Pacific Gas and Electric Company Launches Campaign to Enhance Outage Preparedness

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For Immediate Release

Pacific Gas and Electric Company Launches Campaign to Enhance Outage Preparedness

State Predicts More Power Shortages In Coming Weeks And Months

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, Jun. 1 -/E-Wire/-- As California barely avoided its seventh day of rotating outages this year, Pacific Gas and Electric Company ratcheted up its outage preparedness campaign.

The California Independent System Operator (CAISO), which runs the state's electric grid, is forecasting more electricity shortages - ranging from 600 to 3,700 megawatts on any given day between now and the end of September - which will likely result in blackouts for millions of Californians.

"We know that state officials are doing everything they can to purchase enough power to meet the needs of all our customers, but we also recognize that they may not be successful every day,' said Dan Quigley, Pacific Gas and Electric Company's outage communications coordinator. "When statewide energy supplies are short, blackouts are ordered by the California Independent System Operator, and that presents challenges for thousands of our customers. So, we're working for the best, but doing everything we can to help our customers prepare for the worst.'

In preparation for a worst-case scenario, Pacific Gas and Electric Company has been blanketing its service area - through the media, with paid advertising, the Internet and other tools - with tips on how the public can prepare for outages and be safe when they hit.

The company's latest effort involves working with United Way, the Red Cross and other organizations to reach out to nonprofits who assist customers particularly vulnerable during outages - seniors, the disabled and the very young. The utility is hosting several seminars throughout its service area for community-based organizations to learn about the energy crisis so they can help their clients prepare for blackouts.

Following are some additional outreach efforts the utility is undertaking:

* Briefing emergency service organizations on the blackout process so they can take precautions in their communities to ensure public safety.

* Hosting seminars for large industrial and commercial customers whose equipment is especially sensitive to power outages.

* Educating local and state government officials so they can keep their constituents informed.

* Producing collateral materials in four languages on outage safety and conservation tips for distribution at public meetings, customer service centers and by service representatives who visit customers' homes. Items include: brochures, fact sheets and magnets.

* Launching paid advertising in four languages on outage preparedness that builds on previous ads highlighting the need for conservation and how Pacific Gas and Electric Company can help consumers conserve.

* Producing Public Service Announcements in English and other languages for distribution to radio and television stations.

* Including customers' block information on the utility's website at www.pge.com. Pacific Gas and Electric Company will continue to print block numbers on customers' bills, as it has done for more than 20 years.

* Enhancing outage notification systems by automating the process and offering customers more flexibility in how they receive information.

The outage preparedness effort is part of Pacific Gas and Electric Company's customer education campaign called "The More You Know About Conserving Energy, the Less Energy You Need.' In addition to outage safety, the utility is helping customers learn how to conserve energy and providing rebates to help them purchase energy efficient appliances and equipment.

For more energy saving tips, please visit our website at www.pge.com/123 or contact the Smarter Energy Line at 1-[REDACTED-PHONE].

Pacific Gas and Electric Company

http://http://www.pge.com/123

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