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System hardening and undergrounding

Building the electric system for the future

Modernizing the electric system

 

We are upgrading our electric system by installing stronger poles and covered powerlines. We are also burying 10,000 miles of powerlines in the highest wildfire risk areas. This system hardening work will help reduce wildfire risk and improve reliability during severe weather.

 

 

Benefits of system hardening 

  • Safer system
  • Reduced wildfire risk
  • Improved reliability
  • Fewer safety power outages

System hardening fact sheet (PDF)

View system hardening projects completed in your community

 

To keep our customers across high fire-risk areas safer, we also:

 

Learn more about our wildfire safety work at pge.com/wildfiresafety.

 

 

Prioritizing the highest fire-risk areas

Over one-third of our overhead primary powerlines are in high fire-risk areas. We focus our work in areas with the highest risk of wildfire so we can have the greatest impact on reducing risk. 

System hardening is how we describe upgrading electric equipment to be stronger in severe weather and reduce wildfire risk.

 

Based on wildfire risk, location, terrain and other factors, this work may include one or more of the following:

  • Undergrounding powerlines in high fire-risk areas
  • Replacing bare powerlines with covered powerlines
  • Installing stronger poles
  • Installing more poles to support the weight of covered powerlines
  • Removing overhead lines when possible, such as when a remote grid has been installed

 

What to expect

We appreciate your partnership as we work to upgrade our electric system and want you to be informed at every step in the process.

 

If a project is planned in your community:

  • Trees or shrubs may need to be cut down or trimmed to safely complete work or make room for new equipment.
  • Customers in or near the work area will receive notification prior to work beginning.
  • PG&E and contractor crews will always carry identification.
  • Crew vehicles and large construction equipment may be in your neighborhood. Traffic control and noise reducing measures will be in place.
  • It may be necessary to shut off power to safely complete work. Customers will receive advance notice.
  • You may experience road closures, traffic delays or construction noise. Cranes and/or helicopters may also be required to complete projects.
  • Because we are focused on removing the higher-risk primary distribution lines, customers will continue to see other equipment overhead. This includes poles, telecommunication lines or powerlines connecting to individual homes or businesses.

We plan to underground 10,000 miles of powerlines in the highest fire-risk areas

 

Undergrounding involves moving powerlines below ground. This nearly eliminates ignition risk at that location.

 

Undergrounding makes our system safer, stronger and more affordable in the long run:

  • Helps prevent wildfires caused by powerlines or equipment
  • Reduces power outages and improves reliability
  • Decreases the need for future tree work
  • Protects the environment


See our undergrounding work in action
Undergrounding fact sheet (PDF)


Undergrounding to reduce wildfire risk 

We are moving powerlines that have the highest ignition risk underground. Customers will continue to see other equipment overhead. In most cases, this includes telecommunication lines or powerlines connecting to individual homes or businesses.

 

See our progress

Data as of 10/31/2024

 

In 2023, we exceeded our goal of completing 350 miles of undergrounding by the end of the year. As of the end of 2023, we have now completed over 600 miles of undergrounding since the announcement of our 10,000-mile undergrounding program in 2021.

 

To accomplish this, it took more than 2,000 highly skilled, fully dedicated coworkers working every day to move powerlines underground across our service area.

 

In 2024, we plan to move an additional 250 miles of powerlines underground. We have already made significant progress toward our annual goal.

 

Undergrounding power lines progress thermometer

Frequently asked questions

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We are prioritizing work in the highest fire-risk areas. Below is a list of counties with projects forecast in 2024, 2025 and 2026. Miles reflect projects that are in any stage of the planning process. Forecast miles exceed our annual mileage targets to ensure we meet our goals. Mileage in your community may change due to a variety of factors. Projects that are not completed in the year indicated may be completed in a future year.

 

You can click the links below to view maps of approximate locations of projects forecast in 2024, 2025 and 2026. 10K UG Program City and County Maps October 2024 (PDF) 

 

important notice icon Note: The CPUC decided in June 2023 to end the Rule 20A program by December 31, 2033. Rules 20B and 20C are not affected by this decision.

Separate from our wildfire safety work, PG&E also moves electric facilities underground through Rule 20. This work is requested by:

  • Cities
  • Counties
  • Municipalities
  • Developers
  • Customers

Work is completed by following the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Rule 20 electric distribution tariff guideline.

 

Rule 20 has three sections (A, B and C). The use of a particular Rule 20 section is determined by the type of project and who pays for the work. Rule 20 projects typically involve undergrounding all above ground utilities and poles.

 

For more information on Rule 20, please refer to the Electric Rule 20 Guidebook (PDF).

 

View the current Rule 20 Annual Report (XLSX) (per Ordering Paragraph 14 of D.21-06-013).

If you are a vendor interested in being added to our list, please complete the Contractor Contact Form to be notified of future Sourcing events.

 

Services of interest may include, but are not limited to:

  • Electric construction services
  • Civil construction services
  • Engineering services
  • Engineering, procurement, and construction services
  • Other relevant support services
  • Electric materials

SB 884 Expedited Undergrounding Program Discovery/Data Requests 

 

PG&E has responded to discovery or data requests relating to the filing of a 10-year Electrical Undergrounding Plan (EUP) under Senate Bill 884. Each discovery or data request from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Safety Policy Division (SPD) related to PG&E's EUP is included in the links below.

 

This page is updated weekly with the latest SPD discovery or data requests and responses.

 

Updated as of: November 8, 2024

 

important notice icon Note: If there are no new responses in a given week, the date will not be updated.

CPUC Safety Policy Division (SPD) 

 

Responses to IOU Balancing and Memorandum Account 
SPD - Data Request 001 (ZIP)
SPD - Data Request 002 (ZIP)
SPD - Data Request 003 (ZIP)

Responses to GRC Depreciation Study Link
SPD - Data Request 004 (ZIP)

Responses to Undergrounding Capital Orders
SPD - Data Request 005 (ZIP)

Responses to Capital Accounting FAQ Documents 
SPD - Data Request 006 (ZIP)

Responses to Revenue Requirements Follow-up Questions
SPD - Data Request 007 (ZIP)

Responses to Shared Poles Contracts/Lease Agreements
SPD - Data Request 008 (ZIP)

Responses to WMP Cost Reporting Template
SPD - Data Request 009 (ZIP)

Responses to Undergrounding Project Phases and Project Documents
SPD - Data Request 010 (ZIP)
SPD - Data Request 013 (ZIP)

Responses pertaining to PG&E's Mini-RO Models
SPD - Data Request 011 (ZIP)
SPD - Data Request 012 (ZIP)

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More on outages and safety

Outage preparedness and support

Stay prepared for power outages and get support.

Visit outage preparedness and support

Community Wildfire Safety Program (CWSP)

Find out how PG&E is making our system safer and more reliable.

Learn about CWSP

Contact us

If you are a vendor interested in being added to our list, email undergrounding@pge.com.