LAKE COUNTY— The 2023-24 Civil Grand Jury Report found that PG&E did not follow established and agreed-upon guidelines, they did not notify emergency services or area residents when it closed off the Golf Road area in Cobb, and that there was insufficient oversight of PG&E activities by Lake County Department of Public Works due to simultaneous projects and crews working county-wide.
During the construction process of undergrounding powerlines to reduce fire danger and provide a more reliable supply of electricity that is expected to continue over several years, the Department of Public Works issues the utility company Encroachment Permits that allow work along county roads. The permits specifically cite adherence to the California Temporary Traffic Control Handbook (CATTCH). PG&E is a signatory to the handbook. The grand jury, through interviews with DPW personnel, Cobb area residents, public comments at Cobb Area Council meetings and comments by Spring Valley residents found that PG&E repeatedly violated the conditions of their permits and CATTCH.
While CATTCH recommends that traffic not be detained for more than 10 minutes, traffic in Spring Valley was held for over 30 minutes according to numerous sources. During construction on the Golf Road area in Cobb there were several crews working at the same time without any coordination between them. This choked off emergency vehicle access and prevented DPW inspectors from being able to perform their jobs as the roads were shut down. CATTCH also requires notification of local populations and emergency services concerning upcoming construction activities and the recommendation of alternative routes. The jury found that PG&E did not follow these requirements when it closed off access to the Golf Road area during their undergrounding efforts. Several different crews working in the same area without coordination between them, created additional burdens and unsafe conditions for area citizens, emergency services and DPW inspectors.
The recommendations of the jury are that the Lake County Department of Public Works explore the funding of additional inspectors at the expense of PG&E to allow adequate oversight of simultaneous projects throughout the county. The jury also recommends that DPW contract with a licensed engineering firm to inspect the work of PG&E and their subcontractors at times of heavy workload, that DPW enforce the CATTCH recommendations as required in their encroachment permits, and that Public Works makes sure that PG&E makes the required notifications to emergency services and residents who will be impacted by their upcoming work.
