazer. “This is about allowing lifesaving power to flow. These are circumstances nobody wants but we’re trying to make the best of it for these critical care facilities.”

Senate Bill 1099 allows the most essential 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. Sens. Dodd and Glazer are co-authors.

The bill, which passed on a 37-0 vote, is sponsored by the California Municipal Utilities Association and the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District.

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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.