SAN FRANCISCO >> The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) presented PG&E with the Emergency Recovery Award for its power restoration efforts during the Valley Fire.
“The hardworking crews from PG&E are truly deserving of this recognition for their tremendous efforts to restore service and support their community in the face of difficult conditions during the Valley Fire. PG&E’s efforts to swiftly and safely restore service are representative of our industry’s unwavering commitment to customer service,” said Tom Kuhn, president, EEI.
Twice a year EEI member companies are recognized for their efforts to restore power to customers after service disruptions caused by severe weather conditions or other natural events.
During the Valley Fire, nearly 1,700 PG&E employees and contractors worked closely with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, County of Lake Office of Emergency Services, CalFire, the U.S. Forest Service and other first responders to restore power and support the community. Integrated emergency response teams worked across challenging terrain to assess damage, remove hazardous trees and rebuild equipment to help expedite the safe return of residents to their homes.
PG&E also provided exportable power to evacuation centers and essential businesses and worked with law enforcement to ensure customer safety while evacuation orders were still in effect.
“The Valley Fire was the third worst fire in California history, and our employees saw firsthand the devastating impact it had on our customers. Restoring electric service was one of the first steps to recovery, and thousands of PG&E employees played a part in our response. This award is a tribute to the cross-agency team of first responders and our employees who worked tirelessly in extreme conditions to get the community back on its feet,” said Geisha Williams, president of PG&E.
“The success of any emergency response effort is only as strong as the players who execute it, and we couldn’t be more grateful for our partnerships with top-notch first responders who are committed to public safety. The support and resources that PG&E provided during the Valley Fire were critical to fighting the fire and restoring the community,” said Lake County Supervisor Rob Brown.
The Emergency Recovery Award winners were chosen by a panel of judges following a nomination process, and the awards were presented during EEI’s January CEO and Board of Directors meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona.
